Something for the littl'uns

There's plenty going on this weekend for those little cherubs.

ARABIAN NIGHTS Sheherazade has to come up with something pretty special to save herself from a certain death at the hands of nasty Shahriyar. So each night she weaves a beguiling story to keep her captor intrigued - and save her own neck. Puppets, props, storytelling and music bring these colourful and compulsive tales to life. Jacksons Lane Children's Theatre, Archway Road, N6 (020-8341 4421), Sat 27 Sep, 11am and 2pm, £4.50. Watermans, High Street, Brentford (020-8232 1010), Sun 28 Sep, 3pm, £6, child £4.

AT HOME WITH HANDEL 25 Brook Street was home to the great composer George Handel until 1759, and now it houses the Handel House Museum. This Saturday (27 Sep), you can wind back the clock a couple of centuries and find out what being a Londoner in the 18th century was all about. Workshops to make your own hats, wigs and caps are followed by an afternoon of music at Wigmore Hall, where you can listen to music and join in a musical workshop led by singer Kate Mapp. Handel House Museum, Brook Street, W1 (020-7495 1685), Sat 27 Sept, 10.30am-3.30pm, £10, child £8, book through Wigmore Hall Community And Education Department (020-7258 8240)

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Fresh from his stint playing Eliza's dad in My Fair Lady, inspired casting brings Russ Abbot back to the West End stage to breathe new life into batty Grandpa Potts. This stage version owes more to Roald Dahl's hit movie adaptation than Fleming's original story, but it makes spectacular family entertainment with a gob-smacking, show-stopping car that packs in the audiences. Also stars Gary Wilmot as loopy inventor Caractacus Potts, and Wayne Sleep as the Child Catcher. The London Palladium, Argyll Street, W1 (0870 8901108), tickets from £11-£42, booking to Mar 4,

CARNIVAL FOR ALL There's a warm breeze from the West Indies blowing through SW7 this Sunday as carnival arrives at the V&A. With special dance workshops, it's your chance to learn the fancy footwork and nifty moves to samba, soca and calypso. Also, find out about carnival costumes, make-up and music, and the history behind the celebration. Kids can also don some of the spectacular costumes from Notting Hill 2003. V&A, Cromwell Road, SW7 (020-7942 2000), Sun 28 Sep, 11am-5pm, free.