Families Edinburgh May/June 2012

Free ISSUE 72 May/June 2012

®

The popular football programme for children Ages 6 months - 5 years Venues in Edinburgh and East Lothian.

Book your free trial and/or block booking now!

SOCATOTS BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR AGES 1-5

call Socatots on 07923 005534 or www.socatots.com/edinburgh&elothian j.smith@socatots.com

Teddy Toddle and Summer Fair Sponsored Walk for Toddlers & Teddies And a fantastic day out for ALL the family Meadowbank Stadium 12noon – 4pm Saturday 16th June 2012

Enter now Call 0131 668 4949 or visit www.edinburghsickkids.org and Come and meet your Cbeebie’s favourites!

Scottish Charity Number SC020862

Professional Tuition in Maths & English Childcare Agency YOU CAN PAY OUR FEES IN CHILDCARE VOUCHERS Our Services Include • Maternity Night/Day Care • Au pairs

• Sleep Consultancy • Postnatal Depression

• Nannies • Babysitters F&F at Tesco

Tax credit and Childcare Voucher Registration

0131 659 5065

leigh@butterflypersonnel.co.uk

www.butterflypersonnel.co.uk

www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Email - editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Tel. 0131 622 0405

Welcome to the May/June issue of Families Edinburgh.

This issue sees us turn 12 years old - Happy Birthday to us! I love that so many local families (including mine!) have been growing up alongside. Not only that but so many fantastic local businesses are supported by you because you use and read Families Edinburgh.

I hope you enjoy this issue and find lots of great things to do with your family and don’t forget to enter our amazing competitions!

Check out our website and facebook page for all the latest news too!

Sarah

p.s. To keep up with demand we are now distributing 19,000 magazines each issue!

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Whats Inside 3–6 7

News and Views Are you making the most of your childcare vouchers?

By Leigh Calder-Brown, Butterfly Personnel

8 10 11 12 – 13 14 – 15

PLU is back!

Parent to Parent Father’s Day Gift Ideas Family Holidays in the UK Anger in Young Children

By Frances Byatt-Smith, The Parent Centre

16

Get Scotland Dancing

By Niki Hutchison, Step It Up Dance

17 Is Your Child Free-Range?

18 – 23 Summer Camps and Activities 24 – 30 Out & About Contact Information: 0131 622 0405 editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk twitter: @familiesedinbur facebook: FamiliesEdinburgh Designer: Kenny Dickson kennydickson7@gmail.com

Cover Information F&F at Tesco Nicole wears T-shirt from £2.50 and Jeans from £5 by F&F F&F Childrenswear Spring Summer 2012 www.tesco.com/clothing

news&views Little Steps under fives offer structured play sessions with art and craft activities, music and dance activities and parent information sessions. Free healthy snack and refreshments for the adults.

All welcome! Just turn up! Cost - £2 per child Launch Day Free - Thursday 10.00am - 11.30am 3rd May at Broomhall Scouthall.

10.00am - 11.30am www.littlestepsgate55.com

Kidscene Integrated After School Club Kidscene is registered with the Care Inspectorate for 30 children from 5-16 years, and is open from 3-6pm Monday to Thursday and 12 – 6pm on Friday’s.

Head of Care, Julie Jamieson, says: ‘Since opening our new Kidscene, integrated after school club in January, we have had an exciting and busy time. We have children attending from local mainstream and Edinburgh Special Schools as well as Royal Blind School children. Activities so far have included swimming, soft play and themed events, celebrating Chinese New Year, Australia Day and Burns Night. Our aim is to provide a safe, secure and relaxed environment for the children in our care and endeavour to provide a relaxed, fun atmosphere along with a diverse range of activities for the children to enjoy. The focus will be on the needs of the children using our service.’ Please phone Lisa Donoghue, manager on 0131 446 3136 for more information or to register your child.

Hamilton School of English Hamilton School of English was established in 1983 and for almost 30 years has operated an international summer school in Edinburgh delivering Young Learner programmes for 12 - 17 year olds.

Being a host. During their time in Scotland, the young people live with Host Families in and around the city of Edinburgh.

Some of the families have been accommodating Hamilton School students for a number of years. Being a host can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. It is a chance to learn about the customs, ideas and values of another culture and share Scottish culture. It is an opportunity to gain lifelong friendships, become part of a global community and promote understanding through intercultural learning. All sorts of people can become hosts; families with young or older children, couples with no children, single parent households and single people. www.hamiltonschool.co.uk

Education & Exercise Classes for Ante & Post natal mums/mum-to-be.

Run by experienced physiotherapists.

Location - Lifecare Centre, Stockbridge.

Please contact Fiona or Karen on 07741107913 www.physiobumps.co.uk

Tea at 94 Tea at 94 is styled on a traditional tearoom but with a modern slant. The shop sells a varied breakfast and lunch selection as well as a wide range of cakes, scones and afternoon tea, which are all made on the premises daily by the owner. “Opening a teashop has always been a dream of mine coupled with a lifelong love of baking” says Michelle. The café has space for buggies and has 2 high chairs and some simple baby changing facilities. Customers can choose from a wide range of loose leaf speciality teas supplied by the Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Company or delicious freshly ground coffee. A children’s menu is also available. Based a stones throw from the Meadows, at 94 Buccleuch Street, Tea at 94 is ideally situated for customers to pop in for a warm welcome and a chance to indulge in some tasty treats. Groups are welcome to have meetings in the shop (currently there is monthly craft club meeting) A Tea Tasting club takes place every 6 to 8 weeks providing a relaxed, informal way to taste some teas, eat cake and have a natter. Dates are posted on their Facebook page (Tea at 94) or follow on Twitter @teaat94

Childways Are you a parent who wants to generate a part-time income helping other parents? Or are you a complementary therapist looking for ways to expand your services and increase your revenue?

Perhaps you're a health professional searching for ways to enhance the work you do with parents and their children?

Regardless of your circumstances, attending our Infant Massage training course will give you the skills and knowledge to successfully teach infant massage to parents and carers. Please give Kate a call if you’d like to know about training with the International Association of Infant Massage in Edinburgh this June on 01379 677335 or email enquiries@childways.co.uk

Edinburgh Zoo is pleased to announce the launch of its first pre-school events schedule this Spring!

Every Wednesday until 20th June there will be a range of fantastic activities on offer for children from six months to five years. Your little ones can indulge their creative side at one of Honey Pot Ceramics messy play sessions. Each session will have its own special fun theme. Jo Jingles will entertain and educate children through interactive song, dance and music sessions. The Imagination Workshop will be on hand with a range of fun arts and crafts activities. Each week will feature a different activity ranging from animal puppets to potato paw prints! Both Jo Jingles and The Imagination Workshop events are free with Zoo admission and for Members. There is an additional £2.00 charge for Honey Pot Ceramics Messy Play Sessions. No booking is required. With just under 1,000 different animals, a variety of eateries, baby changing facilities and now a weekly programme of pre-school events, Edinburgh Zoo is a fantastic destination for mums and dads, grandparents and carers of young children. To find out when each activity is on go to www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/whatson

Breakfast Lunch Speciality loose leaf teas and freshly ground coffee Wide range of homebaking Children’s menu Takeaway Outside catering & venue bookings available. Open 7 days Based a stones throw from the Meadows, at 94 Buccleuch Street Edinburgh EH8 9NH. Find us on Facebook and Twitter – Tea at 94

Artistic Director Julie Mitchell, LRAD, ARAD, AISTD Examiner of The Royal Academy of Dance

Edinburgh’s newest monthly market!

Peruse carefully selected stall holders, have a coffee and cake in Café Camino and the first 50 people through the door receive an eco-friendly bag to put all your fantastic shopping in. If that’s not enough, your £1 entry ticket also includes entry to the raffle where you can win a bottle of wine and a selection of fantastic gifts!! The next market is on Saturday 12th June at Café Camino, Little King Street (just behind John Lewis) between 10 – 4pm info@MarketTreeEvents.com or visit www.MarketTreeEvents.com .

SortmyPC like sorting PC’s, but do understand that people don’t really want to know the ins and outs of what’s wrong with their PC, they just want it fixed! SortmyPC are Edinburgh based, friendly and promise a no jargon, hassle free service. They know their customers are busy people so that’s why they offer house visits (no call out fee), pickup and delivery, or a drop off service. They can fix, supply and set up all manner of IT software and hardware and have pretty much fixed every problem imaginable big and small. Now doesn’t that seem easy? Tel: 0131 477 2644 Email: enquiries@sortmypc.co.uk Visit: sortmypc.co.uk

Music Bugs have a new baby class in Stockbridge. This “Baby Bugs” class will be running in the St.Stephen’s Centre on St.Stephen Street every Wednesday at 2pm and is suitable for all babies from birth to 12 m. The class combines sensory play and stimulation with music, singing and lots of baby/parent interaction. hilary@musicbugs.co.uk 0844 822 1156

EDINBURGH DANCE ACADEMY Branches throughout Edinburgh and East Lothian

EDINBURGH DANCE ACADEMY Edinburgh's Premier Dance School * Ballet * Jazz * Modern * Tap * Drama * Singing A caring environment where pupils achieve their highest potential.

See us in the Pantomime at The Kings Theatre.

EXAM RESULTS 100% PASS RATE

0131 337 3402 www.edinburghdanceacademy.co.uk 4-6 Coltbridge Ave, Edinburgh, EH12 6AH

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news&views song circle singing sessions live music | scottish songs and poems | classic nursery rhymes

Small and friendly • Suitable for babies to 5 years • Exclusive to Stockbridge • Freshly brewed coffee & tea • Flexible booking system Monday - Thursdays: 9.10am and 10.30am sessions Fridays: 9.30am and 11.00am sessions

Booking essential: m: 07973493933 songcircle.gill@gmail.com www.songcircle.co.uk

Little Monkeys are opening the doors to their third Edinburgh Nursery, after school and holiday club in Cramond. Set in its very own Garden of Eden, Little Monkeys Cramond House, a former manor house dating back to 1622 sits regally overlooking Cramond Foreshore. Little Monkeys have spent the winter months returning the bright and beautiful rooms to their former glory, and now spring is with us the gardens are beginning to flourish.

"We have been looking for our third Little Monkeys home for some time and Cramond House has exceeded all our hopes and dreams. The space we can offer children here is exceptional, and the opportunities to play outside are limitless. It's a beautiful and secure place for children to grow and learn. Cramond House, Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ. 0131 336 3089 e: cramondhouse@btconnect.com www.littlemonkeysnursery.com

Take advantage of a Free Assessment!

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

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

A course for women returning to work Are you looking to return to work after a break?

If you want to feel confident about relaunching your career, develop your computer skills and update your CV and interview technique, then The PCT Partnership's 'Women Returning to Work' course, starting in September 2012, is for you. The 10 week course is funded by Skills Development Scotland and is free if you live in Edinburgh/Lothians.

Call The PCT Partnership on 0131 622 6240 or email training@thepctpartnership.co.uk

Catch the magic this summer from 29th June to 6th July! The 3rd Edinburgh International Magic Festival invites innovative and amazing live performers from around the world, giving you the opportunity to enjoy breath-taking magical experiences in theatres around the city.

The 2012 festival programme will be a mix of Classic Magic, Close-up Magic and Mind Reading. And in response to last year’s sell-out Magic and Variety Gala Opening night, there will be an afternoon Gala preview, giving audiences the opportunity to see many of the world’s finest magicians for just £10.

No-one played truant from Magic School last year, it proved so popular, that a brand new five day programme for kids aged 7-10 years old has been created. We can ‘reveal’ that pupils will be taught by a special celebrity guest teacher from BBC’s "Help my supply teacher is Magic" – John the Magician!

From France, the magnificent ‘Voyageurs Egares’ at the Lyceum Theatre on the 30th June promises to be a big hit.

Two characters, who meet by sheer chance on a deserted railway platform, unexpectedly discover a strange key.

They now have a first class ticket for an unavoidable trip into another world; an imaginary place where everything is possible... Booking for the Festival are now open and tickets are available from the Hub box office: 0131 473 2000 or online www.magicfest.co.uk.

We all know the importance of maths and English. It has been widely shown, for instance, that young people with better literacy and numeracy skills are far more likely to succeed in gaining good employment and fulfilling their potential later in life. Kumon’s unique maths and English study programmes are tailored to the needs of each individual child, providing them with transferable skills and the ability to learn for themselves. As a result, children can improve their all-round academic performance and gain the confidence to tackle new challenges both in and outside of the classroom. Take advantage of a Free Assessment at your local centre to find out where on the programmes your child would begin and how their study will be individualised from the outset. www.kumon.co.uk

6 stylish gites fully equipped for a fantastic family holiday in France! Great discounts to Families Edinburgh readers for bookings in May, June and last weeks in July – where possible they can be flexible on arrivals days. Prices starting from 450 for a 2 bedroom and 550 Euros for a 3 bedroom.

What makes this place so special is the setup of all the gites and the safety with in the walled garden. Each of the gites have a patio facing the communal walled garden with toys, fully fenced swimming pool, climbing tree, tree swings, slides, wooden play house and trampoline. There is also a small heated toddler and baby pool. Please quote Families Edinburgh when requesting. For more details contact Dorte on dorte@triliving.co.uk or visit www.livingfrance.org

The wait is over and our beloved ‘commie pool’ has re-opened its doors, following an extensive 2 year renovation and refurbishment which has restored this much loved A-listed building back to its Commonwealth best. With 3 pools, one of which is the only 50 metre pool in the city and can be split into two 25 metre pools when needed, they offer the largest swimming lesson programme in Edinburgh. “Following structured pathways, we’ve got lessons to take you from your first dip in the water right through to club level. We are delighted that our swim (and diving) coaching programme is back bigger and better than before, offering over 150 swim lessons and 20 diving lessons , 7 days per week.

Our lessons can offer something from babies aged 4months and upwards, developing skills at all levels whilst progressing at your own pace; the big thing for us is that you enjoy your time in the water so it’s all about getting the lessons right for you.” Full lesson details and descriptions can be found at www.thecommiepool.co.uk Of course this means that Clambers is open again too! The soft play now has a whole underwater theme, complete with divers cabin and look out tower.

Throughout the three levels of play you’ll find underwater creatures as you voyage through the deep. With junior (3yrs -9yrs), toddler (1 -3yrs) and infant (0 -12mths) zones that make the most of the height and different types of play.

Jupiter Artland Explore Learning is a network of learning centres for children aged 4-14, where children become members and attend regularly once or twice a week. Explore tutors create individual courses to inspire children to develop into confident, successful individuals with the knowledge and skills to succeed in life. Over 500 children regularly attend our Edinburgh centres to gain knowledge and enthusiasm from our team of fantastic tutors. Explore Learning regularly work with schools in the local community. The courses children complete in the centres support them with their work at school and complement the Curriculum for Excellence. As well as offering families a free trial session at one of our centres, we are also excited to announce the launch of our Entrance Exam course in May. Please contact the centre to arrange your visit or to find out more. www.explorelearning.co.uk

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From Saturday 2nd to Saturday 30th June Jupiter Artland are running Saturday drop in workshops. These weekly 2 hour workshops will give children a fun and stimulating activity that will help them to engage with the sculpture at Jupiter. They will be run in the afternoon so children can have the opportunity of looking at the sculpture in the morning and then join the workshop to do a related activity in the afternoon. 2-4pm £6. For more information go to www.jupiterartland.org. Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House steading, Nr Wilkieston, Edinburgh, EH27 8BB

Messy Munchkins Messy Munchkins are delighted to announce new Messy Play sessions at Gambardo, Fountain Park Leisure Complex and North Merchiston Club. For a full list of session times and venues go to www.messymunchkins.co.uk or contact Juliet too book a free trial sessions on 07876542492 or juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk

news&views On the 19th and 20th of May, RSPB Scotland would like to invite you to get back to nature at the first annual Scottish Birdfair! Your little adventurers can enjoy storytelling in the tipi, kite making, face painting, puppet shows, pony rides, learning about international species like tigers and sun bears – and making a mask of their favourite creature! Use your explorer maps to discover the hidden home of the mysterious Higgles in their secret den.

Be prepared to handle bugs and beasties, and wear sturdy shoes for this adventure!

With a farmer’s market, food and drink sampling stations, and over 70 stalls offering you the opportunity to try before you buy, there’s plenty to keep you big kids entertained too! Take part in interactive workshops, forage for exotic food with Ducks Restaurant or simply enjoy a glass of Pimms in the beautiful setting of Hopetoun. Parking is FREE and there’s an hourly shuttle bus from Linlithgow and Dalmeny train stations. KIDS GO FREE! To book your tickets, or for more information, check out the website at www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk.

Fiona is a fully qualified Chartered Senior Physiotherapist and Karen is an experienced Women's Health Physiotherapist and both are qualified Fitback & Bumps instructors.

"I strongly believe the Fitback & Bumps programme is the ideal programme for rebalancing posture and core strength pre and post-natally." Says Fiona Ante Natal Classes: A 4-week exercise and educational programme focusing on understanding the changes your body goes through, the importance of posture, safe and effective exercises in pregnancy and abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises.

You also learn how to physically prepare yourself for labour and learn the invaluable skill of relaxation. The exercises are designed specifically to support your changing body aiming to make you feel better, reduce back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and aid a quicker recovery after the birth of your baby.

You will be supplied with an information booklet so you can continue your exercises at home or at the gym.

Post Natal Classes: A 4-week exercise and educational programme designed to give you all the information you need to regain your figure and fitness after pregnancy and birth.

Specifically looking at how to regain a flat stomach, importance of posture and developing your pelvic floor muscles to support your bladder. You will be taught which exercises are safe to start with and how you can progress your fitness levels.

Classes are 1 hour and incorporates group discussion and exercises.

Both classes are run at the Lifecare Centre, Cheyne Steet, Stockbridge. www.theedinburghpregnancyclass.co.uk

When Helen started Snugglebugs in 2003, she was keen for the group to be as welcoming as possible. When in the planning stages her second daughter was just four months old and it was a perfect opportunity for her to develop a job where she could be with her children and earn money. “What I didn’t expect was the amount of friends I would make along the way, the confidence it would instil in me and the social anchor it would be for a growing number of parents year after year” says Helen.

With the input from parents, early years forums, health visitors and Lottery funding, Snugglebugs has grown and developed to be an entity of its own: A preschool group…with a difference! The sessions are for 0-5 years olds and parents involving music, language, active learning and ethical values such as Fairtrade. Parents also have the flexibility of drop in classes. Snugglebugs encourages the social networking after the class in a relaxed café with play area, allowing the all-important friendships to be formed.

They are currently opening the opportunity to join the Snugglebugs Team! Once you are trained, they will support you to set up at your own pace in your area. There is just a minimal annual charge for running costs to cover promotion in your area, materials and website management.

If you would like to discuss anything, such as Snugglebugs teacher training, weekly session bookings or Birthday Parties, go to www.snugglebugs.org.uk for more information.

Loanhead After School Club Loanhead After School Club and Community Nursery provides quality, affordable childcare for children from 0-16 years, 50 weeks of the year. Open for all school holidays and closures we are the “fourth emergency service” for our parents! Nursery care is provided in our 3 rooms (baby room, 2 year room and 3-5 year room). Sessions are very flexible and tailored to fit in with parents’ needs and also the local school nursery sessions. We provide a caring environment with a focus on child lead play. We offer nutritious meals and are also able to provide a pick up and drop off service for school nurseries in Loanhead and Roslin. We provide a breakfast club and after school club for all schools in Loanhead and Bilston. Breakfast is available from 7am and we provide a healthy breakfast to get the day off to a great start. After School club is available from school finish until 6pm. We also offer an ‘early bird’ service for all P1 children as they settle into school. We also offer a Saturday service from 7am – 6pm. Loanhead After School Club, 5 Mayburn Walk, Loanhead, Midlothian, EH20 9HG, 0131 448 0103

Strawberry Hill Day Nursery Spring has sprung and all the children at Strawberry Hill Day Nursery in Edinburgh have been very busy enjoying the finer weather. The children were able to celebrate Yummy Mummy week in style and raised £325 for the clic charity for children with cancer. The Nursery held events all week leading up to mothers Day culminating in a sponsored walk and bake sale inviting all the mummy’s along to experience nursery life at first hand. Great fun was had by all and the mums enjoyed being at nursery with their children for a change! The Nursery has also recently welcomed a new manager to the fold Tessa who will be pleased to chat with you if you require more information about the childcare we offer.

Please call 0131 6683300 or visit us at www.strawberryhillnursery.co.uk.

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news&views Kip McGrath Do you know how your child is performing with the new curriculum? A FREE assessment at Kip McGrath will provide you with a detailed picture.

Kip McGrath provides professional tuition in maths and English for all ages. We support all levels and abilities and we have a team of caring teachers who are GTC registered.

Our teachers also teach in local schools and have up to date knowledge and experience of the new curriculum. So whether you have a child aged 4 or an older son or daughter studying for standard grades, entrance exams or highers we have both expertise and experience. Our sessions last for 80 minutes and we provide quality feedback at the end of every session. We use proven methods of raising attainment and a small amount of homework is given so that as parents you can see progress at home for yourself.

Find us on Facebook to gain up to date information.

Contact Indy on 01316106110 for a FREE assessment.

Kip McGrath Edinburgh (Central), 1 Huntly Street, Inverleith, Morningside, Willowbrae. email kiptutors.edinburgh@sky.com www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/edinburgh-central.

Calmblue At Calmblue, they are concerned with your whole health and wellbeing both inside and out, believing that health is not simply being free from illness, but is about being well physically, mentally and emotionally.

Calmblue Holistic Therapies opened in March 2012 and is situated just off Morningside High Street, in Canaan Lane, with easy access to parking and main bus routes. The tranquil clinic is stylish, comfortable and homely. A wide range of therapies is on offer including Reflexology, Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, Daoyin Tao, Homeopathy, Indian Head Massage, Psychotherapy, Sports Massage, Energy Healing, Remedial Massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Bowen Technique with regular taster days for all therapies.

Calmblue's small but diverse team of therapists are friendly, compassionate and experienced, each practicing from between ten and thirty years. “Our approach is based on the concept that we can treat you more completely by working as a team”. 0131 446 3709

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Newly launched, easy to use website, mykids2yourkids.co.uk, is the UK's local community to buy and sell all the stuff kids grow out of - from new borns to school leavers. You can advertise for FREE anything from school clothes and logo'd blazers to sports equipment and Scout/Brownie uniforms and everything in between. Plus it's a great place to find good quality second hand children's goods. Children can be fickle, grow fast or simply take up a new sport and hobby every school break! Such activities and even specialist school uniforms can be expensive and, in the current climate, we are all looking to cut back and save some extra pennies along the way. Here's where mykids2yourkids.co.uk can help.

The website is simple and easy to use and offers an innovative way to recycle, reuse, reduce waste and return a profit. There is also the added bonus of 'giving a little back' by donating the profit of your sale to the local PTA for your child's school to benefit. All you need to do is go online, register and upload images of all the 'need no more' goods and clothes from your youngsters. You may even pick up a bargain or two, too! Check out mykids2yourkids.co.uk today.

Talking Tots is here! New for 2012 are our fun, interactive classes for 1 - 5yr olds that help develop confident communication and social skills. Through a range of games, action rhymes, songs, stories and unique language activities (developed by experienced paediatric speech and language therapists) we encourage children to listen, take turns and develop their pre-literacy skills.

Our Summer term started on 16 April and runs for 10 weeks. There are a few places left if you'd like to join part way through the term.

Mondays - St Ninian's Church Hall, Comely Bank, Wednesdays - Gambado Soft Play Centre, Fountain Park, Dundee Street Word is spreading about our classes and we're planning to run a 4-week Summer Talking Tots class (a great introduction to what we do and with a Summer holiday theme!) and introduce a Saturday class.

If you'd like to know more and register your interest please get in touch with Jen Cadger on 07803 820 677 or email jen@talkingtots.info We're also on twitter (@tots_jen) and facebook (under Talking Tots Edinburgh). Why not pop along and 'like' us?

Save money on childcare with KiddiVouchers Want to save money on childcare? Luckily for you, help is at hand. Childcare vouchers, a Government scheme designed to help working parents, can save families hundreds of pounds a year, hassle-free! There are no claim forms, and it only takes 10 minutes to register.

So, how do childcare voucher schemes work?

Childcare vouchers can be provided by your employer, and are usually received instead of part of your salary through a system known as ‘Salary Sacrifice’. Unlike your salary, you don’t have to pay any tax or National Insurance on childcare vouchers, meaning that you can make massive savings. Basic-rate taxpayers can order up to £243 a month of childcare vouchers, while higher-rate taxpayers can order up to £124 a month. You can use childcare vouchers to pay for many types of childcare, including: nurseries, nannies, childminders, before and after-school care, and even holiday play-schemes. All you need to do is register, and then pay your childcare provider with vouchers instead of cash. It really is that simple. For more information about childcare vouchers call KiddiVouchers on 0800 612 4395 or visit www.KiddiVouchers.com.

Are you getting the most from your childcare vouchers?

“We never get out together without the kids, although, after we’ve paid for dinner, a taxi home and then the sitter is it really worth it?” Sound familiar? As a parent of 2 myself I am fully aware of how costly it is to get an evening out and how difficult it is to get good regular reliable babysitters. At Butterfly Personnel you can pay for our Babysitting Service including the hourly rate in childcare vouchers, simply call us with your childcare provider details and we do the rest. All of our staff carry full PVG’s (the highest level of criminal check), they are fully referenced checked and carry Photo ID cards.

The benefits of this service are: 1. You can pay fully in childcare vouchers saving money and thus getting out regularly.

2. Our sitters are all fully PVG and reference checked giving peace of mind 3. We offer a reliable service and can offer an alternative if your sitter is not available.

You can pay all our fees and hourly rates in vouchers (providing you have funds in your vouchers account) including: Nannies, Maternity Nurses and now we are offering an Au Pair service too.

What are childcare vouchers?

Things to bear in mind: You cannot use this scheme if your earnings drop below minimum wage by doing so.

If you are claming working tax credit, you can still benefit from this scheme however contact the WTC help line for advice on 0845 300 3900 to make sure it’s the best option for you.

What can I spend these vouchers on?

You can use these voucher to pay towards your nursery fees, you nannies salary, Childcare vouchers are a benefit offered by employers to assist you with your childcare childminder fees, after school clubs, holiday clubs, and crèches costs, if your employer is offering this perk you can then take part of your salary tax free to pay for your childcare expenses.

Who is eligible?

Both Parents / guardians are as eligible as long as they are in employment (not self employed) and their employers are part of the scheme. What a lot of parents will not know is that voucher benefit can be claimed from the day your first child is born and saved up until needed for childcare costs in the future.

How much will I save?

Generally the amount of tax-free money you can claim from this benefit is between £124 and £486 depending on whether one or both parents are claiming and the tax band they are on. Basically without vouchers you pay more tax, with voucher you pay less tax.

How do I receive them?

When your funding request has been approved you will be emailed your vouchers or For further information Butterfly Personnel’s babysitting services and any other messages informing you that your account has been credited with your funds. This can services they provide please call 0131 659 5065 or be weekly or monthly as you require and used to pay for childcare costs. You can email enquiries@butterflypersonnel.co.uk alternatively save it to use later.

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www.pluedinburgh.co

Anne Young BSc RN CBMI MIFPA Mobile: 07811 073 202 Email: anne@babycalm.co.uk www.scents-of-wellbeing.co.uk 25 Inverleith Row, Edinburgh. EH3 5QH

Dance classes for healthy, happy bodies and minds breakdancing ■ hip hop ■ cheerleading ■ street dance ■

Step It Up Dance Parties also available!

lu is back! Having had a year off last year, this wonderful 3-day festival for parents with children aged 0-6 returns from Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd June at its regular venue on Leith Links. Once again the programme is packed with activities, theatre, music and sport for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Admission is free, as are many of the activities on offer.

P

Big names this year for the 3-6s include a fruit and vegetable-growing activity with Cbeebies’ Mr Bloom and a show from Hi5 members Luke and Emma, while slightly older children get to enjoy fun and games with the dymanic due of Nickelodeon and Toonattiks, Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers. Tickets are available from 10am on Thursday 10th May. Familiar favourites are there, too, such as the maggot race in the science tent, spiders and snakes from Butterfly & Insect World, and a pet Cuddle Corner from 5 Sisters Zoo on Saturday and Sunday. There’s also the amazing storytelling tipi, offering 30-minute sessions throughout the weekend, including top authors – all free, although a ticket is required for authors.

But it’s not all about the children – parents in need of respite can escape for a short reduced-rate relaxation therapy or beauty treatment in the therapies tent, or chill out with a coffee in Sales Pitch. Sales Pitch also has a wide range of products and services, plus a running schedule of demos and live music throughout the weekend.

Plu is organised and staffed by volunteers and is always looking for help so if you can spare a couple of hours, download a volunteer registration form from their website and email it to info@pluedinburgh.co.

There is so much to see and do at PLU! Lots of classes and products you read about in Families Edinburgh will be there, including these:

CeilidhKids, who specialise in very simple child-friendly dances for the whole family to traditional Scottish music will be inviting you to join them as they skip, jump, clap and twirl.

Food Monsters FREE demo will be on Sunday Welcoming pay-as-you-go classes for 0-5 yr olds and parents.

Come and join in the fun with songs, puppets, parachutes and musical instruments with a special visit from the Twinkle Fairy puppet with her little helpers - and a sprinkling of “sharing and caring” dust!

Also now open to Birthday Party Bookings!

tel: 07896 889323 email: info@snugglebugs.org.uka www.snugglebugs.org.uk

3rd June at 11.30am in the Sales Pitch area. They will do fun interactive stuff with healthy food, and a display of resources will give you ideas to help your family enjoy good food. www.foodmonsters.co.uk

Abi, from Small Print, will be there every day joining in the fun with a full display of lovely handmade silver fingerprint jewellery. She'll be taking prints throughout the festival so this would be the ideal time to treat yourself and to get Dad something very special for Father's Day. (booking recommended - 077477 07527)

Messy Munchkins are running taster sessions to give children the opportunity to get creative without worrying about the mess! They will explore creative play in a fun environment whilst learning to master everyday skills. www.messymunchkins.co.uk

Snugglebugs would love it if you joined them in their contact: Aileen Finlay

0131 662 9834 ailie@jetsam.wanadoo.co.uk

Messy Play activity classes for under 5’s – at various venues around Edinburgh!

Crucial early learning All the mess without the stress Fun, exciting and safe Precious quality time

songs, games, puppets and music. There will be a taster session for 0-5 yr olds and their parents on Friday 1st June at 4 pm. Their Twinkle Fairy is excited to meet you all! www.snugglebugs.org.uk

MusicBugs East Edinburgh will be offering a series of taster sessions on Friday 1st June and you can come and find out more about our Music Bugs classes, Baby Bugs, our parties, nursery sessions and workshops.

Enter our free prize draw to win some fabulous Music Bugs prizes. www.musicbugs.co.uk/classes/edinburgheast

Step It Up Dance will be hosting a Parent & Child Breakdance session where kids age 4-6 can learn some basic breakdance moves & everyone will leave having learnt at least one cool trick! www.stepitupdance.co.uk Enjoy-a-Ball is a multi sports coaching programme for girls and boys aged between three and nine – come and find out more and have a go! www.enjoy-a-ball.com

Ailie Finlay from Flotsam and Jetsam Puppets and Stories specialises in storytelling and puppets for the very young. She visits parties, schools, nurseries, libraries and festivals with her puppet basket brim full of her cheerful puppet friends and intriguing hand-made props. With the help of funding from Creative Scotland she has also developed a delightful programme of multi-sensory storytelling for children with additional needs and their friends and families: cold fish, woolly sheep, things that snap, crackle and pop!

Anne from Baby Calm will be giving a talk at 11.30am on Saturday 2nd June www.scents-of-wellbeing.co.uk HoneyPot Ceramics will be holding a messy play session. www.honeypotceramics.com

Louisa from Picture House Studios will be there with some of her fab, award winning photography. www.picturehousestudios.co.uk

A - Star Sports offer inclusive, developmental multi-sports coaching for children aged 2-10 years and will be providing taster sessions. www.a-starsports.co.uk Dynam-nic is offering a short taster of Street, Ballet and Tap. Meet our fabulous Street instructor Simon and get a feel for our fun and relaxed dance classes. www.dndance.co.uk

Spanish Amigos will have a 45 minute taster session for children age 2 to 5 at the on Saturday 2nd June at 1330. Children will be accompanied by parents to take part in the class which will teach Spanish through games and songs. www.spanishamigos.co.uk Socatots will be doing trial classes for pre School children and their adults at PLU this year. Socatots is designed to give children their very first start with football, learning to be comfortable on the ball and laying the foundations for a better all round future footballer. www.socatots.com/edinburgh&elothian

For class details please visit our website

www.messymunchkins.co.uk To book a trial class please contact Juliet on 07876542492 or email juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk

8 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

There is so much more so keep an eye on their website for more details and daily diaries www.pluedinburgh.co

How much do you really love us?

(Be honest!)

READER SURVEY

any readers have told us Families is the only local publication they read - thank you! However, we don't want to rest on our laurels. We want to know what you think - what you like, and what you'd like more - or less - of. Please fill in and return our questionnaire for your chance to win a fabulous prize!

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M

1. How much of each issue do you read? ❏ All of it from cover to cover ❏ More than half ❏ Just the articles which catch my eye 2. Which element is the MOST USEFUL OF ALL (tick max two) ❏ Articles ❏ List of holiday activities ❏ Lists of clubs and classes ❏ What‘s On in your area ❏ Children’s party venues and entertainers ❏ Adverts ❏ Local news 3. How often do you contact advertisers you’ve seen in Families? ❏ Often ❏ Occasionally ❏ Never 4. Which advertiser type have you contacted after seeing them in Families? ❏ Nursery ❏ School ❏ Children's activity club ❏ Nanny/Au Pair/babysitting agency ❏ Health practitioner/therapist ❏ Party supplier ❏ Parenting course ❏ Photographer ❏ Private tutor ❏ Holiday/family hotel ❏ Cleaner/hairdresser/gardener 5. Online how do you find most of your family-related information? (about local nurseries, schools, clubs and classes, local news and events etc) Tick all relevant to you. ❏ I mostly use www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk ❏ never use www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk ❏ I mostly Google randomly ❏ I mostly visit other sites such as

6. In your opinion which category of information do you find the hardest to find online? ❏ A really good searchable list of what’s on in my area ❏ Specific parenting articles ❏ Children’s activity classes ❏ Local nurseries and schools ❏ Local plumbers, carpenters etc ❏ More news about my area ❏ To chat to local mums ❏ Book/product/restaurant reviews by other mums ❏ To sell my unwanted stuff Other

7. Tick any that applies to you ❏ I have and use a Facebook account ❏ I have and use a Twitter account ❏ I own a smart phone, I-pad and plan to buy one soon ❏ I use a What’s on app ❏ If so, which one do you like and use?

8. Which age group are you in? ❏ 20 something ❏ 30 something ❏ 40 something ❏ 50 something 9. How would you describe Families?

By filling this survey you will be entered into a drawer to win one of five fantastic family games bundles from Mattel. Worth over £100, each prize is bursting with brilliant board games that are super-fast to set up and play so they can fit into the busiest family’s lives. Games include Scrabble Original, Scrabble Junior, Pictionary, UNO, Angry Birds board game and the new Chameleon Crunch active learning game for kids. Thank you!

Please return your replies by 1st July to Families Edinburgh, PO Box 23802, Edinburgh, EH7 4XL Data will be treated in confidence and details will NOT be passed on to a third party.

If you would like to be entered in the prize draw, don’t forget to include your email address.

Winners will be notified directly. One prize per family. Editor’s decision is final, no cash alternative.

My e-mail: My postcode: If you prefer to enter online please go to our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

9 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Parent

2 Parent

Ruth with Felicity, James and Philippa as taken

by Ben (who didn’t want to ride the merry-go-round!)

Favourite shop: Real Foods on Broughton Street (www.realfoods.co.uk) – it has everything a health conscious mother could ask for and then some!

Favourite park: My children have passed the ‘Let’s go to the park’ but Inverleith Park was always a hit as a park that offers great swings and slides and a pond with swans. If we wanted to make a longer trip Dunfermline Park just across the bridge was always a brilliant Saturday afternoon trip.

Favourite children’s club / class: Mine particularly enjoyed swimming lessons in Leith Victoria swimming pool and are all now much better swimmers than either of their parents!

Favourite day out: These days nothing less than Alton Towers really makes our brood happy, but when they were younger Edinburgh Zoo was always a favourite – especially the penguin parade. A little further afield is Blair Drummond, Scotland’s Safari Park which was always a wonderful treat for the children Favourite child friendly restaurant: With two hungry, growing, twin boys to cater for we have found the Toby Caverys a real boon. A flat rate and as many healthy vegetables as they can fit on their plate and in their stomach.

Bliss.

Proudest eco-friendly moment: Finally training our four children to keep things in separate bins and not throw everything into the nearest……….

No parent should be without: Common sense and a sense of humour.

Parenting pet hates: Family tickets that don’t cover a family with 4 children!

Best planet saving tip: Discover the ‘If You Care’ range of recycled products including aluminum foil, cup cake cases and baking paper – (available in Real Foods). They are particularly useful if you enjoy home baking.

Most embarrassing moment (with child): Having had four children embarrassing moments were legion and I have, happily, blanked them ALL from my memory now that the children have reached an age of discernment!

Parenting high points (what makes it all worthwhile): Watching all our children rally round when my husband broke his right arm a few years ago – they took on many of the household chores that he had been doing including emptying all the bins, washing the dishes (although admittedly we do have a dishwasher) and even preparing meals on the days I was working.

Funniest comment (from child): My blonde and actually quite intelligent (as in now a university student) daughter once asked a shopkeeper ‘So where is next door?’ when told she would have to ‘Go next door’ for socks to fit her small feet. The rest of the family, all present at the time, just collapsed in giggles.

Best children DVD: When the children were small I preferred the older, slower paced DVDs for them – Tales of the River Bank meanders gently along and encouraged the children to be still and to focus. Too many modern DVDs are frenetic and discourage concentration Best children’s book: As an adult reading to my children I absolutely adored the Large Family books about an elephant family – they are so true to family life, you can see yourself on every page!

We also loved ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ – NOT for bedtime reading though, far too exciting, the Apple Tree Farm books – finding the duck on every page makes it truly interactive and ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’ a lovely I-spy book to enjoy with children.

Most played with toys: Lego for the boys and the girls had families of small plastic cats and dogs (well over a hundred of them) which all had names and were played with for hours for years and years and years Biggest waste of money: ‘Noisy’ books – as an adult you get sick of them long before the children do and end up hiding them……….

Most successful recipe/food: Fruit or vegetable crisps are a great way to get the children eating fruit and vegetables and to stop them feeling deprived if you don’t want to buy potato crisps.

As parents in Edinburgh you have so much fantastic local knowledge – if you would like to share your favourite bits of being a parent and living in our fantastic city then please email: editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Greenhill Montessori Nursery • Bilingual - Spanish • Full Sessions, AM or PM • Parents and Toddlers Groups • Gardening, Movement, Music • Extracurricular Spanish Lessons

0131 629 0787 www.greenhillmontessori.co.uk 10 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Father’s Day Father’s Day is on 17th June this year and if you’re looking to show Dad you care with more than just a big hug then we’ve gathered a few ideas to make his day even more special.

Choose from a range of pottery to paint including cufflinks, or make something very precious by getting your baby’s or young one’s hand and foot prints on any ceramic piece or imprinted into clay. Or bring Dad along on 17th June and he can try his hand at painting with £5 off what he paints. Potter Around, Overton Farm, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AH T: 01506 238961 E: chat@potteraround.co.uk www.potteraround.co.uk

©Doodles

What could be better this Father's Day than giving Dad a unique, handcrafted piece of jewellery which has been imprinted with a fingerprint or ten tiny fingers or toes? Even a hand written name, a drawing or a message Abi from Smallprint makes silver cufflinks, dog tags and keyrings, all beautifully finished and engraved.

To see Smallprints range of jewellery with a difference log on to www.smallp.co.uk or facebook Smallprint-Edinburgh. To find out where you can get prints taken call Abi on 077477 07527.

Attention all Mums and carers. Don’t forget Dad this Father’s day and make him something special from the children. We have lots of super ideas from cufflinks in a box, cereal bowls, coffee mugs to teapots and toast plates. Let us help you make a very personal gift that will be treasured.

Doodles, 29 Marchmont Crescent

Spice Cupboard offers Indian Cookery Lessons or Demonstration plus Dinner all in the comfort of your own home. Whether you want to learn traditional curries, delicious vegetable sides, mouth-watering meat marinades, quick Indian meals or more modern Indian cuisine, Spice Cupboard will teach you the Indian cooking techniques that are passed on from generations using a contemporary approach which is simple and easy to follow.

More great places to make your Dad a personal gift are: Imagination Workshop 136 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, Kiss the Fish 9 Dean Park Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1JN.

EH9 1AQ.

Or how about treating Dad (and yourself while you are at it!) to a night away.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Macdonald Cardrona Golf & Country Club and had a wonderful relaxing child-free night away looked after by some of the friendliest staff I have ever come across.

A 2-3 hour hands on Indian Cookery lesson is a recipe for success and includes tuition, recipe cards, and the spices that are required for the cooking.

Or for a great night in why not enjoy a Demonstration plus Dinner where Spice Cupboard will show you and your friends how to prepare a delicious 2 course Indian meal. Spice Cupboard will even take all of the pressure away and provide all of the ingredients as well.

Need a unique present? Spice Cupboard gift vouchers make a perfect gift for any occasion. “My husband was so excited when he got an Indian Cookery Gift Voucher for his birthday. Can’t wait until he makes me a curry one night! Thank you.” Fiona, Colinton For more information please call Joty Sharma on 07976585055 or visit www.spice-cupboard.co.uk

Do you think your Dad is worth his weight in gold??

Then why not bring him along to the studio on Father’s Day to try his hand at ‘Gold Panning’ - we can’t promise his weight in gold but we can promise that he will go home with real gold after he has been shown how to pan for it (by the experts from the Wanlockhead Museum of Leadmining). Booking essential. Price £5 per head. For further details visit: www.honeypotceramics.com or like and follow us on facebook. 0131- 333-6348.

Located on the banks of the river Tweed in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the luxury four star hotel offers a relaxing haven and everything a guest could wish for in an escape to the country.

Just 40 minutes outside Edinburgh the hotel boasts contemporary accommodation and an awardwinning AA Rosette restaurant, 18-hole golf course and luxury spa facilities.

Not being golfers the 18 hole course was bit beyond us – but we had a go! The scenery was beautiful and we were given every tool for a wonderful morning of golf – the only thing letting us down was that our skills didn’t really stretch beyond pitch and putt!

Retiring to the spa for a 30 minute shoulder, neck and back massage I was left in a warm fuzzy cocoon of smiley uselessness – a sure sign for me that it’s been a really good massage.

After all that you can settle down for a delicious meal in the award winning restaurant and then a swift nightcap in the bar before bed.

I slept amazingly well after being so well looked after; I did wake once in the night to acknowledge quite how comfy the bed was and nodded straight back off.

A beautiful and picturesque escape from day to day life, Carefree Cardrona Experience is perfect for stressed out parents looking for some “us” time. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-cardrona-hotel-golf-spa/

Spice Cupboard Indian cooking lessons in your own home * Indian Cookery lessons 1:1 or in a small group * Learn healthy, authentic dishes in a simple manner * Acquire confidence in using different spices * Spices and recipe cards included Or * Demonstration plus Dinner - Learn the art of Indian cooking while you and your friends enjoy a relaxing night in with a home cooked Indian meal.

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Joty B. Sharma 0131 447 4753 07976 585 055 www.spice-cupboard.co.uk

11 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

HOLIDAYS

We were treated to some beautiful weather this Spring (let’s just gloss over that bit with snow/wind/icy rain) and it really makes you appreciate what a beautiful country we live in.

With the Olympics and Jubilee happening this year there’s been a lot of talk of “staycations” so we thought we’d highlight some different ways you can holiday not too far from home – whether for a weekend or a week.

Holiday cottages and houses in Northumberland A personally managed collection of carefully and individually styled self-catering holiday accommodation in some stunning settings along the coastal areas of Northumberland.

Aimed at the style conscious and discerning holiday maker, from period properties to contemporary design-led boltholes, the collection offers a refreshingly different approach to a self catering holiday and they think you'll find it hard not to be tempted into your very own luxury slice of Northumberland.

And despite the focus on high end style, they don't forget to cater for children at their holiday cottages. Some of the cottages benefit from a play area or games room and all have children's crockery, toys, games and the ever popular dressing up box – Coastal Retreats believe that if the children are happy then so are the parents!! Their child friendly and indeed, baby friendly approach, makes them quite unique and they are proud to be setting high standards for family holidays. www.coastalretreats.co.uk All accommodation is presented to VisitBritain 5 star standards - and higher- with bespoke Retreats rating systems helping you decide on a property for child-friendliness and style standards.

Their sister site, Country Retreats, has allowed them to take their holiday accommodation ethos to more inland locations and down as far as Durham and North Yorkshire. The rural upmarket farmstay style of Budle Falls, north of Bamburgh, will delight kids who get the run of acres of fields on this smallholding and can feed the ducks, the hens, the lambs, sheep and pony - that 's if you can drag them off the timber play equipment and out of the wendy house before a trip to the nearby Northumberland beaches!

And new addition to the collection, Hadrian House, at the gateway to Hadrian's Wall country, but also handy for Newcastle and Durham, is a real style statement with an eclectic mix of furniture and furnishings and can sleep up to 11 guests in 5 bedrooms.

Lawned garden, a games room with pool table and walks from the doorstep will keep older children happy and throw in a history lesson with a difference when they can see and touch some of the numerous Roman remains within a short drive of this cottage. www.countryretreatsuk.com

Our rooms with a view....

Our portfolio offers some great locations, stylish and intelligently designed interiors and a refreshingly different approach to coastal and countryside self catering throughout the North East of England.

Family friendly, group friendly, romance friendly and now some dog friendly properties.

We also offer a holiday property development and interior consultancy service.

Coastal Retreats & Country Retreats 9 Causey Street, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4DJ email: info@coastalretreats.co.uk www.coastalretreats.co.uk 0191 285 1272 www.countryretreatsuk.com 0191 284 0134

12 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Camping at a Festival – The Big Tent Big Tent Festival, Scotland’s leading environmental and music festival has announced another great line up for 2012 with top music acts, kids’ performers, great food and environmental workshops and demonstrations all set to make the event one of Scotland’s best value festivals of the year.

Taking place on July 21 & 22 within the grounds of the stunning Falkland Estate, in the shadow of the historic House of Falkland, Big Tent has already announced The Proclaimers and Salsa Celtica as headline acts with over 30 other bands performing across two stages over the weekend of the event. Karine Polwart, Braebach and the Treacherous Orchestra will also perform exclusive sets in what is billed as one of the highlights of the UK’s festival season.

This award winning festival is keen to keep its renowned family friendly atmosphere alive, and so Big Tent organisers have this year confirmed that kids up to the age of 16 will attend the event for free, previously the free tickets applied to age 12 and under.

A variety of cost saving ticket packages aimed directly at keeping the event affordable to families from across Scotland and the UK are also available.

Only 30 miles from Edinburgh, Big Tent offers families a separate family camping area, showers and an onsite shop.

A magnificent line up of kids’ performers and activities will take place over the weekend alongside the main music and environmental programmes including: The Chipolatas, where circus meets theatre, Fischy Music, supporting emotional, social and spiritual health and wellbeing in children through songs and Dennis Alexander, also known as Scotch Broth. Dennis is a one man's quest to reintroduce Scottish children's songs that have not been sung for many a long time.

Guaranteed to get both big and small festival goers on their feet will be Kolonel Schnapps with his Bierfest Oompah Band. Family den building with Fife Council’s Childcare & Early Years Services will also be on offer at the Nuthill Den Village and the Big Tent site offers an opportunity for families to go on forest walks and explore nearby Falkland Village, Scotland’s first ever conservation village.

A family dance programme has also been announced with workshops in Zumba for kids, Zumbatronic, as well as family dancing activities such as salsa, NAIA and family ceilidhs.

Spinning Jenny’s Circus, face-painting and storytelling will also be on site all weekend.

For more information on our family friendly ticket prices visit our website: www.bigtentfestival.co.uk

Spring into Summer in the Cairngorms!

north for only 120 miles and you will find yourself in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Surrounded by stunning Travel scenery, majestic wildlife, skyscraper mountains, glistening lochs and ancient Caledonian pine forests. It’s a world away

from the city centre and the perfect place to escape to for a break away with the family.

Not only that, but amongst the breath-taking views you will find seven of the UK’s best family attractions for you to explore and discover when you visit. Let’s find out a little bit more…

Rothiemurchus

CairnGorm Mountain

One of the most special places to visit, Rothiemurchus provides a wealth of exciting outdoor activities for all the family. Whether you want a peaceful stroll around Loch an Eilein, voted the U.K.’s favourite picnic spot, or simply explore the estate on quad bikes, mountain bikes, rafts, Highland ponies or Segways (new this year) the list is endless!

Alternatively, you could try your hand at fishing for trout, feeding red deer, clay pigeon shooting, archery, river tubing or swinging through trees like the red squirrels. Combine this with delicious local food and great shopping and you’ll never want to leave.

In the colder months, CairnGorm Mountain is the winter wonderland playground for snowsports enthusiasts, but when it is warmer you can still enjoy plenty of what the area has to offer. Why not take the funicular up to the Ptarmigan station and take a look at the spectacular views whilst enjoying a delicious hot chocolate? From there you can also go on a guided Walk at The Top –and reach the summit of Britain’s 6th highest mountain in only 40 minutes – or watch Moudy (the search and rescue dog) demonstrate his ability to find people on the hill or enjoy a summer ceilidh night with a tasty local buffet and fabulous musicians.

Highland Wildlife Park Since 1972, the Highland Wildlife Park has been home to some incredibly interesting and often endangered species. A trip to the park is the perfect way to spend a day and whilst there you will meet Walker and Arktos (the UK’s only resident polar bears in a public collection), Elara and Puika – the resident wolves – and an array of wildcats, Arctic foxes, bison, snow monkeys and elk. You can also time it right and the beautiful Amur tigers getting their afternoon snack – it’s a must!

The Fun House The Fun House does exactly what it says on the tin and kids have hours of fun burning off excess energy! The soft play area allows rough and tumble without the bruises and Cyril’s treehouse provides fun for all ages. In addition, there are indoor and outdoor mini golfing facilities and an all American diner – the perfect place to get some delicious snacks.

Landmark Forest Adventure Park Deep in the forests you’ll hear squeals of delight and uncontrollable laughter as families discover the thrills and spills of this magical adventure park set in the Highland pine forests. Why not boggle your mind at the world’s only Bamboozeleum or enjoy the ups and downs (and round and rounds!) of the Timber train rollercoaster? It’s amazing fun, and if you need a seat and refuel then both restaurants provide delicious local food and drink – just what you need before attempting the aerial challenge courses! Check out the amazing value Week and Season tickets too…

Highland Folk Museum Step through the gates and into the wonderful world of the Highland’s past – where all thoughts of mobile phones, computers and TV are left behind. Capturing Highland life from the 1700’s through to the present day, the Highland Folk Museum is a living history museum where you can learn how our Scottish Highland ancestors lived, how they built their homes, how they tilled the soil and how they dressed. Don’t forget to head to the old fashioned sweet shop and reminisce about your childhood whilst purchasing a bag of your favourites!

Strathspey Steam Railway All aboard the steam train for a nostalgic 20-mile trip from Aviemore, through the glorious countryside to Boat of Garten and Broomhill. Taking you along part of the original Highland railway you will be able to relax and watch the world go by. Every afternoon at 2:45pm you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes, and scones (with cream and jam) Delicious!

So what are you waiting for? There’s so much to see, do, explore and discover.

Win

Families Edinburgh has teamed up with the Cairngorms Attractions Group, made up of 7 top family attractions in the Cairngorms National Park, to offer one lucky family a VIP family pass to use over the 2012 summer season.

Family passes into each of the 7 outstanding attractions – allowing visits to the UK’s only resident polar bears, rides on the UK’s highest railway, excitement on the Runway Timber Train Rollercoaster, quad biking and feeding red deer

To enter go to www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk/offers Terms and Conditions Apply.

For more information on all seven attractions, please visit

www.daysoutcairngorms.co.uk 13 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Why Do Children Show So M Anger In Their Early Years?

It is normal for all children in the pre-school years to go through a phase of bad temper, even small babies feel rage and cry and make a fuss when their desires are not met. Most children will grow out of it by the time they are five years old while others will continue to have angry outbursts as they get older and even into adulthood.

Anger starts to increase in the second year because toddlers have no concept of patience and want everything immediately and because at this time they also become aware: • I am a person with my own needs and wants • I can control other people by my actions • I too can now say no Many parents will be familiar with the full-blown tantrum, which can include screaming, breath holding, head banging and pounding fists. Parents will also be familiar with toddlers who resort to revenge that is directed at the person they are angry with by hitting or biting.

We all find it difficult to understand what lies behind all of this and do not realise the important part played by the child’s feelings, which is often a mixture of insecurity, fear, frustration and confusion. While we try our best to manage our angry children we frequently find it difficult to decide what might be helpful or unhelpful in this type of situation. Let’s look at unhelpful ways of dealing with anger first.

• Rewarding anger. A classic example of this is when a parent rewards a child for screaming and shouting by giving into his demands. The result is peace and quiet but the child learns that an angry outburst works because it was rewarded.

• Smacking shows a child that hitting is OK. Studies have shown that smacking does not work. It just changes the behaviour at the time but it will return again later.

• Adults, who show a lot of anger towards each other or at their children in the home e.g. shouting and swearing, show the children that it is acceptable to behave in this way.

• Getting angry with a child who shows anger may teach him to be frightened of his anger and he may bottle it up inside and never learn how to express it properly.

What can a parent try instead that might be more effective? There are no easy answers, every child is different, what suits one child may not work at all with another. However the following suggestions may help.

• Reflection allows the parent to look at the situations that lead to anger so that plans can be made to avoid them.

Common situations that can lead to anger and tantrums can be: • At the time of day when a child is collected from nursery he/she may be annoyed at leaving friends.

Planning an activity and being prepared to give some extra attention on returning home may help.

• When the parent returns having been apart from the child for a while. In this situation extra attention also helps. One way to do this is by stopping everything and giving your child your full attention. Get down to eye level with them because “eyes are more important than ears for listening”(Michael Quinn Director Family Caring Trust 2003) • Meeting up with friends for a chat and coffee or having guests to stay can cause the child to feel ignored.

Remember to organise appropriate activities and use praise for playing quietly. Make sure that he/she gets noticed.

• When a child is tired or hungry moving the mealtime earlier may help to prevent an angry outburst • Getting up in the morning earlier can prevent the morning tantrums, which frequently occur when the child is rushed and made to hurry up.

• For younger children distraction at the early stages of an angry outburst usually works. Draw the child’s attention to something you can see outside e.g. a dog, bird etc.

• Ignoring the outburst and removing attention can be useful • Holding the child until he/she calms down can also work.

• Look at how you deal with your anger and try not to lose control. Say why you are angry and what you are going to do to calm down

Introducing the unique concept of ToddlerCalmTM ToddlerCalm™ is a new and unique concept, presented through classes and literature, which aims to empower parents to raise their toddler with confidence. ToddlerCalm™ helps parents to understand their toddler's frustrations, avoid tantrums and aid restful sleep; turning tantrumming toddlers and stressed parents into calmer toddlers and happier parents!

Toddlers can be a real challenge; from tantrums to picky eating, clingy behaviour to sleep problems. Sometimes parents don't know what to do to make things better.

Support is few and far between and often relies on strict behavioural techniques such as 'time out' and 'naughty steps' which can often make both parents and toddlers even more stressed and provide only short term solutions.

ToddlerCalmTM is here to fill that gap; we provide help for parents to foster a harmonious relationship with their toddler. Our classes and workshops are suitable for all parents of toddlers aged between 1 and 3 years old.

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The Toddler Calming Workshop A 3-hour workshop that helps you to understand why toddlers tantrum and what you can do to help them stay calm and happy. This workshop can also be taken in advance of the toddler years, showing you the skills of toddler calming whilst your little one is still a baby!

The Toddler Sleep Workshop A 3-hour workshop to help you to make sense of your toddler’s sleep patterns and understand frequent night waking, night terrors and early morning waking. The workshop builds confidence in your night time parenting skills.

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When children are upset they are not able to discuss the problem so they act out the feeling instead. The following is a calming deep breathing exercise that can help everyone including parents to stay calm. It is suitable for children from the age of three but you can adapt it for younger children. Being aware of feelings is the first step and controlling them is the second step. The purpose of the calming activity is to help children and parents stop and think before reacting. It can be played as a game with the child during a play session by practicing it several times with them before the need has arisen. The child can then be reminded about it at the beginning of a stressful situation. It will take several attempts but once learned they are more likely to use this skill when they really need to.

Start by talking with the child about feelings when you and they are angry and how to get calm and keep control.

1. Tell yourself “Stop and take a look around” 2. Tell yourself to ‘keep calm’ 3. Take a deep breath through your nose while you count to five, hold it while you count to two, then breath out through your mouth while you count to five.

4. Repeat these steps until you feel calm.

(M.Elias &J. Clabby, Social Decision Making skills. Centre for Applied Psychology, Rutgers University, 1989) Share with your children how you know when you are stressed. This will help them to understand that our bodies tell us when we are about to lose control e.g. feeling upset. It will help them to recognise when they are about to lose control and to accept that it’s OK to feel angry but it is good to deal with it by first calming down so that feelings causing it can be talked out instead of acted out.

Frances Byatt-Smith BA (Hons) Psychology. www.edinburghparentcentre.com Child Relationship Coaching for Parents For more information and course dates go to www.edinburghparentcentre.com info@edinburghparentcentre.com

Classes and Workshops The Toddler Calming Classes A 4 week, 8 hour course, where you’ll learn how to understand and calm your toddler, deal with picky eating and cope with frequent night wakings as well as helping you raise a happy and confident child. You’re welcome to bring your toddler along too.

ToddlerCalm Edinburgh My name is Anne Young and having two children I can fully appreciate and understand some of the frustrations and difficulties that the toddler years can bring! For me ToddlerCalm offers a unique and much gentler approach to parenting toddlers – helping parents to understand their toddler’s frustrations, avoid tantrums, encourage sleep and reduce picky eating.

For Dates/Times/Venues for ToddlerCalm Workshops and Classes Please contact Anne Young BSc RN CBMI MIFPA anne@babycalm.co.uk Mobile: 07811 073 202 www.scents-of-wellbeing.co.uk

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Get Scotland Dancing The scourge of prime time television or a real shot at fame, there is no denying that reality shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and Got To Dance provoke a reaction. But what these shows, along with films such as Street Dance 1 & 2, are also helping to create is a welcome resurgence of interest in dance at both a national and a local level.

The Scots have always been a creative nation with many traditional dance schools having long thrived in Edinburgh and across the country. However, what can now be seen to be happening is a huge increase in demand from youngsters keen to learn current dance styles such as Breakdance, Street Dance and Hip Hop. Of course, the popularity of Breakdance is not a new phenomenon. This athletic, gymnastic style of dance has its roots firmly planted in the 1980’s. However, this time round it’s not only teenage and twenty-something hipsters spearheading the revolution, but much younger dancers too.

Love them or hate them, alongside the increase in these large-scale talent shows has been an undeniable rise in the popularity of urban, ‘street’-style local dance classes.

Kids as young as two or three right up to teenagers and beyond are becoming interested in these styles of dance and this is having a knock-on effect with new classes and events springing up rapidly.

The Scottish Government, along with the arts organisation Creative Scotland, has backed Big Dance 2012 in Scotland via their initiative Get Scotland Dancing. 2012 is the Year of Creative Scotland and Vena Dhupa, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland says ‘Dance is healthy, fun and creative and is a great way to enjoy being active. For this Year of Creative Scotland, we’re encouraging people of any age to give dancing a try – there are classes across Scotland.’

Regardless of their motivations, anything that helps to promote dance, in all its forms, can only be a positive thing for children in Scotland. With national obesity rates hitting an all time high and the government spending millions on campaigns trying to reverse this, the increased popularity of this form of exercise amongst young people couldn’t have come at a better time.

As well as these physical benefits, the medium of dance enables the expression of emotions, develops creativity and raises self-esteem, all of which in turn increase social skills and can help to build lasting friendships. All desirable building blocks towards creating a nation of healthy, happy bodies and minds.

So whether it is due more to national television shows, the determination of large organisations and local businesses or the Scottish Government – it really doesn’t matter.

The important fact is that together, we really are managing to Get Scotland Dancing.

By Niki Hutchison

©Dancebase Niki Hutchison is a Director of Step It Up Dance, who pride themselves on providing great fun, quality dance classes and parties for kids. Step It Up Dance offer classes in popular, current styles of dance including Breakdance, Street Dance, Hip Hop and Cheerleading.

Step It Up Dance classes are currently available in Abbeyhill, Gorgie and Leith with many new classes about to launch across the city. Check out their website, facebook page & twitter to be kept up to date. www.stepitupdance.co.uk / www.facebook.com/stepitupdance / @StepItUpDanceUK Dynam-nic Dance offer Little Street (4-5 yrs), Junior Street (6-8 yrs) and Inter Street (9-12 yrs) – A fun and funky class. Learn to move like Diversity and dance like a backing dancer! These classes are great for boys and girls and are a perfect addition to the regular technical dance classes also run by Dynam-nic Dance (tap, modern and ballet).

All classes held at Craiglockhart Tennis and Leisure Centre. www.dndance.co.uk LDA Dance Studios in Portobello run Street Dance, Hip Hop and Modern Jazz classes for boys who want to dance and girls with attidude!

If you love to dance & perform and have lots of energy then Friday afternoons at LDA is where you want to be! Classes for 5 – 8 yrs, 8 – 12yrs and 12 – 17yrs. www.portystreetdance.co.uk Lothian Dance Academy also run ballet, tap, jazz , musical theatre and more for 3 yrs + contact@lothiandance.com Among the many classes on offer at Dance Base are: Street & Hip Hop which takes place on Saturdays for those in P1 through to S3. These classes teach you basic moves and funky routines to hip sounds old and new.

Breakin’ & Hip Hop is also available for kids in P4-P7 (Mondays) and also for 12-16 year olds (Thursdays). Here you will learn everything from poppin’ and lockin’ to funky footwork and cool street moves, with the older class learning new power moves, freezes, combinations, spins and drills. For Bookings contact Dance Base on 0131 225 5525 or head to dancebase.co.uk At Blank Canvas Dance we are dedicated to teaching the most current styles of dance from hip hop to ‘poppin’ n lockin’, street and beginners breakin’. Each class is built upon a good warm up, some technique work and then a different routine each week, so your child will be at no disadvantage by being 'new'. Beginners - 3.45-4.30pm, Improvers - 4.30-5.30pm, Intermediates - 5.30-6.30pm Fridays at the Eric Liddell Centre, Morningside. 07842870926 info@bcdance.co.uk. www.bcdance.co.uk Although they don’t run regular classes in this style keep your eyes on the Edinburgh Dance Academy website for future workshop dates www.edinburghdanceacademy.co.uk Dance For All offer Children’s Classes from the age of two and a half years upwards to the age of eighteen. Their Jazz class encompasses urban, street and commercial styles. www.danceforall.co.uk For more information on The Big Dance Edinburgh go to www.dancebase.co.uk/bigdance Go to www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk/directory/dance-lessons to search more dance classes in Edinburgh.

Pottery Painting & Craft Studio

HOST FAMILIES WANTED We are looking for caring, responsible families, living in central, south or west Edinburgh to host young international teenagers ( 12 - 17 years ) during July and August 2012 also September - June Programmes Generous remuneration.

Please call Christine Ptolomey for more information : 0131 440 3301. email : info@hamiltonschool.co.uk

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Come and try your hand at jewellery, glass and clay making, general crafts and pottery painting Bring your imagination and we’ll have the rest!

Available for parties, schools, playgroups and after school clubs See website for details on clubs & classes

Tel: 01506 238961 Email: chat@potteraround.co.uk or visit www.potteraround.co.uk

Buy and sell all the stuff your kids grow out of www.mykids2yourkids.co.uk

Are your kid’s Free Range?

Now the evenings are lighter and the weather milder it’s time to turn off the TV and get outdoors with some advice from Sustrans.

Sustrans Free Range Kids campaign aims to create environments for independent, active children, with a focus on 20mph speed limits and safe walking routes. They’re also working directly with the Scottish Government to help tackle childhood obesity. With more than 32 per cent of children in Scotland found to be overweight in a 2009 study, getting children outdoors to play and learn in a safe environment is more important than ever.

Free Range Fun Here are some tips from Sustrans on raising Free Range Kids: • Reclaim the streets: Research shows 90% of today’s parents played outside as kids, but one in three children in the current generation of seven to 15 year olds have never played outside at all.

Playing outside helps teach children road safety skills, and bolsters their confidence and social skills.

Start slowly – do a bit of gardening while your kids scoot on the pavement outside. If your street is far too busy, then take a picnic to a local park on a dry day and let your kids explore while you man ‘base camp’.

Why play is important Children love to play. As well as being fun, it's vital for their physical, social and emotional development. Play is so important that it is a human right under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Active outdoor play - running, jumping, climbing, chasing - is one of the best ways for children to stay physically active because it's fun and they'll forget they're exercising!

Active play helps children: • stay healthy: it can combat obesity and reduces the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer in later life • concentrate: it helps them relax, focus at school and sleep better at night make friends and develop social skills • develop their imagination • learn about risk and improve their self-confidence.

Outdoor play is also a great way to spend time as a family. It's usually free and very easy to organise.

• Get on your bike: A recent project Sustrans did with Scottish schools saw the number of children cycling double, with the number of girls picking up pedal power skyrocketing from 17% to 58%. Why not plan a family cycle ride at the weekend? Pick up the Water of Leith path on Howard Place in Broughton, and follow the two mile route down hill, stopping off at The Waters of Leith café / bistro (www.thewaterofleithcafebistro.co.uk) for brunch or a slice of cake at the end – they have a great kids menu too.

Did you know how good cycling is for you?

• Cycling raises your metabolic rate, helping you to keep the weight off • regular cyclists are as fit as an average person 10 years younger • cycling firms the thighs and bottom, and can even help tone the tummy muscles.

Cycling is brilliant for your kids too: • It helps them get the recommended sixty minutes of physical activity per day • many teachers report that kids who walk and cycle to school are more alert and ready to learn than those who arrive by car • it's fantastic fun and, for many kids, can feel much more exciting than travelling by car • cycling can help kids get to know their local area and feel part of it • good travel habits learned young will last a lifetime • cyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic than car drivers.

Learn outside: Encourage your kid’s school to adopt an ‘outdoor classroom’. Whether it’s the school field, Princes Street or the Botanic Gardens, outdoor learning has plenty of benefits. Start small – it’s sowing seasons, so perhaps your children could grow Sunflowers, monitoring the weather and measuring them weekly. Or for older children, why not head into town for a look at the different types of architecture, asking the public to vote for their favourite buildings.

Fun for all the family!

Get back to nature • Crafts, games, face painting and pony rides • Puppet shows, storytelling and science workshops • Wild food cookery workshops

Under-16s FREE! For tickets and more information: www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk

Visit www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids for more information and ideas. They have plenty of advice and learning resources for schools and youth groups, plus you can lend your support to the campaign and sign their pledge calling for 20mph speed limits in residential areas.

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SASCS will be running 2 Summer Schemes again this year, 8.30am - 5.30pm in Sciennes Primary School, 10 Sciennes Road, EH9 1LG. Monday 2nd July to Friday 10th August 2012 Sports Camp – for children aged 8 -12+years Sports Camp will offer the children the opportunity to experience a range of different sports including; swimming, golf, tennis, badminton, etc and will also use sporting venues through out Edinburgh.

Full Day - £25.50; Half Day - £12.50; Trip - £28.50

Monday 2nd July to Friday 10th August 2012 Holiday Care – for children aged 4.5 -12+years (but primarily aimed at children aged 4.5 -7years whilst Sports Camp is operating). Holiday Care offers a wide range of activities including; art and craft, dance, drama, music, baking, sport and outdoor games.

Full Day - £19.00; Half Day - £11.50; Trip - £24.00 Both schemes are run by experienced and qualified staff.

For more information and booking forms phone 0131 662 4810 and speak to Sonia/Lindsey or email sascs@btinternet.com SASCS is the trading name of Sciennes School After School Care Scheme Registered Scottish Charity Number: SCO23891

Canoeing at Forth Canoe Club Summer Courses for 8-12 year old boys and girls 2-6 July, 9-13 July, 16-20 July, 23-27 July, 30 July - 3 Aug, 6-10 Aug 10-12, 12-2 and 3-5pm

Schools out for summer ell, not yet, thankfully, but before you know it there’ll be 6 weeks waiting to be filled! Summer activities are a great way for your child to try something new or spend more time doing something they already enjoy. And as an added bonus they’ll probably make lots of new friends too. I’m delighted there’s such a massive variety on offer for our kids – delighted and just a bit jealous!

W

Edinburgh Leisure

£35 for 5 days of canoeing WANT TO TRY IT? Join-in, develop the skills, enjoy!

BOOKINGS and MORE INFORMATION at: Kristina : kristina.medovcikova@canoescotland.org or 07946 975462

Loanhead After School Club Classes from 18 months upwards.

Ballet • Tap Modern • Jazz

SUMMER SCHOOL Join us on our fun packed week of dancing, crafts, games and cake making!

Ages 2 - 12 years (times vary) Monday 30th July - Friday 3rd August

Craiglockhart Parish Church Limited places-book now!

FREEL

Call Nicky 07545 551271

TRIA CLASS

nicky@dndance.co.uk www.dndance.co.uk

Loanhead After School Club and Community Nursery provides quality, affordable childcare for children from 0-16 years, 50 weeks of the year. We are open for all school holidays and closures we are the “fourth emergency service” for our parents! During school holidays we offer a hugely popular holiday club where we have an action packed programme of events, which the children help to choose.

Our childcare service is focussed encouraging children to play out doors, which is self directed play and freely chosen.

We provide a wide variety of activities, including craft, baking, outdoor play, trips to local parks and swimming, is offered daily. Full day trips are provided regularly. Loanhead After School Club, 5 Mayburn Walk, Loanhead, Midlothian, EH20 9HG, 0131 448 0103

Do you like adventure?

Monday 16th - Friday 20th July | 10.15am - 3.45pm | £120. Follow in the footsteps of some of the great plant hunters and learn useful expedition skills on your journey round the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. From tropical rainforest one day to desert lands the next and some precious native woodland along the way we'll take you round the world on a plant hunt to find out some of the plants in our collection and the habitats they come from.

Garden Gnome Club is a holiday activity group focused on creative outdoor play for 8 - 12 year olds. There will be a range of group activities with an artistic and environmental focus such as treasure hunts, storytelling, drama games and digital photography. It’s a chance to explore the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh thoroughly with a range of fun and imaginative activities. What do the garden gnomes do when you’re not looking? There’s only one way to find out! Call 0131 248 1040 to book now!

The Imagination Workshop The Imagination Workshop will be running another great programme of summer events during the school summer holidays again this year.

Keep checking their website for more information www.theimaginationworkshop.co.uk 136 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1AQ 0131 466 0148

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With summer on its way, the thoughts of many parents are turning to those long summer holidays and how to keep your little ones active, healthy and having fun. Edinburgh Leisure is here to help with the largest coaching programme in the capital offering kids from 8 weeks to 16 years a wide range of activities seven days a week throughout the holiday season. With the return of some popular choices for the youngest customers, including Mini Kickers, Tots Tennis and Ball Kids as well as the more challenging courses for older children, such as Basketball, Streetdance and Climbing courses, there is an Edinburgh Leisure coaching programme for everyone this summer.

For more information please visit edinburghleisure.co.uk or email mail@edinburghleisure.co.uk Please note bookings will be available for new customers from the 25th June 2012

SwimEasy's Summer "RapidTrack Craigroyston High School, Edinburgh commencing Monday 16, 23 & 30 July, 2012.

Forrester High School, Edinburgh commencing Monday 2, 9 & 16 July, 2012.

Royal Blind Scholl, Edinburgh commencing 23, 30 July and 6 August 2012.

Forth Valley Donaldson’s School, Linlithgow commencing Monday 9, 16 & 23 July, 2012 Choose to be taught by the best teachers who know everything there is to know about swimming. “This is not just Swimming Lessons……………this is SwimEasy Swimming Lessons” Parents recognise the need to ensure that their child can swim for safety, fun and fitness! SwimEasy’s teachers are trained to the highest standards and deliver well structured, skill based swimming lessons incorporating all four strokes enabling each child to become a strong competent swimmer. We offer specialist One-to-Two and Small Group Classes for children of all abilities at venues throughout Edinburgh and Forth Valley seven days a week with free unlimited parking. Our specialist One-to-Two Holiday Classes, for children or adults, can be booked a week at a time, from Monday to Friday. Five consecutive lessons can improve any weakness rapidly and any technical correction, or specific area of improvement required, can be dealt with much more easily. Parents who wish to give their child the best opportunity to develop their swimming for safety, fitness and fun should contact us now on 0131 466 0764 or 01506 205778 to discuss their child’s needs. www.swimeasy.co.uk Learn the SwimEasy Way - Nobody Does it Better!

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Summer Camps & Activities Mortonhall Tennis Club Summer Camps

Forth Canoe Club

MORTONHALL TENNIS CLUB SUMMER CAMPS 9th – 13th July 2012 16th – 20th July 2012 30th July – 3rd August 2012 6th – 10th August 2012 The camps will be run by Dan Murray (CCA Qualified Coach).

Each week will be broken down into 2 groups: 10am – 11.55am Mini Tennis Camp (Approx. 5-9 Years) £35 Members / £45 Non Members 1pm – 4pm Junior Tennis Camp (Approx.10-16 Years) £55 Members / £65 Non Members The camp is designed to give the players the chance to improve on their technical and tactical skills, play fun games, competitions and other sports.

Booking forms available from www.mortonhalltennis.org.uk

Summer Canoe Courses for 8-12 year old boys and girls 2-6 July, 9-13 July, 16-20 July, 23-27 July, 30 July-3 Aug, 6-10 Aug. 10-12am or 12-2pm or 3-5pm £35 for 5 days of canoeing During a 5 day course you will have the opportunity to try plastic boats, slalom boats and sprint boats. After the course you can join the club and have coach lead regular sessions for fun and self improvement in slalom, sprint or recreational paddling What to bring – a full change of clothes, a towel and a drink.

Where to go - Forth Canoe Club, based at Harrison Road Bridge, is the oldest active canoe club in Scotland having been founded in 1934. It has weekly club sessions and caters for various canoeing disciplines including slalom, sprint racing, down river racing, etc.

For more details look at www.forthcc.com Bookings And More Information: Kristina : kristina.medovcikova@canoescotland.org or 07946 975462

Excel really is excellent fun!

Summer is just around the corner, and Excel has added two more fabulous activities to its programme for you to choose from and for your children to enjoy! In addition to MultiSports, Tennis, Football, Dance, Canoeing, Horse Riding, Rock Climbing, Computer Xplorers, Edinburgh School Rock, Summer Science from the folks at the Edinburgh International Science Festival and Young Sports Leaders, Excel welcomes a Fun French immersion week with classroom, workshops and playing sports, and for those dreaming of becoming a Wizard or Wizardess, MagicFest are running a Magic School workshop, created, designed and taught by professional magicians! Excel is for 5 – 16 year olds, and childcare vouchers are welcome. For more information visit www.excel-sports.co.uk or call 07970 514 514.

Drama Studio The Drama Studio Summer Holiday Clubs are real fun weeks meeting new friends and doing all kinds of Arts activities.

Students will certainly be doing Drama and popular activities such as: Art and Craft, puppets, filming, song and dance, Tai Ch'i, dressing up, soft ball, parachute games and performing to an audience if you attend in the morning. These are taking place this summer at: Wardie Church Halls, Primrose Bank Road From 16th-20th July Fairmilehead Church Halls, Frogston Road West From 23rd-27th July AND 30th-3rd Aug. Prices For Full Week Places Early Bird (Until 1st June) Mornings 9.30am - 1pm £65, Afternoons 1.30pm - 4pm £50, Full Days 9.30am - 4pm £115 We also offer sibling discounts of 10% within this Early Bird period on full week prices for the additional siblings.

Go to www.thedramastudio.com or call 0131-453-3284 for full details and to register

Summer Holiday Club 2nd July to 14th August

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South Morningside after School Care South Morningside after school care club 2nd July to 14th August We provide special activities each morning and afternoon, these include arts and crafts activities, plenty of outdoor activities and indoor games.

We also provide one full day trip a week for example to Blair Drummond safari park, Dalkeith country park, East Links family park, and one half day trip for example to the cinema, swimming, ice-skating as well as outings to local parks.

We are open to children of all primary schools.

Contact – 0131 447 6800 or email – manager@smascc.org.uk

9th - 13th July, 16th – 20th July, 30th July – 3rd August and 6th– 10th August 2012 The camps will be run by Dan Murray (CCA Qualified Coach) & his team. Each week is broken down into 2 groups: 10am – 11.55am Mini Tennis Camp (Approx. 5-9 Years) This is aimed at children of primary school age playing with soft/ low compression tennis balls 1pm – 4pm Junior Tennis Camp (Approx.10-16 Years) This is aimed at children who are 10 years or older. The level covers beginners right up to junior team players. Open also to under 10’s who are already playing to a certain level.

The camp is designed to give the players the chance to improve on their technical and tactical skills, enjoy multisports, and take part in competitions for prizes.

A wet weather programme will operate in the event of bad weather; the club house will be used for indoor games, quizzes and tennis videos. As soon as it is playable we will be back out on court.

Mini Tennis (Mornings)£35 members (£45 non-members) Junior Tennis (Afternoons) £55 members (£65 non-members), (10% off on 3 or more bookings from the same family). If you have any queries please contact Dan on 07875 192530 or dancmurray@hotmail.co.uk

Summer Fun At Potter Around Inspire your children’s artistic and creative side by letting them loose in our rural pottery painting and craft studio where they can try a number of crafts and express their creativity. The studio is open daily for anyone to drop in and paint pottery, canvas or make jewellery.

Kids Clubs: Drop the kids to a supervised session everything from pottery painting to glass painting; clay modelling to jewellery making, textiles to canvases. They can even try knitting and weaving. Fridays 1-3; Saturdays 10.30-12noon and every morning throughout the school holidays. Age 4+; £10 including drink and snack.

We will also be running specialised sessions in clay modelling, glass making and jewellery for all ages.

Potter Around, Overton Farm, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AH. T: 01506 238961 E: chat@potteraround.co.uk www.potteraround.co.uk

Westwoods Superstars Westwoods Superstars is a daytime activities camp for children aged 5-12 years old based at Westwoods Health Club. The health club is situated within the stunning grounds of Fettes College ensuring your child can enjoy exciting activities in a fun and safe environment. Activities during the day include swimming, indoor and outdoor sports, arts and crafts, traditional games, trips to local attractions and much, much more!!! The Camp runs Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm – but you can drop your children off from 8.30am and pick up until 5.30pm. After a sold out Easter camp, our summer camp commences on 16th July and ending on 10th August (16th – 20th July, 23rd – 27th July, 30th July – 3rd August, 6th – 10th August). 3-4 Day packages are now available.

For more information or to request an information pack, please call Westwoods on 0131 332 5777 or visit our website: www.westwoodshealthclub.com or e-mail westwoods@fettes.com

Kiss the Fish Here at Kiss the Fish Studios we’ve got a packed programme of craft activities with something to suit all ages. Don’t forget that you can also just drop in anytime and select something to decorate with our amazing decopatch papers, paints, glitters and sparkles. We’ve got a huge range of animals, boxes, picture frames and letters to choose from. Sign up for our e-newsletter at www.kissthefishstudios.com to stay up to date with what’s new. 9 Dean Park Street, Stockbridge. 0131 332 8918

Spanish Amigos Summer Holiday Club Imaginary trip to Latin countries experiencing culture & language. We will visit Spain and México and learn from the arrival at the airport, on the plane, restaurants, beach, buy and pay in foreign currency, etc. And just to mention one surprise we will learn how to make a piñata!

Calton Centre Montgomery St 9th to 12th July from 10:30 to 13:30 kirsty@spanishamigos.co.uk. www.spanishamigos.co.uk/clubs/edinburgh

Summer Camps & Activities Drop in Holiday Workshops at Jupiter Artland Friday 6th July to Friday 24th August Every Friday throughout the summer holidays Jupiter is offering drop in workshops. The two hour sessions will take their inspiration from the work of the Jupiter artists and will involve fun and inspiring outdoor activities. 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm £6 6th July: Transient objects – looking at the 17th August: Out and about! Create your work of Cornelia Parker we will drape cutlery own beautiful and ephemeral natural works and utensils from trees to create group in the woods like Andy Goldsworthy. sculptures with a difference.

24th August: Whose your hero? Create 13th July: Spirals in Nature - Landscaping your own tribute to your favourite person! our own life mounds in the Jupiter Garden - Based on the work of Ian Hamilton Finlay at watch out your gardens at home may never Jupiter. look the same again!

July Artsparks: Tuesday 24th to 20th July: Digging for Britain! Looking at Wednesday 25th July. A 2 day workshop the practise of our new artist Henry Castle inspired by Anya Gallaccio’s new work at we will dig for objects in the woods and then Jupiter. The children will get involved with recreate them in various mediums. lots of fun arty activities out and indoors 27th July: Love Bomb: with a focus on the based on Anya’s floor of roses in the gallery Quinn orchid we will sculpt orchids and make and her crystal “cave” in the woods. It is orchid masks. being led by Izzie Chappell who is running 3rd August: Anya Gallaccio – Flower our very popular Littlesparks courses.

Power! Inspired by Anya Gallaccio the group Suitable for 5 to 14 year olds who will be will create flower installations. grouped by age. £40 per day 10am10th August: Watershed: a workshop 3.30pm. based on our Festival Artist Tania Kovats – we will create water themed sculpture.

For more information go to www.jupiterartland.org Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House steading, Nr Wilkieston, Edinburgh, EH27 8BB

Enjoy-a-Ball Enjoy-a-Ball super active multi-sports camps for children aged 3-9. Children will have the opportunity to take part in 10 ball sports - including dodgeball, football, baseball, rugby, handball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, cricket and hockey. Children are divided into narrow age group range so that they may feel confident and get the most from the sports coaching. We will provide a healthy snack of fruit and water to keep the kids going ‘til home time! Our camps always book up very quickly so please reserve your place ASAP to avoid disappointment.

To book or for more information call 07921333050 or visit www.enjoy-a-ball.com

Magic School Workshops Love watching magicians on TV? This summer you have the opportunity to learn, create and perform your own magic at very hands-on and all-new, 'Magic School' workshops which will teach you the secrets and give you the skills to perform them!

Last year Magic School was listed as one of the top kids’ days out in the UK! (Sunday Times) And this year in addition to our one-off workshops we introduce an amazing, all-new 5day course for young magicians!

Each of the 5 daily sessions is themed so that you learn in depth a new area of magic, from startling levitations to crazy card tricks. Kids attending the 5-day course will be taught for a day by a special celebrity guest from BBC "Help my supply teacher is Magic" – John the Magician! So come learn how to make your friends float, make everyday objects appear and disappear and meet some of the coolest magicians in Scotland! Over 300 children have already taken part - magic newbies welcome!

5-Day Magic School • £75 Mon 2 July - Fri 6 July 10.00am OR 1.30pm One-off Magic School Workshop • £15 Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July 10.00am or 1.30pm For further details and bookings please visit www.magicfest.co.uk or call box office 0131 473 2000

SASCS SASCS will also be running 2 Summer Schemes again this year, 8.30am - 5.30pm in Sciennes Primary School, 10 Sciennes Road Edinburgh, EH9 1LG. Monday 2nd to Friday 10th August - Sports Camp for children aged 8 -12+years Sports Camp will offer the children the opportunity to experience a range of different sports including; swimming, golf, tennis, badminton, etc and will also use sporting venues through out Edinburgh. Full Day - £25.50; Half Day - £12.50; Trip - £28.50 Monday 2nd July to Friday 10th August Holiday Care – for children aged 4.5 -12+years (but primarily aimed at children aged 4.5 -7years whilst Sports Camp is operating). Holiday Care offers a wide range of activities including; art and craft, dance, drama, music, baking, sport and outdoor games. Full Day - £19.00; Half Day - £11.50; Trip - £24.00 Both schemes are run by experienced and qualified staff.

For more information and booking forms phone 0131 662 4810 and speak to Sonia/Lindsey or email sascs@btinternet.com

21 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Summer Camps & Activities Dance Base Summer Hip Hop Schools’ at Dance Base Mon 9 Jul- Fri 13 Jul & Mon 16 Jul – Fri 20 Jul. 09.30-15.30 Open to Children 7-9 and 10-12. We all love holidays and we all love to dance! Dance Base has brought the two together for you to come and enjoy. You will be in the best place to learn dance styles from our experienced tutors such as breakdance, street dance, poppin, lockin and house with one or two others in the mix as well. There will be a chance to show off all the new moves to parents and family members on the Friday afternoon at the end of week show.

Quick, places do sell out, so book A.S.A.P online at dancebase.co.uk, over the phone on 0131 225 5525 or at 14- 16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU. £97.50 per week or £87.50 each child for more than 1 child from the same family

Enjoy sport for life – A Star Sports We offer inclusive, developmental multi-sports coaching for children aged 2-10 years.

Building on a fun ABC-based foundation (agility, balance and co-ordination), your child will be introduced to and develop the skills for ten core sports: Basketball, Cricket, Dodgeball, Football, Handball, Hockey, Rounders, Rugby, Tennis and Volleyball.

Weekly classes: Small classes provide encouragement and support for your child to build the confidence, motivation and skills to enjoy sport in a number of ways. Successful learning opens up new ideas for longer term engagement in: • Individual sports activities • Games and sports with a partner • Playing in teams These practical, fun learning experiences and positive challenges provide the foundation for your child to develop physically, socially and emotionally.

A-Star Holiday Clubs: A-Star holiday clubs offer a high-energy combination of games, sports and all-round active entertainment for your child. Holiday clubs are run at various times throughout the year. T: 07762224534 or, 08454592210 www.a-starsports.co.uk www.facebook.com/AStarSports.Edinburgh @AStarSports_UK Aged 7-10?

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School – Summer School Weekly clubs for 4 – 7 year olds. Monday – Friday 9 – 1 2nd July – 10th August Come and join us for a summer of fun!

• Stories in Action with Books Alive : Drama games and art activities to create the characters and experience a favourite story or picture book.

• Nature School : A host of outdoor activities for all to explore – from the young gardener to the budding artist – play, plant, paint and learn in our spacious garden and paddocks.

• Continents and Cultures – People and places, plants and animals – learn as you play with our inspiring project based arts and culture weeks. www.emaschool.co.uk 0131 446 0777

Dynam-nic Dance Summer School After a success week last year, Dynam-nic are once again hosting a fun packed week of Dance, Games, Crafts and cake making! Get a taste of our fun and energetic approach and meet all our fabulous teachers! Something for children from the age of 2 - 12 years. Fun dance routines and games to all the latest music plus summer related crafts!! It's going to be fun fun fun!

WHERE: Craiglockhart Parish Church. WHEN: Monday 30th July - Friday 3rd August.

TIME: age 2-4 years 10am - 12pm. Age 5 - 12 years 9am - 5pm.

COST: age 2-4 £40. Age 5-12 £150. Limited places, contact Nicky now to book.

07545551271. nicky@dndance.co.uk

nce bing • Scie Rock Clim • MagicFest ng di Ri Horse ch • Fun Fren Canoeing Rock School of rers Football • lo mputer Xp Tennis • Co Sports Leaders ung Dance • Yo

Whizzkids Whizzkids is offering a range of computer courses this summer for children aged 5 and up.

With stimulating educational games, including the award-winning Nessy Learning Programme and now Nessy Numbers too, children will have great fun whilst brushing up on literacy and numeracy skills. If you’d rather focus on computer skills there’s desktop publishing, PowerPoint, touch-typing, computer art and a general computing skills course and for the more advanced there’s the OCR ITQ course which leads to a computing qualification (see www.ocr.org.uk).

If you’d like to reinforce the importance of online safety to your children the Superclubs Plus course is the one for you. It provides children with a safe online community where they can build their own mini-site, email friends and take part in forums under the supervision of Superclubs Plus mediators (see www.scplus.com). For further details on any of the courses or to book a place please e-mail gillian@whizzkids.uk.com , check out the website at www.whizzkids.uk.com or call 0131 447 5893.

Dance For All This summer, Dance For All are running two exciting clubs: the DFA Summer School and the DFA Summer Intensive. The Summer School is for 6-16yrs, Mon 6th- Fri 10th August and will be a fun spectrum of dance and musical theatre, priced £130. The Summer Intensive is an inspiring course for older pupils aged 13-20yrs with some dance experience and runs from Sat 11th – Tues 14th August, priced £140.

Autumn term begins on the 18th August with weekly child & teen classes from 2 ½ years upwards in RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap, ISTD Modern, Jazz, Contemporary and SDS Spanish dance.

These are joined by numerous adult classes, including the popular Drop-In Ballet from beginner to advanced levels and the full-time Professional Stage Dance & Dance Teacher Training Course which is unique to Scotland. For timetables, booking forms, photo galleries and more, log onto www.danceforall.co.uk or call the office on 0131 226 5533.

Doodles Holiday Workshops July Wk 1 – 9th- 13th, July Wk 2 – 16th- 20th, August Wk 3 6th – 10th Mon play with clay: Make and paint some garden cane toppers/ garden labels Tues - Olympic fun: Paint your own sporty plate or bowl to mark the 2012 games Wed - Bubbletastic fun: paint your own soap dispenser blowing bubbles!

Thurs - crazy crystals: Monster V Aliens use crystal paints to create your own monster bowl or plate Fri - play with clay: Make and paint your own joke cookies to amuse family and friends!

All workshops: Mon - Friday 10.30 -12pm. £12.50 per session or £50 for the week! Booking essential. Call us on 0131 229 1399 to book a place. Doodles, 29 Marchmont Crescent

22 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

Summer Camps & Activities enjoyleisure enjoyleisure promises to deliver an action packed summer for families in East Lothian. The Sports Centres are providing a range of activities where children can try out a new sport, develop their technique or just enjoy being active. The summer programme includes a variety of activities for children aged 18 months right up to 16 years. Courses include football, judo, gymnastics, trampolining, mini-tennis, multisports, street dance and rookie lifeguard to name a few!

PLUS! Families can create a splash and save money; as children up to 16 years can SWIM FOR FREE at any of the East Lothian swimming pools throughout the Summer Holidays!

This includes some kids’ aqua-fun sessions too! Time restrictions apply, so please check with the Sports Centres before visiting.

Don’t forget you can also enjoy the numerous outdoor leisure activities across the county including pitch n putt, grass bowls, golf courses, putting greens and tennis courts.

For more information on all of our summer activities visit www.enjoyleisure.com.

Edinburgh Dance Academy Edinburgh Dance Academy are very excited to be running a week long Summer School this year. We will be teaching Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theatre every day for the week of 30 July 4 August 2012. The school will take place in Broughton High School's state of the art dance studios. Classes will be taught by Julie Mitchell, Jenni Inglis and Charley Jarvis. We will finish off the week with a funtastic dance show!

To book a place please call Suzie on 0131 3373402.

Tumbletots Tumbletots are running Summer Playschemes for children from 3 to 7 years at Cluny Centre, Morningside. The children can be left in our care for the two and a half hours. They will play for an hour on the equipment, and will enjoy a healthy snack. They will then spend about an hour on the arts and crafts, brio, jigsaws and playdough, finishing off with the parachute. All for £10.50 per child.

The morning sessions will run from 10am to 12.30pm, the afternoon sessions will run from 1.30pm to 4pm, we can only do afternoon sessions on the Tuesdays because of the Summer classes.

The dates for the Playschemes are Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th, Friday 20th, Monday 30th, Tuesday 31st July and Friday 3rd August 2012.

We shall also be running Summer Classes for children from 6 months to 5 years on 4 of the 6 Tuesdays during the summer holidays in the morning at Cluny Centre, Morningside from Tuesday 10th July Please call Jo on 01875 819966 for more information and to book your child a place for either the Playschemes or the Summer Classes, or email Jo on joletelier.lobos@virgin.net

Summer Holiday Activities at Honeypot Ceramics After the success of our Easter Clay Course for children – we are now planning a summer clay course as well. Details to be confirmed, however to reserve your child’s place book now - as places are limited!

For full details of the holiday activities as well as current and future events please keep an eye on our web site at: www.honeypotceramics.com or call us on: 0131-333-6348.

Be amazed at what you can do …

Summer Festival Performance Courses at Festival Theatre from Scottish Youth Theatre The Festival Theatre is Scottish Youth Theatre’s Edinburgh home. As part of SF ’12, SYT is offering one and two week courses in Edinburgh for young people aged 8 – 15. Both courses are open to beginners as well as those with experience.

The Junior Course for 8-11 years from 2 – 7 July (£120 + £10 booking fee) is the ideal introduction to the world of theatre and performance whilst the Foundation course for 12-15 years from 23 July – 4 August ( £300 +£20 booking fee), is a good base to build on existing knowledge.

During rehearsal days, participants on both courses work with professional tutors towards creating a unique piece of theatre. At the end of the course there is a live performance of the work created for family and friends. Rehearsals can be hard work but the excitement of the final performance makes it all worth it.

The theme for Summer Festival is ‘Twisted Shakespeare’ and will see some of the world’s best loved plays re-worked and re-styled in new and unusual ways. The Junior and Foundation Courses in Edinburgh will work on this theme to give the audience a taste of Shakespeare – but not as they know it! SYT is delighted to announce that one of the main house productions, performed by participants on the five week course, is to be part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012 at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Booking info – both courses can be booked online at https://www.scottishyouththeatre.org/shop/ For further information and all other enquiries, please contact info@scottishyouththeatre.org or call 0141 552 3988

23 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

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All these events and more can be found on our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk All these events and more can be found on o While every care has been taken to compile the OUT AND ABOUT section please remember that this magazine is printed weeks ahead 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 Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May All of May Chloe Gardner Exhibition Monday 7 May Care to Compost?

Inspired by her beautiful surroundings here in May the 4th Be With You' - Star Wars Come along to our family event to find out more about Edinburgh and the 5 years she lived in Brazil, Chloe characters invade Hamleys Glasgow. Come waste and composting.

Gardner produces bright striking pictures in acrylics. along this May bank Holiday weekend to meet some of • what happens to your waste Favourite subjects include stags, your favourite Star Wars Characters! Hamleys Star Wars • the amazing beasties that live in your compost heap butterflies and highland cows. event will be taking place in store from 11am - 4pm. You • fun arts and crafts you can make from recycled Living in a wood and in a protected can also come along to our Star Wars Weapons Workshop. materials bird area she also uses feathers and Each workshop will be taking place in the exclusive • much more! leaves to create unique pictures Hamleys Party Room at 1pm and 3pm.

11 – 3 at Seafield Community Recycling Centre, such as her feather otter and her Saturday 5th May Cramond Playgroup Spring Fillyside Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6RD autumn leaf hares. Chloe sells originals, prints and 52 Fair. Free admission. Noon till 3pm. At Cramond Monday 7 May Pond Secrets different greetings card designs. For the whole of May her Kirk, Main Hall, Cramond Glebe Road EH4 6NS. Join us 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. £4 per adult/child prints will be at Blackhall Library, EH4 and also at The for a fantastic afternoon to raise funds for the playgroup Come along to the beautiful pond in the Japanese Garden Water of Leith Cafe Bistro, 52 Coburg Street, EH6. Prices (suitable for families & children aged up to 8) Lunch, home at Lauriston to discover what lives beneath! Like a real are from £45 and prints are available in any size. baking, teas/coffee, giant inflatable assault course, bouncy scientist record what you have found in special little books For more information or for cards please see castle, face painting, disco and tombola/prizes all then return to the glasshouse to recreate what you have www.chloegardner.com available! seen using natural willow and papers. With Lauriston May/June at The Scottish Mining Museum Sat 5 - Sun 6 May Carnival of Animals. 1.30 pm Castle staff. Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, Calling All Cat Spotters! Come along during May - 4.00 pm. Use small pieces of wood from native trees to call Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or and June and see if you can spot our six mischievous create miniature animals and plants. This drop-in margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk pussy cats who are hiding throughout the museum! If you workshop involves some use of tools. Royal Botanic Monday 7 May to Monday 14 May find them all you can choose a badge with a photo of your Garden Edinburgh. Patrick Geddes Room, upstairs in 2012 The Bank of Scotland favourite cat on it! This activity is FREE if charge! Lady the John Hope Gateway. Free. All ages. No booking Imaginate Festival 2012 Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian required. runs at venues across EH22 4QN. 0131 663 7519 Sunday 6 May Glistening Treasures 11 am – Edinburgh and beyond! The Festival Until Monday 21 May Fascinating Mummies: A 3.30 pm. £6 per adult/child. In this full day class you presents the finest selection of shows from Scotland and Slice of Life Egypt. 11:00–13:00, 14:00–16:00. will design and decorate your very own wooden jewellery around the world; a stunning combination of 14 of the Free, (drop-in). The National Museum of Scotland’s new box and create the most precious and wonderful jewellery finest national and international productions from character, A Victorian Egyptologist, is just back from and treasures to keep in it.

Scotland, England, across Europe and Australia, to suit another expedition. See what he brought back and hear his At Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, call children and adults of every age. tales of burial, tombs and curses. Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or So, to give you a flavour of what to expect, this year's National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk programme includes: from Australia, the wonderful Grug Edinburgh, EH1 1JF. (for everyone 3 years +) from Windmill Theatre and This 6 May Art Cart. Ages 4-12. 2 – 4pm. Free drop-in (Baby) Life, a gentle and performance made especially 3rd May – Nature Nippers: Tadpoles, friends art activities for all the family led by artists Tessa Asquithand a little story. We will go searching for tadpoles Lamb and Louise Fraser. Each month, there's something for children 4 -18 months old from Sally Chance Dance; from Italy, the utterly captivating Kindur - the adventurous plus some of their friends as we return to the ever popular new to create inspired by different works from the life of sheep in Iceland from Compagnia TPO (for everyone inveresk garden pond; Plus a little tadpole story to finish collection or exhibitions. Supported by the Friends of 6 years old +); from Scotland, the fast-paced and with. Call 0844 493 2124 or email the National Galleries of Scotland. Scottish National hilarious By the Seat of Your Pants from Plutôt la Vie (for lothianranger@nts.org.uk for more information. Gallery. everyone 7 years old +); from Switzerland, .h.g., an Children need to be accompanied by an adult. We will be extraordinary and re-telling of Hansel and Gretel (for going outside for part of the session every month so Sunday 6 – Monday 7 May Train Time everyone 9 years old +) and many more to delight, excite wellies and warm, waterproof clothes are a must. Nature 12:30 –16:30. Free, drop in. Two days of wonderful train and ignite your imagination! Tickets will available from Nippers runs from 10-11am at the Newhailes Visitor activities, from making models to Trainspotter Trails. the Traverse Theatre Box Office: 0131 228 1404 or Centre (except May and September it takes place at National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh online at www.traverse.co.uk.

Inveresk Lodge Garden) and costs £2 per session.

A-STAR SPORTS SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB 2012 ALL DAYS MON – FRI 9AM – 1PM W/C 16 JULY NORTH MERCHISTON CLUB POLWORTH (EH11) W/C 23 & 30 JULY REID MEMORIAL CHURCH, NEWINGTON (EH9) W/C 16, 23 & 30 JULY 4th LEITH SCOUT HALL, TRINITY (EH5) W/C 6 AUGUST NORTH MERCHISTON CLUB POLWORTH (EH11) 10 CORE SPORTS + MORE SMALL GROUP SIZES

*Age restrictions apply

For more information and to book your place, contact: Brian (07876021073) & Alister (07762224534) e: brian.droudge@a-starsports.co.uk / alister.ramm@a-starsports.co.uk TAKING BOOKINGS NOW!!!!! facebook.com/AStarSports.Edinburgh @AStarSports_UK www.a-starsports.co.uk

24 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

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our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk Saturday 12th May Nearly New Fundraising Sale. from 1:30-4:30. Blackhall St Columba’s Church, Columba Road, EH4 3QU. Grab yourself a bargain, at the Blackhall Playgroup Nearly New Sale with lots of stalls selling good quality and nearly new children’s clothes (0-9 years), toys, baby equipment and maternity clothes. Entry £1 per person. Have a browse, grab a bargain and enjoy some home baking with a tea or coffee Blackhall Playgroup is a registered charity. No. 13652 Saturday 12 May Drop-in drawing Sessions with Ruby Tulloch. Visitor Assistant Ruby Tulloch will run drop in sessions during 1 pm – 2.30 pm in the galleries for families. Ruby will speak to you about some amazing drawings in the gallery in our A Parliament of Lines exhibition and encourage you to make your own drawings in our activity area. You will get the chance to use lots of exciting materials. City Arts Centre Saturday 12 May BANG! 2pm (35mins) | £7/£4 | 7+ Strange Town 8-10s Youth Theatre presents BANG! by Jim Harbourne. Edinburgh, 1822 and there's a war on. It's a time for heroes, and one girl has found her own. A tale of love and mystery… and hats. www.strangetown.org.uk Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street 12th May Car Boot Sale Book your space now on 0131 663 7519 or come along and browse on the day! Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4QN. 0131 663 7519 Saturday 12 May The Story Kist: Inclusive Storytelling. 11am (1hr) | £5 - Family ticket £16 (4 people) | All Ages. Summer is almost with us! Come and enjoy some sunny stories with storytellers Ailie Finlay and Marie Louise Cochrane. Friendly frogs, warm breezes and summer magic! Multi-sensory stories and games for children with additional needs, their families, friends and carers. Lots of fun for everyone!

Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh Saturday 12th May Craft & Gift Markets 10.00 – 4.00 pm. £1 entry which includes entry to raffle and the first 50 people through the door will receive am eco-friendly bag. Come and meet the carefully selected stall holders and pursue the wears of some of Scotland’s finest crafters. Market Tree Events at Café Camino, Little King Street (behind John Lewis), Edinburgh, EH1 3JR for more information please check out www.MarketTreeEvents.com or ‘like’ us on facebook.com/TheMarketTreeEvents or contact us direct at info@MarketTreeEvents.com

Sat 12 - Sun 13 May Sparrowhawk Weekend 1.00 pm - 4.00pm. Come and learn about these fascinating birds which live throughout Edinburgh. Find out how our very own RBGE sparrowhawk family are doing this year. Join in lots of fun activities for all the family.

Led by RSPB Scotland. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. All ages. No booking required.

©Lyra Theatre

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 May 2012 Imaginate Festival Fringe For Families. Traverse Theatre Café Bar From 12 Noon. Free, No Ticket Required Prepare to be entertained. Prepare to be charmed. Prepare to be surprised. After previous successful Fringe events, we are pleased to offer an invitation for families to join us in the Traverse Theatre Café Bar for our third Fringe for Families. Fun packed and full of variety, this programme of short performances is always a very popular event and takes place in the nooks, crannies and open spaces of the Traverse Café Bar during the Festival. Running from 12 noon throughout the day - arrive early before a show or stay a little longer afterwards and enjoy this free event with your family.

Sunday 13 May Portrait Detectives!

2 – 4pm for ages 4 – 12. Become a Portrait Detective for the afternoon! Collect your kit, follow clues and help solve mysteries involving characters from Scottish history.

Supported by the friends of the National Galleries of Scotland. Scottish National Portrait Gallery Sunday 13 May In search of creepy crawlies 13:00 to 16:00 at Vogrie Country Park. Come along and join the Rangers in Midlothian’s great minibeast mansion. Well have all the equipment and top tips needed to explore the big bug world as well as colourful crafts too.

Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1

Sunday 13 May Mini Japanese Gardens 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. £4 per adult/child Discover the beauty and folklore of the Japanese Friendship garden at Lauriston. Make little sketches in your special book then return to the glasshouse and using very special papers create your very own garden inspired by what you have seen and learnt. With Lauriston Castle staff. Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, call Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk Tuesday 15 May Tiny Tales: Butterflies, Bees and Dancing Sunbeams. 10am & 11.30am (40mins) | £6 per child | 6mths - 2yrs. Sunny summer rhymes, songs and stories to make you wiggle and giggle!

Snuggle in and get comfortable with your youngsters in this interactive environment of story sharing, rhymes, songs and simple movement to capture the imagination of babies and adults alike, with storyteller Claire Hewitt.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh Fri 18 May Fascination of Plants Day 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm. The hills, crags and cliffs of Edinburgh are hotspots for native plants. Some of them are specialists of rocky environments. See some of the plants, find out how they survive and spark your fascination for the plants on your doorstep. For more information see the Fascination of Plants Day website. With the Green Crags Project supported by BTCV. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. Ages 5+.

No booking required Sat 19 - Sun 20 May Edinburgh Biodiversity Weekend. 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm. Join us for the opening event of Edinburgh Biodiversity Week. We'll have children's activities, volunteering opportunities, and details of many other events taking place around Edinburgh throughout the week. With Edinburgh Biodiversity Partnership. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. Ages 5+. No booking required Sat 19th May The Edinburgh Steiner School plant sale. The pupils, teachers, parents and friends have been busy sowing seeds ready for the sale from 10.30 am to 1 pm. Vegetable seedlings, herbs, flowering plants, both bedding and herbaceous, will be on offer.

Refreshments will also be available, including home baking, barbecue at lunchtime and ice cream.

All welcome.

Come and BounCe around at edinBurgh’s

neWest trampoline, aCtivity & party Centre

unit 2-3, 109 restalrig road, edinburgh eh6 7ny tel: 0131 553 7676 www.clownaround.me.uk 25 FAMILIES EDINBURGH ISSUE 72

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All these events and more can be found on o All these events and more can be found on our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

19th May Cultural Creations (Festival of Museums). Get your creative juices flowing as you take part in the our series of creative workshops inspired by the museums collection. Choose from Songwriting or Storytelling Workshops or simply drop in to the FREE banner making sessions! Fun for all the family. Adults £10, children/concessions £7.50. Call 0131 663 7519.

National Mining Museum ScotlandLady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4QN. 0131 663 7519 19th May Nature Detectives: Wee beasties get a helping hand? 10-11.30am. At Inveresk garden we will look what wee beasties are about and then we will build mini habitats for spiders, ladybirds and bees.

Contact Stuart Whittaker for more information on cost and booking. National Trust for Scotland, Newhailes, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RY. Tel: 0844 493 2124, 07748 766 794.

Email: lothianranger@nts.org.uk Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May Creating a Scented Story Dome. Join crafts and games as a giant dome of living willow is created in Charlesfield. Run as part of the 2012 Festival of Museums. Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 7AR. Telephone 01506 414957 www.almondvalley.co.uk Saturday 19 May The Enchanted Garden at the City Art Centre. 10 am – 4 pm. All Free.

A day of Creative Activities around the theme of gardens for Families and Adults.

Storytelling for Families (suitable for ages 5+) 10:30am -11:15am Tree Magic I, Celtic Tree Tales 11:30am -12:15am Enchanted Gardens 1:30am -2:15am Enchanted Gardeners 3 am -3:45 pm Tree Magic II, Tales from Around the World. For Families, Drop-in either between 10-30-1230 or 1.30-3.30 The Magical Tree with Lindsey Hamilton A magical tree has appeared at the City Art Centre and creative young artists are needed to help it grow some leaves. Come along and create some beautifully decorated, multi-coloured leaves to add to our enchanted tree. As it grows help by creating unique and mysterious fruit to hang from its branches.

19 May Edinburgh for Under Fives launches its new edition. 2-4 pm at Ocean Terminal. More than 1000 reviews of family-friendly places to go, places to eat, activities, shops, festivals, playgroups and more – written by parents and carers just like you. New this edition are clearer listings and great features about caring for an under 5. Don't leave the house this summer without it!

In all good bookshops and at www.efuf.co.uk

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Sunday 20 and Monday 21 May Egypt Extravaganza. 12:30. Free (drop in) To celebrate our Fascinating Mummies exhibition, the National Museum of Scotland is holding a two-day Ancient Egypt special, with hieroglyphs and pyramids. Bring your own teddy or doll to make into a mummy! National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh 19 - 20 May Scottish Birdfair 9.30am – 5.30pm. £12, under-16s FREE. Get back to nature with us at the beautiful Hopetoun House for a weekend of crafts, games, conservation and more! With activities for kids and markets and stalls for adults, not to mention guided walks and boat trips, there really is fun for the whole family. For more information and to book your tickets, go to www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk.

19 May A Summer Venetian Masked Ball.

6 pm – 8 pm. For Everyone. Free. Lauriston Castle An evening of Crafts and Music for Everyone. Enjoy a beautiful early summer’s evening in our gardens and listen to Venetian music, see a fashion show of masks and creative head-pieces, make family crafts and eat some Italian food. Booking is essential for this event. For booking contact Margaret Findlay on 0131 529 3963 email margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk Saturday 19 May Vogrie Country Park Sale 10:00 to 16:00. Our annual plant sale will take place in the Victorian Walled Garden, where beautiful colourful bedding, garden plants, herbaceous and hanging baskets are on special offer. Advice will be on hand from our expert staff. Visitors to the plant sale can also enjoy all the other activities that Vogrie has to offer including the adventure playground, woodland walks and nine hole golf course.

Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1 Sun 20 May Talking Trees Storytelling 2.00 pm — 3.30 pm. Let the Talking Trees transport you to another place with their stories from around the world.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Patrick Geddes Room, upstairs in the John Hope Gateway. Free. Ages 5+. No booking required.

Sunday 20 May Bags of Art. 2 - 4pm for ages 4 - 12 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 Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser.

Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland. Gallery of Modern Art

Sunday 20th May The Jack & Jill Market 10.30am – 1.30pm 60 stalls bursting with quality, nearlynew baby & kids clothes, toys, buggies, bikes, equipment, etc (0-9 yrs). Meadowbank Leisure Centre, London Rd, Edinburgh, EH6 7AE www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk Monday 21 May or Tuesday 22 May Bear Necessities! 10 am – 12.30 pm. £6 per adult/child Bring your favourite bear to the enchanting woods of Lauriston for a very special teddy bear’s picnic and bear hunt. Enjoy bear stories, enter your bear into a ‘best dressed’ competition then create a very special model of your bear using clay. With Lauriston Castle staff. Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, call Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk Tues 22 May Amazing Diversity 1.00pm 4.00pm. Celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity by coming along to meet the Scottish Wildlife Trust and learning all about Scotland's exciting wildlife!

With Scottish Wildlife Trust. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. All ages. No booking required.

Saturday 26th May Juniper Green Nursery Playgroup Summer Fair. From 12pm - 2pm at Juniper Green Village Hall, Juniper Park Road. Jango the Clown will be there along with the following activities: tombola, bouncy castle, balloons, home baking, ice cream, face painting, hook the duck, splat the rat, BBQ and much, much more. Entrance is Children inc. Jango the Clown £3, Adults £1 inc. refreshments.

Saturday 26 May Drop-in drawing Sessions with Ruby Tulloch. Visitor Assistant Ruby Tulloch will run drop in sessions during 1 pm – 2.30 pm in the galleries for families. Ruby will speak to you about some amazing drawings in the gallery in our A Parliament of Lines exhibition and encourage you to make your own drawings in our activity area. You will get the chance to use lots of exciting materials. City Arts Centre Saturday 26th May The Edinburgh Baby and Child Fair. 10 – 4pm at Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. £4 on the door. Under 16’s free.

& About

our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk Saturday 26th May - Wardie Primary School May Fair 12pm-2pm. Come along with the family to our popular annual May Fair. With lots to keep the kids (and adults) happy including an inflatable assault course, face painting, home baking, lots of stalls, welly tossing, games and a great raffle. Please come along and join the fun! Adults £2 Children 50p (entrance includes a free tea/coffee/juice) Wardie Primary School, Granton Road Saturday 26th May Braidburn School Family Funday. 10am - 12.30pm. Exciting annual event with lots of Stalls, activities and fun for all the family. Fund raising to support local Edinburgh children with additional support needs.

26th May Family Tree Workshop (Family Learning Session). Design your own family tree with the help of parents and grandparents. Talk about relatives from long ago - who knows what you might discover!! FREE of charge, bookable in advance. (11.3012.30). National Mining Museum ScotlandLady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4QN. 0131 663 7519

SensoryO Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 May Scottish Opera – SensoryO (at Scottish Book Trust) And Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 June (at Scottish Storytelling Centre). 11.30am & 1.30pm (30mins) | £7/£5 | 18mths-36mths.

Journey into a magical, night-time world, take a train ride through the jungle, and meet a friendly lion who sleeps under the stars… Following the phenomenal success of BabyO, Scottish Opera’s groundbreaking show for 6 to 18 month olds, SensoryO is a brand new interactive performance for toddlers and their carers. Aimed at kids between the ages of 18 and 36 months, this engaging 30-minute show is rich in sound, rhythm and music. Performed on an inviting and tactile set, with its unique audience in mind, it introduces toddlers to live performance in a relaxed and intimate environment. Featuring a mixture of live and recorded vocal music, and percussive sounds performed on the ‘playable’ set, SensoryO also uses smells, textures, actions and simple but striking visuals to inspire the imagination and bring the adventure to life.

Please note – all tickets to be purchased via the Storytelling Centre Box Office. High Street, Edinburgh. www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

Sat 26 - Sun 27 May We are extInked 1.00 pm — 4.00 pm. Three years ago 100 volunteers became ambassador's for 100 threatened British species and were tattooed with an image of their species. Come and find out how hedgehogs and other species are benefiting from this unique arts and ecology project.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. Ages 5+. No booking required Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th May Magic Crystal Garden Workshop. Design your own crystal garden.

Using drawing, stencilling and 3-D cardboard cut-outs artist Natalie Taylor will guide you through miniature landscaping, that will come 'alive' with a crystal solution over several hours. Suitable for children 10+ accompanied by an adult. Prices: £80 per adult and £60 per child. Please contact office for family packages. 10am to 4pm with an hour for lunch and access to the Artland.

Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House steading, Nr Wilkieston, Edinburgh, EH27 8BB www.jupiterartland.org Sun 27 May Floral Choral Concert 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon stroll in the Garden to the sound of singing from the celebrated seventy voiced Edinburgh choir, Jubilo, celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. They will sing music on themes from flowers to teddy bears... something for all ages to enjoy!

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. John Hope Gateway outdoor auditorium and Azalea Lawn (opposite Glasshouses)

Sunday 27th May The Jack & Jill Market 10.30am – 1.30pm 40 stalls bursting with quality, nearlynew baby & kids clothes, toys, buggies, bikes, equipment, etc (0-9 yrs).

West Lothian College, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk Sunday 27 May World Wars Experience 10:00-17:00. Adult £10:50 / £8.50, Child £5 (under 5 free). Family (2 adults, 2 children) £27.50, National Museums Scotland Members free, Parking charges apply.

The two World Wars come to life with our living history presenters and their military vehicles. Watch live battles and explore life on the front line in our military encampments. Learn how to get by in times if austerity in our make-do-and-mend workshops then dress up and pose for your own wartime portrait.

National Museum of Flight, East Fortune, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Sunday 27 May Vogrie Country Park Tiny Tots Trail. 13:00 to 16:00. Join the Ranger Service for an afternoon of treasure trails, nature detecting and colourful crafts for toddlers and tiny tots. Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1 Thursday 31 May New, Improved Duncan Place Nappuccinos. Your ‘one stop’ event to meet all your real nappy needs. Get free advice and information from parents with lots of experience of using real nappies, see different types of nappies and if you’d like, apply for a trial pack or lending kit.

Parents will also be able to: • Place orders and buy new nappies from a range of manufacturers, in partnership with Little Froggies, an independent nappy retailer. Brands available are Lollipop; Little Lambs; Tots Bots; Blueberry; Nature Babies; Bright Bots; Wonderoos and GenY. • Buy great value second hand nappies.

• Buy nappy accessories.

• Drop off second hand nappy donations.

A proportion of sales generated from all items will create income for the Real Nappy Project, to help to continue with the services provided. 10am - 11.30am, Duncan Place Resource Centre, Duncan Place (just off Duke St, Leith), Edinburgh, EH6 8HW Please see www.changeworks.org.uk/shared/edinburgh/536/ to keep up to date with our events listings.

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd June PLU 3 -day festival for parents with children aged 0-6 at its regular venue on Leith Links. Once again the programme is packed with activities, theatre, music and sport for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Admission is free, as are many of the activities on offer.

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All these events and more can be found on o All these events and more can be found on our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Friday 1 – Sunday 3rd June Gardening Scotland

at The Royal Highland Centre

There’s something for all the family at Gardening Scotland, the national gardening and outdoor living show. Over 400 exhibitors take part selling everything from seeds to sunrooms and at the very heart of the show is the New Hopetoun Gardens Floral Hall, which will be filled with glorious displays and hundreds of thousands of beautiful flowers.

And there’s more to the show than plants. The Food Fayre is where you can find small producers selling delicious foods while in the Zero Waste Scotland Cookery Theatre some of Scotland’s leading chefs will be demonstrating how to make the most of Scotland’s larder.

Outside top designers will be showcasing the latest gardening trends in the Show Gardens and schools and gardening clubs will be packing plants and big ideas into tiny spaces in the Dobbies Pallet Garden Challenge.

Kids can get their hands dirty taking part in Dobbies Little Seedlings Club sessions and can find out about bugs, bees and lots of other fascinating facts about nature in the Living Garden. There’s fun and games for all the family in the Big Back Garden where kids can run off some steam and get the chance to have encounters with birds of prey and honeybees.

Tickets cost £14 for Friday and £12 for Saturday or Sunday when bought in advance. Children under 16 go free.

We have five pairs of tickets to give away to Families Edinburgh readers. For your chance to win one pair and have a wonderful family day out at Gardening Scotland 2012 go to www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk/offers and answer a simple question For more information on Gardening Scotland 2012, call 0131 333 0965 or visit www.gardeningscotland.com.

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2nd June (1pm & 3pm) The Railway Children (Stage Show). Don't miss M&M Theatrical Productions fabulous adaptation of The Railway Children, live at the National Mining Museum!! Tickets on sale now Adult £7.50, Child/Conc £5.50. Call 0131 663 7519.

National Mining Museum Scotland, Lady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4QN

5th June Diamond Jubilee Holiday Fun 20% off all cake stands, teapots, milk jugs, cups and saucers and sugar pots! Come and join in our tea party and enjoy a complimentary cupcake while you paint plus 20% off our tea party range of pottery. 10.30 –9pm Please call us on 0131 229 1399 to book your place.

Doodles, 29 Marchmont Crescent

Sat 2 - Sun 3 June Locating the Nest: Printmaking and poems drop-in. 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm.

Working with writer Tom Pow and artist Hugh Bryden, weave words and images into wonderful nests using printmaking and poems. An activity for over fives in conjunction with the Locating the Nest exhibition Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. Ages 5+. No booking required Friday 1 June 13.30-16.30 Celebrate The Diamond Jubilee. Come and make some jubilee inspired crafts and join us in a wee party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Potter Around, Overton Farm, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AH Tel: 01506 238961. Email: chat@potteraround.co.uk www.potteraround.co.uk 2 – 5 June The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 11:00 – 15:00. Join in the celebrations for The Queens Diamond Jubilee at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Take part in our ‘Queen Elizabeth II at Holyroodhouse’ family trail to discover what happens when The Queen stays at the Palace and find out about other kings and queens of the past. In the Family Room why not try on royal clothing and make your own set of Royal Crown Jewels to wear The Queen’s Diamond Julbilee event is free with standard admission to the Palace/Gallery or a valid 1 Year Pass.

Adult: £10.50 / Over 60/Student (with valid ID): £9.50 / Under 17: £6.35 / Under 5: Free / Family (2 Adults and 3 under 17s): £27.80 Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX Sunday 3 June The Vogrie Diamond Jubilee

Tuesday 5th June Queen’s Jubilee Activities Edinburgh Zoo will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a range of fantastic arts and crafts activities – why not make a card for the Queen, create your very own crown or decorate a ceramic animal?

Please note there may be a small additional charge for some activities. Normal zoo admission prices apply Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS

Park Party, Picnic and Performances

Mid-day to 17:00. Pack up a picnic, bring the rug and find a summer spot at Vogrie. We’ll have a day of teas and cakes, musical performances, arts and crafts, camp-fire cooking and sunshine. Feel free to come along in fancy dress or bring along your teddy bear to the picnic. Some on the spot prizes will be awarded. Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1 4th June The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Celebrates the Diamond Jubilee

19:00 – 22:30. Join us for a special evening in the Palace grounds as part of our Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Enjoy free access to this spectacular setting with entertainment and activities for all ages. The evening ends with lighting a Jubilee Beacon on the roof of the Palace, one of 2012 beacons being lit across the Commonwealth that night.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX

7th June – Nature Nippers: Hungry Caterpillars: let’s find out Which caterpillars live in the grasslands at Newhailes?

Come along and find out! We may even find some butterflies. Call 0844 493 2124 or email lothianranger@nts.org.uk for more information.

Children need to be accompanied by an adult. We will be going outside for part of the session every month so wellies and warm, waterproof clothes are a must. Nature Nippers runs from 10-11am at the Newhailes Visitor Centre (except May and September it takes place at Inveresk Lodge Garden) and costs £2 per session.

Saturday 9 June Croquet Tea Party!

10.30 am – 12.30 pm. £4 per adult/child Inspired by ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, come to the old castle kitchen to decorate some very spectacular cakes and biscuits for your own special tea party in the glasshouse, and then enjoy a game of ‘Queen of Hearts’ croquet on the lawn. With Lauriston Castle staff. Lauriston Castle.

To secure your place, call Margaret Findlay on 0131529-3963 or margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk Saturday 9 June Drop-in drawing Sessions with Ruby Tulloch. Visitor Assistant Ruby Tulloch will run drop in sessions during 1 pm – 2.30 pm in the galleries for families. Ruby will speak to you about some amazing drawings in the gallery in our A Parliament of Lines exhibition and encourage you to make your own drawings in our activity area. You will get the chance to use lots of exciting materials. City Arts Centre Sunday 10 June A peek into the watery wildlife of Vogrie ponds. 13:00 to 16:00. We go in search of dragons, damsels and nymphs. We have all the equipment you need to become a Sunday afternoon water detective. Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1

& About

our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

16th June Sick Kids Friends Foundation ‘Summer Fair and Teddy Toddle’, 12 - 4 at Meadowbank Stadium. Join in celebrating their 20th anniversary!.

Saturday 16th June Craft & Gift Markets 10.00 – 4.00 pm. £1 entry which includes entry to raffle and the first 50 people through the door will receive am eco-friendly bag. Come and meet the carefully selected stall holders and pursue the wears of some of Scotland’s finest crafters. Market Tree Events at Café Camino, Little King Street (behind John Lewis) Edinburgh, EH1 3JR for more information please check out www.MarketTreeEvents.com or ‘like’ us on facebook.com/TheMarketTreeEvents or contact us direct at info@MarketTreeEvents.com

Sunday 17th June Father’s Day Treat your Dad to a really special day out this Father’s Day with a visit to Edinburgh Zoo! Visit all our famous Zoo dad’s including Horatio the rock hyrax, Otto the pygmy hippo and Malaki the Gelada baboon. Enjoy a barbeque lunch from The Big Grilla and take part in some of the fantastic Father’s Day activities on offer. Please note there may be a small additional charge for some activities.

Normal Zoo admission prices apply. Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS

16th June Nature Detectives: Damselfly ceramics. 10 – 11.30am. The detectives will be looking for dragonfly and damselfly at Inversek garden pond. Then we will make our own ceramic damselfly.

Contact Stuart Whittaker for more information on cost and booking. National Trust for Scotland, Newhailes, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RY. Tel: 0844 493 2124, 07748 766 794.

Email: lothianranger@nts.org.uk Nina from Nina and the Neurons, May from Big City Park and other Cbeebie favourites will be there to start the Toddle and to meet you all! Also, Edinburgh Zoo’s official Panda mascots, Tian Tian and Yan Guang, will be paying a visit! This is a fantastic day out for all the family with stalls, food, fair ground rides, bouncy castles, crafts, face painting, dancing, storytelling, entertainment and lots, lots more!The Teddy Toddle is £5 to enter, begins at 2pm and each toddler receives a fun goodie bag provided by Gambado ltd. To help celebrate their 20th Anniversary this year they are raising the suggested minimum sponsorship for each toddler to £20. Of course you can raise as much as you like, as every penny will help make Sick Kids get better.

Entry forms for the sponsored Teddy Toddle can be downloaded from www.edinburghsickkids.org or email Linda.cameron@luht.scot.nhs.uk For any other enquiries, including stall booking or raffle prize donations please contact Victoria.e.watson@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or contact us on 0131 6684949 Saturday 16 June Mayfield Salisbury

Playgroup annual Summer Fair

10am - 12pm. For a fantastic family fun day out come to Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church and help the playgroup celebrate Summer! Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 18 West Mayfield, EH9 1TQ. Saturday 16th June Family drop-in Drawing Challenges. 10.30 am -12.30 pm and 1.30 pm 3.30 pm. Free. Inspired by the works within A Parliament of Lines exhibition, try out lots of exciting drawing materials and methods to create your own amazing artworks.

With artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb.

Sunday 17th June The Jack & Jill Market 10.30am – 1.30pm. 60 stalls bursting with quality, nearly-new baby & kids clothes, toys, buggies, bikes, equipment, etc (0-9 yrs).

Meadowbank Leisure Centre, London Rd, Edinburgh, EH6 7AE www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk

June 17th Father’s Day. Attention all Mums and carers, Don’t forget Dad this Father’s day and make him something special from the children. We have lots of super ideas from cufflinks in a box, cereal bowls, coffee mugs to teapots and toast plates. Let us help you make a very personal gift that will be treasured.

Doodles, 29 Marchmont Crescent Sunday 17 June Teas in the Park. Mid-day to 16:00. Get on down to Roslin Glen in Midlothian for National Love Parks Week. There will be music, tea and buns, model train rides, river dipping and crafts.

Sunday 17 June, Robots Live! 10:00 – 17:00.

Cheer on the clashing competitors from Robot Wars as they battle it out in the shadow of Concorde. Meet the scientists shaping our future and try building your own electronic device in our MadLab workshop. Get to grips with the future in our technical challenges and interactive activities. Adult £10:50 / £8.50, Child £5 (under 5 free) Family (2 adults, 2 children) £27.50, National Museums Scotland Members free, Parking charges apply. National Museum of Flight, East Fortune, East Lothian, EH39 5LF 17th June Father's Day DADS GO FREE!!

Bring dad along for a great day out at the National Mining Museum - and he'll get in FREE of charge (with one other paying adult). Remember, KIDS GO FREE too. National Mining Museum Scotland Lady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4QN. 0131 663 7519

Saturday 23 June Drop-in drawing Sessions with Ruby Tulloch. Visitor Assistant Ruby Tulloch will run drop in sessions during 1 pm – 2.30 pm in the galleries for families. Ruby will speak to you about some amazing drawings in the gallery in our A Parliament of Lines exhibition and encourage you to make your own drawings in our activity area. You will get the chance to use lots of exciting materials. City Arts Centre Saturday 23 June Go Wild in the Woods 10 am – 12.30 pm. £4 per adult/child. Join a Forest School Ranger to delve deep into the woods at Lauriston Castle and construct a temporary shelter using a range of natural materials. Furnish these shelters with artwork and have your photo taken as a memento of the day. Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, call Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk

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All these and more becan found on ouron website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk All events these events and can more be found our website www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk

Saturday 23rd June Midsummer Picnic in the park. Following on from last year’s very successful evening picnic at Jupiter this one is again on the nearest Saturday to midsummer’s eve. We will supply a picnic including pasta salad, summer fruits and wine. Please bring your own rug and chairs and choose your favorite spot in the Artland to enjoy your picnic. 6pm to 9pm - £25 a head. Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House steading, Nr Wilkieston, Edinburgh, EH27 8BB www.jupiterartland.org Sunday 24th June The Jack & Jill Market 10.30am – 1.30pm 40 stalls bursting with quality, nearly-new baby & kids clothes, toys, buggies, bikes, equipment, etc (0-9 yrs).

West Lothian College, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston, EH54 7EP www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk Sunday 24 June Picnic in the Park Mid-day to 17:00. Come along to Vogrie for a lunchtime picnic and enjoy an afternoon of storytelling with Midlothian’s Bagatelle Group. There will be arts and crafts and pond dipping too. The model train will be running and our adventure playgrounds are magic.

Vogrie Country Park is located just off the A68 - four miles south of Dalkeith - on the B6372 near Gorebridge. Car park cost £1 Thursday 28 June New, Improved Duncan Place Nappuccinos. 10am - 11.30am, Duncan Place Resource Centre, Duncan Place (just off Duke St, Leith), Edinburgh, EH6 8HW. See May 31st for more information

Saturday 30th June

Voyageurs Egarés – an unavoidable trip into an imaginary world

Two characters, who meet by sheer chance on a deserted railway platform, unexpectedly discover a strange key.

They now have a first class ticket for an unavoidable trip into another world; an imaginary place where everything is possible...

Sometimes clowns, sometimes magicians and sometimes jugglers.

One is rather crazy, the other rational, a bit melancholy but often humorous, the two men improvise and weave the fabric of a show which at the heart remains circus, fairground arts, the illusion of shadow theatre... and absurdity!

The artists create the comic escapades of their fantasy with consummate skill - to the delight of young and old - aboard a train, a boat, an aircraft, even a rocket ...

So ‘all aboard’ for a trip with Voyageurs Egarés!

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street Edinburgh EH3 9AX. 2.30pm • £15 adults, £12 conc, £10 child. Tickets available online at www.magicfest.co.uk or our Box Office 0131 473 2000 Ages 5+ Saturday 30 June Pirate’s Treasure Challenge. 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. £4 per adult/child. Ahoy there! Are you brave enough to attempt our treasure challenge in the Castle grounds? Using a secret pirate map, navigate the Pool of Doom and the Ghost of Pirates Past Forest, to find yourself a hidden mini treasure chest, then return to the glasshouse to decorate it using jewels, papers and paints. With Lauriston Castle staff.

Lauriston Castle. To secure your place, call Margaret Findlay on 0131-529-3963 or margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk

Friday 29th June Magic and Variety Gala Show.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival returns for its third year starting with the spectacular Opening Gala at the Lyceum Theatre. Come see modern magicians and performers stretch YOUR imagination, working at the extreme end of visual theatre to offer you a unique and spellbinding experience impossible to find at any other theatre in Scotland. Magic is at its best when seen live on stage with your own eyes. Only then can you let yourself slip into a magical world and experience wonder. So be amazed, see things differently and “unbelieve it” at the Magic and Variety Gala Show.

2.30pm (Preview) • All tickets £10 7pm • £20/£16 adults, £16/£12 conc, £10 child Tickets available online at www.magicfest.co.uk or our Box Office 0131 473 2000 Ages 5+

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Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July Dragonflies from Scratch. 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm.

Spend time with Ruary Mackenzie-Dodds, BBC Springwatch's 'Dragonfly Geek' and learn a few really useful tips - life-cycle, behaviour, identification - and learn what to watch out for in the dragonfly world when you are out and about this summer. With The Dragonfly Project. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Free. 8+. No booking required Sat 30 June and Sunday 1 July Edinburgh’s Big Dance. With over 90 dance groups performing, dance tasters, demonstrations, a world record attempt, a dance along film and much much more, you’d be mad to miss out on this free event! The Big Dance will be hitting a number of venues across the city, from Castle Street, to St. Andrew’s Square, Rose Street, and The Grassmarket and what’s more, there will be something for everyone. So whether your kids are into Street Dance/ Breakin’ or whether Musical theatre is more your/their thing, keep your eyes peeled on Families for all the updates and get yourself along to The Big Dance Edinburgh 2012. Full programme available in May at www.dancebase.co.uk/bigdance

International Association of Infant Massage

Training in EDINBURGH 2012 The I.A.I.M. Certified Infant Massage Instructor course offers a high professional standard of training. Successful completion of the course provides the skills, knowledge and qualification to teach infant massage to parents and carers. We invite you to consider if you would like to teach other parents how to massage their baby.

International Trainer Kate Pigeon-Owen will be providing the four day co- training in Edinburgh on the following dates June 25, 26, 27 & 28th 2012 Attendance at a full four-day course is required Cost per delegate is £495 including weighted demonstration doll ‘This course exceeded my expectations in every way.’ Local mother, near Edinburgh

If you would like more information or to talk to the trainer Kate please contact us at Childways: Tel 01379 677335 email enquiries@childways.co.uk www.childways.co.uk

The Gillespie Macandrew Hopetoun Horse Trials promise to be a wonderful spectacle for all the family.

The two day event set in the grounds of the historic Hopetoun Estate takes place over Saturday the 28th & Sunday the 29th of July 2012.

Spectators can expect an exhilarating display of equestrian excellence as well as the best in food shopping and entertainment for the whole family.

Younger visitors will get the chance to ride a pony courtesy of the event’s charity partners, Riding for the Disabled, as well as a host of other attractions.

From the West End to the West Lawn, exclusive retailers will present their latest collections within the shopping arena alongside international brands such as Barbour and Hunter.

Hurry tickets are on sale NOW, with kids under 14 going free! For advanced tickets visit www.hopetoun.co.uk/Horse-Trials.html for early bird offers!

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A PAIR OF TICKETS AND VIP PARKING, SIMPLY TELL US WHICH MONTH THE HOPETOUN HORSE TRIALS TAKE PLACE. Enter online at www.familiesedinburgh.co.uk/offers Terms & Conditions apply

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Copyright Š Families Magazine 2012. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families Edinburgh nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Edinburgh is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Copyright Š on all artwork designed by Families shall remain with Families or contributor.