Guidebook for Nairobi

Anna
Guidebook for Nairobi

Entertainment & Activities

This gargantuan soft play area in a leisure centre is stylishly monochrome with no whiff of smelly feet. It was designed as an interactive sculpture, so kids of all ages can roam safely through ball pits and down slides while parents gather over proper coffee in the cafe. Everything is really well thought through—even babyccinos have no-spill lids. The space was designed by artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd who was nominated for the Turner Prize, the UK’s biggest art award, so it counts as an adult cultural tick too.
Abbey Leisure Centre
Bobby Moore Way
This gargantuan soft play area in a leisure centre is stylishly monochrome with no whiff of smelly feet. It was designed as an interactive sculpture, so kids of all ages can roam safely through ball pits and down slides while parents gather over proper coffee in the cafe. Everything is really well thought through—even babyccinos have no-spill lids. The space was designed by artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd who was nominated for the Turner Prize, the UK’s biggest art award, so it counts as an adult cultural tick too.
Based in Acton, this trampoline park is one of the coolest new spots for kids to burn off some excess energy while adults recline with a vat of coffee. It’s a huge warehouse that is completely filled with different kinds of trampolines—including up the walls—and is a great way for adults to relax knowing that the kids are getting exercise. The Little O’s class is the best for toddlers aged five and under, and you need to book ahead for one-hour sessions for all ages.
12 locals recommend
Oxygen Freejumping Trampoline Park
Kendal Avenue
12 locals recommend
Based in Acton, this trampoline park is one of the coolest new spots for kids to burn off some excess energy while adults recline with a vat of coffee. It’s a huge warehouse that is completely filled with different kinds of trampolines—including up the walls—and is a great way for adults to relax knowing that the kids are getting exercise. The Little O’s class is the best for toddlers aged five and under, and you need to book ahead for one-hour sessions for all ages.

Drinks & Nightlife

This is a cool adult bar—kind of hip—that’s brilliant for kids because some of the walls are covered in blackboard paint and the staff offer up chalk to anyone who fancies a doodle. There’s loads of space for kids to run around without trashing anything and they love being able to draw anywhere, which leaves you free to have a G&T. The rosemary salt fries go down a treat with minis and maxis, and the ping pong tables at the back provide grown-up fun and a brilliant viewing alternative to an iPad for children.
36 locals recommend
The Doodle Bar
60 Druid St
36 locals recommend
This is a cool adult bar—kind of hip—that’s brilliant for kids because some of the walls are covered in blackboard paint and the staff offer up chalk to anyone who fancies a doodle. There’s loads of space for kids to run around without trashing anything and they love being able to draw anywhere, which leaves you free to have a G&T. The rosemary salt fries go down a treat with minis and maxis, and the ping pong tables at the back provide grown-up fun and a brilliant viewing alternative to an iPad for children.

Arts & Culture

Moored on a pretty canal at Little Venice, this intimate waterborne theatre is the setting for quality shows that put a modern twist on traditional tales and children’s classics, all with stringed wooden puppets. It’s got a whimsical retro vibe and really excites the imagination—for adults as much as kids. This is definitely an alternative theatre experience. Don’t expect that there will always be chairs—sometimes the audience can move around, and children often sit on the floor.
21 locals recommend
Puppet Theatre Barge
35 Blomfield Rd
21 locals recommend
Moored on a pretty canal at Little Venice, this intimate waterborne theatre is the setting for quality shows that put a modern twist on traditional tales and children’s classics, all with stringed wooden puppets. It’s got a whimsical retro vibe and really excites the imagination—for adults as much as kids. This is definitely an alternative theatre experience. Don’t expect that there will always be chairs—sometimes the audience can move around, and children often sit on the floor.
Beneath the old arches under Waterloo Station is an arts space and theatre venue that puts on seriously cool kiddie activities. It’s a subterranean adventure, with red lighting, unusual displays, and tunnels for children to explore. There’s always something good showing, like great comedy for kids or an unusual retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Even if there’s no specific event, just getting there is special. You feel like you’re entering the underbelly of Waterloo, via a door that’s covered in some of the city’s best graffiti.
22 locals recommend
The Vaults Theatre
Launcelot Street
22 locals recommend
Beneath the old arches under Waterloo Station is an arts space and theatre venue that puts on seriously cool kiddie activities. It’s a subterranean adventure, with red lighting, unusual displays, and tunnels for children to explore. There’s always something good showing, like great comedy for kids or an unusual retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Even if there’s no specific event, just getting there is special. You feel like you’re entering the underbelly of Waterloo, via a door that’s covered in some of the city’s best graffiti.

Essentials

This salon in the heart of Shoreditch has a nice worn-in vibe with antiques and bare brick walls. It’s really laid-back and does great manicures and pedicures for mums and kids together. It’s not at all girly, boys are welcome, and it’s a fun—and a bit indulgent—way to spend time with your children. Check their Instagram for pattern inspiration. The mother-child mani-pedi isn’t on the website, and it’s not even part of their regular menu so you need to know about it to book in. Kids are always made really welcome and they’ll set the price depending the age of the child
The Painted Lady
17 Amhurst Terrace
This salon in the heart of Shoreditch has a nice worn-in vibe with antiques and bare brick walls. It’s really laid-back and does great manicures and pedicures for mums and kids together. It’s not at all girly, boys are welcome, and it’s a fun—and a bit indulgent—way to spend time with your children. Check their Instagram for pattern inspiration. The mother-child mani-pedi isn’t on the website, and it’s not even part of their regular menu so you need to know about it to book in. Kids are always made really welcome and they’ll set the price depending the age of the child

Food Scene

This is a typically stylish coffee shop from the front—dark blue paint, industrial lights, and piles of pastries—but at the back it has a brilliant play space. For younger kids, it’s the perfect playroom, with road rugs, a little shop, a rocking horse, and all sorts of knicknacks to keep the kids amused while adults have a caffeine hit in peace. The peppermint hot chocolate is perfect for kids as it comes in a tiny tea set. For adults, I’d recommend the marinated portobello mushroom on sourdough.
54 locals recommend
Bear + Wolf
153 Fortess Rd
54 locals recommend
This is a typically stylish coffee shop from the front—dark blue paint, industrial lights, and piles of pastries—but at the back it has a brilliant play space. For younger kids, it’s the perfect playroom, with road rugs, a little shop, a rocking horse, and all sorts of knicknacks to keep the kids amused while adults have a caffeine hit in peace. The peppermint hot chocolate is perfect for kids as it comes in a tiny tea set. For adults, I’d recommend the marinated portobello mushroom on sourdough.