🦊 London's Half-term battleplan

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. The last half-term of the school year is upon us once again. Honestly, they seem to come around more often than actual weekends. But if you’ve been here long enough, you’ll know one thing: when we need it the most, this newsletter London delivers. So keep this guide close.

In far more pressing news… Peppa Pig has a new baby sister. Yep. Evie Pig. Born at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, same place Kate had her royal crew. Could Evie Pig become a billion-pound brand too? Are we witnessing the Kardashians of the toddler world?

Also, if you recall, last week I was rambling about wanting to run a ranch à la Yellowstone. I’ve since moved on, but in a few weeks you’ll have a much easier way to see some of the most beautiful horses and talented riders in the world. Right here in London. Sorry Mr Dutton.

Anyway, here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

🎙️ London Snippets: Bits that caught our eye
🏇 Family Fun: Polo in the Park
🧠 Casual Einstein: Playground-worthy facts
📅 Readers’ Favourite: What’s on this week?

But first, the weather. Some forecasts expect a bit more rain, but hey, not the time to be pessimistic ahead of half term.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🦒 Puppet Stampede Incoming. London’s about to be overrun by life-sized animal puppets (yes, really) as part of a global art project raising awareness about climate migration. From 27–29 June, expect elephants in Stratford and giraffes in Soho — just another week in the capital, then. Full story

🍺 Guinness Moves In. Covent Garden’s getting frothier: Guinness is opening a £73m brewery-meets-restaurant-meets-gift-shop in the heart of London. Basically a theme park for stout lovers. Half a million visitors expected. Pint glass not included. Full story

🏗️ Barbican’s £240m Glow-Up. Concrete jungle no more? The Barbican Centre’s planning a facelift with revamped foyers, a glam new water feature and lakeside upgrades. Work starts in 2027 and wraps up by 2030, just in time for its 50th birthday bash. Brutalism, but make it fancy. Full story

. FAMILY FUN .
Saddle Up for Polo’s Ultimate Family Day

This is what I’m talking about! Chestertons Polo in the Park’s Family Day is back in London on Sunday 8 June, and it is one of the best family days out this spring. Period.

Never seen polo before? Doesn’t matter. It’s a great chance to experience something new and get a glimpse into the exciting world of polo. Plus, we’ll put together a 60-second guide in next week’s issue so you can show up ready to enjoy.

We’re talking world-class live polo, street food that’s actually good, and a packed kids’ line-up featuring Sharky & George, Tarka, The Little Gym, and even a stunt riding show by the Knights of Middle England. Think face painting, bouncy castles, riding stunts, and yes, there’s Pimm’s.

Honestly, a proper day out for the whole family. And to top it off, it’s right in Fulham. Just hop on the District Line.

We even sorted a little something for our loyal scoopers. Use the code “LONDONSCOOP” at checkout for a special rate. See you there. Here’s the link.

📅 Sunday 8 June - Family Day
📍 Hurlingham Park - just off Putney Bridge
👧 All ages welcome, and under 12s go free!

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: Horses can sleep standing up, but only lightly. Their legs lock into place so they can nap without falling over. But for proper deep sleep, they still need to lie down. So if you see a horse on the ground, nothing to worry about. Probably just dreaming of hay and winning the Derby. 🐎

London Fact: London has around 3,500 pubs at any given time. That’s more than one for every Tube station, bus route, and awkward work social combined. You could visit a new one every day for nearly a decade and still have a few left for your farewell pint. 🍺

  EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🌸 Chelsea in Bloom @ Sloane St.
Date & Loc: May 22-25, Chelsea
A floral takeover of Chelsea’s streets, shopfronts, and secret corners, now celebrating 20 blooming marvellous years.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🧸 The Koala Who Could @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: May 22-Jun 1, London Bridge
Kevin the koala finds his courage (eventually). Sweet Aussie tale for little ones.
Age: 3+ | Price: £12.50 | Info

🎭 Overheard in a Tower Block @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: May 22 onwards, Islington
Poetic story capturing the sounds and soul of urban life, funny, tender, and quietly powerful.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £13 | Info

🦖 Jurassic World: The Experience @ Battersea
Date & Loc: May 23 onwards, Battersea
Step through the iconic gates and explore 10 immersive zones from the blockbuster dino franchise.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £25 | Info

🐘 The Elmer Adventure @ Pentland Theatre
Date & Loc: May 23-25, North Finchley
Patchwork elephant chaos and charm, Elmer's on the loose.
Age: 3 | Price: £14 | Info

🎨 Play Studio @ Tate Modern
Date & Loc: May 23, Southbank
Costumes, movement, and plenty of open-ended play for tiny creatives.
Age: Under 5s | Price: no cost | Info

🎭 The Paper Dolls @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: May 23 onwards, Islington
When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden.
Age: 3-8yo | Price: from £13 | Info

🤖 Artificial Intelligence Family Day @ King’s College
Date & Loc: May 24, Strand
Robot football, brain games, build-your-own bot outfits. AI fun for the curious.
Age: 7+ | Price: No cost | Info

🎨 Make it: Painting @ V&A Museum
Date & Loc: May 24, South Kensington
Explore design through paint in this monthly family workshop.
Age: 5+ | Price: £20 | Info

🐱 Purrfect Prints Family Day @ William Morris Gallery
Date & Loc: May 24, Walthamstow
Design and screen print a Morris Mania inspired Lucky Cat poster.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost | Info

🎭 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Storytelling @ Shakespeare’s Globe
Date & Loc: May 24-25, Southbank
An interactive, family-friendly retelling of Shakespeare’s magical comedy.
Age: 5-11yo | Price: £15 | Info

📖 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Workshop @ Shakespeare’s Globe
Date & Loc: May 24-25, Southbank
Explore language, characters, and chaos in this interactive workshop (two age groups).
Age: 5-11yo | Price: £15 | Info

🌲 The Vanishing Forest @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: May 24-Jun 1, Wimbledon
A quest to save an enchanted forest — with fairy kings, friendship and action.
Age: 7-12yo | Price: £10 | Info

🎭 Krafty the Urban Fox @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: May 23 onwards, Islington
Follow a curious fox on a magical night-time city adventure.
Age: 2-5yo | Price: from £13 | Info

🪐 Family Festival: Space @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: May 24-Jun 1, South Kensington
Space-themed festival celebrating the museum’s new cosmic exhibition.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🪲 Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt @ London Wetland Centre
Date & Loc: May 24-Jun 1, Barnes
Bug hunts, crafts and critter-themed chaos for half term.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £11 | Info

🖋️ Family Studio: experiments in ink @ Burlington Gardens
Date & Loc: May 25, Mayfair
Create ink drawings at this workshop for families.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 Family Takeover Day @ Open Air Theatre
Date & Loc: May 25, Regent’s Park
Kids’ comedy, live music, a mini rave, and snacks on the grass — basically your dream bank holiday, but with less whining (hopefully).
Age: Family | Price: from £15 | Info

🎭 Shakespeare for every day of the year @ Open Air Theatre
Date & Loc: May 25, Regent’s Park
A witty, fast-paced evening of scenes and speeches drawn from the hit anthology. Shakespeare under the stars, what’s not to love?
Age: 11+ | Price: from £26 | Info

🪐 Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Ongoing, South Kensington
New! Touch a piece of Mars, hold a fragment of the Moon, and snap a selfie with the Allende meteorite — older than Earth itself.
Age: 8+ | Price: £14 (adults) | Info

🎥 The Enchanted Cinema: Ghibli's Forest @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: May 27, South Kensington
A screening-meets-orchestra experience, where you make the sound effects.
Age: 4+ | Price: £15 | Info

🧱 Lego Replay: Imagining new things @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: May 27, Southbank
Hands-on Lego workshops exploring creative design and sustainability.
Age: 6-12yo | Price: no cost | Info

🖌️ Family Workshop: Clay pots @ Foundling Museum
Date & Loc: May 27, Bloomsbury
Make a clay pot for your most valuable treasures and decorate it with symbols that represent your identity.
Age: 5-12yo | Price: £5 | Info

🎭 Grooving with Pirates @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: May 27-28, Hammersmith
Jazz, funk, and a swashbuckling good time with Groove Baby.
Age: 3-7yo | Price: £10 | Info

🎨 Half-term: Gold Reflections @ National Gallery
Date & Loc: May 27-29, Trafalgar Square
Hunt for gold in paintings, then make your own shiny masterpiece.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🖍️ Secret Colouring Experience @ Greenwich Peninsula
Date & Loc: May 27-Jun 1, Greenwich
Creative sessions blending freehand drawing, vinyl culture, and collaborative art.
Age: Everyone | Price: No cost | Info

👽 The Smeds and The Smoos @ Pentland Theatre
Date & Loc: May 27-Jun 1, North Finchley
A star-crossed alien love story with rhymes and rocket ships.
Age: 3+ | Price: £14 | Info

🖍️ May Drop-in Designs @ V&A Museum
Date & Loc: May 28-30, South Kensington
Art, design, and storytelling come together in this creative half-term drop-in.
Age: 5+ | Price: No cost | Info

🎭 Stories on the Stage: Where the Water Falls @ V&A Museum
Date & Loc: May 28-30, South Kensington
Short puppet show exploring identity and imagination.
Age: 5+ | Price: No cost | Info

🌼 Welcome Day with London Play @ Greenwich Park
Date & Loc: May 29, Greenwich
Explore the new Nature Play Space and get hands-on in the Flower Garden.
Age: Everyone | Price: No cost | Info

📚 Story Explorers: Imaginary Worlds @ British Library
Date & Loc: Ongoing, King’s Cross
Sold out for May, but June has slots. Expect books, sounds, odd creatures, and a furry octopus.
Age: 2-9yo | Price: no cost (booking req) | Info

🌳 Of the Oak @ Kew Gardens
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Kew
An immersive installation celebrating the mighty oak. Nature meets art.
Age: Everyone | Price: Included with entry | Info

🚗 Ready Steady Go! @ Unicorn Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, London Bridge
Build your own cardboard car, zoom through roadworks, stop at a bubbly car wash, and learn road safety while having a blast.
Age: 3-8yo | Price: £12.50 | Info

🎥 Digital Kids: Create with Clay @ V&A Museum
Date & Loc: May 27-30, South Kensington
Shape clay characters, then animate your own mini film.
Age: Family | Price: No cost | Info

🌼 Moomin 80: Play, Make, Dream @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: May 27-Jun 1, Southbank
Build and play inside a giant Moomin house on the terrace. Booking opens May 20th.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🧪 Top Secret - The Magic of Science @ The Exchange
Date & Loc: May 29, Twickenham
Where magic meets science in a spectacular live show full of wonder and surprises.
Age: Everyone | Price: £12 | Info

🐘 The Vanishing Elephant @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: May 29, Southbank
A tale of friendship between a boy and an elephant — from Bengal to Broadway.
Age: 8+ | Price: £16 | Info

🎮 Wifi Wars @ Studio Theatre
Date & Loc: May 30, North Finchley
Live comedy game show where the whole audience plays along via smartphone.
Age: 6+ & 11+ | Price: £12.75 | Info

🎨 Spring Family Festival @ V&A Museum
Date & Loc: May 31, South Kensington
Make, move, boogie and build. A free day of joy and storytelling.
Age: Everyone | Price: No cost | Info

🐎 Family Day @ Chestertons Polo in the Park
Date & Loc: Jun 8, Fulham
World-class live polo, street food that’s actually good, and a packed kids’ line-up. See discount code in the newsletter further up.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £40 (kids free) | Info

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