Things to do with the kids in London this weekend: January 18-20, 2020

The animal lover's thing to do: Bring a bear to ZSL London Zoo for Winnie the Pooh Day

Amazing news for animal fans: In celebration of Winnie the Pooh day on Saturday, January 18, kids who arrive at the London Zoo with their own Pooh bear toy can enjoy a free day of fun and frolics with the wildlife (parents still need to pay for their tickets). It's the perfect excuse to spot the whole Hundred Acre Wood gang in the flesh: bears, donkeys, pigs, owls and more.

Photo: Annie Spratt

The sport thing to do: Enter the Actual Reality Arcade

If your child has spent most of the new year so far attached to a screen, we've been there (London showers aren't helping). We also may have the antidote you need: the Actual Reality Arcade, a life-size interactive play zone where arcade games become real. You build Tetris walls, shoot at aliens, become Pac-Man, fire lasers at people... all without a screen in sight. Parents can get a hit of nostalgia, too. Did we mention it's free? Plus, there's another exhibition happening alongside, if you're after something cerebral to go with the physical: Of All The People in the World, where you can see the global population represented through grains of rice.

The seasonal thing to do: Light Up the Night at Canary Wharf

London is still a winter wonderland - you just need to know where to look. Head to Canary Wharf this weekend for a festival of winter lights with over 25 installations, including interactive ones. Bonus: it's free.

The free thing to do: Saturday morning activities - that don't cost a cent

No matter where you happen to find yourself in London, there are some brilliant free activities for kids - and some are specific to Saturday mornings. Two to get excited about? Pop Brixton's Krafty Kids art classes (Saturday mornings from 11am-12:30 pm) and handling real armour at the Wallace Collection.

The mindful thing to do: Check out the Self Care Co's pop-up in Covent Garden

Parents, remember that resolution you made to put yourself first this year to be a better, well, everything? Let's stick to it. Everyone's favourite new candle brand, the Self Care Co, has a pop-up shop in Covent Garden this month, and we can't think of anything more heavenly then getting to smell all those soothing, healing candle scents in person. The Self Care Co host mindful candle making workshops too, so watch this space for upcoming dates in 2020.

The fun thing to do: Get slime happy with Slime by Molly in Tooting Market

Tooting Market is already one of the best destinations in London, and recently, it's gotten even better: Slime by Molly, a make-your-own slime bar started by teenager Molly and her mum Tan, is every kid's dram come true. They can make glitter slime, cloud slime, foam slime, scented slime, slime filled with all kinds of sparkles and gems... and parents, you won't have to clean it up (although we defy you to manage to leave the space without buying anything).

The thing to watch: Sex Education

It's back... everyone's favourite Netflix show that combines style with awkwardness to total perfection is landing on January 17. We think watching it with your older teens - or at least watching it separately and attempting to discuss it after with your teens - should probably be part of their essential sex education.