The best kids' events and trends in London 2020

The open air show to see: 101 Dalmatians, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

We can already spot the hit of summer 2020... 101 Dalmatians will come to life in Regent's Park in a new musical at the Open Air Theatre - which is where Dodie Smith's 1956 novel is set. Expect some brilliant puppy puppetry courtesy of Toby Olié.

The most anticipated theatre show: Frozen

As Frozen 2 breaks box office records in the cinema, the new soundtrack (and merch selection) should happily get us through the next six months of Frozen mania, part two. Handy then, that right as we're thinking that we can't possibly listen to "Some Things Never Change" yet again, Frozen - the theatre show - will be landing at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane next autumn. Just in time to ensure we're still obsessing over Elsa, Anna, Kristoff et al next Christmas season, too. It's opening for previews in October 2020.

The magical spectacle: Life of Pi

This show transforms Yann Martel's Man Booker prize winning novel into an otherworldly spectacle, combining puppetry, phenomenal lighting and an innovative set design to make us "believe in the power of theatre."

The safe bet art exhibition: Andy Warhol

While we're big believers in introducing kids to all art - and seeing what sticks - some artists lend themselves better than others, like Andy Warhol and his pop-tastic, colourful prints. From Marilyn to soup cans, his works will be at the Tate Modern for six months from March 2020.

You might never need to cook again: Grazing platters

Exhausted parents who can't bear the thought of entertaining will love the latest London trend for grazing platters: they look gorgeous, they taste delicious, and they involve zero prep and clean up. Plus, most of these companies do kids', too.

The clothing brand merging style and sustainability: Anyware

Founded by the singer Jessie Ware and George Reddings, Anyware is how we'll be dressing our kids in future: the clothes are unisex, comfy and stylish, made from soft cotton gauze, cotton canvas and Japanese jersey, and they're designed so that you buy less. You see, each style, from the smock top to the overalls, is loose-fitting and a bit oversized, so your child can wear each item for years, not months. And then you can easily pass them down to the next one...

The website helping you navigate it all: The Journey

The path to parenthood is never totally linear - but people don't always talk about the many speed bumps in the road, whether they happen when trying to get pregnant or after you've had a child. Inspired by her own conception and pregnancy journey, Sarah Heywood's new platform, The Journey, is a resource that shares scientific, evidence-backed information and resources in one space, and covers conception, pregnancy and the early years, with expert tips and advice. There's also an accompanying podcast, tackling topics like miscarriage and hormonal acupuncture.

The new baby brand to know: Pop My Way

While buying baby clothes is really fun, getting baby in said clothes is often torture. Any parent who's experienced this - ie all of them - will be excited to hear that it's all about convenience in 2020, thanks to new organic baby brand Pop My Way. The modular pieces have popper closures (no more lost socks) as well as clever accessories. So your baby can go from bed to party-ready with a snap-on bow tie or Peter Pan collar. There's even a dummy/toy strap to pop on. Genius.

The baby-food trick making new mums' lives SO much easier: Baby food delivery services in London

Parents need not ever make a baby puree again if they don't want to thanks to a slew of healthy, organic baby delivery services cropping up around London. If you happen to be in central London, you can even get Little Tummy straight to your door on Deliveroo.

The adaptation we can't wait to see: The Book of Dust - La Belle Sauvage, Bridge Theatre

Calling all Pullman fans: Nicholas Hytner's Bridge Theatre is bringing La Belle Sauvage to the stage this summer, in an adaptation by Bryony Lavery. His Dark Materials on the BBC has likely whet their appetites for this already.

The movie the kids will be begging to watch: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Peter Rabbit is already making a comeback with a sequel in the new year. The whole gang is getting back together – James Corden, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki and more are lending their voices to the mischievous rabbits. Considering how much the kids loved the first one, mark March 27 in the diaries.

The London weekend festival to take them to: Women of the World, Southbank Centre

The WOW festival at the Southbank Centre is always a highlight in our diaries and in addition to the inspiring talks, performances and workshops for adults, from authors like Caroline Criado Perez and Bobby Baker, there are under-10s feminist corners for boys and girls to chat about equality and learn what other children around the world are going through.

The thing to do with them: get behind a cause

While many of our children have been educating us about how to save our planet from impending doom (one of ours suggested we start using Ecosia, the tree-planting search engine, ASAP), as parents, there is plenty we can do to open their eyes and their horizons, from going on a protest to seeing images of Extinction Rebellion (XR) in action (pictured, courtesy of the V&A) and getting inspired. There are loads of other ways to get involved, in your own way: Plogging, shopping at bulk food centres, trying out toy rental schemes and getting the kids to learn some basic sewing/mending skills are a few ways to start.

The immersive exhibition to put in the diary: Alice In Wonderland, V&A

The exhibition we're most excited to take the kids to next summer? We're ready to step through the looking glass and fall into the immersive, theatrical and wondrous world of Alice in Wonderland, as the talents at the V&A bring our favourite characters to life through artworks, film clips, sculptures and more.

The places to shop: Mothers' marketplaces

Parents have never been more concerned about buying thoughtfully for their kids, and the emergence of family-focused marketplaces, showcasing amazing small businesses (many run by mothers) with eco, stylish and timeless wares and gifts for kids of all ages and their grownups, has made the shopping experience a more enjoyable and interesting one. We're beyond obsessed with The Mamahood, which curates stylish brands like Kindness Co-op (pictured), Clary & Peg, Colour Chronicles, Lots of Lovely Art, Etta Loves and more. They regularly host pop-up shops around London - in fact, there's one in SW11 this December.

All By Mama and the app Let's Bab's kids' section are also well-curated, with dozens of independent brands. Let's Bab does one better: when you shop, you can share your fave items with your friends. If they buy your recommended item, you earn a commission - which you can either keep the cash, or donate it to charity.

The funny musical: Beano Studios' Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! The Musical

One to get them laughing: Beano Studios' Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! The Musical is coming to the stage, touring at 40 venues around the UK, including London's New Wimbledon Theatre, from March 2020. If the kids are Dennis super-fans, they'll be pleased to know he features in the latest exhibition at the British Library, which follows misfits and rebels through the ages in children's literature. Go check it out - it's free.

The next big thing: you'll be stealing your baby's skincare products

A quick glance around anywhere from supermarkets to high-end baby shops and you'll see that kids' skincare isn't so basic anymore. Brands like French cult favourite Mustela have paved the way with the finest ingredients and scientific research, in their glorious products designed for various baby skin needs (and mum's needs too; they've recently launched a cracked nipple cream for breastfeeding mums, Cicastela Repairing Cream).

We've also noticed Dr. Barbara Sturm has expanded into skincare for tots, with a baby cream packed with gorgeous and protective natural ingredients like almond oil and calendula. Our kids may soon be stealing our clothes, but there's some satisfaction in knowing we'll be borrowing their body wash and face cream first.

The concert for toddlers: The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale in Concert, Royal Albert Hall

If there's one way to get kids into classical music, then the Gruffalo can make it happen. The Royal Albert Hall's films in concert screens The Gruffalo and another Julia Donaldson favourite, The Snail and the Whale, in one exciting double bill. The BBC Concert Orchestra will provide live accompaniment.

The movie parents are most excited about: Soul

Pixar's newest summer 2020 release looks like Inside Out, with jazz, and features the voices of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey. We can't wait.

The apps addressing mums' different needs

There is no such thing as "one size fits all" parenting - everyone has different life experiences and circumstances that shape who they are and how they parent. However, all parents do need a community - something a new spate of parenting apps is tacking. Take Frolo: single mum Zoe Desmond came up with the idea for the app, which connects single parents in the same areas, after experiencing the isolation of not knowing anyone else nearby in a similar situation.

Childcare is another constant need for parents which Koru Kids caters for: the app is designed to help parents find after school care, but the latest feature is a local Family Finder, designed so families can meet and potentially swap childcare services for one another if they get along. Meanwhile, Wolf Friends is a US-based app designed for mums raising children with special needs, which connects parents to specialists and other parents, and includes resources, developmentally appropriate products, gear and more. For those still beginning their parenting journeys, there are now comprehensive fertility platforms/apps like Adia, which includes an at-home fertility test for would-be parents as well as helping them to track and navigate their fertility journey.

The stories we read them: books about changing the world

If there was once a philosophy that keeping kids' in the dark about the big, bad, scary stuff was the way to raise them, the urgency of the planet crisis (as well as the horrors of repeated mass school shootings in the US), has shown parents that it's never too soon to start talking to our kids about the bad as well as the good. Books about activism for kids are everywhere - and a great starting point for future discussions. It all begins with Greta Thunberg (doesn't it?): older kids will have read her impassioned speeches, and younger ones will love Quarto's gorgeously illustrated Greta and the Giants, by Zoe Tucker and Zoe Persico, an allegory of the climate crisis and Greta's role in it, in picture book form.

The thing we can't stop talking about: the revolution in period care

Talking about periods with a child is not one of the experiences parents dream about when they think about the lovely bonding moments they'll have with their kids - but these days, it's not a subject anyone need shy away from. In the US, parents are throwing "period parties" to mark the rite of passage for their daughters - and help them to feel less anxious about it - while period poverty in the UK, a topic teenager Amika George has been outspoken about, helping all secondary schools introduce free sanitary products, is still an issue plaguing girls in 2019.

A new approach to periods, both in terms of innovative products like the tampliner (a tampon-liner hybrid) and transparency of information, is behind the DTC brand Callaly, whose range of gorgeously packaged organic products can be tailored to a person's needs via monthly subscription boxes delivered to your door.