Join us during the summer holidays for a fun and creative crafting club where children can explore their imagination using recycled and nature-inspired materials.
Each session, children will create something special to take home, with crafts including handmade vases, clay dishes, garden twig mobiles and much more!
A lovely opportunity for children to get creative, learn new skills, and enjoy making something unique.
Parents/carers are required to be with their child during the session.
Dates: Every Monday starting 6th July – 3rd August
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
Free lunch is available from 11:30am – 12:30pm
Booking is required for these sessions – you can book the whole block or just one or two session. Get in touch with us to book your spot!
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue in Edinburgh, offering families ample opportunity to spend quality time together now that the school year has ended.
Kickstart the summer with some playtime as Toy Story 5, the latest adventure of Woody and the gang, out now on the big screen – just in time for the start of the Scottish school holidays.
This time, it’s toy meets tech as Bonnie receives a new tablet to play with, making life for Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the other toys exponentially harder. There are plenty of heartfelt moments and joyful laughs as they go head-to-head with this all-new threat to playtime itself.
On Saturday 27 June at 2pm, Vue in Edinburgh will also host a special Toy Trip screening of the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar sequel, encouraging guests to bring their favourite toy along to watch the film with them.
As part of the experience, anyone who books a ticket for the special Toy Trip screening and arrives with a toy will receive a collectible souvenir ticket to take home.
Whether it is a much-loved childhood companion, a favourite teddy, an action figure or a toy passed down through generations, Vue is giving toys the big screen moment they deserve.
The special screenings aim to celebrate the magic of stories and the emotional connection younger audiences have with big screen experiences, inviting families to watch Toy Story 5 together and feel it forever.
There’s even more animated fun this summer as Minions & Monsters brings plenty of mischief to the big screen at Vue from 1 July. In the wonderful world of Despicable Me, Minions & Monsters sees everyone’s favourite henchmen conquer Hollywood, become movie stars and accidentally unleash monsters upon the world. Will they save the planet from their own monstrous mistakes?
Families can also catch other fantastic family hits such as Disney’s live-action Moana and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, both heading to the big screen during the summer holidays.
For the opportunity to catch recent family favourites on the big screen for a very small price, Vue’s Mighty Mornings screenings will take place every day across the break. Ideal for kids between four and 11, Charlie the Wonderdog will be showing among other titles, with prices from just £2.49 a ticket when booked online.
For younger audiences, Vue will also be bringing some of the most popular children’s characters back as part of its Big Shorts series. Aimed at younger children between one and four, the screenings are hosted in a relaxed environment with dimmed lighting. Younger viewers can look forward to a special screening of Zog & Zog and the Flying Doctors.
Vue is also inviting families to make the most of the summer holiday season with the launch of its new Summer Passport Book, a collectible adventure-style experience designed to encourage young film fans to enjoy more big-screen moments throughout the holidays.
Launching with Toy Story 5, families and children can gather stamps for their Summer Passport Book when visiting Vue for the latest families releases and are encouraged to share photos of their passport books and adventures onto a dedicated Vue Facebook post for the chance to win a £25 Vue gift card.
For the summer break, Vue is also introducing new discounted kids’ tickets in partnership with the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
From 25 June, children aged 14 and under can enjoy big screen escapes, providing a fantastic way to keep the family entertained over the summer.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “As we head into the school holidays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Vue.
“From live-action reimaginings to animated adventures, it’s the perfect destination for families to escape, unwind, and get lost in great stories on the big screen.”
We are thrilled to be teaming up with Muirhouse Library and our friends Art Buds Collective to bring the Macmillan Hub to life with a fun programme packed full of free activities for local children and families!
From 29 June right through to 8 August, we’ll be running creative drop-in activities for all summer long.
Whether it’s a free breakfast and a catch-up with friends, getting creative with arts and crafts, enjoying nature in the NEA Garden, singing along at Bookbug, or settling in for a film and some popcorn, there’s something on nearly every day of the week.
So grab the kids, pop down to MacMillan Hub, and join in the fun this summer!
Families across Scotland are being encouraged to check what financial and community support they may be entitled to as expenses rise over the summer break.
When schools close, many families face increased financial pressure on household budgets, including the cost of food, childcare, clothing and activities. Ongoing cost of living challenges can also make this time of year particularly difficult.
Social Security Scotland provides a range of payments to help families with everyday costs. These include Best Start Foods, a prepaid card worth up to £44.80 per child every four weeks to help buy healthy food, and Scottish Child Payment, worth over £112 every four weeks for each eligible child.
Families who receive free school meals may also receive support to access food during school holidays through their local authority. This is alongside a nationwide summer of sport, with free and low cost activities – including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics – to be hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities.
Community organisations are also on hand to help. Home-Start, located across Scotland, provides practical and emotional support to parents, helping them build confidence, reduce isolation and create positive experiences for their children during the holidays and throughout the year.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is committed to eliminating child poverty and offers the best cost of living support package in the UK. Our social security support for families could be worth around £26,000 by the time a child turns 16.
“We’re also providing £21 million to local authorities to help support families on low incomes during the school holidays, so that children can continue to eat well, stay active and enjoy their summer.
“I encourage every family to check what they could be entitled to. There is support out there – not just over the summer, but all year round.”
Eliza Waye, Home-Start Strategic Lead for Scotland said: “We know that the holidays can be long for families, with additional childcare expenses, food costs and keeping the children entertained. For many families, opportunities for big holidays or even day trips can feel out of reach.
“At Home-Start we provide one to one and group support, providing a nurturing environment and opportunities for families to have fun and create happy memories that last a lifetime. Together with support like Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods, this can transform the summer months for families.”
Hiba, a parent of three children from Knightwood, Glasgow, added: “The support from the Scottish Child Payment and Home-Start helps us afford more summer activities for our children.
“It gives them opportunities to have fun, make friends, and feel more connected to their community. This support makes the summer holidays a much happier time for our family.”
Families can find out more about Social Security Scotland support alongside wider help available by visiting www.costofliving.campaign.gov.scot
Families and film fans in Edinburgh will be able to enjoy a trip to the cinema for less this summer as ODEON at Fort Kinnaird introduces new lower ticket prices.
Adult and child tickets are now priced at £7.99, meaning cinema-goers could save up to 38% compared with previous prices, with Saver Monday tickets also reduced to £6.00, down from £7.50.
The new prices arrive just in time for the school holidays with a strong line up of blockbusters due this summer, including Toy Story 5, Supergirl and Minions & Monsters, as well as Spider‑Man: Brand New Day for older film fans.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“It’s great to see ODEON introducing lower ticket prices.
“Whether you’re taking the kids to the latest family blockbuster or heading to the big screen with friends, there’s a brilliant line-up to look forward to and even more reason to make a day of it at the centre, alongside shopping or grabbing a bite to eat.”
Demi Rodriguez, Marketing Coordinator at ODEON, said: “With so much for film fans to enjoy this summer, we’re excited to welcome even more guests for less at ODEON Fort Kinnaird.”
For more information and to plan a visit to Fort Kinnaird, go to:
World-renowned inland surf resort Lost Shore is expanding its youth offering ahead of the summer holidays, with the launch of a new after-school club alongside the popular return of its Kid’s Surf Camps.
The move comes as more families look for active, structured activities for children, both during term time and across the long summer break.
Running from June through to early August, the week-long surf camps give children aged 7 to 16 the chance to build confidence in the water while developing core skills in a safe, fun and supportive environment.
Each course runs from Monday to Friday combining on-land coaching with time in the wave pool to help young surfers progress quickly from their first attempts through to riding waves with control and confidence.
The new after-school Kid’s Club offers a more regular way for children to take part. Delivered in four-week blocks on Mondays and Fridays, the sessions are designed to fit around the school week, allowing participants to build skills gradually while surfing alongside others at a similar level.
All sessions are led by qualified instructors accredited by the International Surfing Association, and are suitable for both beginner and intermediate surfers. Those new to the sport will learn the fundamentals, including paddling and standing up, while more experienced surfers can start refining their technique, and develop greater control on the waves.
Unlike the open sea, Lost Shore’s consistent conditions allow surfers to develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment, without the unpredictability of the coast. Each 90-minute session includes all equipment, with camps priced from £200 per child.
For families travelling from further afield, the camps can also form part of a short break. On-site accommodation includes waterfront pods and hilltop lodges for up to 8 people, with dogs-friendly options available, providing families a relaxing base just minutes from the waves.
Lee Wood, Lost Shore Surf Resort’s Managing Director, said: “We’re seeing strong interest from families looking for activities that keep children active, engaged and build confidence over the holidays.
“Surfing offers something different – it challenges young people, helps them develop resilience and gives them a real sense of achievement as they progress. With both the camps and after-school club, we’re creating more opportunities for kids to get into the water regularly and develop those skills over time.”
Located just outside Edinburgh, Lost Shore Surf Resort is home to Europe’s largest wave pool and offers year-round surfing for all abilities, alongside accommodation, food and wellness experiences.
Step Into History – Kids Go Free at the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings
This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with Kids Go Free promotion, running from 30 June to 15 August 2025. Perfect for keeping the kids busy and entertained.
Set in the heart of Perthshire, just over an hour drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scone Palace is offering free entry for children (aged 15 and under), making it an unforgettable and affordable day out for families across Scotland.
From ancient kings to, mazes, Scone Palace is bursting with history, nature, and fun for children of all ages.
Perth’s historic landmark offers a unique blend of storytelling from times gone by, outdoor adventure, and family fun. Children can step into the past as they stand where Scottish kings, including Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II had been crowned on Moot Hill and pose for a photo on the replica Stone of Destiny. Inside the Palace, young visitors can take part in a special treasure hunt, a fun way to explore history, with a small prize at the end as a reward.
The Palace grounds provide plenty of space for children to run, explore, and play. With over 100 acres of gardens and woodlands to discover, there’s no shortage of fresh air and freedom. The grounds feature an adventure playground, the Murray star- Maze, and a chance to spot local wildlife including butterflies, squirrels, and the famous vibrant peacocks that roam the estate.
Families can take a break in the coffee shop, where all food is freshly prepared on-site using ingredients from the Palace’s Kitchen Garden. From tasty baked goods and hearty soups to child-friendly lunchboxes, there’s something to suit every appetite. The gift shop also offers a handpicked selection of books and toys, perfect for children eager to take home a souvenir from their day.
To make summer visits even more exciting, Scone Palace will host special event days included with the Kids Go Free admission. Visitors can enjoy Falconry Fridays on 11 July and 15 August and join in on the fun at the Circus Workshops taking place 24 July.
The Kids Go Free promotion runs daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm between 30 June and 15 August 2025. Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the gate. With something for everyone, from history lovers and nature enthusiasts to energetic little explorers, Scone Palace is the ideal summer day out for families that will keep costs down.
Whether you’re walking in the footsteps of ancient kings, solving the Palace treasure hunt, or simply enjoying an ice cream in the sun, Scone Palace is ready to welcome families for a summer of stories, adventure and memories – now with free entry for kids. With its beautiful historic backdrops, blooming gardens and wide-open spaces, it’s as picturesque as it is fun.