Kids
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to kids@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor.
GLASGOW Activities & Fun Glasgow Steiner School Winter Fayre Sat 4 Dec, 11am–4pm. £1 (50p). Glasgow Steiner School, 52 Lumsden Street, Yorkhill, 334 8855. Stalls, craft activities, games and a chance to meet frosty old King Winter. Puppet show at noon (£1); storytime at 2pm. Santa on the Sno Sat 4 & Sun 5 Dec, Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec, 11am–6pm. Children £7. Xscape Braehead, Kings Inch Road, Braehead, 0871 222 5672. Visit Santa’s home from home on the Braehead slopes. Booking recommended. FREE Christmas Fun Day Sat 4 Dec, 2pm. Sandyflat Stables, Caldercuilt Road, Summerston, 945 1369. Visit Santa, have a ride on one of his pony helpers, play some games, and stock up on presents.
FREE Mini Christmas Wreaths Sat 4 Dec, 2–4pm. St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, 553 2557. Make a traditional wreath to hang on the door. Baby’s First Christmas Gifts Sun 5 Dec, 10am–5pm. From £5. Busy Bees Craft Studio, at The Life Craft, 691 Great Western Road, 433 9506. Decorate gift items with your baby’s hand and foot prints. FREE Spies Like Us Sun 5 Dec, 1–3pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Nitshill, 276 9300. Go to spy school and learn how to send a coded message. FREE Burrell Winter Walk Sun 5 Dec, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Head out a- wassailing around Pollok Country Park. FREE Palace Highlights Tour Sun 5 Dec, 2pm. People’s Palace, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Peek into Glasgow’s past on a family tour. Little Explorer Days: Twinkle Time Thu 9 Dec, 10am–2pm. £6.25 (one free adult per child). Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, 420 5000. Songs and
CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 11 Dec; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 12 Dec
Faced with the sound and power of a full orchestra, it’s hard not to be impressed, whatever your age or musical persuasion. When you’re hovering between 4 and 14, however, you sometimes need a little spice in your sonata to stay occupied. For years, Children’s Classic Concerts has struck a fine balance between music and mirth – giving audiences something to giggle at without dumbing down the programming. The arrival of percussionist co-hosts Olly Cox and Owen Gunnell in late 2008 only compounded their success.
‘Since Owen and I started with Children’s Classic Concerts, we’ve always tried to do the same thing,’ says Cox, ‘which is to get children interested in classical music by making it fun.’ Having teamed up with new partners, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for their excellent Hallowe’en concert in October, the dynamic duo are now turning their attention to Christmas. But with two festive programmes already under their belts, is it hard to come up with fresh ideas? ‘Christmas is a difficult one,’ agrees Cox. ‘Our aim is still the same, but with the added extra of trying to get into the Christmas spirit. So yes, we always include old favourites – people would be disappointed if we didn’t – but Christmas is also about new things, new presents, new surprises.’
That said, a bit of experience also comes in handy, and it’s clear Owen and Olly have both grown into their roles over the past two years. ‘Presenting a concert is a bit like performing,’ says Cox. ‘You’re having a conversation with the audience, and you have to listen and feel how they’re reacting. The more relaxed you are the more you can tune in, and that’s what we try to do – relax, have fun and bring the audience along with us.’ (Kelly Apter)
60 THE LIST 2–16 Dec 2010
stories about sparkly things and stars. Ages 2–5. The Great Christmas Puppet Making Workshop Sat 11 Dec, 10am. £6.95. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Make a cool Santa or wee elf puppet. FREE Toy Stories: Christmas Family Day Sat 11 Dec, 10am–5pm. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Activities themed around the current exhibition of toys from times past. FREE RSPB Weekend: Pick Up a Penguin Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec, 11am–1pm & 2–4.30pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Learn about conservation in the Antarctic and search for the penguins hiding around the museum. FREE Christmas Burrell for Families Sat 11 Dec, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. The creative family activities take on a festive theme. FREE St Mungo’s Family Day Sat 11 Dec, 2–4pm. St Mungo Museum, 2 Castle Street, 553 2557. Museum-based family fun. FREE A Light Touch Sun 12 Dec, 1–3pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Nitshill, 276 9300. Make magical photogram images using winter’s natural light. Family workshop. Junior Nature Club - No Parents Required! Sun 12 Dec, 1.45–4pm. £1. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road Milngavie, 956 6100. Find out how birds cope with winter. Ages 8–12. Booking essential. Music Children’s Classic Concerts: Christmas Carnival Sat 11 Dec, 1pm & 3pm. £10 (£6; family ticket £29). Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. See preview, below.
Theatre, Dance & Comedy Pinocchio Tue–Fri, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat & Sun, 1.30pm & 3.30pm; various times until Sun 2 Jan. £8 (children £4; family ticket £20). The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. A new version of the classic fairytale, featuring music, song, dance and puppetry. Ages 3+. Wee Red Tue–Fri, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat & Sun, 1.30pm & 4.30pm; various times until Fri 24 Dec. £7.50 (family of five £30). Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. The familiar story of a little girl with a red hood gets a Scottish twist in this interactive show for ages 3–7. A Very Cosy Christmas Sat 4 & 11 Dec, 10.30am, 1.15pm & 3.15pm; Sun 5 & 12 Dec, 1.15pm & 3.15pm; various times until Fri 24 Dec. £12 per child + adult (extra child £5; extra adult £7). Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Festive storytelling for ages 3–6, all about the fun that can be had in the snow. Wonderland Sat 4 & 11 Dec, noon, 2pm & 4pm; various times until Fri 31 Dec. £6–£7. Citizens’ Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Max the mouse learns to skate. Ages 3–6. Pockets Full of Christmas Puppets Sat 4 Dec, 2pm & 4pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Flotsam and Jetsam puppeteer Aileen Finlay wears her special story dress, with pockets full of puppets and surprises. Glasgow Kids Comedy Club Sun 5 Dec, 3pm. £4. The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. This month young comedy fans can see Bruce Devlin, Kevin Gildea and a special guest. Best for ages 8–12; no under 5s. The Singing Kettle: Santa’s Fun Factory Thu 9 Dec, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Fri 10 Dec, 10.30am & 5pm; Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec, noon & 3pm. £11.50–£13 (family ticket £42–£48). Braehead Arena, Kings Inch Road, 0870 277 6062. The Singing Kettle join Santa in his workshop to get ready for Christmas.
The Selfish Giant Fri 10 Dec, 7pm; Sat 11 Dec, 2pm; Tue 14 & Thu 16 Dec, 10am & 1.30pm; Wed 15 Dec 10am & 7pm; various times until Wed 22 Dec. £9 (£4–£5). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Wee Stories presents a new take on the classic tale of a mean giant, who might just mend his ways in time to have a happy Christmas. Little Christmas Eve Sat 11 Dec, 2pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Talking Heads tell the tale of a Christmas tree angel. Ages 3+. EDINBURGH
Activities & Fun Crafty Christmas Sat 4 Dec, 10–11am. Childen £2; accompanying adults free. Newhailes, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, 0844 493 2125. A day of festive crafts, using natural materials to make decorations and cards. Remember waterproofs and sensible shoes. Scandinavian Christmas Decorations Sun 5 Dec, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 336 2060. Make decorations to hang on your tree using natural materials. Booking essential. Christmas Stocking Sun 5 Dec, 3–5pm. £12. Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road, 466 0148. Decorate a stocking fit to receive the most wonderful of presents. Ages 5+. Glistening Snowmen and Sparkling Angels Sat 11 Dec, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 336 2060. Learn to make three-dimensional Christmas decorations. Booking essential. Rush & Willow Work Class Sat 11 Dec, 10.30am–3pm. £55 per adult + child. Four Winds Inspiration Centre, The Pavilion, Inverleith Park, Arboretum Place, 332 2229. Learn to weave garlands and other seasonal decorations from natural materials with Liz Balfour. Holyrood Christmas! Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec, 11am–3pm. £10.25 admission (£9.30; under 17s £6.20; under 5s free; family ticket £27). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. The Victorians are responsible for many traditions integral to Christmas – find out about the origins of trees and crackers, and make your own advent calendar at this family activity day. Best for ages 5–11. Christmas Dreams Sun 12 Dec, 11am–3pm. £6. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 336 2060. Family- friendly Christmas projects in the castle. Booking essential. 2011 Calendar Sun 12 Dec, 3–5pm. £12. Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road, 466 0148. Get set for the new year with a lovely handmade calendar. Ages 5+.
Theatre & Dance The Gruffalo Thu 2, Fri 3, Mon 6, Tue 7, Wed 8 & Thu 9 Dec, 10.30am. £11 (£8.50). The Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance, 650 4673. Tall Stories present their lively musical version of Julia Donaldson’s book. Lapin Wants to See Santa Wed 8 Dec–Sat 11 Dec, 10.30am. £5 (£3–£4). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, Pennywell Court, 315 2151. A show for 3–8-year- olds, introducing them to the French language through the adventures of Lapin, a French bunny. The Gruffalo’s Child Sat 11 & Sun 12 Dec, 11am & 2pm; Tue 14 Dec–Thu 17 Dec, 10.30am. £11 (£8.50). The Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance, 650 4673. Our favourite friendly monster returns with his own little terror in tow in this superb show from Tall Stories. Music Children’s Classic Concerts: Christmas Carnival Sun 12 Dec, 3pm. £10 (£6; family ticket £29). Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. See preview, left.