Pleasance Kidzone 2013

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For the 2015 version please follow this link

Every year the Pleasance have a great Kidzone, packed with activities for the kids and a few food stalls so parents can have a well deserved cup of coffee while the little ones run around. Its a great little space in the middle of all the festival hecticness and I like the fact you can bring the kids and let them run around and cause chaos and no one minds !

This year the Kidzone is returning and it’s going to be space themed – there will be arts and crafts activities (for a small charge), and the Cafe on the Green which serves kid friendly food…its open from 31st July – 26th August.

You could make a day of it by spending time in the Kidzone and seeing one the the many childrens shows at the Pleasance this year – my recommendations would be :

  • Aliens love Underpants – I mentioned this in another post – based on the very funny book, I’m sure the show will be great. (Age 3+)
  • The Just So Stories – Again I love this book and the incrediable stories – and this show is bringing four of these stories to life including why the moon pulls the tides and why the elephant’s nose is so long. With two showings a day, it’s worth checking out. (All ages)
  • My Brother The Robot – again I mentioned this in another post – by Tall Stories who have brought great productions to the festival previously – a story about a robot brother who causes a bit of mayhem ! (Age 4+)
  • The Golden Cowpat – maybe its because I like the name, but this show sounds fun – in a muddy magical adventure with songs and interaction.  (Age 4+)

If you’re looking for something a little more interactive for little ones – there is ‘Song Circle’ for 0-2 year olds and ‘My Yellow Ukelele’ for 2-5 year olds – ‘Song Circle’ presents classic nursery rhymes and a hamper of toys while ‘My Yellow Ukelele’ provides dressing up, singing and strumming- both with Scottish Folk singer Gill Bowman which all sounds like it could be lots of fun. Check it out here.

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 …

Mardi Gras at the Grassmarket and Edinburgh Festival Carnival

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The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival kicks off the summer festivals with a weekend of free events which look great for families.

On Saturday 20th July its the Mardi Gras at the Grassmarket starting from 1pm featuring lots of bands, different stages and a party atmosphere…

On Sunday 21st July its the Edinburgh Festival Carnival (which has replaced the Cavalcade). This promises to be a great afternoon, with street performers, music, costumes and lots of entertainment. Its on Princes Street and in Princes Street Gardens from 2pm – 4pm and best of all, its free !

Over 35 acts, with a total of over 400 performers, will come together to create a vibrant international Carnival party.This year, audiences will be free to promenade around Princes Street (between South Charlotte Street and the Mound) and all over West Princes Street Gardens..

There will be a family area in the West End of Princes Street Gardens, featuring the ‘Big Red Bus’, which will have storytelling and facepainting.

Lets hope it a sunny weekend !

BBC at Edinburgh Festivals

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I’m not sure if you made it down last year – but one of my favourite new finds at the festival last year was the BBC area. They had a ping pong table, a nice cafe, big bright tents, a huge outdoor screen showing films, comedy etc and it was great for kids. They even did special CBeebies days on Sundays where you could get free magazines, play games, have a go at being a weathergirl/man and much more. And best of all it was totally free !

The programme for this year is not available yet, but as soon as it is, I’ll post about what’s on there for kids this year…

(they were also holding auditions for CBeebies presenters which would be a dream job, but sadly I was away on holiday – maybe I’ll get a chance this year ! )