International Women’s Day is this weekend so there are loads of interesting family activites on exploring gender, identity, and women’s history. British Science Week also starts this weekend so this weekend, all the week going forward there will be events exploring and celebrating Britain’s contribution to science. Enjoy!
Identity Festival at Museum of London Docklands
Celebrate International Women’s Day by exploring the experiences of British-Bangladeshi women and children in east London at this family festival. Plus, explore your own identity in interactive workshops for all ages. Activities include a Bengali street food workshop, decorative henna, sharing recipes in a community recipe book, printing your own t-shirt or bag and taking part in a community catwalk show. There will also be short child-friendly International Women’s Day talks.
When: 7-8 March; 12pm-4pm
Where: Museum of London Docklands
Cost: free
Age guidance: varies by activity
More info: website
Cutty Sark British Science Week Activities
This weekend you can board the Cutty Sark and try an array of activities celebrating the science of ships. Build winches and learn about how precious cargoes were loaded on to the ship. Meet the ship’s conservators for a hands-on workshop about gilding (the process used to apply gold leaf on the gingerbread decoration on the ship) or try out the ‘Ship Surveyor Through the Ages’ virtual reality experience. The experience places players in the shoes of a historic and contemporary ship surveyor.
When: 7-8 March; 11.30am-1.30pm and 2pm-4pm
Where: Cutty Sark
Cost: Free with admission
Age guidance: all ages
More info: website
Draw-Along with Amelia Fang
Part of Southbank Centre’s Women of the World (WOW) festival. Go on a fantastic adventure with the author and illustrator of the wickedly funny children’s fiction series Amelia Fang, Laura Ellen Anderson. A fun-filled session of stories, drawings and a chance to design your very own creeptacular creatures.
When: 7 March; 10am
Where: Southbank Centre
Cost: £10
Age guidance: 7-10
More info: website
Royal Academy Family Studio: call the shots
Join this family workshop inspired by International Women’s Day and women who call the shots in the art world. Make sculptures inspired by body artist Rebecca Horn and learn about some of the women who helped influence her career. Try your hand at making your own wearable body sculptures out of paper and fabrics inspired by Horn’s works.
When: 8 March; 11am—3pm
Where: Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Cost: free
Age guidance: all ages
More info: website
Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens
Time is running out to immerse yourlself in this lush tropical escape! This year’s orchid festival celebrates the magnificent biodiversity of Indonesia, the land of 17,000 islands. Rainforests and volcanoes are brought to life inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory through an exotic array of vibrant orchid displays.
When: Extended until 15 March
Where: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Age guidance: all
Cost: Child £4.50; Adult £16.50; family of 4 is £40
More info: website
RELATED CONTENT: THE CHILDREN’S PLAY GARDEN AT KEW GARDENS
