Top stuff for kids

From singing with Thomas the Tank Engine and dancing like an Egyption to taking a step back in time thanks to the smell of school dinners. There's plenty going on this weekend and we're more than happy to tell you where.

School days

This new exhibition at the Ragged School Museum will bring the memories flooding back - from the noises of the playground to the games you played there - to the smell of the dreaded school dinners. Interestingly, many of the recollections from those at local schools more than 50 years ago focus on food. Mary Ward, 94 (the oldest participant in the exhibition), recalls how her Thirties classmates went home at lunchtime for nothing more than 'an enamel mug of tea, and a hunk of bread and marg'.

Buried Treasure Birthday Bash

The British Museum celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, and this special birthday bash promises 'an evening of entertainment and education' for the family. There will be a range of activities and games available, all inspired by the museum's extensive collections, so you and yours can learn to dance like an Egyptian, play a giant version of the royal game of Ur (the world's earliest board game), visit a Viking village, dig for some buried treasure and much more. Although the tickets don't exactly come cheap, all the proceeds from the evening are going towards the acquisition of the Ringlemere Cup, a 3,500-year-old gold drinking vessel recently unearthed in Kent.

The Frog Prince

An inventive and inspiring version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale from the Banyan Theatre Company at the Little Angel, Islington. This is London's only permanent puppet theatre (a converted temperance hall in N1) and a source of constant delight for children of all ages. The nasty, spoilt princess is helped out of a fix by the helpful frog, but the fun begins when she breaks her promise to him. There's a lovely comic subplot with the royal butler and lovelorn housekeeper that had the audience in stitches. Great fun.

Thomas & Friends

Reverend Wilbert Awdry's loveable, evergreen engine steams back into the capital next week. Expect a sing-a-long extravaganza with Thomas, Percy and the Fat Controller plus theatrical fun aplenty. Watch out for toddlers and younger children attempting to storm the stage as the engines turn up the heat for the grand finale.

The 5,000 Fingers of DR T (U)

Boasting a screenplay and songs from the delightfully warped mind of Dr Seuss (of The Cat In The Hat fame), this is a rare opportunity to view this quirky and entertaining musical from 1953. Piano-crazed Dr Terwilliker keeps the 500 boys at his school practising on a mile-long piano, day in, day out. Should they dare to try their hand at another instrument, they find themselves banished to the dungeon. Freaky but fun - especially for parents who still harbour memories of sadistic music teachers.
The Electric Cinema, 191 Portobello Road, W11 (020-7908 9696). Kids Club on Sat 22 Mar at 11am and 1pm. All tickets £4.50.Ages 5+