Families Edinburgh May/June 2017

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Edinburgh

MAY/JUNE 2017

Summer Camps & Activities Play Time

www.welovefrugi.com

What's on

www.familiesonline.co.uk

Email - editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Tel. 0131 622 0405

What’s inside...............................

3-5

Local News and Views including Clubs and Classes News

6 Slow Down Shortsightedness

by Clare Downes

7 Once Upon A Playtime

by Sue Palmer

8 -11 Summer Holiday Camps and Activities 12 -15 Out and About

Get in Touch T 0131 622 0405 @FamiliesEdinbur www.familiesonline.co.uk

E editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk wwwFacebook.co.uk/FamiliesEdinburgh Designer: kennydickson7@gmail.com

Cover Image: Pretty Pull Ups - £20 - available in sizes newborn - 4 years.

Amber Applique Top - £18 available in sizes newborn 4 years.

All available from www.welovefrugi.com

NEXT ISSUE JULY/AUGUST 2017 SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS & ACTIVITIES PART 2 SUMMER DAYS OUT • FRINGE FOR KIDS Booking deadline June 1st Call Now! 0131 622 0405 2 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 102

news and

views Pure Brilliant Events

Pure Brilliant Events have a fantastic new 2 hour Party Package They've made them bigger and better but still with the same great value! Starting from just £55 you're sure to find a package to suit your party!

Find out more at www.purebrilliantevents.co.uk

Clown Around is now under new management Lynsey and Janis look forward to meeting and welcoming all the old and new customers to Clown Around.

Over the next few weeks play areas will be upgraded to offer an even higher quality, clean and safe play facility.

Parties are amazing value from £8 upwards with full use of the trampoline area, large soft play area and a private room for food fun and games.

Please enquire to find out more about Private parties and exclusive use.

There is a separate baby area and sensory room for general use (also available for private hire).

The café offers a large selection of healthy food suitable for adults and children. Gluten free and halal produce available.

Monthly pass now available at a cost of £10 Please call us on 0131 553 7676 or like on Facebook for future updates

Bright Horizons Family Solutions is the UK’s leading childcare provider, with over 30 years’ experience in building and designing nurseries, with this wealth of knowledge enables us to create a naturally inspiring nursery environments that will allow each child to grow, flourish and love learning forever. With a portfolio of over 300 nurseries, we have been trusted by many families to provide children with naturally inspiring, exceptional care and education for the early years.

With 6 locations in and around Edinburgh we are able to cater for most families who either live or work in Edinburgh. Children in our nurseries are well prepared to transition to school with our Ready for School Programme which includes Growing Readers, Writers and Mathematicians. All our food is freshly cooked by our on-site chef and is nutritionally balanced. We have also received an award for 6 consecutive years from RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). “Keeping Everyone Safe” is our number one priority and company value. The safety and wellbeing of all of those in our care, our staff and our visitors is of paramount importance. Book a visit at one of our nurseries today by calling us on 0131 581 8750 or email parentenquiry@brighthorizons.com.

Monkey Music Free Trial!

Monkey Music is a great way to spend truly magical time with your child so why not experience the wonder of the 4 age curricula and enter the world of music, beautiful visual props, sounds and instruments.

The award winning classes remain a favourite with Edinburgh families which is why people continue with Monkey Music throughout their child's early years.

Let your journey with Monkey begin and explore the world of music together.

Morning and afternoon classes available. comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk or morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk to book your trial and for further information www.monkeymusic.co.uk

The Buggy Repair Centre’s guide to second hand buggies If you are buying or selling a buggy you want to know it is safe. Here’s what to look out for: Wheels: Do they appear loose or worn down? Are they aligned and in working order?

Brakes: Are they easy to apply and that once on, they stay on, both sides?

Folding mechanism: Make sure it works smoothly and once open, the buggy stays open. If you're buying ask for a demonstration first, repeat yourself until satisfied it works and you understand the procedure.

Foam, fabrics & chassis: Look for rips, holes, mould, scratches, dents, rust and cracks. Is there a rain cover?

Seat unit: Does the seat easily recline up and down and hold position? Check the five point harness.

Cot unit: Make sure the cot unit detaches and reattaches securely to the chassis.

Having your buggy professionally serviced and valeted adds value, knowing it’s safe, clean and ready to use.

Buggy Repair Centre, 13 St Stephen St, Stockbridge EH3 5AN 0131 226 4141 buggyrepaircentre.co.uk

SnappyTag - easy as 1,2,3 Review by Tamar “I am nicknamed lastminute.com Mum in my son’s playground. So much so that I completely gave up on this ‘labelling of clothes’ business before it even began. When asked if I would like to review SappyTag, I thought that this must be one of those occasions in life when life presents you with a solution I would be a fool to turn away.

So armed with a new school uniform, my tags and applicator I set to work… and soon discovered much to my great delight that the SnappyTag solution was so easy I would still never have to name a school item again, as my son proved to be fully capable to operate this little gem himself. I had to read the instructions through with him once and of he went: push, snap, clicked on.

It is really as easy as 1,2,3”.

To solve all your name tagging problems visit www.snappytags.co.uk

Breakfast, Lunch, Juices, Milkshakes, Cakes & Treats!

100% Organic, Homemade, Healthy, Delicious & Ethical Families Welcome!

26 Morningside Road, EH10 4DA

www.organicdeliciouscafe.com www.facebook.com/Organicdeliciouscafe hello@organicdeliciouscafe.com

TiNYN TowplaY sofT3YRs 0s liNE ampo R T Big Top café paRTiE sTaRT s £8.00 pEaT cHild R

Us ciRccUs R i c plaY sofT10YRs fiBRE 4opTic zoNE

paRTiEs/ gRoU BookiNpg s

ew Un der en en t M M anag comE aNd BoUNcE aRoUNd aT oUR familY RUN TRampoliNE, acTiviTY & paRTY cENTRE Unit 2-3, 109 Restalrig Road, Edinburgh EH6 7NY Tel: 0131 553 7676 www.clownaroundclub.co.uk

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news and

views

The DNDance timetable is expanding!

The jam packed timetable includes classes in Street and Break Dance, Ballet, Tap, Arco, Jazz and Musical Theatre.

Classes are open to all children with any level of experience - developing strength, skill, confidence and performance sparkle!

With classes running in KIRKLISTON for children aged 18mnths - 7yrs, GRANTON age 18mnths+, LEITH age 18mnths - 5yrs and CHESSER 18mths - adult.

Book a free trial class! www.dndance.co.uk nicky@dndance.co.uk 07545551271

Are you looking for a GREAT business opportunity in Edinburgh, East or West Lothian?

Imagine owning your own domestic cleaning franchise, earning a great income and never doing any cleaning yourself!

You can work from home at times that suit you, to fit around your children, your lifestyle and your other commitments.

The Time For You cleaning franchise system is the longest established in the UK and is easily the most successful.

“I cover a huge area and it quickly became clear that there was more than enough business coming in to support my own business needs and that of three other people. So I have split my area into four sections: North Edinburgh, South Edinburgh, West Lothian & East Lothian. All 4 areas are up for sale so I will sell the first 3 and plan to keep the remaining area to run myself" Catherine Fitch, Time For You Business Owner.

“The demand for services is growing annually so you’ll never be short of enquiries from potential clients. This means that you can now determine your future income.”

Time For You domestic cleaning has 207 franchised areas nationwide who between them clean the houses of over 20,000 clients each and every week, 52 weeks of the year. That’s 1.5 million cleans annually.

All on-going training and support is part of the package and it is first class. Time For You run Success Track Workshops around the country, all year and you can participate in as many as you choose.

There is constant support from TFY and all the other franchisees through TFY Workplace so you can get immediate advice, ideas and best practice.

If you would be interested in finding out more about this excellent business opportunity then Contact Catherine Fitch edinburgh@uk.timeforyou.cleaning or call 0131 629 8610

Win a Family Ticket to Eden Festival!

Scotland’s second largest music festival of 2017 will be returning to the Raehills Meadows of Dumfries and Galloway from the 8 -11th June. Hosting twelve different stages with 300 performers, Eden Festival really does cater for all. Headlining this year's Eden Festival are Cat Power / Gogol Bordello / Boney M / Agnes Obel / Alabama 3/ Alice Russell.

Eden Festival has free activities for children of all ages, starting with several workshops in the craft tent where they will be making giant smiles, hearts, mad hatters top hats, carnival puppets, flags banners and much more for the Sunday family parade.

For our really little festival goers can enjoy messy play sessions, clay creatures, yoga and song time.

Children of all ages can enjoy the Mad Hatters Tea Party, Drive in Cinema, a treasure hunt, storytelling and puppet shows as well as creative dance and drama sessions, get their face painted and learn circus skills.

Tickets start from £99, children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by an adult. www.edenfestival.co.uk For your chance to win a family ticket email: win@familiesedinburgh.co.uk with your name and phone number. t & c - children must be accompanied by an adult.

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New Indoor Mini Tipis

Soccerstarts New Weekly Timetable

Unlike anything you have ever seen before, this one of a kind, bespoke party experience combines all the fun of camping and sleepovers with a luxurious and homely feel right in your living room.

8 stunning tipi’s available which can cater for up to 16 children! And with memory foam mattresses, every child is guaranteed a comfy nights sleep.

Experience can be tailored to the birthday boy or girl's dreams, ensuring they have the ultimate birthday party they will never forget! Get in contact now to book. www.ActivityDelivered.com 0131 510 7165 info@ActivityDelivered.com

Football Skills Coaching 2 week taster for £5!

Classes for walking to 3 years, 3 to 5 years and Primary School age.

New Classes at Craigmount High School on a Tuesday 6.15pm for P1, 2 & 3, 7.15pm for P4,5, 6 & 7

New Friday morning classes at Nelson Hall, South Queensferry at 9.50am (walking to 3) and 10.35am (3 - 5 years)

Saturday classes at Musselburgh Sports Centre - 9.20 am (walking to 3), 10.05am (walking to 3), 10.50am (3 - 5 years) and new class at 11.35 am (3 - 5yrs) New Sunday classes at Napier University, EH11 4BN for walking to 3 years at 8.50am. Also usual classes at 9.35-1015am (walking to 3), 10.20 (3 - 5 years), 11.05 (P1 & 2) and 12.10pm for P2 upwards.

Sunday classes at Westwoods Health Club at 3.30pm (walking to 3).

New classes at 4.15 ( 3 - 5 yrs), 5pm ( P1, 2 & 3) and 6pm (P4, 5, 6,7) Contact b.robertson@soccerstarts.co.uk or info@soccerstartsfootballacademy.co.uk

The puffins are back Puffin season has begun at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Visitors to the 5-star Centre have the opportunity to control the interactive cameras to zoom in on the live puffin action on the islands of Craigleith, Fidra and the Isle of May National Nature Reserve. It’s also possible to see the amazing ‘clowns of the sea’ with a range of boat trips that take in the local islands.

Younger visitors to the Seabird Centre have the chance to visit for free: those who present a ‘puffin portrait’ in May, June and July at the admissions desk will be awarded with a Discovery Centre ticket for their artistic efforts. Each ‘puffin portrait’ should feature a drawing of the child with a puffin, articulated in any artistic medium.

Admission to the Discovery Centre: £8.95 per adult, £4.95 per child, £25 per family. Open every day, except Christmas Day. www.seabird.org #seabirddays #puffinportrait

©Sean Bell

Edinburgh

Keep up to date with everything for families around Edinburgh. www.familiesonline.co.uk

Organic Delicious Cafe is Edinburgh's First 100% Organic Vegetarian & Vegan Cafe.

“We love kids and families and make most of our produce on site, from awesome Chocolate Sticky Fudge Cake to homemade chilli. Our Kids Menu is super popular as are our good-for-kids Milkshakes.

Ingredients are local, farm-fresh and ethically sourced. As a cafe focused on Health, we offer Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Sourdough options for practically everything we make”.

They believe that food should be grown and sourced in an ethical, clean and positive manner which supports our kid's bodies, environment and also the people who work hard to grow our fresh organic food, coffee and tea.

Offering an array of fresh, exciting Organic Vegan & Vegetation breakfasts, lunchs, snacks and treats, as well as organic cold press juices and smoothies. Almost everything is made to order by their happy team so it's super fresh.

Something they are really excited about is their coffee for parents. Designed with Morningside in mind. It’s dark and rich with an earthy flavour and a hint of spices in one long, chocolate, caramel finish. It’s made with 100% Organic Arabica Beans from Central America and Indonesia, shade grown under the canopy of orange, banana & pine trees.

Even the salt on each table is Organic Himalayan (the purest salt in the world with lots of health benefits). All customers are served Volcanic filtered water as standard and kids love running up to the filter and helping themselves.

Takeaway packaging is Vegware, so they are biodegradable and fully compostable, meaning you can pop them straight into your food recycle bin.

Look out for Story Telling Mornings and After School Specials too!

Organic Delicious Cafe, 26 Morningside Road, EH10 4DA organicdeliciouscafe.com

Twelfth Annual Summer Drama Project 3rd - 14th July 2017 live drama .co.uk For ages 10 - 18 Application form: info@livedrama.co.uk Further info: Rebecca Kilbey 07944 757083 Southside Community Centre, Nicolson Street EH8 9ER

Age specific football training for children at walking age - 12 years Birthday Parties available for ages 3 + For more info contact: 07544 221045 Email: info@soccerstartsfootballacademy.co.uk or b.robertson@soccerstarts.co.uk

www.soccerstartsfootballacademy.co.uk

Can’t wait to get down there? Try making this healthy, tasty, sugar free delicious chocolate ice-cream Instructions *If you’re not sure that your blender is powerful enough we would recommend NOT freezing the bananas.

1 Pop everything into your blender.

2 Blend in pulse actions. On high for 3 seconds - off - on high for 3 seconds - off - about 5-6 times.

3 Serve!

If your organic bananas are not frozen Step 3 would be to pop everything in the freezer for 30mins - 1 hour or you will end up with a moose (which still works great over fresh organic strawberries and blueberries!)

3-4 Organic Frozen Bananas (Cut them up and freeze them for about 30 minutes*) 4-5 Organic Pitted Dates (These taste like bits of fudge, yummy) 3-4 Table Spoons of Organic Cocoa Powder

MagicFest MagicFest returns this summer with its biggest programme of events to date, inviting magic fans to ‘let their imagination fly’ 30th June – 8th July.

MagicFair is back at Summerhall featuring over 80 shows and 20 internationally acclaimed magicians. Kids under 5 go free to family-orientated morning sessions, where you can watch various 20-minute magic shows and explore the dropin events all with just one ticket.

The hugely popular 'Secret Room' expands across Edinburgh.

Discover the fascinating stories of Riddle's Court, The Writers' Museum and Lauriston Castle as magicians guide you through their clandestine corridors and secret chambers, animating each building's history and heritage with captivating magic.

MagicFest then comes to a spectacular close with this year’s ‘Levitations’ themed Gala show at the Festival Theatre. Watch as the greatest illusionists and circus acts perform visually stunning and breath-taking flights of fancy and defy the laws of gravity.

Tickets available from the Fringe box office on High Street, on 0131 226 0006 or online at www.magicfest.co.uk

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Are you worried about your child’s short sightedness?

by Clare Downes As a short sighted parent are you worried what is the likely hood of your child becoming myopic?

As an Optometrist with a specific interest in paediatric eye care, I am regularly asked questions like the ones above. Decades of research has resulted ground breaking developments in slowing the progression of myopia in children and young adults. We really do live in exciting times.

What is myopia?

How often will my child visit the Optometrists?

Myopia is the medical term for short-sightedness, when the eyeball is too long or too powerful. The result is that light coming into the eye does not focus directly on the retina, but instead falls in front of it, causing objects in the distance to look blurred.

The initial appointment will assess your child’s suitability for the myopic control programme. We will assess suitability for lens wear and ascertain the optimal lenses for your child.

They will then have a lens collection appointment at which they will see the Optometrist and also a clinical assistant who will take all the time needed to ensure your child can handle the lenses safely and fully explain the care regime.

Once everyone is happy and all your questions are answered your child may take the contact lenses home.

You will then return to the practice after a two week trial period to ensure everything is going smoothly.

Myopia often worsens as the eye grows.

Why do we develop myopia?

1. Genetics – if one parent is myopic then a child is 3 x more likely to become myopic, if both parents are myopic then this increases to 6 x more likely.

2. A lot of close work i.e. reading, computers, phones, tablets are all contributing factors.

3. Lack of time spent outdoors.

Why do we need to control myopia?

Myopia generally gets worse over time. This not only affects your child’s ability to see it can also lead to a higher risk of serious eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataract and bleeding blood vessels within the eye.

What is myopia control?

Extensive research has found that specialised contact lenses can be very effective in slowing the progression of myopia. Up to date research suggests it can slow myopic progression by 29-45%. The contact lenses work by slowing the process of elongation of the eyeball, they cannot completely halt the progression, nor can they improve your child’s level of vision.

Are there risks to wearing the lenses?

The risk of wearing myopic control contact lenses are the same as any traditional contact lens.

Full instruction and information will be issued at the start of treatment to ensure proper cleaning and care of the lenses, if adhered to the potential risks of infections will be minimal.

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What are the costs of the lenses?

There is an initial consultation fee of £25 which covers all the appointments required to ensure a successful start to the programme.

Thereafter there will be a monthly fee of £34.50 which covers the complex myopia control lenses, solutions, all further appointments, examinations, tests and a host of other premium patient benefits.

It is worth noting that we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the myopic control programme.

What else can I do to slow myopic progression?

Increase the amount of time your child spends outside each day. The brightness of natural light is thought to limit the rate of progression. If possible try and spend over 2 hours outside each day (this can include school break times etc.)

Take regular breaks from close work e.g. they should look away from their desk for a minute or so to change focus, or change tasks every 30-60 minutes to alter the focussing demands on their vision.

Try to limit additional close work (over and above school or work) to two hours per day.

This includes reading, phones, tablets, hand held computer games, drawing, homework and computer work.

There has been a role suggested for vitamin D in the control of myopia and although there is currently no significant evidence to support this, we would suggest that your child may wish to take vitamin D supplements.

Downes Opticians, 2 North Junction Street Leith, EH6 6HN 0131 553 5358

Once Upon a Playtime Once upon a time, children used to meet up with their pals and play outdoors for hours. In the streets, in the parks, on the Links, down the Dell, on any bit of local wasteland.

Messing around, making dens, inventing games, playing let’s pretend…

No hang on – it wasn’t ‘once upon a time’. It was a few decades ago. Children as young as five or six playing out with their chums.

In recent years there’s been a seismic change in the way children spend their leisure hours. This transformation is so recent that we can’t yet know the long-term consequences but – if messages coming from a range of scientific and professional disciplines are correct – the prognosis is not good.

Evolutionary biologists and anthropologists tell us that ‘old-fashioned play’ – active, outdoor, exploratory, social and free from adult direction – has been children’s leisure-time activity since our species began. It’s the way young human beings, in every time and culture until our own, have discovered their own potential, achieved physical coordination and confidence, honed their social and self-regulation skills, and developed emotional resilience.

Experts in child development therefore argue that play is a biological necessity, underpinning lifelong health and well-being. They suggest a link between changes in children’s play habits and recent increases in developmental disorders and a wide variety of physical and mental health problems.

Early years specialists claim that ‘old-fashioned play’ is also an educational necessity, since young children’s embodied experiences – in real time and real space – underpin their ‘common sense’ understanding of the world, upon which formal schooling is built.

Many experts in the teaching of literacy, mathematics and science now support their case.

In fact, there are so many reasons for believing that ‘old-fashioned’ play is essential for the long-term well-being of both children and society that, last year, a group of concerned Edinburgh citizens got together to launch a campaign called Upstart Scotland. “We believe that if children don’t play out when they’re young, it’s all too easy for sedentary screenplay to become their default activity as they get older. So, to reverse the trend, it’s now necessary to provide these opportunities through childcare and educational facilities”.

They are urging the Scottish government to introduce a ‘kindergarten stage’ for children between the ages of three and seven, focusing on their all-round development and opportunities for plenty of outdoor play, especially in natural surroundings.

This doesn’t mean changing children’s entitlement to education and care, merely a change of ethos in the formative years up to seven. It’s a system that works very successfully in Nordic countries, where it’s helped maintain outdoor play at the heart of childhood (and, incidentally, contributed to some excellent educational outcomes too).

You can find out more about our aims, check out some of our supporters and access our evidence base on www.upstart.scot.

We hope you’ll be interested enough to sign up for our newsletter, and/or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. But, above all, we hope you’ll help us spread the word that outdoor play is far too important to be relegated to ‘once upon a time’.

Sue Palmer is Chair of Upstart Scotland and author of ‘Upstart: the case for raising the school starting age and providing what the under-sevens really need’ (Floris Books) City of Edinburgh Council has approved a pilot scheme which will allow residents to apply for up to five free road closures. The closures will allow children to play and residents to socialise until the end of August 2017 on streets free of vehicles.

Applications can be made via an online form where full guidance and instructions are given. The team of residents that make up Edinburgh Playing Out are urging those interested to apply as soon as possible as the application process and approval will take up to 6 weeks.

This is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together and experience their street free of vehicles as it would have been 50 years ago!

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Hurrah - It’s Here.... Summer I think it was the February break when I first got an email from a

Summer Holidays at SASCS Sciennes Primary School 10 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1LG

Mon 3rd to Fri 28th July

SU MM ER CA MP

8.30am - 5.30pm

Sports Camp Children who have completed P4 and up (aged 9+years).

A range of different sports and outings to local venues such as the Commonwealth Pool and Meadows Tennis Courts.

Holiday Care Children aged 4.5-12+years (primarily aimed at ages 4.5 -8years) Holiday Care offers a range of staff supervised and staff delivered activities daily. We can accept pre-school children who are due to start school in August 2017.

Watch out for our activity programme for more details!

Please book online at www.sascs.org.uk before midnight on Monday 26th June 2017 SASCS is the trading name of Sciennes School After School Care Scheme Registered Scottish Charity Number: SCO23891

This summer the Step It Up Dance team are offering Monday 17th - Friday 21st July you a fantastic, fun filled holiday camp. Each day will Monday 24th - Friday 28th July involve lots of dancing (including popular new style Acro Monday 31st July - Friday 4th August Dance), graffiti arts & crafts, team games, creative tasks Monday 7th - Friday 11th August and loads of active fun so expect to see lots of smiling TIMES: 9.30am – 3.30pm each day faces at pick-up time (and lots of early bedtimes!) Camps (Please email hello@stepitupdance.co.uk if you are running at Broughton High School and are suitable for require an early drop off option) children currently in P1 - 7.

Prices: £95 full week/ £25 single days Each child will also receive their own exclusive SIUD summer camp t-shirt to take home Plus new for 2017 Step It Up Dance will be running *Portobello summer camps* weeks commencing 24th & 31st July,- email hello@stepitupdance.co.uk to register your interest now!

Kidscene After school And holidAy club Kidscene provides after school and holiday care to children aged 4-16, with and without disabilities.

We especially welcome children with a visual impairment and we reserve a number of spaces for partially sighted and blind children. Our recently refurbished premises are within the Royal Blind School campus in Morningside, Edinburgh.

Our facilities include a messy room, a play room and a kitchen, all with full disabled access.

Our play room includes a chill out zone, imagination area, construction area, computer and console games, board games and puzzles and sensory area. We also have access to the Royal Blind School’s facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory garden, soft play area and outdoor multi-use games area.

Please visit www.royalblind.org/child-care for fees and more information.

tennis summer cAmps

pentlAnds Activity cAmps (pAc)

July and August (8 weeks).

Monday to Friday from 10am.

Pentlands Activity Camps (PAC) offers outdoor adventure and healthy, fun-filled multi-activity day camps for children during school holidays.

Choose as many weeks, days and hours as you want. The more hours, the cheaper.

• Weekly discounts.

• LTA accredited coaches and leaders.

• Indoor facilities.

• Extra activities available.

• Recovery system for missed lessons.

• Optional lunch time (bring your own food).

Waverley Lawn Tennis Squash & Sports Club. 22 Suffolk Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5NJ.

From 10th July – 11th August, PAC is back at Netherurd House, Blyth Bridge, in the beautiful Peeblesshire countryside, only 30 minutes south of the Edinburgh.

Netherurd is perfect for PAC – its natural woodlands, stream and wideopen fields create a wonderful playground where children can explore and enjoy ‘good old-fashioned fun’ – den-building, pond-dipping, tree-climbing, hide and seek...and much, much more!

We also have various PAC Specialist Camps running this summer including bushcraft, cooking, drama and football.

PAC welcomes all school-age children.

Our website gives you more information and a flavour of who we are and what we do: www.pentlandsactivitycamps.co.uk Or call Lindsay on 07718 933725 or email: info@pentlandsactivitycamps.co.uk

doodles Children's Summer Clay Workshops at Doodles "Crazy Cactus Fun!" Week 1: 18th - 21st July Week 2: 31st July - 4th August.

10.30am -12pm daily, £55 per week. Includes mid morning drink and snack.

We will be having lots of messy creative fun with clay and glaze all with a funky Cactus dessert theme.

Call us on 0131 229 to book your child's place. Recommended for children age 7 and up.

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Camps & Activities parent asking me about Summer camps - apologies for the delay! little shAKespeAre compAny This fun camp will give young actors the opportunity to develop a range of skills culminating in an Edinburgh Fringe production of Macbeth by the Little Shakespeare Company.

It is suitable for all young people, aged 9 upwards, and of all abilities. This is an excellent opportunity for children to develop their confidence, skills and creativity in a fun environment while taking part in a professional theatre production.

The Summer Camp will run from 31st July – 5th August in Musselburgh, and the Fringe Show from 7th - 12th August at the Royal Scots Club (technical rehearsal on 6th).

Little Shakespeare Company

Little Shakespeare Company also offers weekly drama classes.

Fun Summer Camp culminating in an Edinburgh Fringe production of Macbeth

To book, please contact Linda (07738304128, linda.cessford@littleshakespearecompany.co.uk by 1st June. Places are filling up fast so early booking recommended!

live drAmA

sAscs summer schemes

Twelfth Annual Summer Drama Project: 3rd - 14th July 2017. Southside Community

Mon 3rd to Fri 28th July 8.30am-5.30pm Sciennes Primary School,10 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LG Sports Camp: Children who have completed P4 and up (aged

Centre, Nicolson Street EH8 9ER Join us for this intensive two week project where you will learn new skills, make new friends and create a high quality show which will be performed to the public at the end of the project.

“This is so much fun! You learn loads of new skills, you gain confidence from performing, and you create a play to be proud of. I love it!” Participant feedback 2016 9.30 - 12.30 Monday to Friday (optional afternoon workshops from 7/7) Costs £95 for 2 weeks (20% sibling discount.

Limited subsidised placed at £40 also available) The project is suitable for those aged 10 - 18 years

Application form: info@livedrama.co.uk Further info: Rebecca Kilbey 07944 757083

Contact: 07738 304128

9+years). A range of different sports and outings to local venues such as the Commonwealth Pool and Meadows Tennis Courts.

Full Day: £25.00; Full Day Trip: £28.00 Holiday Care: Children aged 4.5-12+ years (primarily aimed at ages 4.5-8years). Holiday Care offers a range of staff supervised and staff delivered activities daily. We can accept pre-school children who are due to start school in August 2017.

Full Day: £20.00; Half Day: £12.00; Trip: £25.00 Schemes are run by experienced and qualified staff.

We also organise full day trips – Watch out for our activity programme for more details!

Please book online at www.sascs.org.uk before midnight on Monday 26th June 2017.

midlothiAn snowsports Skiing, Snowboarding and Tubing are all available at Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Britain’s largest artificial slope. Escape the city and visit the stunning hillside of the Pentlands Hills Regional Park.

Our 5 day junior summer ski and snowboard camps are running weekly from 10th July – 11th August.

We offer a range of ski and snowboard lessons for all ages from beginners to advanced and everything in between... and there’s no need to worry about equipment as we supply it all, even down to poles and helmets. For an exhilarating ride down the hill, slide down our purpose built tubing runs in an inflatable doughnut ring, fun for all the family! Open most days during the summer holidays. Fancy a party with a difference? Why not try a Tubing party? Enjoy an hour of tubing and a party meal. We even supply a free party bag! Call: 0131 445 4433 or email ski@midlothian.gov.uk

Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend, Biggar Road, Edinburgh EH10 7DU

dAnce bAse summer school

Bring the noise for these fun filled sessions of dance, percussion and animation! Young dancers will shake, rattle and roll while making friends and learning new skills, before sharing their work in front of family and friends at the end of the week.

Price: £125 (Discounted rate of £100 is available for a second child accompanying a family member).

10/07/2017 - 14/07/2017 (10:00 - 17:00) For ages 7 - 12

Call 0131 225 5525 to book www.dancebase.co.uk

totAl rugby Summer Rugby Coaching Camps for 5 to 16 year olds.

TotalRugby is open to players of all abilities, providing a great introduction to rugby, or an opportunity for skill development, but most importantly a fun way to spend the holidays with friends or make some new ones.

The weekly structure to our coaching uses the key components of rugby based around the central theme of having fun. Attack, defence, contact and game play are among some of the components included, as well as our daily coaches challenge. Leadership exercises also help promote responsibility, communication and trust.

3 weeks of 5 day long camps - Monday 24 July through to Friday 11 August 10am to 3.30pm - £150 per week Fettes College Playing Fields, Edinburgh, EH4 1QX (indoor facilities available if required)

For more information visit www.totalrugby.org or contact us at info@totalrugby.org

mAgic school The hugely popular Magic School is back this summer offering budding young wizards the chance to graduate from the world’s most mysterious school with a 5-day course or one-off workshop.

Make new friends and have lots of fun along the way as Headmaster Gary James teaches you how to create and perform your very own spellbinding tricks to take away and impress friends and family with.

Each day focuses on a different area of magic and performance, from levitating illusions to disappearing card tricks, with a graduation ceremony on the final day.

The last three years have been a complete sell-out so book tickets early to avoid disappointment. Ages 7-10 Magic School 3rd – 7th July 2017, Quaker Meeting House One-off Magic School Workshop • £18 5-Day Magic School • £90

For further details and bookings please visit www.magicfest.co.uk or call box office 0131 226 0006

Experience TotalRugby’s fun filled rugby skills, games and challenges. Players aged 5 to 16 and of all levels are welcome. www.TotalRugby.org or contact us at info@totalrugby.org

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Summer Camps & Activities whizzKids Whizzkids is offering a range of computer courses this summer for children aged 5 and up.

In the ever-popular Raspberry Pi course children can learn the basics of the pocket-sized computer including programming Minecraft through the Python language, setting up LEDs and buzzers and creating fun games. With lots of new activities those who have already attended the course can come back to develop their skills further. Those new to coding might like the Scratch course. Children can make fun games and animations with the easy-to-use Scratch programming language. If coding’s not for you then there’s desktop publishing, project creation, PowerPoint, touch-typing, computer art, educational games and a general computer skills course.

For the more advanced there’s the OCR ITQ course which leads to a computing qualification.

For further details on the courses, or to book, please e-mail gillian@whizzkids.uk.com, see the website at www.whizzkids.uk.com or call 0131 447 5893.

excel sports AcAdemy Excel Sports Academy run 6 weeks of holiday camps in July and August and a 1 week camp in October. Have a look at our website www.excel-sports.co.uk and book online. We run the camps at St Georges School campus in Murrayfield and welcome children aged 5 -15 years. Led by our friendly and experienced staff and sports coaches, the children follow a structured timetable each day. Our Excel+ camps include Art, Tennis, ComputerXplorers, Canoeing, Rock school, Swimming and Diving - just a few of the activities we offer.

New for 2017 - Week 6 Football Qualification camp will allow children to work through different levels towards achieving a qualification – reach level 15 and you can trial for a local football club. Rock school will be at Music Base – a new collaboration for us, which we are hugely excited about. Excel is a place to learn, develop and have fun. The camps are always extremely popular and sell out fast. Come along and join in the Excel Experience.

3rd July – 11th August Summer Camps - All Sports Camps every week and we offer 15 different Excel+ camps over the 6 week summer period.

16th – 20th October Camp OPEN 8AM-6PM | PACKED DAY OF ACTIVITIES: 9AM-5PM

WE ACCEPT CHILDCARE VOUCHERS

edinburgh montessori Arts school Soak up some Montessori this summer at Edinburgh Montessori Arts School Parent and Child Group for birth to three year olds and their significant adults.

July 10th – August 4th Monday – Thursday mornings 9.30am-11.30am.

Come and relax with your little one in our beautifully designed Infant Community environment. Play together, let them explore, and watch their development unfold.

Learn more about the Montessori approach and meet other like-minded families. £5 per session. Discount for second/third child and block bookings. Due to popularity of these sessions

advance booking is essential. office@emaschool.co.uk 0131 672 3851

dndAnce

Jupiter ArtlAnd

summer sessions At rugbytots

Join us for a jam packed of week of Musical Theatre! Dance, Acting and Singing galore! Your

Jupiter Artland offers a great summer programme for all the family. From 2 hour sessions

Our popular Summer camp for 5-7 year olds is back this summer at two venues.

young performer can enjoy either or both of the two weeks we have on offer, making friends and enjoying an end of week performance. Oliver is a true original, offering catchy songs and a famously beautiful story!

Hairspray is full of colour and up beat dance routines!

With drop off and pick up around working hours, it’s an ideal week for the long school holidays.

StudioD - Dndance. The Basement, 4 Hutchison Terrace EH14 1QB

to artist-led day-long workshops, from week-long courses to family den building mornings, be inspired by world-class art to create your own sculptures to take home with you!

We also offer a six-week course for 7-10 year olds in May and June on Saturdays from 10-12 full of messy, arty, outdoor play.

31st July - 4th August OLIVER. 7th - 11th August HAIRSPRAY Age 5-12yrs. Doors open 8.30am - 5pm £145 per week (10% sibling discount) Packed lunch required.

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For more information, and to book, visit: https://www.jupiterartland.org/whats-on.

Do you have a birthday party to plan? Celebrate at Jupiter! Choose from Outdoor Adventure, Fairy Kingdom, Woodland Monsters or Den Building and have a party to remember. From £16.95 per child, 5+ yrs.

Trinity Scout Hall from 17th-21st July and the Miller Scout Hall at Cameron Toll from 31st July to 4th August. Cost for the week is £100. Camps will run from 10.00am until 2.00pm with drop off from 9.30am and pick up until 2.30pm. The camps are high energy and fun and structured to ensure that your child's technical understanding and development of skill’s improve, as well as inspiring confidence in their own ability. We aim to improve your child’s passing, catching and kicking through numerous drills and games. Our outdoor Summer holiday term is also back at Roseburn Park, Murrayfield running every Saturday morning from 8th July – 5th August.

9.00am Junior, 9.40am Senior and 10.35am Advanced.

Contact Sandra on 0345 313 3252 or Sandra@rugbytots.co.uk. www.rugbytots.co.uk

Summer Camps & Activities edinburgh dAnce AcAdemy We are now taking bookings for our sixth Summer School!

Last year was fantastic with over 100 students attending. There was much laughter, great friendships forged, lots of fabulous choreography, lasting memories made and a lot of fun had! Lots of tired, happy dancers at the end of each day.

The summer school will be held in the purpose built dance studios at Broughton High School in Edinburgh from Monday 31 July - Saturday 5 August from 9.30am (early drop off can be arranged) - 2.00pm daily. The week is jam packed with activity with workshops in Ballet, Lyrical Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial Jazz and Musical Theatre all finishing with a fabulous event showcasing all the summer school pupils hard work and learnings during their week with us.

If you would like to book a place please either email edinburghdance@aol.com or call 0131 3373402 for further information.

get reAdy for An Action pAcKed summer with enJoyleisure!

Across East Lothian children of all ages can try a new sport, develop their technique or just enjoy being active!

Gymnastics, trampolining, climbing, mini-tennis, multi-sports, badminton and rookie lifeguard are just a few of the activities on offer within enjoyleisure’s action packed Summer Activities Programme.

Plus, the FREE CHILD SWIMS promotion is back for another year, offering under 18s the chance to swim for free between 11am – 4.30pm Sun 2nd July to Sat 12th August in each of East Lothian’s pools, including Dunbar Leisure Pool!

Under 26 and a keen golfer? Grab your clubs and head to Musselburgh Links or Winterfield Golf Course, Dunbar where you can enjoy not just a whole summer but a whole year’s worth of golf for as little as £31!

For full details of the summer programme visit www.enjoyleisure.com

theAtre sAns Accents School is over! Why not holiday in France... at L'Institut Francais d'Ecosse in Edinburgh?!

A full week of French cultural and linguistic immersion on stage!

Everyday, a different aspect of French language (intonation, accent, vocabulary) and various acting techniques (Improvisation, storytelling, mime, scripts) will be explored in order to enable participants to learn while having fun.

P1-P7: 3/07 - 7/07 Daily 10.00 - 16.00 Full week: £225 (siblings discount) Day places available.

Teens (12+) : 9/07 -14/07 Daily 10.00 - 17.00 Full week: £275 (siblings discount) Day places available.

EARLY BIRD OFFER: Book by 31/05/17 to get a 15% discount!

Young people will work towards an end of week performance that they will have devised for their friends and family.

No pressure, no exams just the best of both worlds: arts and languages! All levels welcome!

Enquire now and book your place at hello@theatresansaccents.co.uk

dAnce for All Dance For All’s popular Summer School is an energy filled, fun-packed week of dance and musical theatre. Curious about what Dance For All has to offer?

Their Summer School is a great way to find out (open to pupils & non-pupils alike). Suitable for 6 to 16yrs, it’s a chance to experience different forms of dance (including jazz and street), choreography and musical theatre, culminating in an exciting performance experience at the end of the week.

Led by Dance For All’s inspirational teachers, DFA’s Summer School is a great opportunity to explore creativity through movement and song, fun and games.

DFA Summer School 7th – 11th August 2017 10.00am-3.30pm (doors open at 9.30am) £140 (10% off for each subsequent sibling) “It’s never boring, always fun and you make life-long friends.” ~ Aimee, 15-year-old pupil (12 years with DFA).

Call 0131 226 5533 to book or find out more on: www.danceforall.co.uk/summer-school/

dynAmic eArth summer progrAmmes Young people aged 7 to 13 are invited to come explore with us during our exciting week long programs. Discover the wonders of Holyrood park, a unique wild space in the heart of Edinburgh. The week long programs offer participants the chance to learn all about the parks past, present and future through an engaging mix of outdoor activities, scientific investigation, practical conservation, team games and more. The core activities will run between the hours of 10:00 and 16:30 and cost £165 for the 5 days. Early drop off can be made from 8:30 and participants must be picked up by 17:30.

Young Explorers: 7 – 9 year olds: * Week One: 17th - 21st July 2017 - SOLD OUT * Week Two: 7th - 11th August 2017 Outdoor Academy: 10 - 13 year olds: 24th - 28th July 2017

www.dynamicearth.co.uk

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Out&About

Further details on events listed can be found at www.familiesonline.co.uk While every care has been taken to compile the OUT AND ABOUT section please remember that this magazine is printed weeks ahead of some of the events. PLEASE call and check events with the venue to avoid any disappointment before setting out. If you have any events you would like listed free in this section please email them to editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

ly 31st Ju t us g 5th Au

MAY

Summer Schools Dancing, Singing, Acting, Prop making.

Plus end of week performance!

Age 5 - 12 years. Doors open 8.30am - 5pm.

Classes 9.30am - 4pm

07545 551271 nicky@dndance.co.uk DNDance Studios, The Basement, 4 Hutchison Terrace. EH14 1QB

Every Sunday Filmhouse Junior Screenings Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh Films for a younger audience, weekly on Sundays at 11am. Please note: although we normally disapprove of people talking during screenings, these shows are primarily for kids, so grown-ups should expect some noise! 11:00-13:00 / £4.50 tickets for all, big or small!

1 May Artie's Tartan Tales Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh. Singing and story fun at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Artie Trezise returns to TradFest with a brand new show which includes songs from his Singing Kettle days and brand new adaptations of traditional stories. 11am (1hr) / Full Price - £8.00 Concession £6.00 Family of 4 - £24 Storytelling Centre Supporter - £5.50 1 May Story Blanket Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Join storytellers Beth and Andrew and choose your own tale from their Story Blanket.

You might meet an artistic tortoise, a shape-shifting witch, a goat that fibs or some very unwelcome trolls - it's up to you! 3pm (1hr) 2 - 6 May Running Wild Kings Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edinburgh This epic and spectacular production tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss, loyalty and of living for the moment.

Every Wednesday Magic Carpet 10:30–10:55, 11:30–11:55.

Free (sign up on the day at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall) Suitable for ages 2-4 (plus accompanying adult). Take a trip on the Magic Carpet to explore the fantastic things in the National Museum of Scotland. The events introduce little ones to objects in the Museum through 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities.

Every Thursday Magic Carpet Minis 10:30–10:50, 11:30–11:50. Free (pre-book 10:30 session from day before or sign up for 11:30 session on the day in the Entrance Hall).

Suitable for ages 0-2 (plus accompanying adult).

Magic Carpet Mini sessions are especially for really young children and their carers.

Come along for songs, stories, rhymes and objects in the unique museum setting.

Every Friday Feely Friday 13:30-16:30. National Museum of Scotland Free (drop in). Discover strange and wonderful objects from our handling collections every Friday during term time.

6 May Grange Fair Newington Library, Fountainhall Road, EH9 2LW A community event and fun day out for the family.

Live bands, Food - ice cream, hotdogs, noodles, Games, Plant stall, Books and DVDs, Craft stall, Calligraphy, Bouncy castle, Wine tasting and more! 1- 4.30pm

Skiing rding Snowboa Tubing

Starts 6 May Littlesparks Saturdays Six week course for 7-10 yrs, 10-12am, £66 www.jupiterartland.org Join us for a combination of outdoor learning and indoor art activities based on our permanent collection, temporary summer exhibitions and woodland environment.

The sessions will encourage the development of creativity skills using a child-centred approach. There will be emphasis on developing specific art techniques and processes, such as drawing techniques or printmaking. Each learner by the end of term will have a repertoire and understanding of these creative methods and will be able to refine and experiment with them over the six weeks.

6 - 7 May Mini Makers: Mini Engineers Learning Centre, Level 4, National Museum of Scotland 11:00-11:40, 14:00-14:40 Free, booking required (online booking available from one week before. One ticket required per child. One ticket admits 1 child plus their adult helper.) Become a Mini Engineer and help us fix the clock that won’t tock! This is a hands-on activity session for 3-5 year olds plus their adult helper.

7 May Art Maker For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Gallery 2-4pm. Free, drop-in.

Join the Art Maker Club and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser.

ard camps running bo ow sn d an i sk er m 5 day sum ly – 11th August 2017 weekly from 10th Ju lidays y during the school hos da y er ev en op ns ru Tubing ll and 4 year All tubers must be

at least 1 metre ta

Call: 0131 445 4433 http://ski.midlothian.gov.uk • Email:ski.midlothian.gov.uk Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend, Biggar Road, Edinburgh EH10 7DU

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13 May Balgreen Playgroup Summer Fair Balgreen Bowling Club, 167 Balgreen Road.

Teas, coffees, homebaking, Facepainting, Balloon Crafts, Bouncy Castle, Raffle, Tombola, Bottle stall and many more stalls selling toys, books, clothes and crafts. 11am - 2pm.

Entry by donation. Suggested donation: £2.00 adult and £1.00 child.

13 May Wee Treasures For ages 2-4 at Scottish National Portrait Gallery 10.30am & 11.30am. Free, drop-in.

Join us for storytelling for early years children and their families inspired by a different portrait each month, and delve into our magic treasure chest to find out what the story will be.

Places limited, sign up on the day.

including any contact or further booking information.

14 May If you go down to the Woods Today Teddy Bears' Picnic Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh Join us for a day of magical teddy activities and special tea parties. Remember to bring a picnic. Booking essential www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/lauriston-castle-ifyou-go-down-woods-today-teddy-bears-picnic 10am - 1pm / £7 per person 14 May Portrait Detectives! For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Portrait Gallery from 2-4pm Free, drop-in. Collect your kit, follow clues and solve a mystery from history! ©Manuel Harlan

Out&About 21 May Akitsushima (Land of the Dragonflies) Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh Booking essential www.usherhall.co.uk/whatson/lauriston-castle-akitsushima-land-dragonflies Hear Japanese stories and legends in our beautiful Japanese garden underneath the Blossom trees. Then make a dragonfly or butterfly out of willow and tissue as a special keepsake to remind you of your day. With Mike Durnan. 10.30am / £4 21 May Bags of Art For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art - MOD ONE 2-4pm. Free, drop-in. Collect a bag of activities from the art station to help your family explore the collection and create your own artworks. Led by artists Tessa AsquithLamb and Louise Fraser.

27 May Family Ceilidh Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Enjoy ceilidh fun with the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Come with family and friends to dance well-known Scottish dances and sing well-known songs. All the dances will be called and there will be easier circles for the littler ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. £5 per person

15 - 20 May Fantastic Mr Fox Kings Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edinburgh Fantastic Mr Fox is family fun at its finest. A tale of greed, pride and the power of friendship, this flagship production for the Roald Dahl 100 celebrations promises a huge theatrical feast with live music and songs, ideal for the whole family.

16 May Tiny Tales: Porridge Pots Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Join storyteller Tanya Milligan for a delicious morning of porridge based stories, songs and parachute games in the Storytelling Bothy. Lots of fun and imagination for little ones and their adults. Please book in advance. 2-5yrs. 10am & 11.30am (40mins) £5.00 20 May Edinbrick - A Lego Model Show Summerhall, Summerhall Place, Edinburgh The first ever Edinbrick - a LEGO show is coming to Edinburgh! You can expect displays from builders from throughout Scotland (and maybe even beyond), build areas, activities & a very special LEGO 'Pokemon' hunt. All ages welcome! All profits raised from this event will go to Fairy Bricks - a charity which brightens the lives of sick children through Lego and will be kept in Scotland.

Tickets are available on the door or in advance at Wonderland Models on Lothian Road, Edinburgh. 10.30am - 4.00pm / £2.50 5 - 99 years old and free for under 5's

27 - 28 May Traquair Medieval Fayre www.traquair.co.uk The old Walled Garden will be transformed into a Medieval market with living history displays of everything from making chain mail armour to medicinal remedies.

You can have a go at longbow archery, try out the stocks or see how medieval torture instruments were used!

Traders and demonstrators will include willow working, medieval forge, bodging and spoon making as well as merchants’ selling costumes, jewellery, children’s costumes, pottery and other crafts.

There will be a great lot of activities for children, medieval music will and food.

28 May Mangles, Maids and Mops Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh The Reids and their guests are about to travel to the Continent, leaving the staff to clean the house from top to bottom. Are they up to this task? And why is cook so angry with the gardener? Booking essential. www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/lauriston-castlemangles-maids-and-mops 1pm, 2pm and 3pm / Adult £5 (£6.50), Child £3 (£4.50), Family £12.50 (£17) (Price in brackets includes afternoon tea)

Beano the Clown Magic, Balloons, Songs & Games -5s & +5s, 1hr & 2 hr,

Tel: 07948-070 569 Web: Beano.theclown.free.fr

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Out&About JUNE 2 June Fiddlesticks Summer Concert The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh Fiddlesticks Orchestra East Lothian presents an evening of lively entertainment for all of the family. Our repertoire of rock, pop, folk and film music is blended with summer themes along with some Scottish and Irish favourites and our very own version of the Muppet Show! 7.30pm / £12 (£7) £5 under 12 3 June Pond Secrets Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh Come along to our beautiful pond in the Japanese Garden at Lauriston for a pond dipping workshop to discover the different creatures that live there. Create your very own wooden sailing boat to sail in the pond. With Mike Durnan.

Booking essential www.usherhall.co.uk/whatson/lauriston-castle-pond-secrets 10.30am - 12.30pm / £4 per person 3 June Family Fun Day at The Queen's Gallery 1 - 4pm.

Join us at The Queen's Gallery for an afternoon of family fun. Join British entomologist and TV presenter George McGavin to discover more about the fascinating world of insects. Get one of Maria Merian's butterflies painted on your face and fly your way around the exhibition and join our resident artist Gemma Coyle for an exciting art activity. This drop-in activity is free with your exhibition ticket or 1-Year Pass. Suitable for all ages.

COME BACK FOR FREE! Once you have bought a ticket from us, you can use it to come back for FREE for a year! A great way to fill the school holidays at no extra cost!

4 June Art Maker For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Gallery 2-4pm. Free, drop-in.

Join the Art Maker Club and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser.

5 June BYOB - Bring Your Own Baby - A Perfect Chemistry | Photographs by Hill and Adamson Ages 0-1. Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

10am-12noon. Free, drop-in.

Join us for a fun, relaxed morning planned especially with parents and carers of young children in mind. Enjoy special offers and family-friendly facilities in the café and sign up for one of our short buggy/baby-friendly art tours for adults.

Places for tours limited, sign-up on the day. Enter through Portrait Gallery main entrance.

Further details on events listed can be found at www.familiesonl

10 June The MoonWalk Scotland Holyrood Park, Queens Drive, Edinburgh Ten year olds and above can take on the New Moon challenge (6.55 miles), starting from the historic Holyrood Park, with walkers being urged to let their imaginations run wild, with the Jungle Safari theme! For those wanting a longer challenge, try the Half Moon (13.1 miles) or Full Moon (26.2 miles) for ages 13 and over. To sign up for Over The Moon (52.4 miles), you must be 18 or over.

Entries are open now at www.walkthewalk.org.

Raise money, Raise Awareness, Get Fit and Have Fun! 20:00 / £15-£48.50 Saturday 10 June Artsparks Saturdays – Andy Goldsworthy 10am-4pm, drop in, free (Artland entrance fee applies) www.jupiterartland.org Join us in our ArtHut for an Andy Goldsworthy inspired day!

Collect leaves and other materials and print your own artworks with them on a fun-filled, messy and colourful day.

10 June Wee Treasures For ages 2-4 at Scottish National Portrait Gallery 10.30am & 11.30am.

Free, drop-in.

Join us for storytelling for early years children and their families inspired by a different portrait each month, and delve into our magic treasure chest to find out what the story will be. Places limited, sign up on the day.

11 June Portrait Detectives! For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Portrait Gallery from 2-4pm.

Free, drop-in. Collect your kit, follow clues and solve a mystery from history!

13 June Tiny Tales: Out of the Blue Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Enjoy Tiny Tales fun at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Storytellers Beth and Andrew take you on an underwater adventure with lots of songs, puppets and bubbles in the Storytelling Bothy. Lots of fun and imagination for little ones and their adults. Please book in advance. 10am & 11.30am (40mins) £5.00 16 June At Lauriston Castle with The Edinburgh Sketcher Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh, 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm / £20 per person In this sketching session, you will get the chance to learn speed sketching skills and time saving solutions which will enable you to capture the world around you in ink and watercolour, no matter how long you have. All materials will be provided, no experience needed.

For booking, contact the Edinburgh Sketcher edinburghsketcher.com/sketching-workshops 17 June Artsparks Saturdays – Nicholas Party 10am-4pm, drop in, free (Artland entrance fee applies) Jupiter Artland, Bennington House Steadings, Wilkieston, Edinburgh Swiss artist Nicholas Party has transformed Jupiter Artland's café into an immersive and fantastical dining experience. Join us in our ArtHut for a drop-in session day of creating your own artworks inspired by Party's work!

17 June FUNBOX: Underwater Adventure King’s Theatre, Edinburgh at 2pm www.edtheatres.com Anchors away with Anya, Gary and Kevin for their all new show. Packed with familiar favourites like My Father Went To Sea, Sea, Sea, and Hole At The Bottom Of The Sea as well as brand new songs. Underwater Adventure – the perfect swimalong singalong treat for kids of all ages! Dress up for the sea - come as a mermaid or a fish!

18 June Father's Day Family Takeover Royal Botanic Garden, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh Enjoy Father's Day with Dads Rock and Friends!

Get hands-on with lots of exciting activities and take the chance to explore the Gardens, find hidden treasures and discover more about one of the richest plant collections in the world. With so much to see and do, start your adventure here! You can drop in for most of the activities. A few have to be signed up for on the day at the John Hope Gateway Centre. 11am - 3pm 18 June Father's day at the Castle Lauriston Castle, 2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh Enjoy a special day for Father's Day at the Castle!

A very special day where we make dads feel very special at the Castle. Spend time with us as a family doing some very lovely things. Bring a picnic with you.

Booking essential www.usherhall.co.uk/whatson/lauriston-castle-fathers-day-castle-2017 10 am - 1 pm / £6 18 June Father’s Day at Doodles We have some great gift ideas to paint in advance of Father's day or bring Dad along on the day and he will receive a complimentary sweet treat and glass of fizz!

Doodles, Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh 18 June Bags of Art For ages 4-12 at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art - MOD ONE 2-4pm. Free, drop-in. Collect a bag of activities from the art station to help your family explore the collection and create your own artworks. Led by artists Tessa AsquithLamb and Louise Fraser.

Family Fun Day at The Queen's Gallery Saturday 3 June 2017 13:00 – 16:00 Join us for an afternoon of family fun inspired by our latest exhibition Maria Merian's Butterflies · Meet the Expert George McGavin • · Art and Craft · Face painting • For full details of events and dates visit ©BBC 2016

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www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson

Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2016. Photographer David Cheskins

COME BACK FOR FREE! Get your ticket stamped on your first visit and come back as many times as you like at no extra cost!

Out&About

line.co.uk including any contact or further booking information.

21 June A Midsummer's Marriage (A comedy) Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh A Promenade play, devised by the members of Edinburgh Living History, set in our enchanting gardens with a summer picnic. Please note, it is a promenade performance and, regrettably, not suitable for anyone with mobility problems. www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/lauriston-castlemidsummers-marriage-comedy-2017 7pm / £20 with a light summer picnic

18th June The Great Scottish Toddle 1.30pm Holyrood Park 2pm Spud and Spoon Race for the little ones • Goody Bag! • Medal and Certificate!

• Entertainment for all the Family!

• Children’s activities and Storytelling To enter and for more information on event times call now 0131 620 0190/07597 094219 or visit the website www.greatscottishevents.org.uk Sponsored by Early Days Nurseries

25 June Art in the Garden Lauriston Castle, Cramond Road South Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh Spend a summer’s day with us in our relaxing gardens and explore a host of art activities. At the end of the day we will have a competition for the best work produced, and you can win some super prizes! Please note this is not a dropin anytime session, it is a structured session lasting the full duration. Book online www.usherhall.co.uk/whatson/lauriston-castle-art-garden 11am - 3pm / £8 per person

30 June - 2nd July MagicFair After a sell-out launch last year, MagicFair returns to Summerhall celebrating the start of MagicFest 2017 with 80 live shows and 20 of the greatest illusionists from around the world.

Under 5s go free to the family-orientated Morning sessions featuring Mini Magic School workshops, six different magic acts including Morgan & West and Tricky Ricky, and Brilliant Beasts where you get to meet lizards, snakes and other creepy critters close up.

Best described as a magic theme park, MagicFair’s one-ticket-in format means you can plan your day and attend various 20-minute shows and drop-in events across the 4-hour session.

Between shows enjoy food, drink and spontaneous close-up magic in the courtyard, make your own wand in the crafting corner, or head to the Ribbon Maze and lose yourself in a jungle of colour. family friendly sessions 10am – 2pm Tickets £14/£12 cons/£8 child/under 5s go free For tickets and full programme of events go to www.magicfest.co.uk or call 0131 226 0006 Book Now! 8 July MagicFest Gala Enter a space where the rules of gravity are bent and broken...

The best illusion and circus acts from around the world assemble to perform a visually stunning and breath-taking flight of fancy, many making their Scottish debuts, at the Magic Festival’s flagship show.

Floating, suspended in space, soaring and shooting through the air... we present a real version of our single most popular dream – flight – in a one-off show, never to be repeated, with host Kevin Quantum.

Highlights of this year’s Gala include Cubic Act and their floating box, the master of mystery and captivating silent suspense Aaron Crow, black art illusionists Les Chapeux Blancs and World Magic Champion Marko Karvo with his dazzling bird act.

Let your imagination fly at MagicFest Gala Show!

Festival Theatre Edinburgh, 2.30pm (matinee) & 7.30pm, Ages 5+, Tickets £24 - £33 For tickets and full programme of events go to www.magicfest.co.uk or call 0131 226 0006

15 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 102

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