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 Toy Stories Until Mon 2 May. Tue–Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Indulge in a little childhood nostalgia, or just see how children of the past played. Tiny Twisters & Junior Jumpers Sat 19 & 26 Feb, 10–10.45am & 11–11.45am. £5. Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Dance classes for tots aged 2-and-a-half to 4 (10am) and 5–7 (11am). FREE Animal Architecture Sat 19 Feb, 10.30am–4pm. Architecture + Design Scotland, Level 2, The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, 225 8350. Family architecture workshop inspired by the ingenious dwellings that animals and birds make for themselves. All ages. FREE Transport Detectives Sat 19 Feb, 1–3pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, 276 9300. An interactive transport trail and story session for those missing the Transport Museum. Booking essential. FREE Saturdays at the Palace Sat 19 Feb, 2pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Activities for families inspired by museum displays. FREE Burrell for Families Sat 19 Feb, 2–4pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Join in with the programme of China-themed events taking place around the city by making a Chinese headdress to sport on a special occasion. Ages 5–12. Booking essential. FREE Tech Thursday Thu 24 Feb & 3 Mar, 6pm. City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. Learn to use top-of-the-range music software and hardware at this free drop-in. Ages 12–18. FREE Toddler Toys Fri 25 Feb, 11–11.40am. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Games and simple toy-making fun inspired by the current exhibition for ages 3–5. FREE Tramway Family Day: John Cage Musicircus 2 Sat 26 Feb, 10am–5pm. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. Following the immensely popular first event in May 2010, the Tramway presents another day of free activities and workshops for families and young people. Expect live music from the likes of Wounded Knee and the Second Hand Marching Band, poetry, light and sound installations and workshops for families, with something for all ages from babies up. FREE Saturday Art Club Special Sat 26 Feb, 10.30am–12.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Make a straw sculpture. Ages 3–11. FREE Archaeology Uncovered Sat 26 Feb, 11am–1pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, 276 9300. A chance for families and children aged 7+ to learn about the work of the real Indiana Joneses of this world. Booking essential. FREE Screenprinted Tights Sun 27 Feb, 1–4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Work with designer Helen Gallogly to design and screenprint your own unique pair of tights to take home. Ages 12–17. Part of Textilefest. FREE Family Friendly Sunday Sun 27 Feb, 1.30–3.30pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, 276 9300. Creative workshops and a family tour at 2.30pm (advance booking essential for tour). Music The Farmer’s Cheese Sun 20 Feb, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. £4 (under 3s free). City Halls: Recital Rooms, Candleriggs, 353 8000. Oliver Searle’s adaptation is a
58 THE LIST 17 Feb–3 Mar 2011
musical adventure written for hearing- impaired children and performed by SYMPOSIA. Ages 3–7 and families. Theatre & Storytelling Oscar and the Highland Castle Sat 19 Feb, 2pm & 4pm. £5.95 (£4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Oscar the mouse leaves his attic home and heads for Loch Ness to free a besieged castle in this puppet show. Ages 3+. Tall Tales at the Tron Sat 26 Feb, 10am. £6 per adult + child pair. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Interactive storytelling session with movement, mime and props. Ages 3–5. See preview. Family Story Time – The Sword in the Stone Sat 26 & Sun 27 Feb, 10.30am & 12.30pm. £5. Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Storytelling theatre from the Scottish Youth Theatre. Ages 2–8;
families and babies welcome. I Spy With PC Mckay Sat 26 Feb, 2pm. £5.95 (£4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Help the puppet polis solve a mystery involving a disappeared dog and a wayward wand. Ages 3–8.
EDINBURGH Activities & Fun Youth Music Theatre UK Auditions Thu 17 Feb, 10am. £30. Dance Base, 14–16 Grassmarket, 0844 415 4858. YMT UK is looking for new performers, stage managers and directors for its numerous productions. Audition fee includes over two hours’ work with YMT’s voice tutors, choreographers and directors. Ages 11-21. Booking essential. www.youthmusictheatreuk.org FREE A Slice of Life Thu 17–Sun 20 Feb, 11am–1pm & 2–4pm. National
STORYTELLING TALL TALES AND SATURDAY STORIES Tron Theatre, Glasgow and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, monthly
A trip to the theatre usually involves closing your mouth and opening your ears. But once a month, at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre, things get a lot more interactive. Both the ‘Tiny Tales’ and ‘Tall Tales’ storytelling sessions (for ages 6 months–2 years and 3–5 years respectively) actively encourage children to help drive the narrative along. ‘The idea is for our little storytellers to help bring the stories to life,’ says education manager, Lisa Keenan. ‘Our stories are always multi- sensory, and in the past we’ve used water, bubbles, textured fabrics, percussion and even fresh fruit, along with music, mime and movement to stimulate all the senses.’
According to Keenan, having a positive experience with storytelling can give those pre-schoolers taking part the confidence to try drama classes once they’re older. ‘For many children, ‘Tall Tales’ is their first creative experience at the Tron,’ she says. ‘They come along with their parent/carer and become familiar with our staff and building, before progressing on to attending sessions independently, which we run for ages 5–25.’ One man who knows all about the connection between storytelling and drama, is Andy Cannon. A founder member of children’s theatre company, Wee Stories, Cannon also runs a monthly storytelling session, at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre. Aimed at ages 5+, 'Saturday Stories' give audiences a chance to enjoy Canon's imaginative performance style up close – and allows him to impart a few stories that won't fit into the Wee Stories schedule.
'I've really enjoyed being able to tell a broad mixture of stories,' says Cannon, 'and particularly traditional Scottish tales. Occasionally I'll tell a well known favourite such as Robin Hood or Greyfriars’ Bobby, and at Hallowe’en we had plenty of ghost stories — including one made up by the audience.’ Working with an older age range, Cannon has less need for bubbles
and water, but still makes use of the occasional prop. ‘Sometimes I use one or two to help the audience remember who’s who in a big story,’ he says, ‘and as I’m often telling a story for the first time, they act as very handy mnemonic for me!’ (Kelly Apter)
Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Meet characters from throughout Scottish history, from an alewife to a steam engine driver. Eco Week Thu 17–Sun 20 Feb, 11am–3.30pm. £15.50 as part of zoo admission (£13; children £11; under 3s free). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Stalls and activities making a whole load of fun out of green living – including info about sustainable fishing and forestry, fair trade, and plenty of eco crafts. At the weekend the RSPB is visiting with its Homes for Wildlife campaign, which offers chances to get stuck in making everything from houses for ladybirds to animal masks. FREE Lighthouse DIY! Thu 17 & Fri 18 Feb, noon–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Design and make your own lighthouse. All materials provided but feel free to bring along any crafty extras. FREE War of the Words Thu 17 Feb, 4.30–6.30pm. Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street, 529 5628. Spoken word workshop for under 16s, now with added sound effects. Part of Let’s Get Lyrical. FREE Street Dance Sat 19 Feb & 26 Feb, 10–10.45am. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Hip-hop and street moves for ages 8–14. FREE Children’s Saturday Workshops Sat 19 Feb & 26 Feb, 10am–noon. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Hands-on arty fun for under 5s and their families in the NEAC café. Elsewhere in the centre there are dance classes (P1–P7) at 10.30am and art classes (P4–P7) from 11.30am. FREE Pick a Line Sat 19 Feb, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. Writers’ Museum, Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket, 529 3963. Turn a line from your favourite song into colours and shapes to hang on a mobile. Let’s Get Lyrical. FREE Stone Age Survival Skills Sat 19 Feb, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House 142 Canongate, 529 4143. Experimental archaeology for children and families. Comic Book Drawing Sat 26 Feb & 5 Mar, 10am–3pm. £33 (children £16.50). Leith Academy, 20 Academy Park, 553 2810. Two-week course led by a Scottish cartoonist. Adults can attend either on their own or with up to two children aged 10 and under. Learn how to make a comic book from brainstorming ideas, to character development, to completing the narrative. Mysterious Masks Sat 26 Feb, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. £4. Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, 529 4142. Pick your favourite from the museum and make your own mask. Booking essential. Ages 5+. Baby Loves Disco Sun 27 Feb, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 226 4224. Baby Loves Disco is a chance for kids aged 6 months–7 years (and their parents/friends) to get their respective grooves on. Theatre & Storytelling Story Space Thu 17 Feb, 11–11.50am. £6 per child (accompanying adult free). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling themed around sea and creatures of the deep. Ages 2–5. Tiny Tales: Noah’s Ark Tue 22 Feb, 10–10.40am & 11.30am–12.10pm. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Tales and rhymes inspired by the story of Noah’s Ark. Ages 6 months–3 years. Thomas and Friends Fri 25–Sun 27 Feb, 11am, 2pm & 5pm. £17. Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, 0844 847 1660. The Really Useful Engine proves his worth when the Big Top comes to town. Saturday Stories Sat 26 Feb, 11.30am. £5 (£4; family ticket £15). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Storytelling from Andy Cannon, from the silly to spooky. Ages 5+. Children must be accompanied. See preview.