KIDS STUFF #3

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MUSSELBURGH RACES

What’s in it for the kids? Aside from the thrill of watching horses run very fast. Musselburgh Racecourse family days have a lot to offer. With funfair rides, go karts and bouncy castles. plus egg related fun at their Easter Sunday Family Fair on 16 April. What’s in it for you? Well. it could make you richer if only because under 16". get in free.

I Linkfie/d Road, Musse/burgh, 665 2859. mi isse/bi irgh * racecourse. co. uk

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH

What’s in it for the kids? A fun journey back in time. With rnowng floors. a time machine and brand new softplay centre, Ocean Commotion. There's also a 360 degree film showmg climate problems the earth wrll face in 2080, unless we do something about it.

I' -.' t . -.

What’s in it for you? From the Big Bang to 2lst century pollution, it's all here. Well w0rth a trip with or without a child. particularly since their new outdoor gallery. Earthscape Scotland. was unveiled.

I Holyrood Road. 550 7800. dynamicearth. co. uk

18 THE LIST 30 Mar—13 Apr 2006

ROYAL MUSEUM/

MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND

What’s in it for the kids? If you can drag them past the goldfish in the entrance hall, they'll find wee beasties. stuffed animals and interactive displays galore. Current exhibition. Monster Creepy Crawl/es. is a big hit (see reView. page 6 t ).

What's in it for you? If you can drag yOurself past the well-stocked cafe. four floors dedicated to the histOry of Scotland should keep you in the know. Then climb to the rooftop garden and survey the City.

I Chambes Street. 247 4422. nmsacuk

NATIONAL GALLERIES

What’s in it for the kids? Every Saturday. the ‘Art Cart' is loaded With materials at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. with ‘Doodles and Tales‘ at the National Gallery of Scotland. The Gallery of Modern Art has wonderful grounds to explore. What’s in it for you? A relatively grown-up day out looking at art. plus some tasty cake-style products in all the gallery cafes. The Modern Art Gallery grounds are perfect for a sunny afternoon stroll, especially if you go via the Water of Leith.

I 624 6200. natga/scot.ac.u/<

the Cities

BLAIR DRUMMOND SAFARI PARK What’s in it for the kids? One of the best days out north of the border, with drive-through animal reserves, boat rides and adventure playground. Plus the only elephants in Scotland.

What's in it for you? Blair Drummond has just reopened after several months. Wlill lots of improvements 0 and it was pretty great before. ViSit then website and get a free child ticket voucher

I Blair Drummond. by Stirling. O 7 .786 84 7456. safari-parkr‘o uA

EAST LINKS FAMILY PARK

What’s in it for the kids? Train rides. softplay. go karts. giant maze. and the brand new play hay barn and climbing walls. Best of all. they can buy seed and feed the animals.

What's in it for you? Belegate the little ones to the back seat and drive round in a pedal tractor.

I O 7368 863607. east/inks cot/k

LARGS

What’s in it for the kids? Eating 993

on the promenade and skimming stones from the pebble beach.

What’s in it for you? The seaside.

less than an hour from Glasgow

Central. And the Vikingar complex too.

I Vikingar. Greenock Road. Largs. 074 75 689777. Vikingar. CO. 11k

MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

What’s in it for the kids? Seeing a working farm and even helping out.

On Easter Sunday there‘s an egg hunt.

What’s in it for you? A chance to escape big City life for a day and learn about Scotland's rural heritage. There are 170 aCres and a Georgian farmhouse to explore.

I Wester Kittoc/iside. Philipshi/I Road. East Ki/br/de. 073] 247 4377.

nms. ac. ilk/country

NEW LANARK WORLD

HERITAGE SITE

What's in it for the kids? A swing park and loads; of space to run around

outside. while lllf;l(l(.‘ the centre the\ can watch the ‘Annie Mr‘l eod story. about a young girl livuig in lBIr’tl Throughout the Easter holidays they can dress up. make cards; and join the Easter Egg lrail

What’s in it for you? Hoheit ()wen‘s wsmnary take on social injustice makes for fascinating vrewmg

I New 1 anarA, (uses (its 7345 new/anark org

NORTH DERWICK

What’s in it for the kids? A trip to the beach (enough said). a romp around the grounds ol 'lantallon Castle and a Visit to the Scottish Seabird Centre. which has stacks; of Easter activmes.

What’s in it for you? Tantallon (lastle is a fascmating ruin dating back to the 14th century. while the Seabird Centre's webcarns show life in all its feathery glory out on the Bass Rock. I Tanta/lon Cast/e. 01620 892727. Scott/sh Seabird Centre, 0 l 620 890202. seabird. org

After negotiating the monotony of the M8, the twists and turns of the Scotkart circuit at Cambuslang look an altogether more thrilling prospect. Kitted out in our racing overalls, Poppy and I watch the safety briefing and are given a tour of the kart itself - basically two pedals and a steering wheel, but don’t let the simplicity fool you.

Poppy is first out, in a brand new 120cc kid’s kart. At the first bend out of the pit lane, there is a minor incident; up until this point in her life, a hairpin has only ever been a fashion accessory. But after becoming reacquainted with the twin concepts of braking and steering, she roars off. Following a marshal, she drives around the circuit several times without further mishap, earning her Scotkart Junior Licence in the

process.

Now it’s my turn. Fleetwood Mac thrums in my ears, and 200cc of power throbs behind my back. Before you can say ‘carbon deficit’, I’m off, just about keeping body and soul together around the course. Concentration is key, constantly adjusting the kart for speed, the bends, and to make sure the crash barriers and your own Vitals remain intact. The added hazard of other drivers overtaking raises the adrenalin levels even further. Back in the pit lane ten minutes later, I’m hot, dry mouthed,

shaking and utterly exhilarated.

Poppy is hotly anticipating her Grand Prix debut with a couple of eight-year-old veterans. When the chequered flag came down, she had driven more like Noddy than Michael Schumacher, but thoroughly enjoyed herself, particularly ‘driving fast down the straights’. Heading home along the motorway, my wrists ache from steering, but so do our faces from grinning. All we need now is a decent chicane at Harthill.

(Michael Apter)

Scotkart, Westburn Road, Cambuslang, Glasgow, 0747 647 0222.

scotkart. CO. Uk