If London does one thing well, it’s family-friendly fun. From soft play and music classes to story time and play cafes, the opportunities for a fun day out with your baby are ample.
The good news for parents, though, is that many of London’s top cultural venues are now offering events and performances designed especially for parents and carers. Babies, of course, are welcome, but the focus is on the grown-ups. From classical music concerts to guided London walks, these are the best cultural experiences in London for you to enjoy with your baby.
1. Performances at the Royal Court Theatre
London’s Royal Court Theatre offers a year-round programme of accessible performances, including ‘Babes in Arms’ matinees for shows in the Jerwood Theatre upstairs. These performances are specifically for adults with babies under 12 months so there’s no need to worry about your baby making noise or moving around. These performances offer relaxed seating and the freedom to enter and leave the auditorium at any time if you need to change or feed your baby. A live stream is available in a quieter space outside the theatre, too. Tickets for these performances sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up to the newsletter to be keep on top of new show dates and times.
2. Baby-Friendly Cinema Screenings
Many of London’s independent cinemas now offer baby-friendly screenings where the lights are turned up a little higher, the sound is lowered and the atmosphere is relaxed so you don’t need to worry about making noise or sneaking in and out. Look to Curzon, Picture House and Everyman cinemas as well as the Barbican Cinema, which runs Parent and Baby screenings every Monday and Saturday morning.
3. Classical Music Concerts At Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall’s monthly ‘For Crying Out Loud!’ is a monthly concert series, specifically created for parents or carers with babies under one. Each concert is approximately 45 minutes, and features classical musicians from the Royal Academy of Music. Set in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, these concerts encourage you to move, sway or simply listen together so babies are welcome to wriggle, feed, nap or respond in their own way without any pressure or expectation.
4. Baby-Friendly Comedy Clubs
Daytime gigs for parents are proving increasingly popular in London — and for good reason. They offer a good dose of light relief (what new parent doesn’t need that?) in a convivial environment, where babies, feeding, and meltdowns are warmly welcomed. Among the top baby-friendly comedy clubs is Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, which runs shows across the UK featuring the best comedians from the circuit and TV. It’s worth noting that the comics perform their usual adult material, so there’s a 15-month age limit for little guests.
5. Baby-Friendly Guided London Walks
There’s nothing better for the soul than getting outside, especially when you have a crying baby who refuses to nap. If you’re up for learning about the history of London whilst pootling around with the pram, look to Bring your Baby Guided London Walks, a curated series of themed walks ideal for parents and carers. The walks cover a range of topics from Roman London to the artists of bohemian Hampstead. Each guided walk takes around two and a half hours and includes a scheduled pitstop where you and your baby can refuel at leisure.
6. Baby-Friendly Wine Tasting Events
Life’s too short to drink bad wine, especially when you’re a new parent with limited time to savour it. Happily, there’s a growing number of daytime wine tasting events designed for parents and babies across London, among them Must Wine (Islington, St Albans and Wanstead), Prams & Pinot (Wimbledon), Champers & Pampers (various locations across London), and Wine and Wean (various locations across London). You’ll meet other like-minded parents, whilst learning about grapes, regions, flavour profiles and food pairings. In most venues, the wines are informally presented with breaks for changing and feeding. Cheers to that.
7. Family-Friendly Raves
If you’re not ready to hang up your dancing shoes, Big Fish Little Fish Raves is for you. The independent, grassroots music and events company has been staging family raves in the heart of London since 2013, with all the whistles and bells of a mini festival. Expect top DJs as well as tons of interactive activities for children (0-8). Most feature a multi-sensory dancefloor with foam, bubbles and giant balloons, as well as play areas with tents and tunnels, and baby chillout spaces with mats and soft-play ball pools. For older children, there are scheduled craft sessions. Look online for details of upcoming events across London and the UK.
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