Children and Families – Page 68 – The NEN

Today at The Meadows: Edinburgh Climate Festival

SATURDAY 29th JUNE at THE MEADOWS

Fun and family activities from midday

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.

Free family concert at Holy Cross Davidson’s Mains this Sunday

THIS weekend: the next free family concert, with Breanna Wilson and Sophie Joint from Live Music Now Scotland.

2pm, Sunday 30th June. Come and join us!

Summer Playscheme at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Summer Playscheme for Primary 5 – Primary 7 at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Monday – Thursday between the 1st & 18th July

10am – 12:30pm with Breakfast and Lunch included

Art & crafts, cooking, sports activities and games

Places limited so register at reception

Call 0131 552 5700 for more info

Family tours of the Palace of Holyroodhouse’s Physic Garden available for the first time this summer

Over the summer holidays, as the Palace of Holyroodhouse opens for seven days a week, visitors can discover over 900 years of Scottish royal history. Families can join tours of the Physic Garden for the first time, get their hands on history, and try out arts and crafts activities inspired by Georgian fashion.

Physic Garden Family Tours

Friday, 19 July and Friday, 2 August, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00.

For the first time, families will be able to join free short tours of the beautiful Physic Garden at the height of summer. On these guided, drop-in tours, which are open to visitors to the Palace and the wider public, families can discover more about the history of the Garden and listen to stories of its past plants and the people who used it.

The Physic Garden, just outside the gates of the Palace, was opened in 2020 to recreate the earliest known gardens on the site and can be freely enjoyed year-round by the people of Edinburgh. Founded in the grounds of the Palace in 1670, the original garden provided pharmacists with vital, fresh ingredients and allowed students to learn the medicinal properties of plants. It was the first of its kind in Scotland and was the forerunner of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Magical Menagerie Activity Day

Saturday, 27 July, 10:00–15:00.

In July a special activity day will offer the chance for visitors to learn about the history of the Palace Gardens, where 500 years ago a medieval menagerie was home to a range of animals including lions, tigers and bears.

Children can craft paper masks of their favourite animal to wear as they explore the Palace and Gardens, keeping an eye out to spot the animals around the Palace on ceilings and walls, or in tapestries and portraits.

As well as exotic animals, the Gardens were home to a tennis court and used for bowls, hawking, archery, and other outdoor games. On the activity day, families can try some historic games in the garden as well as following the unicorn activity trail to spot all the places where Scotland’s national animal decorates the walls and artworks around the Palace and Gardens.

Weekly Family Activities

Hands on History, every Monday (Monday, 8 July – Monday, 26 August) and Midweek Makes, every Wednesday (Wednesday, 10 July – Wednesday, 28 August). Both 11:00–15:00.

Families visiting the Palace can take part in special activities every week. Every Monday, in Hands on History sessions, children will be able to get up close to a mix of historical and replica items including gauntlets, ink wells and quills and more. Children can learn about the many objects in the Royal Collection and discover the intriguing items that would have been used in the Palace hundreds of years ago.

Every Wednesday, visitors can join arts and crafts activities in the family room. In Midweek Makes, children can decorate their own crown while learning about the history of different crowns in the Royal Collection, including who wears them and what they are used for.

Recycled Fashion: Family Workshop

Saturday, 10 August, 13:30–15:00.

Families can also visit The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians. The exhibition explores life in Georgian Britain through the fashions of the day. Items on display include rare surviving items of clothing such as a court dress and items of Queen Charlotte’s impressive jewellery collection. In the exhibition, families can use the family gallery trail and explorer bags to discover what life was like in Georgian times.

In the Recycled Fashion workshop, families will join a short, guided tour of the exhibition led by a member of the Learning team. They can discover how the practice of reusing and recycling fabric in the Georgian period was commonplace even among the royal family. Taking inspiration from the examples of Georgian clothing on display, they will then create a cloak using recycled materials.

As part of the organisation’s charitable aim to ensure that as many people as possible can access and enjoy the Palaces and the Royal Collection, Royal Collection Trust has launched a scheme of £1 tickets, available to those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits.

The £1 ticket offer is available for up to six people per household when visiting The King’s Gallery in 2024, making this an affordable way for families to visit the Gallery during the summer holidays.

The Centre Livingston launches ‘Jump Into Summer’ free events programme

To celebrate some of the sporting events taking place this summer, including the Euro’s, Scottish Golf Open and the Olympics, The Centre, Livingston has invited three charities and a social enterprise to take part in its ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed events programme, which includes a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge in a Euro’s football pop up, basketball and table tennis ‘try outs’ and 44 free daily workshops.

The action-packed event is designed to give visitors the chance to try out a new sport or improve their skills and join in the various free sessions for kids of all ages, running from Saturday, 29^th June until Monday, 12^th August, from 11am – 4pm each day.

In partnership with West Lothian Community Foundation, a Euro’s football pop up will be located at the activity hub near Waterstones from the 4^th – 8^th July where shoppers can take part in a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge and get help from the coaches on how to improve their technique.

Newly signed players from Livingston FC will also be joining in the fun on Friday, 5^th at 1.30pm.

To tie in with the Scottish Golf Open, a golf simulator will also be in situ at the activity hub to encourage people to try their hand at the sport or improve their speed and swing from Friday 12^th – 14^th July.

Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club will also be taking part in the event with various demonstrations and opportunities for shoppers to see how many hoops they can shoot, from Friday 26^th – Sunday, 28^th July.

On the 3^rd and 4^th of August West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club, which is a charity based at The Centre, Livingston will also be providing taster and mini coaching sessions.

Leaderboards will chart the best results on the day at the sports pop ups with lucky shoppers being in with a chance of winning £25 Gift Cards.

To highlight the benefits of cycling, Livingston based social enterprise, West Lothian Bike Library, will be taking up residency next to Car Park 1 on Wednesday, 7^th August from 11 – 2pm, where they will also be carrying out bike safety checks.

From the 29^th June until the 12^th August, on all 44 days, families can take part in a wide variety of free workshops with activity leaders from workouts and storytelling sessions to painting classes and a one mile lap of the shopping centre on Saturday, 10^th August at 11am, with kids receiving a wooden keepsake medal at the end for taking part.

There will also be a ‘Spot the Sport’ trail to find pictures in 10 shop windows and on completion, families can enter a weekly prize draw to win a £50 Gift Card every week. All activities are free with the option to donate to any of the four summer charity partners.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Our ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed programme, which links into some brilliant events this summer, is packed with lots of free fun-filled activities for kids of all ages.

“This is a great opportunity for us to give visitors the chance to either try out a new sport or improve their skills with the help of some fantastic coaches.

“The event also gives us another opportunity to support and shine a light on the great work that our summer charity partners are doing in the local community, including West Lothian Community Foundation, Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club, West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club and West Lothian Bike Library.”

For more information on all free activities, check out www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Vue sites in Edinburgh to put family fun in focus this summer

New big screen child-friendly content offerings

Vue sites in Edinburgh has announced the latest set of family-friendly blockbusters set to hit the big screen this summer, as well as a number of new ways for families and kids of all ages to enjoy time together at the big screen.

For the youngest film fans enjoying some of their favourite their very first outings to the big screen, Vue has introduced Big Shorts screenings, bringing some favourite children’s characters from television shows and web series such as The Gruffalo’s Child and Zog and the Flying Doctors to the big screen.

These short and sweets screenings offer a relaxed big screen environment with dimmed lights and reduced sound, tailor-made for younger film fans aged 1 to 4, allowing them to fall in love with the big screen in their very first trips.

Meanwhile, families looking for a value big screen experience can avail of the brand-new Mighty Mornings offering. This will see films such as Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Present shown across weekends and school holidays this summer from just £2.49 when tickets are purchased online.

It’s also set to be a summer of big screen, with blockbusters such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and Illumination’s Despicable Me 4 leading the bill.

Almost nine years since its enormously emotional debut warmed hearts and mini minds across the world, on 14 June Inside Out 2 invites 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 cast 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 sees 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, meaning his family, Minions included, must go on the run to stay safe. Expect more Minion mayhem, criminal capers and plenty of laughs when Despicable Me 4arrives at Vue on 12 July

As well as the latest family-friendly blockbusters, some true family classics will be back at home on the big screen as part of Vue’s Back On The Big Screen Family Treasures season, which includes Woody and Buzz’s sequel adventure Toy Story 2 and every live action outing of Marvel superhero Spider-Man, including the Tobey Maguire trilogy, Andrew Garfield The Amazing Spider-Man films and the more recent Tom Holland trilogy including Spider-Man: No Way Home later this summer.

Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh Omni, said: “Every film fan discovered their love for stories on the big screen with their very first visit. Because of this, we’re looking to make this experience as memorable as possible for our young audiences to really help create their love for films with their family with our Big Shorts and Mighty Mornings offerings.

“With some incredible new blockbusters, family treasures and even some pre-school favourites heading to Vue, we’re thrilled to help families and youngsters enjoy their first trip to Vue, as well as each visit afterwards.”

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

Danyah Miller to kick off the Summer Reading Challenge in Edinburgh

The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge is kicking off in Scotland with an exciting event featuring award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller.

On 29 June at 10.30am, Edinburgh Central Library will host Making Marvellous Stories with Danyah Miller, an interactive storytelling experience that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity.

Danyah Miller, an international solo performer, writer, and story trainer, will lead an engaging spontaneous storytelling hour. Through story games and collaborative storytelling, children and families will embark on a journey to spark their imaginations and create lasting memories together.

Oral storytelling is a fundamental component of literacy development, enhancing fluency, vocabulary acquisition, writing skills, recall, and memory. By participating in this event, children will not only have a fun and interactive experience but also develop essential literacy skills.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in story games, make up fresh, new stories together, and learn tips and tricks for endless storytelling fun. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience, igniting the imaginations of children and families alike.

“We left full of ideas and inspiration,” said a mum of boys aged 7 and 9 after attending one of Danyah’s previous storytelling events.

In addition to the storytelling experience, the Summer Reading Challenge, developed in partnership with Create, a leading charity bringing creative arts to those in need, offers a range of exciting activities and resources that bring reading and creativity together throughout the school holiday. Children are encouraged to explore their creativity through various outlets, including junk modelling, music, dance, drawing, and painting.

The Making Marvellous Stories with Danyah Miller event is free and open to the public. Families are invited to join this unforgettable experience and embark on a journey of storytelling and creativity at Edinburgh Central Library.

For more information and to register, please visit: https://readingagency.org.uk/our-work/events/making-marvellous-stories-with-danyah-miller/

Community Picnic at Pilrig Park

SATURDAY 22 JUNE from 12 – 2pm

We’re excited to share further details of plans for our community picnic event this Saturday.

We’re looking forward to learning about nature and conservation with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), providing some fun activities for kids, offering a chance to refresh your wardrobe at the clothes swap, and hearing your views about the park and how we can make improvements.

All activities are free of charge, so just bring your family, friends, food and something to sit on.

Oh, and let’s not forget to keep hoping for a wee bit of sunshine!

Free events at the National Galleries of Scotland this Summer

There’s something for everyone this summer at the National Galleries of Scotland, with lots of free events in Edinburgh across the National, Portrait and Modern to discover.

Dive deeper into the Galleries exhibitions with ticketed tours from the experts. Explore the fascinating stories behind the art with tours and talks. Be swept away with magical music performances in the Portrait and National. Bring the whole family along for fun accessible events or try your hand at creating your own art in the joyous Drawing Room workshops.

To book your place for an event visit What’s on | National Galleries of Scotland.

Visitors can get an insight into the exhibitions, acquisitions and collections with captivating talks from National Galleries of Scotland’s curators and guest speakers in person at the National and streamed free online.

Older kids Friday after school art session at The National Galleries of Scotland.

Delve into the wondrous imagination and spectacular installations of leading contemporary artist Do Ho Suh with guest speakers Amie Corry, Director of Publications for Do Ho Suh and independent curator Fatoş Üstek.

Be whisked away to the sun, sea and society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in a special opening talk for An Irish Impressionist: Lavery on Location with Professor Kenneth McConkey. For those fascinated by Scottish history, join Jim Phillips, Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Glasgow and author of Scottish Coal Miners in the Twentieth Century.

Looking at the Before and After Coal exhibition, he will explore the meaning and relevance of the strike 40 years on. Uncover the new works in Scotland’s national collection with a special look at the rare Encounter by Remedios Varo 1959, the first oil painting by the artist to enter a public collection in the UK.

Be immersed in magical free live music events all while soaking up the beautiful art and surroundings of the Portrait and National gallery. With performances from Live Music Now musicians, including clarinet quartet The Four Keys, Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski joins Scottish violinist Roo Geddes and Mexican singer-songwriter Lavinia Negrete.

In July, celebrate American Independence Day with the Phoenix Duo. Edinburgh-based Sangstream Folk Choir perform a programme of songs about the challenging lives which miners and their families have faced over the centuries inspired by the Before and After Coal exhibition.

Experience the galleries with a tour guide and learn the fascinating history and stories behind the art. Get to know the artworks and themes in the new Scottish galleries at the National in the Scottish Art in Focus tours which take place every month on Saturday afternoon.

Learn more about the changing landscape of Edinburgh and Scotland and the people who made it all happen. For those wanting a more detailed look into Edinburgh’s evolving cityscape and how it captivated the imagination of artists, join the Inside Out: Edinburgh Old and New walking tour.

Those taking a trip to the National Galleries of Scotland’s summer exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy, An Irish Impressionist: Lavery on Location, can join the Sunday Afternoon Tour on Sunday 28 July. The tour travels through the key themes from the extraordinary life of the Belfast-born artist, from Scotland to New York via Paris and Morocco.

Indulge your own creative energy with The Drawing Room workshops. Offering a unique space to playfully explore creativity and drawing, with absolutely no experience necessary to get involved in these hands-on making sessions. These joyous sessions bring fresh, relevant and accessible approaches to drawing from some of Scotland’s most exciting artists

Be inspired by the empowering world of Woman in Revolt! at Modern Two, with the workshop looking at how mark-making can also be conceived as sculpture, installation, video, writing, textiles and more.

For those unable to make it to the gallery there is the opportunity to get involved online via Zoom with The Drawing Room Kitchen Table. Exploring some favourite experimental drawing exercises and techniques, aimed at boosting drawing confidence.

There are free family activities for all ages and stages to enjoy, as well as accessible events for visitors with specific access needs. Weekly Family Friday events let your children’s imaginations run wild.

With mornings dedicated to little ones expect interesting textures, lights, sounds and sensory art-fun. Later in the afternoon older kids can get involved in the trails, new play activities and, of course, hands-on making with artists. Sensory-Friendly Sundays for families with children with additional support needs, ensure a quiet, comfortable space is available at all times.

For adults, discover fascinating audio-described and deaf led British Sign Language tours for visitors with a visual impairment.

With events for exhibitions including Woman in Revolt!, Do Ho Suh and Vermeer. With the opportunity to meet other people, see artworks in the gallery and take part in creative activities. All with access to a comfortable quiet space.

To find events or discover more visit: What’s on | National Galleries of Scotland