i\|DS STUFF
* climbing
I’ll admit I’ve spent previous trips to Alien Rock II drinking coffee, reading a book and occasionally wandering over to take cute video footage of the kids looking dramatic as they leap from the walls. The idea that I might join them on the mocked-up rock face never occurred to me.
That’s more a reflection of my lack of sporting prowess than anything unseemly about an adult taking part. In fact, the reverse is true. Alien Rock II takes its climbing seriously and you’ll see muscular athletes challenging themselves to scale the heights without employing their feet, with one arm behind their back or using their teeth alone (probably).
For this reason, the company markets its other branch - Alien Rock I in Granton - as the place for children’s rope-climbing parties and weekend Kids Clubs for over 85. Younger children are also permitted there if they’re supervised by an adult with climbing knowledge. Alien Rock II, housed in an industrial unit where you’d be less surprised to find a supplier of mail order products than an indoor climbing centre, is strictly for the over-8s and requires one adult for every two children.
Don’t let that put you off, however, because the children appreciate the freedom to tackle routes of varying difficulty without reliance on ropes. ‘No ropes makes it better because you can jump off,’ says Archie (nine). ‘And you can climb along instead of being harnessed onto one wall.‘
Once the children are confident to climb by themselves - which is pretty quickly - the grown-ups can tackle their own walls, whether those are the elementary climbs that were enough for me or the professional reverse inclines requiring serious muscle power. (Mark Fisher) in Alien Rock N, 37 West Bowling Green Street, Edinburgh, 0737 555 3650.
alienrockcouk
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AMAZONIA
What’s in it for the kids? A fantastic range of tropical creatures. including fruit bats, marmosets and even a toucan. Handling sessions with tarantulas. snakes and giant millipedes will be a hit with kids who get their kicks out of feeling squeamish.
What’s in it for you? Helpful staff will no doubt enjoy answering your questions about the mating habits of bush babies and beetles.
I Strathc/yde Country Park. Motherwe/l, 0 7698 3337 7 7. discoveramazonia. co. uk
GALLERY OF MODERN ART
What’s in it for the kids? A resource space where they can make works of art on kid-sized tables. There are also art books and quiz trail sheets to help them explore the gallery's collection of contemporary art.
What’s in it for you? Accompanying adults are encouraged to take part in (and be humiliated by) the Saturday morning art club for three-to-ten-year- olds (10am—1pm). And if it all gets too much you can escape into one of the temporary exhibitions.
I Royal Exchange Square, 0747 229 7996. glasgowmuseumscom
GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE What’s in it for the kids? Three floors of hands-on exhibits. plus a planetarium and IMAX cinema. Easter events include ‘Bunnyland'. where under sevens can meet rabbits and lambs and make Easter masks. What’s in it for you? The answers to all those niggling questions kids ask but you can't answer: how far away are the stars? What's gravity? etc.
I Pacific Quay. 0 747 420 5000. g/asgowsciencecentre. org
GREEN FINGERS, PHOTOS & FUN What’s in it for the kids? Another “creative adventure’ from Giant Productions. in the Hidden Gardens from Tue 4—Sat 8 Apr. Kids can enjoy garden-themed arts activities. stop/telling and pinhole photography. What’s in it for you? The landscape architecture of the Hidden Gardens is a winner. As is the Tramway cafe next dOOr. where they devote an entire corner to toys. and an entire counter to cakes. I Hidden Gardens. Albert Drive. 0747 357 5000. thehiddengardens.org.uk
LINN PARK EQUESTRIAN CENTRE What’s in it for the kids? Learning to ride can be great family exercise. and this council-run facility offers lessons for kids aged five and over.
What’s in it for you? It‘s cheaper than succumbing to your little princess' demands for a pony. Lessons are held in an indoor arena with rides taking place around the park's woodland and riverSide areas. I Linn Park, Simshi/l Road. 63 7 3096
PEOPLE'S PALACE
AND WINTER GARDENS
What’s in it for the kids? Spotting items belonging to famous
Glaswegians. including Billy Connolly's banana boots. and finding out the story behind Glasgow‘s fish/tree/bird/ring emblem.
What’s in it for you? Discover
Glasgow's origins and social histOry. then enjoy a cuppa in the restored Winter Gardens. The museum is particularly strong on 20th century history.
I Glasgow Green, 27 7 2962.
g/asgowmuseums. com
POLLON HOUSE 8: COUNTRY PARK What’s in it for the kids? The Saturday afternoon activity club will give them a new perspective on the Burrell Collection's paintings and antiquities. Plus there are Highland cattle in the park.
What’s in it for you? A mix of culture
and history and a really good walk
through the park. The Burrell Collection has a spacious cafe.
I 2060 Pol/okshaws Road. 287 2550 (Burrell Collection); 67 6 64 70 (Pol/0k House). glasgowmuseumscom
SCOTLAND STREET
SCHOOL MUSEUM
What’s in it for the kids? Seeing classrooms from Victorian times. the 19408 and 1960s Kids can also dress up in period costume and experience an old-style classroom lesson. What’s in it for you? Check out photos of your old school from the archive. and hear the troubled story of how this Mackintosh-designed building got bum.
I Scot/and Street, 287 0500. glasgowmuseums. com
THE TALL SHIP
What's in it for the kids? The chance to play pirates and clamber above and below deck on this
restored Clyde-bunt Victorian ship. What’s in it for you? Learn about Glasgow's inaritiine past and the city‘s; role in the rise of the British Empire.
I Glasgow Harbour, Stobcross Hoar}. 222 25 7 3. thett'i/lship.corn
MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT
What’s in it for the kids? Edie MCCredle's Daisy Bus and other lltjlllfi 'owned' by Ba/arnory characters. Under lives can give the museum's; pedal cars a spin (certain weekends; and holidays only).
What’s in it for you? An iinpresswe collection of trains. bikes. Iflell‘; and a recreation of a period Glasgow street.
I Bunhouse Road. Glasgow 287 2720. glasgowmuseumscom
XSCAPE
What’s in it for the kids? Teens can get to grips With indoor climbing or the aerial adventure zone, while younger children wrll enjoy family tobogganing sessions on the indoor snow slope. What’s in it for you? This new entertainment complex near Braehead opens in April and with ten pin bowling and a Cinema alongSide the climbing and skiing actiVities.
I Kings Inch Road. Braehead. 0877 200 3222 (0877 222 5672 for snow slope). xscapecouk
3O Mar—13 Apr 2006 THE LIST 15