EASTER DAYS OUT E A S T E R DAYS O U T

Create a living cell MINI SCIENTISTS

long as A break from school is no reason to take a break from learning, as it’s the fun kind provided by the Edinburgh International Science Festival. Let your junior biologists enter a real medical lab to build their own cell and examine its DNA; or create a virus to see how and what diseases it may cause. They’ll also be able to make a DNA bracelet to match their eye and hair colour. For more on the Science Festival, see Around Town. City Art Centre, Edinburgh, Mon 2–Sun 14 Apr, sciencefestival.co.uk

Reach for the stars EGG DROP CHALLENGE

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To demonstrate that Edinburgh doesn’t get all the safety- goggled fun in April, the Glasgow Science Centre is running its own Easter events with a scientifi c edge. The Egg Drop Challenge encourages budding physicists to construct a secure ‘pod’ for their eggs, before it’s launched from a great height. Even if the design isn’t wholly successful, there’ll still be a satisfying splat at the end. Science Centre, Glasgow, 0141 420 5000, Sun 1–Fri 6 Apr, gsc.org.uk

There are loads of different venues offering interesting spaces for kids to crawl about and hunt eggs in. The Almond Valley Heritage Centre offers a farm, complete with cute wee spring chickens; Traquair House in Innerleithen has a genuine old- school hedge maze; and the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail takes place at historic locations across the country (including Gladstone’s Land in Edinburgh and Greenbank Garden in Glasgow), with chocolatey prizes available at the end. Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston, 01506 414957, Sat 31 Mar– Mon 16 Apr, almondvalley.co.uk; Traquair House, Innerleithen, 01896 830323, Sun 8 Apr, traquair.co.uk; Cadbury Easter Egg Trail, various venues, Fri 6–Mon 9 Apr, eastereggtrail.com 6

Kids get the chance to experience both sides of Edwardian life in an old country pile at this interactive drama workshop. They’ll start off by donning a servant’s apron to make biscuits and lemonade in the kitchen, before heading to the grand rooms upstairs aristocracy. highlife

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sample to Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, 0131 529 3963, Mon 2 Apr.

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Take them Downton JUNIOR DOWNTON ABBEY EXPERIENCE

28 THE LIST 29 Mar–26 Apr 2012

Take the kids to one our top ten most eggs-citing events, compiled by Niki Boyle and Varvara Bashkirova. Not enough (or un oeuf) for you? See also Kids listings, from page 77 4 Travel in time

GALOSHINS

The Scottish Mask and Puppet Theatre resurrects the ancient Scots drama of Galoshins for Easter, complete with wise magicians, beautiful princesses and courageous knights. Performed with the aid of live folk musicians, singers and traditional glove puppetry. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Glasgow, 0141 339 6185, Sat 21 Apr, scottishmaskandpuppetcentre.co.uk

Make your own chocolate treat REAL LIFE SCIENCE KITCHEN FOOD OF THE GODS

Skip the mass-produced supermarket fare and let the kids make their own chocolate eggs and bunnies. After learning the secrets from professional chocolatier Nadia Ellingham, they can proudly carry their sweet creations home, if they can avoid eating them on the spot. There’s a tasting session as well, which seems a bit superfl uous to us we know chocolate tastes good, right? Ages 8+. Part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival see Around Town for more info. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 0844 557 2686, Sun 8 Apr, rbge.org.uk 5

Hunt for Easter eggs VARIOUS EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

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