20 awesome things to do with your little Londoners in November 2021

Yinka Ilori’s The Flamboyance of Flamingoes playground arrives in Parsloes Park in Becontree, Dagenham, in November. Yinka’s design encourages collaborative play for children of all ages, and accompanies Eva Rothschild’s new playground, Becontree Pyramids.
Adventure Babies are back at the Natural History Museum on the 2nd, 16th and 30th. Enjoy a magical story about the natural world, complete with themed sensory props; messy play and sensory trays without the clean-up; a singalong and a fun parachute and bubble session.
Tickets for Mexican Geniuses: A Frida & Diego Immersive Experience go on sale on the 3rd. Dates are yet to be announced, but expect a “visually rich virtual journey” that brings Kahlo and Rivera’s greatest masterpieces to life through 300+ projections across several rooms.
Our top Bonfire Night picks include Wimbledon Park Musical Fireworks on the 5th, Morden Park Musical Fireworks on the 6th, Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival (complete with ice disco) on the 6th, and Battersea Park with (featuring a Visual Volcano) from the 6th-7th.
This month’s Barbican Family Film Club highlights include Tales of the Night + Show and Tell on the 6th, James and the Giant Peach on the 20th, and Amazing Animations for 0-7 year-olds and Marvellous Animations for 8–14 year-olds on the 27th and 28th, as part of LIAF.
Meet Me a Tree is on at Half Moon on the 6th. Aimed at ages 0-6, this interactive first opera takes you and your baby on a multisensory journey through a year in the life of a tree, with singing and relaxing music at its core. After the performance there’s a play session to enjoy.
Under 5s at Whitechapel Gallery is back on the 6th and 20th. Join artist Jasmin Bhanji to explore the gallery in a playful way, engage with the processes of contemporary art practice in a relaxed setting, and discover ideas for engaging your family with art in any setting.
OAE TOTS: LPO FUNharmonics is at the Southbank Centre on the 7th. This interactive workshop from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is aimed at 2-5s and is followed by FUNharmonics: Symphonie Fantastique for ages 6+ with London Philharmonic Orchestra.
National Army Museum runs a special Poppies edition of its Tiny Troopers sessions for 2-4s on the 17th. Sing, play and create with your little one at this remembrance-themed sensory session, then head to the museum’s Play Base zone for some soft-play fun.
Head to Tate Modern on a Wednesday or weekend from the 18th and take part in MAKE studio: Envision, where kids can create a sculpture inspired by Anicka Yi. Begin your visit with an inspiration-gathering trip to the Turbine Hall to see Yi’s floating aerobes in the flesh.
Stephen Friedman Gallery presents a new exhibition from David Shrigley from the 19th. Shrigley is best known for his works that make satirical comments on everyday situations and human interactions, though there are no clues as to what to expect from this show yet.
Lydia Chan’s Your Ship Has Landed arrives at NOW from the 19th. Chan sees the exhibition as being in vivid contrast to the pragmatism of adult life, filled with high-intensity colours, funny objects and AR elements to create a totally unexpected, immersive fantasy experience.
Head to Little Angel from the 19th of November for The Storm Whale. Based on the books by Benji Davies, this show for 4-8s explores themes of friendship, love and loneliness through the tale of Noi, who lives with his Dad and their six cats by the sea.
Tomorrow’s Home opens at the Museum of the Home from the 20th. Step into a house from the future and discover how our homes could support us, our communities and our planet in 2050, in this immersive installation where the home of the future has become a reality.
Kaleidoscope comes to Canada Water Theatre on the 23rd. Designed for ages 6-18 months and inspired by research into how babies’ sight develops, the show centres around a multi-coloured kaleidoscope that’s brought to life through playful performance, sound and lighting.
Museum of the Docklands hosts two family events this month. On the 23rd, the Tots Takeover will see 0-4s explore a sensory space and take part in special sessions; then on the 27th-28th the Family Festival will allow families to get creative and participate in hands-on workshops.
Rachel Maclean’s first solo show at Josh Lilley opens on the 24th. Maclean is known for her video work, and last year installed a permanent upside-down shop in a sculpture park in Edinburgh. Her new show promises 3D printed sculptures, paintings, textiles and even NFTs.
FUN DMC heads to Colours in Hoxton Square on the 28th. Expect music from Jazzie B (Soul II Soul) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders), plus a play room, graffiti tain, hip-hop colouring in, photo booth, giveaways, dance competitions, and food and drink served all day.
Mr Shadow takes his Hand Shadow Show to Dulwich Picture Gallery on the 28th. The show explores vintage hand shadow routines and follows the child-like logic of play. Routines include the cat and dog, the rabbit being chased by a wolf, an octopus and even an orca.
Tate has yet to announce the artist selected to create this year’s Winter Commission, but if previous years are anything to go by then we should expect a new installation to light up Tate Britain’s facade in the second half of the month. Stay tuned.