Kids
HITLIST THE BEST KIDS’ STUFF
BBC SSO: Christmas at the Movies – A Carnival of Animals The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra gets into the festive spirit via the film world, with thrilling live blockbuster soundtracks from The Lion King, Dumbo, Jaws, Pink Panther, The Jungle Book and many more. City Halls, Glasgow, Sun 18 Dec.
Lost Sock Princess Dig out a lone sock from your underwear draw (let’s face it, we’ve all got one) and head down to the Traverse for this lively, interactive show for 3-7-year-olds from the Puppet Lab. See preview. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Fri 23 Dec.
Fresh Faced Once again, the young folk take over Tramway for a night programmed by, performed by, and viewed by Glasgow’s talented youth. Watch thought-provoking drama from Junction 25, chat to Glasgow Parkour Youth class, take part and/or enjoy the open mic music slot and engage in workshops from Tramway Visual Arts Studio. Tramway, Glasgow, Sat 17 Dec.
Stories Round the Tree Wind down before the day itself with this cosy storytelling session by Sylvia Troon, followed by the Centre’s big boss (and storytelling legend) Donald Smith, who’ll deliver a nativity story. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Sat 24 Dec.
Sleeping Beauty Treasure Trail Give your pocket some time off and enjoy this free treasure train around the wonderful, newly renovated (and equally free) National Museum. Go before Hogmanay and you can enter a prize draw to win tickets to see Scottish Ballet’s glamorous production of Sleeping Beauty. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, until Thu 5 Jan.
90 THE LIST 15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 16 days before publication to kids@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
GLASGOW Activities & Fun Glasgow on Ice Until Tue 3 Jan (closed 25 & 26 Dec), 10am–10pm. £7–£9.50 (£3–£7; family ticket £29). George Square, glasgowloveschristmas.com Penguin Sessions at the open-air ice rink offer a gentler environment for under 7s Mon–Sat. See feature, page 19. FREE Toddler Time Fri 16 & 23 Dec, 11.30am–noon. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Drop-in songs, stories and fun. The Great Christmas Puppet Making Workshops Sat 17 Dec, 10am & Sun 18 Dec, 2pm. £6.95. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Make a Christmas fairy, elf or reindeer. Ages 3+. FREE Saturday Art Club Sat 17 Dec, 10.30am–12.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Art activities for ages 3-11 and family. Hansel and Gretel Family Workshop Sat 17 Dec, noon & 2pm. £5. Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Behind the scenes of the Citz Christmas show, with an arts and crafts session for ages 5–10. FREE Lights of Hope and Joy: Christmas and Hannukkah Sat 17 & Sun 18 Dec, 2–4pm. St Mungo Museum, Castle Street, 276 1625. Make some decorations at this family session. Booking essential. Little Explorers Mon 19 Dec, 11–11.50am. £5. War Memorial Hall, 1 Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, thecreationstation.co.uk Arts and crafts sessions for ages 1–5. Books & Storytelling FREE Tales Round a Victorian Fireplace Thu 15 Dec, 2.30–7pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Festive tales for all.
Music Singing Kettle: Christmas Fancy Dress Party Thu 15 Dec, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Fri 16 Dec, 10.30am & 5pm; Sat 17 & Sun 18 Dec, noon & 3pm. £12 (family £44). Braehead Arena, Kings Inch Road, 0870 277 6062. Festive songs, merriment and fun with the Kettlers.
✽✽ BBC SSO: Christmas at the Movies Sun 18 Dec, 3pm. £10–£23.
City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. Christmas concert with an animal theme. Theatre & Dance Hansel and Gretel Until Sat 24 Dec (not Mon). Thu 15, Fri 16 & Thu 22 Dec, 10am & 7pm; Sat 17 Dec, 2pm & 7pm; Tue 20 & Wed 21 Dec 10am & 1.30pm; Fri 23 Dec, 7pm; Sat 24 Dec, 1pm. £9 (£4–£5). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Festive storytelling production of the famous fairytale. The Night After Christmas Until Fri 23 Dec (not Mon). Thu 15, Fri 16, Tue 20 & Wed 21 Dec, 10.30am & 1.15pm; Sat 17 & Tue 20–Fri 23 Dec, 10.30am, 1.15pm & 3.15pm; Sun 18 Dec, 1.15pm & 3.15pm. £6.50–£7.50. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Christmas show for ages 3–6. That’s Not My Name Thu 15 & Fri 16 Dec, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat 17–Sat 24 Dec, 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm. £7.50 (under 2s free; family ticket £30). Scottish Youth Theatre, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. A version of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin for ages 3–7. Jango’s Jolly Christmas Sat 17 Dec, 2pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Seasonal slapstick, fun and balloons, for ages 3+.
PREVIEW INTERACTIVE PUPPET SHOW LOST SOCK PRINCESS Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Fri 23 Dec
Try as you might to wash and dry them together, socks have a way of parting company somewhere between the laundry basket and underwear drawer. It’s at that point you need the Lost Sock Princess to help you reunite the estranged pair. Or do you?
One of the central themes in Puppet Lab’s interactive show is that
actually, daring to be different is no bad thing – including wearing odd socks. ‘Everybody is special and important, no matter what your abilities or disabilities – that’s the message at the end,’ says puppeteer Kim Bergsagel. ‘And that you don’t have to be like everybody else, you can be who you are.’ The story surrounding this wholly worthwhile message is, essentially,
whatever you want it to be. At the start of each performance, the audience is called upon to choose which imaginary world the action takes place in, what’s in it, and which characters live there. And, if you arrive half an hour early armed with one of your own solo socks, you can take part in a workshop to create a sock puppet ‘extra’ to wear during the show. Aimed at 3–7-year-olds, Lost Sock Princess has been a hit across
Scotland, largely because of its interactive elements. ‘I think the audience really does feel engaged and part of what’s happening,’ says Bergsagel. ‘It’s a very friendly, relaxed and fun show, and the audience always enjoys our improvisations – whether they work or not.’ (Kelly Apter)
✽✽ FREE Fresh Faced Sat 17 Dec, 6–10pm. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive,
0845 330 3501. A night of performance and art for and by young people.
EDINBURGH Activities & Fun ✽✽ FREE Sleeping Beauty Treasure Trail Until Thu 5 Jan
(closed 25 Dec), 10am–5pm (except 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan, late opening at noon). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Follow the treasure trail through the Museum’s galleries. Victorian Christmas Until Fri 30 Dec (closed 25 & 26 Dec), 9.30am–4.30pm. £10.50 admission (£9.50; under 17s £6.35; under 5s free; family ticket £27.80). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. Test your knowledge of Victorian festive customs with a family quiz, and make traditional decorations. Christmas Fair Until Wed 4 Jan (closed 25 Dec). Sun–Wed 10am–8pm; Thu–Sat 10am–10pm (except: Sat 24 Dec, 10am–8pm; Mon 26 Dec, 11am–8pm; Sat 31 Dec, 10am–6pm; Sun 1 Jan, noon–10pm. East Princes Street Gardens, edinburghschristmas.com Rides and fun for all the family. FREE Christmas in the Museum Sat 17 Dec, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, 529 3963. Make a Christmas box to give as a special present. Ages 5+. FREE Christmas Activity Day Sat 17 Dec, noon–3pm. Waterstone’s West End,
128 Princes Street, 226 2666. Get stuck into some festive colouring, puzzles and crafts. Family Christmas Craft Workshops Sun 18 Dec, 11am–4pm. £9 per person. Edinburgh Contemporary Craft Workshops, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Make glittery snow globes as a family. Forty Winks Dance Workshop Wed 28 & Thu 29 Dec & Wed 4 & Thu 5 Jan, 10am–5pm. £6 per child. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Dance workshops for ages 3–9 from Scottish Ballet. Booking essential.
Books & Storytelling The Very Snowy Christmas Fri 16 Dec, 2–2.30pm & 3–3.30pm. £5 per child. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Stories with author Diana Hendry for ages 3–7. FREE Talking Trees Storytelling Sun 18 Dec, 2–3.30pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Storytelling suitable for anyone with an imagination (ages 5+).
✽✽ Stories Round the Tree Sat 24 Dec, 1–1.50pm & 3–3.50pm. £4
(£3; family ticket £10). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling for ages 4+.
Theatre & Dance ✽✽ Lost Sock Princess Thu 15 & Fri 16 Dec, 10.30am; Sat 17 Dec & Tue 20–Fri 23 Dec, 10.30am & 1.30pm. £10 (£8 each for two or more tickets). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Ages 3–7. See preview, above.