www.list.co.uk/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 The Thrill of the Chase Sat 23 Jan, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2564. Animals rely on their senses much more than we do. Find out if you have the eyes of a hawk or the ears of a fox. For families with children aged 5–12. Please book. FREE Saturday Art Club Sat 23 & 30 Jan, 10.30am–1pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square,
287 3050. Art activities relating to the art on display with drawing, collage, sculpture-making and games. Parents can get stuck in too. Ages 3–12. Celtic Connections Public Workshops: Play Songs for Bigger Bairns Sun 24 Jan, 11am. £4. Royal Concert Hall: Clyde Foyer, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Chrissie Stewart Skinner teaches traditional children’s songs for 5–8-year-olds. Children must be accompanied. Part of Celtic Connections. FREE Big Burrell Birdwatch! Sat 30 Jan, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2564. Join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the Burrell by spotting birds inside and out. For families with children aged 5–12. Please book.
PREVIEW EARLY YEARS SHOW HOW COLD MY TOES Old Sheriff Court, Glasgow, Thu 4 Feb and touring
The changing seasons can be a baffling concept for little ones. Sometimes it’s light at bedtime, sometimes it’s dark, not to mention alternating supplies of snow, rain, sunshine, falling leaves and budding flowers. When you’ve only encountered spring, summer, autumn and winter on a few occasions, they’re still ripe for exploration – which is why Travelling Light Theatre Company’s new show sounds just perfect for early years audiences. Barely a word is uttered during How Cold My Toes, with the Bristol-based
company preferring to use physical theatre, dance and a lively set to communicate their story. ‘The performers wear a different colour for each season,’ explains artistic producer Jude Merrill. ‘And green shoots come up in spring, in summer they eat ice creams, the leaves come down in autumn and in winter it snows woolly clothes which they build a snowman out of.’ For this venture, Travelling Light has teamed up with streetdance company Champloo, to give the show an unusual edge. ‘They were interested in pushing the boundaries of street dance and seeing what else it can do,’ says Merrill. ‘And we found that it has a very clear theatrical language, and some of the dance moves are very expressive. We’ve also got other forms of dance in there such as ballet and tango.’
Some, but not all of which the children will have seen before. ‘I think it’s
important that small children see things which are both familiar and unfamiliar,’ says Merrill. ‘And that we create a rich mix of things which intrigue them and hold their attention.’ (Kelly Apter)
Kids Kids
FREE Spot Activity Event Sat 30 Jan, 3–4pm. Waterstone’s, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. Fun and games based on the Where’s Spot? book. FREE Create Your Own Comics With Metaphrog Sun 31 Jan, 1–4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. An exciting comic workshop with critically acclaimed Glasgow-based duo metaphrog, who will share the secrets of making comics. Create your own characters and develop your own story, from initial idea through to storyboard and finished comic. Ages 12–17. Theatre and Dance Sigurd the Dragon Slayer Sat 23 Jan, 2pm. £5.50 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Folding Theatre Puppet Company presents an enchanting tale about the adventures of young Sigurd. Suitable for 5–11-year-olds. Rabbie’s Haggis Hoolie Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan, noon & 2pm. Children £6. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. Fizzgig & Grubb theatre company presents an interactive show that offers kids a fun way to find out more about Robert Burns. Featuring a treasure hunt, music, games, poetry and, of course, haggis. Suitable for primary school aged children. Booking essential. Oscar and the Quest for the Underground Princess Sat 30 Jan, 2pm & 3.45pm. £5.50 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Mousetale Puppets return with another Oscar adventure, in which he journeys to Mole Kingdom armed with a cream bun and electric guitar. Ages 3+. How Cold My Toes Thu 4 Feb, 10.45am & 1.30pm. £3.50 (£2). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 287 9835. Travelling Light presents its new production about the changing seasons. Suitable for ages 2+. See preview.
Edinburgh Activities and Fun FREE Super Science Show / Meet the Scientist Sat/Sun 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.15pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Every Saturday and Sunday you can catch either a Super Science Show or Meet the Scientist – find out which on the day. Ages 5+. Shows last 20 minutes. FREE Drawing Workshop Sat 23 Jan, 11am–noon & 2–4pm. Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, 225 3922. Get creative in inspirational surroundings with this workshop on the human form. Ages 8–11 at 11am and ages 12–16 at 2pm. FREE Biodiversity Festival – Meet Your Wild Neighbours Sat 23 & Sun 24 Jan, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Get to know the wildlife living next door at this fun event with the RSPB and the Garden Rangers. Ages 5+. FREE Biodiversity Festival – Focus on Begonias Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. See the RBGE’s research on begonias – a diverse tropical group of plants numbering around 900 species. Ages 5+. FREE Biodiversity Festival – Chocs Away! Sat 30 Jan, 2–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. A month after Christmas that selection box chocolate will be long gone, but fear not! There is another way to get a sweet treat – from plants. Ages 7+. Baby Loves Disco Sun 31 Jan, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, 477 3500. Recreate your clubbing days at this fun, lively event for kids aged 6 months–7 years and their parents/carers. With activities, bubble machine, chill-out area and healthy snacks. Tickets from www.babylovesdisco.co.uk
Theatre and Dance The Singing Kettle: Pyjama Party Fri 22–Sun 24 Jan, Fri 10am; Sat 11am & 2pm; Sun noon & 3pm. £12 (family ticket £42). Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. More singing and dancing from the Singing Kettle, and this time they’ve got a clock that springs to life anytime anyone falls asleep. Oor Rabbie Fri 22 & Sat 23 Jan, Fri 7pm; Sat 2.30pm. £8 (£6; family ticket £24). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Foolish Notion presents this hugely entertaining look at Robert Burns’ best-known works through recitations, storytelling theatre and live music. Suitable for ages 8+ and their families. Recommended. Books and Storytelling Story Space Thu 21 Jan, 11am. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling in the courtyard with games, songs and movement to get the imaginative juices flowing. Ages 2–5 (plus carers). FREE Burns for Bairns Sat 23 Jan, 2–3pm. Blackwell, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. Burns for wee people and their families with storyteller Alastair McIver. Ages 6–11. Tickets available from the front desk. Tiny Tales Tue 26 Jan, 10am & 11.30am. £4. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories, rhymes and songs for wee (and not so wee) ears. Ages 6 months–3 years. L’Heure Du Conte Sat 30 Jan, 11am–noon. £5 per family. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. The story of a rabbit and his friends read by Tanya Czajka and performed by the puppet company Le petit Monde. In French and English, suitable for children 3 years and over. FREE Talking Trees Storytelling Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 248 2968. Talking Trees storytelling returns to transport adults and children alike to a magical land far, far away. Suitable for anyone with an imagination (ages 5+). FREE Chatterbooks Mon 1 Feb, 4–5pm. Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North, 529 5549. Poetry activities and games for children.
Outside the Citieside thCities Activities and Fun The Puffin Club Sat 23, Sun 24, Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan, 2–3pm. Included in admission: £7.15 (£5.35; children £4.05). Scottish Seabird Centre, The Harbour, North Berwick, 01620 890202. Educational workshops with activities relating to wildlife. Ages 2+. FREE Sunday Craft Session Sun 24 Jan, 2–4pm. National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, 247 4369. Get crafty and make something to take home in this drop-in session. Shadow Puppet Making Sun 31 Jan, 1–3pm. £tbc. Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Cornalees Bridge Centre, Loch Thom, By Inverkip, 01475 521458. Learn how to make shadow puppets, then use them to perform a short play with an environmental theme. Theatre & Dance Oor Rabbie Sat 23 Jan, 7.30pm. £14 (£10.50). Howden Park Centre, Howden, Livingston, 01506 777666. See Edinburgh. How Cold My Toes Wed 27–Sat 30 Jan, Wed–Fri 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat 11am & 2pm. £6 (£5). Macrobert, University of Stirling, 01786 466666. See Glasgow. How Cold My Toes Sun 31 Jan, 3pm. £4.50 (£3.50; four tickets for £14). Adam Smith Theatre, Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, 01592 583302. See Glasgow. How Cold My Toes Wed 3 Feb, 1.30pm. £8 (£6). Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, St Andrews, 01334 475000. See Glasgow.
21 Jan–4 Feb 2010 THE LIST 61