Folks…in a follow up to my feature on the rather fantastic Kidzone at the Pleasance this year, here is the list of brilliant arts and crafts activities they will be offering with the prices – as always its very reasonable and I’ve heard the arts and crafts area is even bigger this year ! So definitely well worth a visit and making a day of when you go see one of the fabulous kids shows at the Pleasance this year too !
The luscious bright green fake grass, the brightly coloured deck chairs, the pink and blue tents, the ping pong table and the yummy food and drink…yes, it’s all returning ! And this year BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals is back in the rather grand location at George Heriot’s School again with the wondrous Edinburgh Castle for a backdrop…what more do we all need ??
It will be open from Friday 4th to Friday 25th August.
Readers of this blog will know this is one of my favourite places to hang out during the festival, to sit and watch the big screen, get involved in the daily kids activities and sample some of the tasters of shows from all the venues.
Every year the BBC tent hosts a fantastic variety of children’s events and activities and I’m certain this year the programme will be bursting with fun yet again. They have just released a list of their children’s activities for this year here and it’s looking great ! – author events, arts and crafts, dance workshops, mini beasties, geology, dragons, storytelling and much much more !
This weekend, the opening weekend is jam packed full of family friendly activities including:
Run away with the circus! Come and try out some circus skills including hulahoop, juggling, spinning plates, balancing feathers, flowersticks and more with Circus Alba.
The RSPB will be running mini beast hunts searching for lots of creepy crawlies as well as going on a wild treasure hunt to see what things we can find. You can also make a solitary bee home with us.
Come along and have a Close Encounter with Animal Magic! Animal Handler Laura will be on site with a selection of her exotic creatures on display for you to see, learn about, meet and even touch.
All this and free arts and crafts and storytelling sessions throughout the weekend too ! See you there….
I love the Kidzone at the Pleasance…with it’s puppet shows, toys, picnic tables, free colouring, the fantastic and very reasonable arts and crafts activities and of course, the fabulous Green cafe, keeping all us awake and enthused with hot drinks !!
It makes for a perfect day out if you combine it with checking out a show or two from the fantastic 16 children’s shows on offer at the Pleasance this year !
Some of my top picks are :
The Giant Jam Sandwich – I love reading this book with my kids and am very curious into how they’ll be adapting it for the stage !! Expect rhymes and silliness galore!
The Gruffalo’s Child – Tall Stories make great theatre for kids, and sticking to much loved Julia Donadlson books seems to be working out for them very well !! Expect the usual beautiful puppets, inventive sets and musical melodies !
Mavis Sparkle – With a magician for a Dad and a stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye! This looks rather magical and adventurous !
The Listies Make You LOL – Returning from their successful run last year, the Listies are hilarious, messy and decidedly insane. Featuring alien attacks, toilet paper guns and the most disgusting pair of underpants you have ever seen in your life !
The Pleasance will be returning to the EICC again this year, and bringing along this lovely looking piece for little ones :
The Polar Bears Go up – The Polar Bears are moving up in the world. They’ve lost their balloon and they need to get it back. It’s time to get up, step up, climb up, jump up. One thing’s for sure, the only way is up! These lovable Polar Bears are intrepid explorers, famous for their wild expeditions.
Returning to it’s idyllic seaside setting, Fringe By The Sea looks like a real treat once again and perfect for a day out from Edinburgh- get yourself some fish and chips, have a paddle in the sea and check out some of the offerings of this unique fringe festival !
There are a handful of kids events this year, including a Rockpooling session and some very fun Alien Aerobics !!
Bookbug sessions will be running on the 8th, 10th and 12th August, offering their usual and much loved stories and songs.
Of course Mr. Boom will be making a return on the 8th and 9th August to entertain and delight children, parents and grandparents alike. An hour of cosmic fun for everyone. Singing, musical games, tell a joke or sing a song. Be a pixie in the pixie ring. Jump, skip, dance around the sun.
Award winning Author Stuart Reid brings boogers, books, big bottom burps and the wacky characters in his Gorgeous George series to life. It will be yucky. There may be snot. You have been warned! All this on 10th August.
Alexander The Great returns with his magic and circus skills, suitable for ages 3 and up on the 10th and 12th August.
On Friday 11th August one of the East Lothian Rangers will lead a rock pooling walk along the beach. Numbers are limited so book early for this one if you can…
Big Fish Little Fish are bringing one of their family friendly parties to the seaside on the 11th August ! Rave legend DJ SLIPMATT will play the ‘Mermaids and Pirate’ themed party. Fancy dress optional, but encouraged. The family raves include bubble machines, club visuals and a giant parachute dance. Events also offer a play and chillout area for babies, as well as a quality themed crafting area featuring colouring murals, playdough and transfer tattoos.
To wrap up the childrens events, on Saturday 12th Alien Aerobics will offer a fun and light hearted dance workout to a retro soundrack of hits from The 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The class is a mixture of aerobics, basic choreography, stretching, toning and relaxation. Optional dress code: space age/ sparkles (prize for the best dressed!). All levels welcome including beginners.
So it looks like there is plenty to keep you busy down by the sea in North Berwick for a few days at least !!
Once again this year at the Festival they are including a large sprinkling of shows for the even smaller little children ! It’s fantastic to see such a variety of shows aimed for this age group, primarily the under threes and great to see that they are able to be introduced to the arts in such an accessible and enjoyable way !!
I’ve narrowed my picks down to the following five shows, but there are even more out there if you’ve got a very small little one and are looking to explore the festival and get fully involved this year.
BambinO – BambinO is a first operatic adventure for six to 18-month-olds and their carers. This unique and colourful work reinvents opera for children at an age when their minds are wide open to new sounds, images and experiences. Babies are free to explore during the performance, interacting with singers, musicians and each other. 8th – 20th August (not 14th)
Snigel and Friends – Dancebase brings this lovely looking production for children under 12 months. Join Snigel, the inquisitive snail, in their cosy home underneath the leafy canopy; a colourful and sensory world where Snigel’s insect friends come to visit, brought to life by dancers. They dance, play, sing and make music in the undergrowth while uncovering secret treasures. 4th – 27th August (not 7th/14th/18th-21st)
Nick Cope’s Family Songbook
-You’re never too young to be introduced to Nick Cope ! If you’ve read this blog before, you’ll know we’re huge fans – we love his melodic, catchy tunes and loved his morning show last year. I’m delighted to see him return with even more of his gorgeous songs. With songs about dogs eating soap and dragons called Keith rummaging around second hand shops, this will be a firm family favourite for sure ! 2nd-20th August
Calvinball –
Ipdip Theatre are returning after their success with Head in the Clouds to bring Calvinball back to the Botanics !! Lively, musical and slightly wild, this unique theatre experience draws on the natural curiosities of children inviting, but not demanding, participation. Inspired by the anarchic game played by Calvin and Hobbes; we know the rules must be out there somewhere but we need help in finding them. Set in the gorgeous Royal Botanic Garden it really will be outside so don’t forget to dress for the weather! 5th -27th August (not 8th/15th/22nd)
The Polar Bears Go Up – 
This is for kids aged 2-5 and looks lovely and is part of the Made in Scotland showcase which makes it extra special too ! The Polar Bears are moving up in the world. They’ve lost their balloon and they need to get it back. It’s time to get up, step up, climb up, jump up. One thing’s for sure, the only way is up! These lovable Polar Bears are intrepid explorers, famous for their wild expeditions. Of course, they’ll stop for sandwiches on the way! 10th – 27th August (not 23rd)
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