Tag: free activities

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Free family-friendly Live Site offers sporting opportunities

craigwatsonpix@icloud.com
www.craigwatson.co.uk

Children, young people and families can enjoy free activities, sport and live screenings of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games events at the Game On Live Site this summer.

Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park will be transformed for 11 days to allow families and fans to gather to watch the Games on giant screens, while getting the chance to try a diverse range of physical activities – inspired by the Summer of Sport.

The Game On Live Site, which is backed by £1 million from Scottish Government’s Summer of Sport programme and supported by funding from Commonwealth Sport, will be open from 23 July to 2 August, with over 12 hours of daily coverage of the Games shown on three large screens.

While the world-class sporting action of Glasgow 2026 unfolds across the city, children, young people and visiting fans will have the chance to take part in a range of sporting and cultural activities split across seven areas of Kelvingrove Park, including:

  • sport and physical activities
  • mass-participation events
  • creative activities, play and games
  • live performances.

The Glasgow 2026 Game On Live Site, funded by the Scottish Government, Government, sportscotland, and Commonwealth Sport, is part of the Scottish Government’s wider £20 million Summer of Sport campaign.

It will fund opportunities designed to make sport more accessible across all 32 local authority areas drawing inspiration from the Games and the Scotland men’s team’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Sport Minister Maree Todd said: “It’s ‘Game On’ for Glasgow and Scotland. This Live Site will help showcase the very best the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has to offer, while bringing families of all backgrounds together to get active and stay active.

“We want the legacy of the Summer of Sport – the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Glasgow 2026 and the women’s hockey and cricket team world cup campaigns –  to stretch far beyond the next few months.

“As part of our wider £40 million additional funding for the 2026-27 sport budget, our £20 million Summer of Sport funding can be truly transformational and will offer sporting opportunities across the length and breadth of Scotland. This is about ensuring that every child who attends a session still has the option to stay active in a year’s time and throughout their life.

“If we get it right, the impact it will be felt long after this summer and will help to improve health and wellbeing, tackle inequality, strengthen communities and make sport accessible to all.”

craigwatsonpix@icloud.com
www.craigwatson.co.uk

Glasgow 2026 Chair, George Black CBE said: “As we welcome athletes and visitors from across the Commonwealth to Glasgow, the Live Site is the perfect way for everyone to soak up the atmosphere of the Games. It’s free, it’s family-friendly and it’s right at the heart of the city in Kelvingrove Park.

“Whether you come to try a new sport or simply cheer on the action on the big screens, this is your chance to get involved and be part of an unforgettable summer of sport.”

craigwatsonpix@icloud.com
www.craigwatson.co.uk

Forbes Dunlop, sportscotland CEO said: “At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by £20 million of Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible.

“While sportscotland is not investing in the core costs of delivery of the Games, we are committed to ensuring that Scotland’s sporting system feels the benefits of this major international event and the live site will be an opportunity for people to gather and celebrate.

“We are working with the team at Glasgow 2026 and are proud to play our part together in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.” 

Leader of Glasgow City Council Councillor Susan Aitken said: “The launch of Game On in Kelvingrove is a fantastic opportunity for Glaswegians and visitors to come together and share in the excitement of the Commonwealth Games 2026.  

Kelvingrove Park is one of the city’s most-loved outdoor spaces and is the perfect venue to catch the sporting action, take part in fun activities and soak up in the atmosphere, for free, in the city.”

Deputy Chief Executive of Commonwealth Sport Martin Reynolds said: “Commonwealth Sport is proud to help fund the Game On Live Site at Kelvingrove Park.

“As a celebration of our 74 nations and territories, the Commonwealth Games have a unique ability to bring people together and this Live Site will help Glaswegians and visitors alike come together to enjoy the sport, soak up the atmosphere and share in the Games experience.”

Sign Up to Park Life at Clermiston

There is still time to sign up to Park Life in Clermiston Park.

For young people in P7-S3.

Wednesday 16th and Wednesday 23rd July 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Must register in advance for these events.

Email TOM.1.SCOTT@EA.EDIN.SCH.UK for further information or pop into Drumbrae Library Hub and ask at the desk.

Family Fun Day at Muirhouse Library

Our Family Fun Day is looking so exciting!

It’s next Friday, 31st January, 11am – 2pm.

We will have face-painting, slime-making, a magic show, a drop-in sewing workshop and the opportunity to meet the Muirhouse Library team and lots of great local organisations! It’s totally free – just pop by! We can’t wait to see everyone.

Free activities this Easter at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre unveils family-friendly fun

Dobbies, the UK’s largest garden retailer, is welcoming families along to its Edinburgh store this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions. 

The Little Seedlings Club workshop is taking place on Sunday 7 April and the Easter Holiday session is happening on various dates throughout March and April.

Designed to ignite a passion in gardening in an educational and engaging way, the sessions in Edinburgh give children aged 3-10 years old the chance to explore a new hobby, meet friends and learn about the wonderful world of gardens.

April’s Little Seedlings Club workshop will uncover what a wildlife friendly garden is, the importance of biodiversity, alongside common wildlife that can be spotted in the garden. From pollinators like bees and butterflies to birds, frogs, hedgehogs and squirrels, there’s plenty to spot in the garden as spring arrives.

Dobbies’ Easter Holiday sessions will give attendees in Edinburgh an introduction to spring, facts about the season, how to create a colourful garden full of flowers and vegetables at home, alongside learning about the vast variety of spring baby animals that can be spotted at this time of year. Children will also learn how to plant and care for Pansy seeds and get the chance to take some home.

Sarah Murray who has developed the Easter programme of activity at Dobbies is excited to welcome families along for some free fun. She explained: “Spring is the perfect time to get back into the garden and enjoy the outdoors, and we’re eager to share our love for gardening with passionate young enthusiasts.

“We know how tricky it can be to keep the kids entertained and busy over the school holidays, so bring the whole family to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store for a fun and interactive session.”

Alongside the family-friendly events, parents can enjoy cost savings with Dobbies’ Kids Eat Free offer which runs through the day, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for free with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. This includes kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or a pick ‘n’ mix meal, plus a drink.

The restaurant is open Monday-Sunday from 9am, times may vary and customers are advised to visit dobbies.com to check the restaurant opening hours of the Edinburgh store.

For more information about Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club April session and the Easter workshop throughout March and April or to make a booking, visit:

dobbies.com/events.

Free Open Week at Trinity Academy Sports Campus

FREE Open Week at Trinity Academy Sports Campus

Fancy trying out the newest addition to the biggest club in town?

Come along to our Open Weekend at Trinity from the 20th – 25th February.

Try out the gym, courts and fitness classes, completely FREE!

https://edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/trinity-academy/open-week

TODAY: Leith Library Fun Day

FREE FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

We’d love all the Leith community to join us for our Warm and Welcoming family fun day, TODAY – Friday 10th February – from 11am to 3pm.

– info & advice stalls throughout the day providing support with the cost of living, employability, health and wellbeing

from Access to Industry, AdvoCard, Age Scotland, Bethany Christian Trust, Changeworks, Edinburgh City Libraries, CEC Family & Household Support Service, LifeCare Edinburgh, People Know How, Social Security Scotland, Volunteer Edinburgh and more!

– Macmillan at Edinburgh Libraries are hosting a drop-in coffee morning from 11am to 12pm

– children’s face-painting, & other activities from Fair Saturday Scotland from 12pm to 2pm

– tour of Leith Theatre at 1pm (sign up for this on the day)

– dance workshop for children ages 4+ and their families at 2.30pm

*please book free ticket(s) for the children’s dance workshop in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/dance-workshop-for…

#EdinWarmWelcoming

Find out other things to do over the winter: edinburgh.gov.uk/warmandwelcoming

Help and advice with the cost of living: edinburgh.gov.uk/costofliving

Free summer holiday activities for children and families

Cash strapped families are being offered tips on free summer holiday activities to keep the kids entertained.

The team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have identified ten enjoyable, engaging and completely free activities for children of all ages.

From spending quality time outdoors, or staying inside on rainy days, all ten activities engage the whole family and combine imagination and entertainment for those ‘no spend’ days.

During school holidays and at weekends, finding things to do with the kids can soon become expensive and tiresome.

These activities are perfect for keeping the whole family entertained at no cost.

John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uks aid: “It can become costly to keep the kids entertained especially through the summer holidays.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of some great activities you can put together for your kids at no cost – it just takes a little imagination.

“As well as coming up with some creative tasks at home, there are also some days out that allow kids to go free.

“If you do some research on your local area, you’ll probably find that there are free events worth taking advantage of like crafting, and sports days.”

10 free activities to do with kids:

  1. Go Geocaching

This is a brilliant way to explore new parts of your local area with the kids. Geocaching is essentially a modern-day treasure hunt: simply download the free app and follow the directions to the nearby location, to then find and log the hidden geocache.

  1. Become ‘Mad Scientists’ in the kitchen

It is really easy to make fun science experiments with ingredients found in the kitchen. Mix cornflour and water to make slime, or drop food colouring onto baking soda, and use a straw to drip white vinegar to create a bubbly volcanic eruption.

  1. Visit free local museums

It takes just a quick look online to find many nearby museums with free entry which cater to families. Explore history, science, and culture during the bad weather, and take part in the free interactive events which many museums put on for kids.

  1. Potato stamp art

A great way to use up any old potatoes, stamp art is a fun entertainment for the kids at home, completely for free. Just cut the potato in half (or anything else in the cupboard needing to be used up), cover with paint, and let the kids create their artwork. For older ones, let them carve out a shape in the potato for a patterned veggie stamp.

  1. Free local events

Check the local council website for kid-friendly entertainment, such as crafting, library and sports days. Especially during the summer holidays, engaging with the local community in these events is a great way to do something different for free.

  1. Obstacle course

Be inventive with things around the house! Use buckets, mops, tin cans and chairs to set out an obstacle course for the kids to let off some energy. A low prep, but highly entertaining activity inside or out with endless opportunities.

  1. Home cinema

Amplify those cosy film nights on the TV with fort making: use pillows and blankets to create a free evening-in with the kids. Grab popcorn and sweets from the cupboard for a no cost cinema experience at home.

  1. Treasure hunt

An alternative to Geocaching, use pens and paper to create a free treasure hunt for the kids. A good way to get outside, hide a small reward and draw out a simple map of the surrounding area with a ‘X’ to mark the treasure. To involve the kids even more, get them to colour in the trees, rivers, and other landmarks, on the map, and wipe the map over with a used tea bag for an old-fashioned pirate treasure map feel.

  1. Tie-dye old clothes

A great way to revamp unworn clothes, tie-dying is a free activity to entertain older kids. Tie elastic bands in small sections to the clothes, and submerge into a bucket with half water, half bleach. Let the clothes sit in the mixture for 10 minutes, remove the elastic bands and rinse thoroughly. Wash the clothes, and then the kids can show off their new colourful items, without having spent a penny.

  1. Colours scavenger hunt

Simply shade colours onto some paper and get kids to find flowers, stones, and other outside materials, which match the colours. A fun and easy way for younger ones to learn their colours whilst spending time outside at absolutely no cost.