www.list.co.uk/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 FREE Saturday Art Club Sat 22 & 29 Jan, 10.30am–12.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Weekly art club, giving 3–11-year- olds and their parents the chance to make a portrait (22 Jan), and a mechanical bug (29 Jan). FREE Family Workshop: Igloos Sat 22 Jan, 10.30am–4pm. The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, 225 8350. A family workshop from Architecture + Design Scotland all about igloo building, which the last few weeks’ weather might just have given you the opportunity to practise. FREE Generation Games Fun Day Sat 22 Jan, 11am–3pm. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Family day with toy-making sessions, giant games and adventure trails, plus a special storytelling session just for grandparents and grandchildren. FREE Discover! Our Celtic Connections Sat 22 Jan, 11am–12.30pm & 2pm–3.30pm & Sun 23 Jan, 1pm–4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A special pre-Burns edition of the weekly family activity programme, with a haggis hunt and activities that tie in with Celtic Connections festival. Best suited to families with kids aged 4–11. FREE Burrell for Families Sat 22 Jan, 2pm–4pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Fun felting for families with kids aged 5–12. Booking essential. FREE Burrell Bird Walk Sun 23 Jan, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. A family walk around the park learning about local avian life. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. NYCOS Mini Music Makers Tue 25 Jan & Tue 1 Feb, 9.30am–10.10am (ages 0–2), 10.30am–11.10am (ages 2–3), 11.30am–12.10pm & 12.30pm–1.10pm (both ages 3–4). £4. City Halls, Candleriggs, 287 2943. Fun sessions run by the National Youth Choir of Scotland and comprising songs, games and simple rhymes to help youngsters develop a love of music. Other sessions available at various venues around Glasgow – see www.nycos.co.uk for details. FREE Archaeology Uncovered Sat 29 Jan, 11am–1pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Nitshill, 276 9300. A hands-on chance to learn about the work of the real Indiana Joneses of this world. Ages 7+. FREE RSPB Weekend: Big Garden Birdwatch Sat 29 & Sun 30 Jan, 11am–1pm & 2pm–4.30pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. As part of this year’s national survey of bird life in the UK’s gardens, join experts from the RSPB to learn how to spot and identify feathered friends in your own garden. FREE Saturdays at the Palace Sat 29 Jan, 2pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Fun activities for families inspired by the displays in the museum. FREE Family Friendly Sunday Sun 30 Jan, 1.30pm–3.30pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, Nitshill, 276 9300. Creative workshops inspired by the collections, followed by a tour at 2.30pm (advance booking essential for tour). Storytelling Zog and the Gruffalo Sat 22 Jan, 11am & 2pm. Sun 23 Jan, 2pm. £8 (£6). Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. An hour of story and song with Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, and quite possibly a big furry guest. Followed by book signing.
DITTO Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 20–Sat 22 Jan
What do you think about when you’re listening to music? Chances are a range of thoughts, emotions and memories flood your mind. Add to that the vivid imagination of younger listeners, and you’ve got an area rich for exploration. Intrigued by the way 8–12 year-old children listen and respond to
music, composer Greg Sinclair carried out research at three Edinburgh primary schools as part of his artistic residency with Imaginate. The result is Ditto, a musical journey peppered with moments of silence, to allow children time to reflect on what they’ve just heard. ‘I’m very interested in children’s imaginations,’ says Sinclair, ‘and
when I was doing research in schools I would present a piece of music, then ask each individual child what they had been thinking about during and after listening to it. I found that all of them had very different ideas on what the piece was about. So I thought it would be nice to present a piece of music where there are silences, pauses or moments of stillness to allow the children to formulate their own narratives.’ Featuring three musicians on trombone, clarinet and percussion, and
a vocalist singing real life quotes about music from the children who participated in the research, Ditto promises moments of tension, emotional resonance and humour. It’s all aimed at an age group old enough to make up their own minds, without being too influenced by the person sitting next to them.
‘It’s a very interesting time,’ says Sinclair. ‘Because children in upper primary school have developed their emotional literacy, so they can understand why they have a response to music. But they’re also at a vital stage before that early teenage phase, where they’re swayed by their peers about their choices and what they like.’ (Kelly Apter)
Tall Tales at the Tron Sat 29 Jan, 10am. £6 per adult + child. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Interactive storytelling session with movement, mime and props. Ages 3–5. Theatre & Dance The Paperbag Princess Sat 22 Jan, 2pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. The tale of Princess Elizabeth and her unlikely encounter with the dragon who has burned down her castle and nicked her prince. Ages 3+. Icepole Fri 28 Jan, 10am & 1pm; Sat 29 & Sun 30 Jan, 10.30am & 1pm. £3–£4. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. Another multi-sensory adventure for 0–4-year-olds from Starcatchers, this time taking little ones on a journey to a land of sparkling ice and crunchy snow (much like Scotland, in fact. . . ). Three Little Pigs and Other Tales Sat 29 Jan, 2pm & 4pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre,
8–10 Balcarres Avenue Kelvindale, 339 6185. Good things come in threes with Kidgloves’ renditions of ‘Three Little Pigs’, ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ and ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Rabbie’s Haggis Hoolie Sun 30 & Mon 31 Jan, 2pm. £2. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. Fizzgig & Grubb theatre company presents an interactive show that offers primary-age kids a fun way to find out more about the ploughman poet. Children must be accompanied. Booking essential.
EDINBURGH Activities & Fun FREE Trees in Winter Sat 22 Jan, 12.30pm–3.30pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Learn how to tell the difference between species of tree, even when they’ve got no leaves. Ages 5+.
Kids
FREE Australian Nature Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jan, 12.30pm–3.30pm. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171 and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. To mark Australia Day on 26 Jan, set out on a weekend of discovery at the Zoo (Sat) and the Botanics (Sun) to find out about Australian flora and fauna with trails, info sessions and activities. Zoo activities are included in the price of admission. FREE Family Tours Sat 22 & 29 Jan, 2pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. A 15-minute tour of one of the National Museums of Scotland’s collections, designed with families in mind. Tour subjects change weekly. Tam O’Shanter Making for Burns Night Sun 23 Jan, 3.30pm–4.30pm. £8. Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road, 466 0148. Make a terrific tartan tam to wear while you eat your haggis and recite the works of the Baird on Tuesday. Involves sewing; ages 8+. Teddy Bear Bunting Sat 29 Jan, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30pm–3.30pm. £4. Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, 529 4142. Be inspired by the lovable old bears who live in the museum and make special bunting for your room. Booking essential. Ages 5+. Music Ditto Thu 20 & Sat 22 Jan, 1pm; Fri 21 Jan, 10am. £6. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. A new musical performance conceived by Greg Sinclair and performed by a quartet of trombone, clarinet, vocals and percussion. Suitable for ages 8+. See preview.
Storytelling Two Tales: Tam O’Shanter and The Goddess of War Sat 22 Jan, 2–3pm. £4 (£3). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Two stories from popular author Lari Don: the first is a daring retelling of the tale of Tam O’Shanter, while the second reaches even further back into history to research the myth of Inanna, Sumerian Goddess of War. A gripping hour of battles, witches, ghouls and music for ages 8+. Part of Burnsfest. Tiny Tales: Scottish Stories Tue 25 Jan, 10am–10.40am & 11.30am–12.10pm. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories, rhymes and songs for wee ears, this time with a Scottish theme and a guest appearance from a certain Mr Burns and his mouse. Ages 6 months–3 years. Theatre & Dance The Singing Kettle: Fun Factory Fri 21 Jan, 10am; Sat 22 Jan, 11am & 2pm; Sun 23 Jan, noon & 3pm. £12.50 (under 24 months £2). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. Musical pandemonium in the toy factory, with these popular favourites. FREE Oor Rabbie Sun 23 Jan, 12.30pm–1.30pm & 2.30pm–3.30pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Wee Stories Theatre presents an entertaining, family-friendly look at Robert Burns’ through storytelling theatre and live music. The Last Miner Mon 31 Jan, 9.30pm. £6 (£5). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Young Edinburgh-based children’s theatre company Tortoise in a Nutshell presents its Fringe-acclaimed tale of a forgotten underground soul, the last miner – but this time as a special late-night showing for grown-ups. Part of Manipulate Visual Theatre Festival. Children’s Comedy Hour with Patrick Monahan Wed 2 Feb, 5pm–6pm. £5. Persian Rug Village, 34 Morningside Road, 446 7071. Possibly the world’s only Irish-Iranian stand-up comedian, Patrick Monahan, tells stories of his childhood and experiences in Iran in an hour of family-friendly comedy. Tickets available from the venue on the day only.
20 Jan–3 Feb 2011 THE LIST 55