Kids
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to suzanne@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Suzanne Black.
Glasgow Activities and Fun FREE Toddler Time Fri 20 & 27 Nov, 11.30am–noon. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Bring the wee ones along for a morning of songs, stories and fun. No need to book. FREE Back to the Drawing Board Sun 22 & 29 Nov, 2–3.30pm. Museum of Transport, Kelvin Hall, 1 Bunhouse Road, 287 2651. Drop into the museum and have fun at this creative workshop where you can sketch some of the objects on display. Glasgow on Ice Sat 21 Nov–Sun 3 Jan, times vary. £2.50+. George Square, 564 4220. George Square’s open air ice rink returns for another year, accompanied by non-stop music. Glasgow Kids Comedy Club Sun 22 & 29 Nov, 3–4pm. £3. The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. Live laughs for younger comedy fans. On Sun 22 Nov Ro Campbell, Martin Bigpig Mor and host Siân Bevan keep it clean for ages 8–12. On Sun 29 Nov it’s the turn of Susan Calman, Miles Jupp and host Billy Kirkwood. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Mrs Claus at Pollok House Sat 28 Nov–Thu 24 Dec, 11am–4pm. £4. Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 0844 493 2202. Mrs Claus finds some time to pop into Pollok House to visit the children and drop off some gifts. A timed ticketing system will apply. FREE Burrell for Families Sat 28 Nov, 2–3.30pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Create fun faces inspired by the Burrell’s objects, using the continental caricature style. Theatre & Dance We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Thu 19–Sat 21 Nov, 10.30am (Sat mat 12.30pm). £11.50 (family ticket £35). Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, 0870 060 6647. Michael Rosen’s ever popular children’s book is brought vividly and noisily to life on stage. Suitable for ages 3+. Jango the Clown Sat 21 Nov, 2pm. £5.95 (£4.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Be prepared for a magically funny hour of entertainment with this quirky character and his gags, tricks and balloons. Ages 3+. The Magic Horse Sat 28 Nov, 2pm. £4.95 (£4.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Yugen Puppets present the Scottish tale of a young man who exchanges his old mare for a black stallion, which leads him on a quest to win the hand of a lovely princess. The Puddock and the Princess Thu 3–Thu 24 Dec, times vary. £5 (family ticket £22). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 4267. Scottish Youth Theatre’s Scottish twist on The Frog Prince. Ages 3–7.
Storytelling FREE Storytelling for Mums and Tots Fri 20 & 27 Nov, 10–11am. St James’ (Pollok) Parish Church, 183 Meiklerig Crescent, 882 3025. Weekly storytelling sessions.
Edinburgh Activities and Fun Gardening 4 Kids Fri 20 & 27 Nov, 1–3pm. £1. Bridgend Allotments, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, 664 9559. An intro to horticulture for ages 6–10. Children must be accompanied. Booking essential. 62 THE LIST 19 Nov–3 Dec 2009
www.list.co.uk/kids
measured, and how they vary between species and within trees. With Edinburgh Napier University. Ages 5+. FREE Make a Treasure Sun 22 Nov, noon–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. The museum is full of treasures – find one that inspires you and make a beautiful embossed medal for someone special or as a Christmas tree decoration. FREE Evolution Express Sun 22 Nov, 2–2.45pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Join the Garden Rangers for an express trip through 600 million years of plant evolution in 45 minutes. Under 16s must be accompanied. Limited places. Please sign up on the day. Christmas Present Making Workshops: Felted Pencil Cases Sun 22 & 29 Nov, 3.30–5pm. £24 for both weeks. Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road, 466 0148. A two-week project to make and decorate a felt square. Ages 5+. Bungy Snowdome Thu 26 Nov–Thu 3 Dec, Thu–Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 29 Nov–Wed 2 Dec 10am–8pm. £6. East Princes Street Gardens. Enter the bungy snowdome and enjoy bouncing about doing amazing acrobatics and leaps. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas. Children’s Christmas Corner Thu 26 Nov–Mon 4 Jan, 10am–10pm. Stalls £2.50; rides £2. East Princes Street Gardens. Gentler funfair rides for younger children. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas. FREE A Bear Called Bjorn Thu 26 Nov, times vary. Princes Street. Puppetry and a life-sized polar bear. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas. Enchanted Edwardian Christmas for Families Sat 28 Nov, 10am–12.30pm & 2–4.30pm. £6 per adult/child. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. See Lauriston’s interior decorated for Christmas and learn about Edwardian Christmas celebrations, then get crafty while enjoying a hot chocolate. Under 8s must be accompanied. Please book in advance. Fabbydabbydee! It’s Good to Be Me Sat 28 Nov, 10.30am. £3.50. St James Hall, John’s Place, Leith, 555 2597. Songs from Fischy Music and Sticky Kids, music, boomwhackers and lots for noise for kids aged 3–7. Part of Adventfest. Magical Advent Calendars Sun 29 Nov, 10am–12.30pm & 1.30–4pm. £4 per adult/child. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make a unique advent calandar and fill it with little presents for someone special. Under 8s must be accompanied. Please book in advance. Baby Loves Disco Sun 29 Nov, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, 477 3500. A fun afternoon recreating your clubbing days – but with your wee one by your side. Dancing, activities, bubbles, free kiddie snacks and a chill-out area. Tickets from www.babylovesdisco.co.uk
Theatre & Dance The Man Who Planted Trees Sat 28 Nov, 4pm. £3.50. St James Hall, John’s Place, Leith, 555 2597. Puppet State Theatre Co presents this charming tale about a simple shepherd who transforms a desolate area by planting hundreds of trees. Highly recommended. Ages 7+. Part of Adventfest. Storytelling Story Space Thu 19 Nov, 11am. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling in the courtyard with games, songs and movement to fire your imagination. Ages 2–5 (plus carers). L’Heure du Conte Sat 28 Nov, 11am–noon. Family ticket £5. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. A morning of French and Scottish stories and songs. Ages 3+. Saturday Stories Sat 28 Nov, 11am. £5 (£4; family ticket £15). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Storytelling from the wonderful Andy Cannon. Children must be accompanied.
FESTIVE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS Princes Street, Edinburgh, Thu 26 Nov–Mon 4 Jan
‘Christmas is a time for families to be together, so we wanted to make Edinburgh’s Christmas suitable for all ages,’ says Nickie Gott, of She’s Gott It, the company charged with putting smiles on faces in the capital this Christmas. Gott and her company have certainly come up with a range of goods for this year’s festive shindig, much of which is (mercifully) free. In particular, the Sparkle into Christmas weekend, should see Princes
Street laden with families on the lookout for fun. The big white fellow pictured is a life-sized animatronic polar bear called Bjorn, who’ll be performing on Thu 26 Nov – as will Big Rory the 10ft Scotsman, and the two Lost Elves (see website for performance times).
From Thu 26–Sat 28 Nov, you can witness the spectacle that is The Edinburgh Sparkles Fountains, which burst into life every 15 minutes synchronised to music. Or climb inside the giant Snow Globe, throw a few snowballs and have your picture taken (£10 for up to six people). Although on Fri 27 Nov, the Tumbellina show will probably put you to shame, when a group of professional dancers perform inside the globe with a good deal more finesse.
The rest of Edinburgh’s Christmas gets cracking on Sat 12 Dec, with a beautiful Lantern Parade, the Santa Express train rides, decoration workshops, storytelling and, of course, the hilarious Santa Run. And for those little ones too small to enjoy the Winter Wonderland fairground, new for this year is the Children’s Christmas Corner.
‘There are so many things for children this year,’ says Gott. ‘Especially during Sparkle into Christmas which kicks off the festive programme. Bjorn the Bear is popular wherever he goes and is sure to entertain – and our Snow Globe lets children enjoy a white Christmas, whatever the weather.’ For the full low-down go to www.edinburghschristmas.com and have a merry one. (Kelly Apter)
FREE Family Fun Sat 21 & 28 Nov, 10am. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Saturday morning activities that can be relaxing or active. Choose from art and drama classes (50p–£2 each), art and craft activities, the garden play area and café. Zoo Wed 25 & 2 Dec, 4pm. £2 (50p). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. After-school art club for budding young artists with artist Fran Priest. P4–7. LYT Engage Wed 25 Nov & 2 Dec, 5–6.30pm. £35 per block. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Work with professional theatre tutors to develop performance skills, looking at action and reaction. Ages 13–18. FREE How Do you Use Plants? Fri 20 Nov, 2–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Ethnomedica want to know how you and your family use plants. The stories will be made available online to form a valuable record of how plants in Scotland are used. FREE The Science of Wood Sat 21 Nov, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Find out about this important material and how its properties are used, how they are