Category Archives: Free events and happenings

Playday 2013 – Wednesday 31st July

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I’ve been to this great free event for the past two years and loved it. Basically the council runs this Festival of Play for parents and children each year with the view that adults can gain some simple ideas for play they can do with their children back in their own home. It’s great – full of water play, sand, face paint, cardboard, glue, pens and much much more !!!

This year there is a venue change, and it’ll be up in the City Chambers Quadrangle and High Street on the Royal Mile, so nice and central ! The weather is even looking good at this point with the rain looking like it will stay away…..

See you there ?                                               12.30 – 4.00pm 31st July

Children’s Shows at the Free Festival….

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The Free Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with even more shows in a wide host of venues, and there are lots for children…

You can see the whole selection of children’s shows here, but here are a few top picks :

The PIrate Princess and the Magic Silver Telescope and Marvin the Monkey Visit the Moon– Interactive story sessions for children aged 2-6 – with songs, puppets, bubbles and plenty of action. From August 13-18th at 10.15 and 11.30  at Free Sisters (Three Sisters) Cowgate

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Huggers – For ages 3+, this cabaret comedy show has a revolving list of performers including magicians, comedians, street performers and musicians. The 11.15 showing daily is on the top deck of the comedy bus which should appeal to children even more. This event is free, but ticketed. August 1st – 25th at 11.15 and 2.30 – Free Sisters – Cowgate.

Zigzag Zit-Faced Zombies and the Giant Geriatric Generator – Maybe it’s because of the fantastic name, but I just think this looks fun ! Scottish author Stuart Reid introduces his book characters Gorgeous George, Grandpa Jock and Crayon Kenny – it will be yucky ! Ages 4+. August 1st – 25th  -13.15 at Free Sisters

CeilidhKids at the Fringe – If you and the kids like a bit of dancing, or its raining and you want them to get a bit of a run around – this looks good. Very simple child friendly dances to traditional Scottish music. August 1st-5th, 7th-12th, 14th-19th, 21-25th  Counting House at 10.00 and 11.00

Brilliant Botanics…

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Not only are the Botanics a great place to spend a day, wandering through all the beautiful gardens, watching for squirrels and feeding the ducks – but they are also providing lots of great events and activities during the summer/festival period and most of them are free….

Festival Colombiano – Celebrate the amazingly diverse plant life of Colombia and learn about the country’s culture. A fantastic mix of music and dance, food, children’s activities and a strong message about the stunning biodiversity of Colombia and why Edinburgh Botanics are working in this precious land. The daytime events include making beautiful jewellery from seeds, great music from Khantara, dance and helping to create a Paramo mural….Age 5+     Sat 3rd and Sun 4th August 13.00 – 16.00pm and its free !

The Little Fawn Caravan Theatre -This mini theatre space will host a repertoire of puppet shows. There will also be simple nature-themed shadow puppet making workshops available. Times vary depending on days, so check first. From Wed 7th August – Wed 21st August . For age 5+  (£5/£3)

Circus Cavalcade – Young people from all across the UK present a range of circus skills in their first performance at the Fringe. Plus join in the fun at a pre-show circus workshop for the family at 11.00am .Ages 1+. From 8th – 10th August everyday 12.30 – 13.15 and its free.

Blue Lotus : Summer – Combining contemporary and classical Indian dance, classical music and elements of audience participation, Blue Lotus: Summer explores the connection between Indian dance and the natural environment, reflecting the changing seasons. This dance performance is for all ages and on from 16th – 18th August everyday 16.00 – 16.45 and its free.

About Circus – Celebrating its 30th anniversary and 18 years at the Fringe, this circus will bring music, magic and mayhem performed by young people. From 18th – 26th August every day at 13.00 – 13.45pm and again its free.

 

Lots and lots of good stuff to be exploring at the Botanics…..

 

 

 

Apply for BBC tickets now !! (closing 22nd July)

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Wowee – my investigations into the BBC area this year at the festival were obviously not that thorough as I missed the page detailing what shows are on and what shows you can apply for tickets for…and it turns out there are lots of great kids shows being filmed at the BBC tent and best of all we can all apply to get free tickets. You have until the 22nd July to apply for tickets and then names will be randomly drawn.

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But if you don’t manage to get any, don’t despair as it says ” On family fun days tickets for additional shows are available at the venue. Please note, these shows cannot be pre-booked and will be ticketed on the day as first come first served. The family fun days are: Saturday 3, Sunday 4, Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Saturday 17, Sunday 18, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August.”   Great ! I like the sound of the family fun days and if last year is anything to go by, its definately worth taking a look whats on and bringing the kids along one weekend…

So, shows you can apply for tickets for now include:

That looks like a great bunch of shows and lots of opportunities to be part of the magic at the BBC tent ! If you do apply, fingers crossed you get tickets !

Wish you were there….

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Last year I spent a great day at St Andrews Square during August as they had a little ‘beach’ with buckets and deck chairs, animals from East Links Family Park, Danny MacAskill was doing some amazing cycling and there were large art installations that the kids could play on….

I have just done a little investigating and am delighted that this event will be returning to St Andrews Square this year ! Its called ‘Wish you were there‘ and is an initiative run by East Lothian Council to showcase all the great events, museums, attractions and landscape they have in the county.

The event runs from the 1st August until the 11th and promises to highlight the region’s rich golf heritage, range of activities, local food and drink – interactive activities include East Links Family Parks Petting farm, surf lessons and pitch and put golf.

10am – 7pm daily, St Andrews Square 1st – 11th August

I will definitely be bringing the kids along to check it out again this year …