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 Toddler Time Fridays, 11.30am–noon. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Take the wee ones along for songs, stories and fun. Baby Booty Sale Sat 19 Nov & 10 Dec, 10.30am–1pm. £1 (children free). Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, 1445 Argyle Street, 276 1450. Table top sale of second-hand items for babies and children, with a Christmas special on Sat 10 Dec featuring taster sessions for parent and child classes around Glasgow. FREE Saturday Art Club Saturdays, 10.30am–12.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Art activities for ages 3-11 every week, with a special session inspired by International Human Rights Day on Sat 10 Dec. FREE Archaeology Uncovered Sat 19 Nov, 11am–1pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, South Nitshill Industrial Estate, 276 9300. Handle some archaeological finds and learn about the work of the real Indiana Joneses of this world. Families with ages 7+. Booking essential. FREE RSPB Weekend: Spot the Birdie Sat 19 & Sun 20 Nov, 11am–1pm & 2–4.30pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A bird- spotting challenge, with prizes for the eagle-eyed. FREE Rock Out! Sat 19 Nov, 11.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm and Sun 20 Nov, 1–4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Having been inspired by the current AC/DC exhibition, kids can build a mini stage set with props and be a ‘Rock Hero’ on a giant screen. FREE Burrell for Families Sat 19 Nov, 2–4pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Have a go at printmaking at this workshop for ages 5–12 and their families. FREE Saturdays at the Palace Sat 19 Nov & 10 Dec, 2pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Fun activities for families, including child-friendly talks about the displays in the museum. Sat 10 Dec is a festive special. Booking essential. Baby Discovery Mondays, 9.45–10.30am. £5. Cairns Church, 11 Buchanan Street, Milngavie, thecreationstation.co.uk. Arts and crafts for babies aged 3–14 months. Handmade Arts Tuesdays, 4–5.45pm. £6 per child; £10 for two children. Tapa Coffeehouse, 721 Pollokshaws Road, 07588 571306. Messy clothes essential for this after-school craft club for ages 7–14. Jo’s Handmade Workshops Wednesdays, 10.30–11.30am. children £3; two children £5. Tapa Coffeehouse, 721 Pollokshaws Road, 07588 571 306. A craft group for pre-school children. FREE Tots at Scotland Street Fri 25 Nov, 11–11.45am. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Interactive play session for ages 2–4 and parents. St Andrew’s Day Sat 26 & Sun 27 Nov, 10am–5pm. £6.50 (children £4.50). Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, 420 5000. For its own tenth anniversary and the national saint’s day, the GSC is offering reduced price entry to the centre and a free planetarium show with every ticket (first come first served). Fittingly for a day of patriotism there’s an insight into Scottish scientists’ role in controlling some nasty diseases, something called ‘Science in a Sporran’ and the ‘Haggis Toss’. Jack and Jill Market Sat 26 Nov, 10.30am–1.30pm. £1 (children free). Bellahouston Leisure Centre, 31
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THE BEST KIDS’ STUFF
PREVIEW FAMIILY CHRISTMAS CONCERTS CHRISTMAS SWINGALONG & CHRISTMAS MAGIC Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 4 Dec; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 10 Dec
When you’re in the business of children’s entertainment, a flexible attitude to costumes is a definite advantage. In the past few months alone, Owen Cox and Oliver Gunnell (aka Owen and Olly) have walked onstage in their dressing gowns, shiny lycra unitards and astronaut suits. Not to mention the bicycles they purloined from 5-year-olds and rode shakily up and down.
Suffice to say Owen and Olly are not afraid to channel their inner child while hosting a Children’s Classic Concert (CCC). Or throw in cultural references pertinent to their 4–14-year-old fan base. ‘We try to keep our finger on the pulse,’ says Olly, ‘but we also go with our instincts. If we think something is funny, enjoyable or entertaining then usually that translates well to our audiences.’ With two Christmas shows on the horizon, chances of the duo’s silliness abating is slim to none. But while fun is never far from the menu, the concerts Owen and Olly programme feature some seriously good music. First up, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Big Bang will give a jazzy feel to yuletide tunes in Christmas Swingalong. A week later in Glasgow, it’s time for Christmas Magic, an orchestral mix of festive classics, epic film scores and a touch of ballet.
Keeping the concerts fresh for young audiences is top of CCC’s
agenda. But what holds Owen and Olly’s interest? ‘I think for us, it’s the privilege of working with so many fantastic musicians,’ says Olly, ‘and showcasing their skills to so many children at each concert. We also love the dressing up and larking around too – it’s like being a kid again, but getting to do it on stage.’ (Kelly Apter)
Bellahouston Drive, 01721 725879. Buy and sell nearly-new baby and kids’ (ages 0–9) items of good quality. FREE Riverside Detectives Sat 26 Nov, 10.30am & 2pm. Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Place, 287 2660. Join in with some super sleuthing to solve a mystery at the museum. FREE Discover! Carnival of the Animals Sat 26 Nov, 11am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm & Sun 27 Nov, 1–4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A family fiesta (best suited to those with kids aged 5–12) with some musical mammals. FREE Making Sense Sat 26 Nov, 11am–1pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, South Nitshill Industrial Estate, 276 9300. A unique tour of the centre making use of all the senses. Ages 7+. Back to School with Miss Baxter Sat 26 Nov, 2pm. £2 (£1.50). Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. If you think school is bad now, try a day there in 1939! FREE Family Friendly Sunday Sun 27 Nov, 1–3pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, 276 9300. Creative workshops and short tours. Little Explorer Days Thu 1 Dec, 10am–2pm. £7.95 per adult + child. Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, 420 5000. Search the starry skies for Santa at this science-themed day out for ages 3–5 and their grown-ups. FREE Wee Explorers Sun 4 Dec, 1–2pm. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodhead Road, South Nitshill Industrial Estate, 276 9300. A chance for under 5s to explore the treasure trove. Booking essential. FREE Wee Wednesdays Wed 7 Dec, 2–4pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Drop-in workshop based on the museum displays. Ages 2–5. FREE RSPB Weekend: Pick Up a Penguin Sat 10 & Sun 11 Dec, 11am–1pm & 2–4.30pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Another of the RSPB’s weekends of activities and wildlife-themed fun at Kelvingrove, this time with a suitably icy penguin theme.
The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean One of Scotland’s best-loved puppeteers Shona Reppe unlocks another box of wondrous goodies, in this critically acclaimed show for ages 6 and over. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 26 Nov.
Children’s Classic Concerts: Christmas Magic and Christmas Swingalong Not one but two Christmas offerings from percussion- playing hosts Owen and Olly and the fabulous Royal Scottish National Orchestra – one jazzy, one orchestral, both as festive as tinsel. See preview. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 4 Dec; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 10 Dec.
St Andrew’s Day at Glasgow Science Centre A double celebration combining our national saint’s day and the Science Centre’s 10th anniversary. Get there early to benefit from reduced admission fee and free planetarium show. Plus some special, and suitably Scottish, activities including the curiously titled ‘Science in a Sporran’. Glasgow Science Centre, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Nov.
An Evening with Jeff Kinney The man behind the hugely popular Wimpy Kid books visits Edinburgh to launch his latest adventure, Cabin Fever. As if he wasn’t enough for his legion of eager fans, Kinney will be joined by actors Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron from the Wimpy Kid films. St Mary’s Cathedral (Palmerston Place), Edinburgh, Wed 30 Nov.
Pocketsful of Wintertime Tales Puppeteer Aileen Finlay pulls on her special storytelling dress, with pockets filled with tiny puppet friends, and delivers a wintry selection of stories and surprises. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Glasgow, Sat 19 Nov.
For more kids' Christmas theatre and panto listings, see Theatre section, pages 115-117 17 Nov–15 Dec 2011 THE LIST 81