Kids
FREE Punch & Judy in the Botanics Sun 10 Jun, 11am–2.30pm. Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, 334 2422. Puppet theatre. Thirty-minute shows start on the hour. If raining the show is in Kibble Palace. WEF.
✽✽ Lapin Wants Ice Cream Sun 10 Jun, 3pm. £5.95 (children £4.95).
Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Puppet show with the bilingual rabbit. WEF. Ages 3+.
✽✽ Scottish Ballet’s Family Dance Challenge Sat 16 Jun, 10am–1pm. £4. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 331 2931. A family dance challenge. Please wear loose clothing and ballet shoes or bare feet. Ages 5+. See preview, page 97. Scottish Ballet’s Youth Dance Challenge Sun 17 Jun, 10am–3.30pm. £15. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 331 2931. A dance workshop with Scottish Ballet. Ages 12–18. Zippo’s Circus: Gold Tue 19v Jun 7.30pm; Wed 20–Fri 22 Jun 5pm & 7.30pm; Sat 23 Jun 3pm & 6pm; Sun 24 Jun 6pm. £8–£22 (children £6–£16). Queen’s Park Recreation Ground, Queen’s Drive, 0871 210 2100. A show featuring history’s best circus performers.
EDINBURGH
Activities & Fun LYT Play Fridays 25 May–15 Jun, 2–3.30pm. £25 per four-week block. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Drama games, arts and crafts. Ages 5–7. Ultimate Dinosaurs Sat 26 May, 10am & 1pm & 3pm. £1 in addition to admission price. Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Learn which of the Triassic lizards was largest, fastest and smartest. Book via website. Ages 6–14. Rugrat Rumpus Saturdays 26 May–16 Jun, 10–11am. £4. Dance Base, 14–16 Grassmarket, 225 5525. Music and movement for toddlers and their parents. Creative Dance Saturdays 26 May–16 Jun, 11am–noon. £4. Dance Base, 14–16 Grassmarket, 225 5525. Coordination and balance skills for ages 2–5. Renaissance Music Sat 26 & Sun 27 May, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Historical musical performance.
✽✽ Scottish Opera: SensoryO Sat 26 & Sun 27 May, 11.30am–noon &
1.30–2pm. £7 (£5). Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunks Close, 55 High Street, 556 9579. A magical journey with plenty of sound, rhythm and music. Ages 18–36 months. Mangles, Mops and Feather Dusters Sat 26 May, 2pm & 3pm. £5 (£3; family £12). Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. A look at the busy lives of the castle’s staff. FREE Lyceum Youth Theatre: Discover Tuesdays & Wednesdays 29 May–20 Jun, 4–5.30pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. Drama sessions for ages 8–12. Dance ‘N’ Play Wednesdays 30 May–20 Jun, 10.45–11.30am. £3.50. Dance Base, 14–16 Grassmarket, 225 5525. Movement and dance sessions for toddlers and their parents. Messy Play Session Wed 30 May & 20 Jun, 11am–3pm. £2 in addition to zoo admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Fun and messy arts & craft session. Ages 6 months–5 years. Swords of the Righteous Wed 30 May, Thu 14 & 21 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. The story of Cromwell’s army and their Edinburgh Castle siege. FREE Dragonflies from Scratch Wed 30 May–Fri 1 Jun, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. Learn about dragonflies. Ages 8+. Ladies of the Renaissance Fri 1 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Explore 16th century fashion.
98 THE LIST 24 May–21 Jun 2012
248 2909. Learn more about the little predators. Ages 8+. Physical Matters Sat 16 Jun, 10am, 1pm & 3pm. £1 in addition to normal admission price. Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Learn how everyday items are constructed. Book via the website. Ages 10–14.
✽✽ The Sick Kids Foundation Teddy Toddle and Summer
Fair 2012 Sat 16 Jun, noon–4pm. £5. Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, 668 4949. A Teddy Toddle and the chance to meet some of your favourite telly stars. Renaissance Dancing Sun 17 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Partake in some Renaissance dancing. Pirates and Patriots Mon 18 & Tue 19 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Learn about the American War of Independence. The Rough Wooing Wed 20 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. The story of the Earl of Hertford’s 1544 attempt to destroy Edinburgh.
Books & Storytelling FREE Fathers’ Day Network Sat 16 Jun, 11am–4pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Interactive storytelling and workshops for dads and kids. FREE Talking Trees Storytelling Sun 17 Jun, 2–3.30pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. Magical storytelling for ages 5+.
Music Mr Boom Fri 1 & Sat 2 Jun, noon–12.50pm. £4. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. Music and song session. Ages 1–9. Part of Plu Festival. Fischy Music Sat 2 Jun, 3–3.50pm. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. Sing- along songs, fun and games. Ages 3+. Part of Plu. The Singing Kettle: Shake, Rattle and Roll Sun 3 Jun, noon & 3pm. £13 (family £48). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. Join Cilla, Artie, Gary and Kevin to make a right old racket. Barrow Band Sun 3 Jun, noon–12.50pm. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. Fun music and songs. Ages 4+. Part of Plu. FREE Jo Jingles Wed 6 Jun, 10.30am. Included in zoo admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Music and movement sessions. Ages 6 months–5 years. Scotch Broth Sat 16 Jun, 2.30-3.20pm. £4 (£2). South Leith Parish Church, 6 Henderson Street, 554 2578. A journey through everyone’s favourite Scottish family ditties. Leith Festival. Theatre & Dance Rapunzel Fri 1 Jun & Sun 3 Jun, 10.30–11.20am. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. The classic tale of the long-haired damsel. Ages 4+. Part of Plu. The Elf of Glen Fern Fri 1 Jun, 1.30–2.20pm. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. The story of a helpful brownie. Ages 3–6. Part of Plu. Animal Olympics Fri 1 Jun, 4–4.50pm. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. A quirky animal tale. Ages 3–7. Part of Plu. Pips and Panda Sat 2 Jun, 10.30–11.20am. £3. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. Blacklight adventures from Pips and Panda. Ages 1–6. Part of Plu. Jamie & Anna: Live and Loud Sat 2 Jun, 1.30–2.20pm & 4.30–5.20pm. £6. Leith Links, Leith, 07722 252218. Boys versus girls game show. Ages 5+. Part of Plu. Wojtek the Bear Wed 6–Fri 8 Jun, 7.30pm. Sat 9 Jun, 3pm & 7.30pm. £9 (£7). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Tale about a bear who fought in WWII.
FAMILY FESTIVAL PARENTS LIKE US Leith Links, Edinburgh, Fri 1–Sun 3 Jun
The journey from the box office to the auditorium can be an expensive one these days. Even the most charming children’s shows have a plethora of merchandise to tempt tiny hands (and grown-up purses) as you struggle to take your seat. Since its inception, the Parents Like Us (PLU) festival has dared to be
different. Combining theatre shows, storytelling, taster sessions, sports, live music and science demonstrations, PLU has a clearly marked sales area – outside of which, no pester power is allowed.
For director, Kate Marks, this was a crucial aspect of the three day
event. That, and making sure the shows and activities are pitched just right. For her, it’s not just about under 5 and over – she goes a whole lot deeper to tailor for the different developmental stages.
‘We have a criterion whereby there must be a minimum of two things for each age range,’ explains Marks. ‘And we have six age ranges: 0–9 months, 6–18 months, 1–3 years, 3–4 years, 3–5 years and 5 plus.’ Included in this year’s ticketed line-up are Luke and Emma from CITV’s Hi-5, and reduced rate massage therapies for stressed parents. Many of the things on offer, however, are completely free. Crucially, it’s one of the most child-friendly events of the year.
‘We get so many parents asking if they’re allowed to do this or do
that,’ says Marks. ‘And this is the one place where you can. Take your buggy in, feed your baby, bring your own food – all the things you would normally do with your child, you can do here. Children can go in to see a show on their own at 3 years old – we’ll watch them, and bring them out if they need you. It’s safe, it’s all about them.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ pluedinburgh.co
✽✽ Parents Like Us festival Fri 1–Sun 3 Jun. Times and prices vary.
Leith Links, Leith, pluedinburgh.co See preview. Life in Space Sat 2 Jun, 10am, 1pm & 3pm. £1 as well as normal admission price. Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Discover more about life as an astronaut. Book via website. Ages 6–14. Meet the Castle Gatekeeper Sat 2 & Sun 3 & Sat 16 & Sun 17 Jun, 11am–4pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Meet Calum Durward and learn about his life. FREE Locating the Nest Sat 2 & Sun 3 Jun, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. Interweave words and images to create a print of a nest. Ages 5+.
✽✽ Scottish Opera: SensoryO Sat 2 & Sun 3 Jun, 11.30am–noon & 1.30– 2pm. £7 (£5). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. See above. Queen Margaret’s Castle Sun 3 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Discover what life was like working for the pious monarch. FREE Queen’s Jubilee Activities Tue 5 Jun, 9am–6pm. Included in zoo admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Crafty Jubilee activities. Queen of the Castle Tue 5 Jun & 12 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Overhear Mary Queen of Scots discuss her plans for governing Scotland. From Waterside to Waterloo Wed 6
& 13 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm &3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Hear about the daring feats of the Battle of Waterloo. Bang on Time Thu 7 & Fri 8 Jun, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3pm. Included in castle admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. The history behind the one o’clock gun. FREE Breakdance for Kids Fri 8 & 15 Jun, 2–3pm. Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Junction Place, 555 4728. Bust some moves at a beginners workshop. Part of Leith Festival. Wonderful World of Plants Sat 9 Jun, 10am & 1pm & 3pm. £1 in addition to normal admission price. Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Learn about the clever ways plants have evolved. Book via the website. Ages 6–14. Croquet Tea Party Sat 9 Jun, 10.30am–12.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Cakes and biscuits at the tea party before a game of croquet. FREE Breakdance for Kids Mon 11 Jun, 3–4pm (P1–3) & 5–6pm (P4–7). Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, 661 0880. See Fri 8 Jun. FREE Imagination Workshop Wed 13 Jun, 11am–3pm. Included in zoo admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Animal themed arts and crafts. Ages 6 months–5 years. FREE Sparrowhawks at the Botanic Wed 13 Jun, 5.30–6.30pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place,