What to do this weekend: Kids' culture in London this autumn

Open House London 2016: Where to visit

Take little ones to peek into London's exclusive spaces, from Burlington House to the Royal Albert Hall, with Open House. Stay dry inside some of London's most iconic buildings as they open their doors, or get everyone into the fresh air by planning a walking route and joining London's organised tours. Open House happens this weekend.

The Christmas show: Peter Pan, National Theatre

'All children, except one, grow up' – but even grownups will enjoy the magical world of Neverland as J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan flies to the National Theatre this winter after an impressive premiere at the Bristol Old Vic.

Book now for the big Christmas show for kids that you're going to want to book now before it sells out.

Pick of the exhibitions: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015/16, Natural History Museum

Fountains of lava, wistful monkeys, bats on the wing and foxy encounters: every year, thousands of photographers send off astounding photographs in a bid to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award.

Let your little one explore the whole world from the comfort of the Natural History Museum this October.

Book now: Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker, Royal Opera House

A classic firmly embedded in the festive season’s imagination, and surely one of the finest Christmas ballet tickets London has to offer, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker to Tchaikovsky's twinkling score is a sumptuous affair.

It may seem miserable to be booking for Christmas when the sun is still shining and August has only just come to a close. But the Nutcracker will sell out in the blink of an eye, so if you want to be in with a chance of seeing it, book now.

On now: Kubo and the Two Strings

This sophisticated, stop motion children's film from studio Laika is an original film posing as an ancient Japanese myth, tackling issues of friendship, death and forgiveness. This is an absolute must-watch for all the family. Bring tissues.

Unmissable musical: School of Rock the Musical, New London Theatre

With a little help from musical theatre maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock is going from screen to stage and rocking its way onto London's West End.

So, in the words of Wizzard (and Jack Black) "Are you ready to rock?!"

Family film: Storks

Andy Samberg and Jennifer Aniston star in a new animated film about a sophisticated stork-run delivery business. It may sound weird, but we expect big things.

Laugh a minute: Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Apollo Theatre

Since the eye-waveringly funny The Play that Goes Wrong arrived in London's West End, the Olivier-award winning theatre company behind it has gone from strength to strength.

Mischief Theatre return this October with their calamitous production of The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society's terrible attempts to stage a performance of J.M. Barrie's classic children's story.

Our favourite from last year: Baddies: the Musical, Unicorn Theatre

This hilarious musical show at the Unicorn Theatre had our reviewer crying tears of joy last year.

It follows the story of the Big Bad Wolf: a gentle giant wolf in a biker jacket who sings with 'Little Red Riding Hood' before preparing to rip her limb from limb.

To everyone's surprise, the police turn up mid-song to arrest Wolfie and imprison him with other fairytale baddies: the Ugly Sisters, Rumpelstiltskin (whose credentials as a 'baddy' are widely disputed) and, of course, Captain Hook.

For little ones: My Great Orchestral Adventure, Royal Albert Hall

On your marks, get set, book now – for The Royal Albert Hall's Great Orchestral Adventure, starring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Including a hilarious musical mishap in which the conductor loses his baton, this performance – featuring (among other great pieces of music) John Williams' Fates from Star Wars and Tchaikovsky's Experts from Swan Lake – is designed to introduce little ones over the age of three to the magic of orchestral music.