November 2023: What's on London with kids

Fill these darker days with plenty of cheer - including fantastic fireworks, Diwali, Day of the Dead celebrations, glittering light trails and the start of the Christmas events. This newsletter brings you 20 sparkling things to do this November in London with kids, plus the latest Under 5s cultural events.

Was it just me, or did October half term speed by?

The first half of the week was filled with fun London freebies - the fantastic Uniqlo Play Shadow and Light Make Studio at Tate Modern; the Witches Adventure Trail at National Theatre; an author’s reading with Kirstin McNeil; and an edible book workshop at Royal Society of Sculptors.

We certainly made the most of our Halloween outfits - including on the Count Frogula Trail at Nymans.

And for the second half of the holidays, we escaped to a very autumnal Peak District for a budget-but-brilliant break at YHA Ilam Hall. We made wands and potions at Britain’s oldest public library, Chethams Library; rode historic trams at the fantastic Crich Tramway Village; walked a foggy Tissington trail to a roaring fire in The Royal Oak country pub; and saw just a small part of the impact of Storm Babet at Dovedale stepping stones.

I’m bringing you this newsletter a little early this week as I’m on a very exciting trip - to explore Amsterdam with the I amsterdam City Card! I’ll keep you updated on what I see via my Instagram Stories; you can also read my personal recommendations for visiting Amsterdam with kids from our last visit.

If this newsletter is useful to you, please take a second to forward it to friends or mention it online.

November 2023: What’s on London with kids

Without further ado, here’s my pick of family-friendly cultural activities this month.

I’m not yet in full Christmas-mode - there’s a smattering here and I’ll share a more comprehensive guide soon.

1. Begin the month with a bang at a fireworks display or light show with earlier start times and family-friendly activities. My picks are: Coram’s Field fireworks (3 November 2023, free); Waltham Forest light show spectacular (3-5 November 2023, paid) and Battersea Park fireworks (5 November 2023, paid).

2. Get loud or quiet down and make art to listen to in UNIQLO Tate play: Rhythm make studio at Tate Modern, SE1. Weekends from 4 November 2023-7 February 2024, plus Wednesdays for Under 5s. Free, drop in.

3. Learn, make and play the ancient Egyptian board game Senet and take your own version home to play with family and friends in this board game workshop at Petrie Museum, WC1. 4 November 2023. Free, drop in/book.

4. Create a beautiful lantern and a dapper top hat or elegant Frida crown to show off in the grand parade at the Day of the Dead family festival at Redbridge Central Library, IG1. Plus storytelling, live music, games and face painting. 4 November 2023. Free, drop in. Some activities paid, book.

5. Transform scavenged materials such as clay, natural objects, fabric, cardboard and yarn into sculptures in Family takeover: Otherworldly creatures with Maymana Arefin at Camden Arts Centre, NW3. 4, 11, 18 & 25 November and 16 December 2023. Free, drop in/book.

6. Build your own cities from sticks, tape and cardboard, then add graphic characters and narrate the stories within them in A tale of cities at the Mosaic Room, SW5. 5 November 2023. Best ages 4-12. Free, book.

7. A rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches lands at National Theatre, SE1. From 7 November 2023. Paid, book.

8. Head to the City for the oldest, longest, least rehearsed and best loved civic procession in the world - the Lord Mayor’s Show. There’s also Second Saturdays family activities at Guildhall Art Gallery (free, book), storytelling at the Bank of England Museum (free, book) and free entry to the ground floor of St Paul’s Cathedral and £10 dome climbs (book). 11 November 2023. Free, drop in unless stated.

9. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with illuminations, dancers, Dhol drummers, giant puppets and more at Diwali at Marble Hill, TW1. 11 November 2023. Free, drop in.

10. See an immersive light and sound show and enjoy special access to the Crown Jewels after hours in Crown and coronation at the Tower of London, EC3. 17-25 November 2023. Paid, book. 

11. Come and play with vivid colour, inventive objects and peculiar props in Play works by Assemble and Assembly Play at Orlean House Gallery, TW1. 18 November 2023-23 June 2024. Free, book for certain weekends.

12. Paint beautiful Diya lamps, make patchy Rangoli, learn Bollywood dancing, enjoy storytelling and see Chila Burman’s new roof commission in Diwali family day at Museum of the Home, E2. 19 November 2023. Free, drop in.

13. Skate at Somerset House returns with a uniquely Swiss winter vibe. Special Kids Skate Club sessions create a safe, fun, friendly environment for ages 6-10 to take their first glide on the ice. 15 November-14 January 2024. Paid, book.

14. Find decorated recreations of The Snowman inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas in Walking with Snowman trail in Fleet Street Quarter. 20 November 2023-January 2024. Free, drop in.

15. My all-time favourite family theatre experience returns after a sell-out run. Don’t miss My neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, EC2. 21 November 2023-23 March 2024. Paid, book.

16. Head to Greenwich for a double-bill of free, family activities: Polar family day at National Maritime Museum and Queens House ice rink Festive fun day. 25 November 2023. Free/some paid activities at ice rink. Drop in.

17. Make clay Christmas tree decorations and decorate with slips and ribbon in Sunday Sessions at the Garden Museum, SE1. 26 November 2023. There’s also paper basket weaving (5 November 2023), sunset silhouettes (12 November 2023) and botanic collage (19 November 2023). Free, drop in.

18. Make salt dough, mould your own tiny treasures, and bring them to life with a splash of colour in this messy Bow families workshop with Dunya Kalantery at Bow Arts, E3. 26 November 2023. Free, drop in. 

19. There’s lots of paid light trails opening this month, but here’s a free one: Sparkle in the Park at Avery Hill Park, SE9. With a larger space, Christmas market, a fun fair and enjoy pop up performances from local school and community choirs. 30 November-3 December 2023. Free, drop in.

I’ll share more events for all ages as they are announced over on my Instagram stories.

Please do mention me online or in person if you attend any of these events - it lets me know it’s worth my time preparing these guides.

November 2023: What’s On for Under 5s

“I find it really helpful when you post a separate list for U5s and include all the links and dates as well as the postcodes.”

In response to the above feedback, I’m trialling a dedicated list of activities for very little ones. Hit reply and let me know if you prefer this format.

1. Listen, play and make some noise in Sound explorers at the Young V&A, E2. 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 & 29-30 November and 1 December 2023. Free, drop in, U3s.

2. Learn about the natural world around us, with a different outdoor theme each week in Park Explorers at Morden Hall Park, SM4. Mondays in term time, including 6, 13, 20 & 27 November 2023. Ages 2-5. Paid, drop in. 

3. I’ve received great feedback on Tuesday Tots at the Garden Museum, SE1. And they’re running four of their storytelling sessions this month, from giant turnips to snow songs. 7, 14, 21 & 28 November 2023. Free, drop in. U5s.

4. Play with sensory equipment, take part in telling stories and role-play in Sensory stories at Polka Theatre, SW19. Tuesdays in term time, including 7, 14, 21 & 28 November 2023. Paid, book. Ages 2-4.

5. The latest dates for Squish Space at Barbican are 8-12 November 2023. Using a variety of materials and tactile objects, it’s a place to spin, jump, hide, touch and explore ideas of the planet and our ecology Free, drop in/book. Under 5s.

6. New messy play sessions with sensory materials in Travel tots: Messy play at the National Archives, TW9. 10 November and 1 December 2023. Paid, book. Ages 2-5. 

7. Explore paint, from its sensory qualities to colour mixing and messy mark making in Early years studio: Messy at the Royal Academy. 15 November 2023. Free, drop in, U5s.

8. There’s two Little Feet sessions at British Museum this month: All wrapped up (13 November 2023) and Light up the day (24 November 2023). Free, drop in. U5s.

9. Toddler takeover day at Headstone Manor Museum comes highly recommended by follower @krishnalondon. 20 November 2023. Free, book. U5s.

10. The next Tots at the Docks at Museum of London Docklands, E14 is themed around food of the docks. 29 November 2023. Free, drop in. U5s.

If you haven’t already, do take a look at my Autumn Under 5s cultural play sessions post for even more events.

Weekend activities: 4-5 November 2023

And finally, here’s some additional last minute ideas for this weekend, all drop in or still with spaces. Click the links to check times, any costs or booking details.

1. Story space: Read aloud with Ian Eagleton at Tate Britain, SW1. 4 November 2023. Free.

2. Black Victorians at the British Museum, WC2. 4 November 2023. Free.

3. Meet Miss Nightingale at Florence Nightingale Museum, SE1. 4 November 2023. Paid.

4. Marching orders: Eye spy family tour at the National Army Museum, SW3. 4 November 2023. Free.

5. Diwali: Tabla rhythms & Indian block printing at Pitzhanger Open Sundays, W5. 5 November 2023. Free.

6. Autumn Intergenerational event at Islington Ecology Centre, N5. 5 November 2023. Free.

Have a great month and I can’t wait to hear what you get up to!

Bye for now,

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