Category Archives: Free events and happenings

Fringe for Bairns 2016 – Three Sisters 31st July – 3rd August

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Returning for a second year, Fringe for Bairns is a four day long series of free events for children featuring a whole host of activities and shows including a  kids ceilidh, balloon modelling, face painting, magician acts, outdoor cinema and not to forget a petting zoo- all located in the courtyard at the Three Sisters on the Cowgate.

For more details and to see what day certain activities will be, check their facebook page for updates…

So far it looks like the Five Sisters Zoo will be there on Wednesday 3rd August from 11am – 2pm with the petting zoo which is sure to be popular…

All of their childrens shows will be running during these days too, highlights including:

Show ImageBaloonatics – Welcome to the wild and wacky world of Baloonatics. This show is for anyone aged 5 to 105 (older people are welcome) who likes being silly, doesn’t want to be a grown up, has a good imagination and loves balloons

 

Show ImageBubble Show with Milkshake and Dr Bubble – Come see every bubble trick imaginable. Big, Small and sculpted bubbles, the bubble carousel, the square bubble, smoke bubbles, caterpillar bubbles, tight rope bubbles, the bubble blizzard, bubbles in bubbles and children in bubbles.

 

Show ImageScience Magic – Prepare to enter the magical world of science. Forget Harry Potter, Dónal is the real wizard. He will show you how to put a skewer through a balloon without popping it, mix potions to create your very own volcano, set paper on fire without burning it, turn water upside-down without spilling it, conjure an invisible force to blow out a candle, make a cola bottle explode in a fountain and more.

Its a great way to catch some festival shows early before full festival hecticness begins…

BBC at the Edinburgh Festival 2016

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It’s back, it’s one of my favourite places to be during the festival, it’s got pink and blue tents and it’s got a brand spanking new location at George Heriot’s School – it is of course the BBC at Edinburgh festivals. This is a brilliant place to head to with kids during the festival as they have free kids activities on every day and the space itself is always fun to explore with deckchairs, ping pong, a huge tv screen and various food stalls….

If you’ve read the blog before you will know how much I love this place and how much fantastic free stuff there is here every year for kids, this year is set to be no exception and their children’s activities and events are looking great…

On Sunday 14th August they have CBeebies presenter and author Cerrie Burnell and on Friday 26th August they have Steve Cole, bestselling author of Stop Those Monsters! and Magic Ink. Apply for tickets here.

Starting from Monday 8th August, there are daily craft and music activities for kids in the Castle tent, with Sparkle Arts appearing on Monday 8th, the RSPB doing activities on Tuesday 9th, Travelling Tales on Wednesday 10th, Caterpillar music on the Thursday 11th and Creative Crafts finishing off the first week on Friday the 12th !

Other highlights include:

BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals 2016Animal Magic on Saturday 20th August from 10am –Come along and meet Mork the huge python, say hi to Sui the Galah Cockatoo, or be brave and handle some creepy crawlies! Find out more here

 

Dynamic Earth: Dinosaur Explorers  – Wednesday 17th August      Want to hold some Triceratops horns? Or even some fossilised poo? This is the perfect activity for any budding paleontologists. Find out more

BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals 2016Dynamic Earth: Space Explorers  – Sunday 21st August  Come along and find out about life as an astronaut. Dress up as an astronaut, do some simulated astronaut training and get your picture taken on board the International Space Station using green screen technology. Find out more

 

So…lots to be starting off with and I am sure there will be plenty more announced during the festival too so keep an eye out on their facebook page for more regular information about events – they are very good at updating daily during the festival about what’s going on.

I’m very much looking forward to being back on the deck chairs hanging out in this space once again !!…

 

Edinburgh Play Day Wednesday 27th July

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This fantastic, hands on event is a sure sign the festival is on its way and is a great afternoon out with the kids. Taking place on Wednesday 27th July from 12.30-4.30pm in the Grassmarket- Playday is a street play event not to be missed….
Like previous years, this playday will feature activities suitable for ages 0-8, including:
  • Giant sand pit
  • Water play
  • Mud kitchen
  • Magic potions
  • Junk drumming
  • Cardboard construction
  • Baby play

And this year the PlayTalkRead bus will be at the Grassmarket too.

Fingers crossed the sun also decides to show up !!

 

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 15th-24th July

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Image result for edinburgh jazz festival 2016

Festival time is fast approaching and to kick things off in style, we’ve got the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival in a couple of weeks time, running from the 15th-24th July..

This provides two very fun events for kids and families, namely the Mardi Gras and then of course, the festival Carnival…

Mardi Gras will be on the Saturday 16th July and will be in the Grassmarket, for the whole afternoon, The Grassmarket becomes home to multiple stages, non-stop entertainment and a host of bands. This year’s musical line up includes: Criterion Brass Band, St. Aidan’s Swing Band, James Brown Is Annie, Rosie Nimmo and Stuart Allardyce, Jambouree, Charlotte Marshall & The 45s.       1-4pm

 

Carnival! imageCarnival is on Sunday 17th July , kicking off at 2.30pm from the Mound, Princess Street:

2.30pm – Parade from The Mound to the West End of Princess Street

2.30-5pm – Performances in Princess Street, Princess Street Gardens,

There will be over 700 Carnival Performers with music, dance, costumes, circus acrobats and puppetry from all over the world!

If you have never been before, its a really fun and colourful afternoon -come and see giant puppets, exotic sounds, bright costumes and street performances and join the fun!

Edinburgh International Book Festival 13-29th August

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If you have read this blog before you will know I’m a huge fan of the Edinburgh book festival, so I was most delighted when the rather lovely and jam packed book festival programme fell onto my doorstep a few days ago…

It looks like another great year and the children’s events look as fantastic as always….

Some highlights from the programme include:

Julia Donaldson & FriendsJulia Donaldson and friends – Julia Donaldson is just super duper fantastic, if you love her books, then you will love any of her shows. She brings her family and friends, she sings and engages all ages in her interactive retelling of some of her favourite tales…On three dates- Sat 13th, Sun 14th and Sun 28th August

On Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th August, the opening weekend, there will be free drop-in activities in the story box all around the theme of ‘get stuck into science‘ which looks fun….

Jacqueline Wilson – talking about her latest tale Rent a Bridesmaid (14th August)

 

 

Picturing Harry Potter – Illustrator Jim Kay brings his breathtaking full-colour edition of this well loved wizarding story. (Monday 15th)

Guinness World Records – This looks fun – taking a look at some wacky feats from over the years.( Tuesday 16th)

Sing-Along with Nick CopeSing-Along with Nick Cope – If you’ve not seen him before, please don’t miss out (he’s also got a family show at the fringe too) – fantastic, acoustic folk songs for kids…(Wednesday 17th August)

 

Tea, Cake and Colouring-in– looks lovely, with the colouring book of Scotland (Wednesday 17th August)

On Friday 19th August there will be a Beatrix Potter birthday party in the story box with free drop in activities to mark the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth. Celebrate with all your favourite characters…

You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!

For fans of Mr Gum, Andy Stanton will be at the book festival on Friday 19th August with his first book of the series – You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum

 

Nick Sharratt – will be at the festival on Saturday 20th with some nonsense poetry….

On Tuesday 23rd August, they will be celebrating Paddington Bear’s birthday – its 60 years since Michael Bond first came up with his idea for everyone’s favourite bear from Peru…

 

Chris Riddell – Meet the Children’s laureate – Chris’ illustrations are exceptional, this is ure to be a great event and interactive too…(Sunday 28th August)

Pirate Adventures with Jonny Duddle – yet another pirate adventure with Matilda, Jim Ladand the Jolley-Rogers…(Sunday 28th August)

 

 

 

And that list hardly touches it to be honest, every year the programme gets better and better and all of the activities in the story box look great too…its a fantastic venue to take the kids to, even if you are not going for an event, the children’s bookshop is immense and you can spend a very long time browsing all of the wonderful books on offer, you can enjoy lunch in the gardens on the deckchairs and take part in the daily free activities in the story box.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 21st June at 8.30am – grab them while you can !!