Tag: Children and Families

Fettes opens doors to five-year-olds

For the first time in its 154-year history, children aged five will be able to join Fettes College in Edinburgh.

From September 2025, it will be opening a ‘pre-prep’ within its existing prep school, allowing children to join straight from nursery rather than waiting until they are seven.

Parents are being invited to register their interest ahead of an announcement on the full details at the school’s next open day in October.

Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes Prep, said: “From speaking with families we’re confident that this change is going to be popular. As well as their younger children being able to benefit from a Fettes education, they will also be able to take advantage of flexible wraparound care.

“At present this is available to all day pupils in the Prep School, who are aged 7-13. We know that working parents in particular value the option to drop-off as early as 7.45am and pick up as late as 7pm on some days, while pupils have access to an extraordinary range of activities and can go home, having already had lots of fun with their friends, enjoyed tea, and completed their homework.

“This is part of our bold new ‘Prep for Life’ vision, heralding an exciting step that will enable us to have children with us for longer and prepare them to the fullest possible extent for the next phase of their education.”

With an increasing number of parents and carers returning to the office as working patterns revert to pre-pandemic norms, the school is introducing a morning minibus service from next term. This will initially run from West Edinburgh with additional routes in the pipeline.

Get free soft play membership when you sign up your under 5s for coaching

Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up for the under 5s coaching at Edinburgh Leisure and you will get one-month’s free soft play membership in August.  The offer also applies to existing soft play members.

The offer is valid for those signing up for under 5s coaching before 30th July 2024 and gives unlimited access to all three of Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool or Scrambles at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena.

With designated baby, toddler, and junior zones, each soft play ensures fun and adventure for kids and a café for tasty treats and snacks for the adults and children.

Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life. And it’s never too early to start.

And as the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends.

From football, tennis, gymnastics, or swimming, you can even mix it up with their Jump into Sport, Gym and Jump or Athletics classes.

To find out more and to sign up for this offer, visit: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coaching-offer

Vue venues to celebrate school summer holidays with fantastic family favourites

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holidays in Scotland at Vue in Edinburgh – offering ample opportunity to spend quality time with the family now that the school year has finished.

Almost nine years since its enormously emotional debut warmed hearts and mini minds across the world, Inside Out 2 is now out on the big screen, inviting us back to the wonderful world of Riley’s mind and Emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Now, as Riley reaches her teenage years, our gang meets a whole new cast of unfamiliar emotions which set them off on another marvellous adventure across the teenager’s mind.

Joining Joy and friends, this summer welcomes Gru and the Minion crew back with Despicable Me 4, which sees our former villain turned family man face off against new nemesis Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina. Expect more Minion mayhem, criminal capers and plenty of laughs when Despicable Me 4arrives at Vue on 12 July

Some recent family favourites are returning to the big screen this summer as part of Vue’s new Mighty Morning screenings which sees Garfield, IF, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Little Monsters back this summer holiday from just £2.49 when tickets are booked online.

As part of Vue’s recently announced family offering, Vue’s Big Shorts will be bringing some favourite children’s characters from television shows and web series back to the big screen, including The Gruffalo’s Child & Zog and the Flying Doctors.

These short and sweets screenings offer a relaxed big screen environment with dimmed lights and reduced sound, tailor-made for younger film fans aged one to four.

Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Ocean Terminal, said: “We’ve got a great selection of new films and big screen entertainment on show, offering a perfect way to enjoy quality family time while school is out for the summer. 

‘Even better, our Vue Mighty Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films from just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, immerse themselves in great stories and switch off.’

Tickets are available, along with more information on Big Shorts and Mighty Mornings, at www.myvue.com/family

PYCP Open Day tomorrow

THURSDAY 4th JULY from 12 – 2.30pm at THE GREENHOUSE

Hi All,

Join us on our Community Open Day tomorrow – Thursday 4th July – with Places for People.

12 Midday to 2.30pm

We are inviting our local community to come along with your children for some fun, treats and special activities!

We won’t have PY Dinners on the day but we will have hot dogs and sweet treats instead.

If your child is under 8 you will need to accompany them.

PY Team.

#BecauseCommunityMatters

New café opens at Dalkeith Trampoline Park

A NEW café has opened at Ryze Trampoline Park in Dalkeith, following a £20,000 investment, just in time to meet the demand from the expected surge in visitors across the summer months.   

The launch of the Bounce House Café at the popular Midlothian family visitor attraction ensures guests can make a day of their visit with the five-figure investment including a new fit out, serving area and state-of-the art coffee machine for visitors to enjoy.  

The café, which accommodates 15 booths will be open from 10am until 7pm and will offer a full menu of hot food offerings, from pizzas and chicken goujons, as well as a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

For those looking for something lighter, snacks and cakes are also on offer alongside tea, coffee and hot chocolate, as well as a selection of soft drinks and fruit juices for children.  

The new café also offers catering for birthday parties and functions taking place at Ryze Trampoline Park, with a full party menu on offer. 

 As a result of the launch of the Bounce House Café, it will be recruiting for temporary positions in the coming weeks, as the trampoline park braces itself for an increase in footfall over the summer holidays. 

Rory Fairgrieve, Sales Director of Ryze, said: “It’s great to have our brand new Bounce House Café open to serve tasty meals and quality snacks that everyone, including families, can enjoy.

“This investment into our new quality onsite catering offer is another fantastic leap for us in offering the best day out for families across Scotland.
 
“The team has worked hard to create an excellent food offering for patrons and we are sure that whether you are looking to enjoy a meal or grab a quick snack after bouncing the afternoon away, there is something for everyone at Ryze Trampoline Park.” 

Scotland’s top family festival returns this summer at Conifox Adventure Park

Edinburgh’s Conifox Adventure Park has announced the return of its hotly-anticipated annual summer festival, FoxFest, for 2024. Tickets are now on sale for the endless summer fun which is set to return on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August.

With ticket prices starting from £11.75, the festival has been expertly designed to bring kids and adults together for limitless fun throughout the weekend. Families can soak up the atmosphere in the Conifox Festival Field with a bumper weekend of amazing entertainment including music, circus performers, magicians, comedy and so much more.

That’s not all, ticket holders can expect an array of musical performances across the weekend with an enviable lineup of tribute acts including Ed Sheeran, Simply Ariana, Lewis Capaldi, Steptastic and Spice World the Tribute.

And for all your Swifties out there, Conifox is delighted to announce the addition of Britain’s number 1 Taylor Swift Tribute performer to this year’s roster of entertainers. 

The award-winning Adventure Park is pleased to welcome Britain’s Got Talent’s Steve Hewlett and his hilarious ventriloquist act to this year’s FoxFest, alongside Conifox’s favourite local magicians – Magic Gareth and Tricky Ricky, The Giant Balloon Show and back by popular demand, Paris Bubbles – there really is something for everyone to enjoy. 

In between the fun, families can enjoy the popular Adventure Park included in the ticket price, or tuck into delicious food, drinks and ice creams onsite.

For those looking for something extra, Taylor’s of Edinburgh Funfair rides and face painting will be popping up at FoxFest for an additional cost. 

Conifox Managing Director James Gammell said: “We’re all about family-friendly fun and FoxFest is one of the only festivals in Scotland that caters to the whole family, with a roster of entertainment for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend.

“With Taylor Swift mania still rippling throughout Edinburgh, we’re delighted to bring Britain’s number 1 Taylor tribute to FoxFest alongside a dedicated lineup of some of the UK’s best tribute performers to entertain and make FoxFest an even better experience for our visitors.”

FoxFest tickets are available from £14.95 for adults, £19.95 for children ages 2 – 16 and £11.75 for ages 12 – 24 months. Babies under 12 months old go free.

For more information, lineups and tickets, visit www.conifox.co.uk. 

North Edinburgh Arts: Summer fun for children and families

Summer’s here! We’re running an exciting programme of fun activities and creative events for local children, young people, and their families throughout July and August. Come and join the fun!

Highlights include:

🌼Film Festival Workshop with Folk Film Gathering (Ages 8+): Learn about film festival programming on Thursday 11 July, 5:30pm-7pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

🌼NEA x Edinburgh Science Mini Summer Festival (All ages): Enjoy fun science activities on Tuesday 18 July, 11am-3pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

🌼The Show for Young Men (Ages 8+): A special preview performance on Wednesday 31 July, 11am at PASS Theatre, Edinburgh College Granton Campus.

🌼Fringe at… North Edinburgh Arts! (All ages): Family-friendly performances and workshops on Saturday 10 August, 10:30am-12:30pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

🌼Travelling Gallery – Where We Stand (All ages): An exhibition on community ownership on Thursday 15 August, 10am-4pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

🌼Play Rangers (Ages 5+): Creative outdoor play every Friday afternoon in local parks.

🌼Family Badminton (Ages 7+): Weekly sessions on Mondays, 4:30pm-7:30pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

🌼Cycling Group (Ages 8+): Family-friendly cycling every Wednesday, 10am-11:30am, meeting at 67 Pennywell Road.

Join us for a summer full of creativity, outdoor fun, and community spirit!

Visit our website for full details at northedinburgharts.co.uk/summer-2024/

Garden Centre invites families to enjoy a Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting families to roll out the picnic blanket and gather around this summer as it unveils its brand-new event at the Edinburgh store, Teddy Bears’ Picnic, where children get to make their very own teddy bear keepsake to take home.

This interactive 90-minute session, taking place during the summer holidays, is designed for families with children aged 3-10 years old and is taking place in the afternoon on Saturday 27 July, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August at the Edinburgh store. Families with younger children can also get involved and enjoy the picnic experience.

Dobbies’ Teddy Bears’ Picnic allows kids to have a go at building their very own teddy bear to take home. Children will get the opportunity to stuff, fluff and name a teddy bear of their choice, with a teddy birth certificate to mark the occasion. 

Dobbies’ colleagues at the Edinburgh store will uncover tales of bear adventures at the storytelling corner, gathering everyone around for a group reading, and host a variety of games and activities inspired by teddy.

Kids will also get to tuck into their own picnic box that comes with the choice of a cheese, ham or tuna sandwich, a drink and selection of snacks. Adults can enjoy cake and a hot drink as part of the experience.

Sarah Murray at Dobbies developed this event and is looking forward to welcoming children of all ages along to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic at the Edinburgh store.

She said: “This brand-new event is a great opportunity for kids to come together and experience the wonderful joy that comes with making their very own teddy bear to take home. Children will also enjoy a picnic experience, filled with food, fun and storytelling.

“We’re encouraging families cosy up and get comfy by bringing their own picnic blankets, beach towel or cushions.”

Tickets are priced at £15.99 for over 3s and £7.99 for under 3s, adult tickets are priced at £7.40. Creating your own teddy bear is only suitable for children over three years old, and under 3s are encouraged to bring their own favourite teddy.

For more information on Dobbies’ Teddy Bears’ Picnic, visit:  

www.dobbies.com/events.