MADE (Mums & Dads Edinburgh) Jan/Feb 2016

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 FREE

mums and dads edinburgh

THE TOP 100!

You don’t want to commit

• Party Venues • Entertainment • Party Packages • Cakes & Caterers • Cards & Presents • Top Activities

AWARD-WINNING URBAN DANCE CLASSES AND PARTIES FOR TOTS TO TEENS WWW.STEPITUPDANCE.CO.UK

King Lear?

Leader of the opposition?

Antiques dealer?

At Sparkle Arts we encourage children aged 1-5 to develop and learn through a fun mix of music, dance and drama. Our classes bring subjects to life to accelerate learning, whilst building confidence and improving social skills. It’s a creative education that will make little minds sparkle and teach children skills that will last a lifetime.

Go online to find out more and book a class.

sparklearts.co.uk

make learning fun.

made

welcome Contributors We asked our columnists their earliest childhood party memories…

Kirsty Nicholls Taking part in a children’s magic show by entertainer “Wizzardy Woo” (who is actually still going) while listening to Kylie Minogue’s “Locomotion”, dressed up as a panda!

Heidi Scrimgeour Counting down the hours until my party in the afternoon when I could finally get changed into my brand new beautiful party frock. I must have been about 5 and every single one of those hours felt like a lifetime to me!

Graeme Easton I remember playing classic games like Pass the Parcel and having a party LP with T-Rex tunes and the Simple Simon song on it.

Cutting edge or what!

contact facebook.com/MADEmag

Happy New Yeare ! everyon I hope Santa was good to you and you all had a wonderful festive period with family and friends.

Ours was a whirlwind of events and parties and food and drink and singing and games! Mixed with a lot of trying to stop Jack from climbing the Christmas tree!

We’ve also been really busy compiling our list of Top 100 parties! It seems there are more ways to celebrate your little ones’ birthdays than ever before. Hopefully we’ve found something in the list that suits everybody - be sure to let us know! And make sure to hang on to this edition throughout 2016 so you have all the contacts and ideas you’ll need for when the big day arrives!

Louise x

Editor & Publisher Designer Sales Executive Online Events Writers Columnists

Agony Aunt Cover Printer

Louise Wilson MAMi Designs Caroline McClean Emma Louise McKale Heidi Scrimgeour Kirsty Nicholls, Edinburgh for Under Fives Graeme Easton, Woosh! Entertainments Jojo Sutherland © valiza14 - Fotolia.com Stephens & George

MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 • E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk

twitter.com/MADE_magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Introducing the latest addition to the Cranley family For over 20 years, Cranley Nursery Group has been building an award-winning reputation in childcare.

Our team of motivated, highly-trained staff is dedicated to providing the safest, happiest and most stimulating environment for children from newborns to 5-year-olds. This year saw the opening of our fourth nursery location at Lanark Road, with both indoor and outdoor learning and play areas, and convenient on-street parking. Contact our friendly staff today to find out more about giving your child a great start with Cranley.

Nursery Open Day on Saturday 23rd January from 10am to 3pm – all welcome Cranley Nursery, Cranley Nursery, Cranley Nursery, Cranley Nursery, 226 Braid Road, Edinburgh EH10 6NZ (t) 0131 445 2227

Paties Road Pavilion, 66 Katesmill Road, Edinburgh EH14 1JF (t) 0131 441 3804

38 Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1LT (t) 0131 444 0880

cranleynursery.co.uk enquiries@cranleynursery.co.uk UK Nursery Chain of the Year

Team Development NDNA Awards Runner up Scotland

438 Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH13 0NJ (t) 0131 441 2200

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Contents january / february

18 35

6 News 17

Mum’s New World

You will go to the ball

18

Birthday Party Crimes

By Heidi Scrimgeour

58

22

The Top 100

24 Arts & Crafts, Make & Create Parties

29 30 32 33 35 38 42 43 47 50 51

53

Leave it to Dad

Dance Parties

By Graeme Easton

Music Parties

54

Trust Jojo

If you need advice…

26 Party Entertainers

Drama Parties Shops & Suppliers Birthday Gift Ideas Sports & Active Parties Parties for Under 5s Softplay & Play Cafe Parties Parties at Visitor Attractions Party Venues to Hire Sweets, Cakes & Caterers

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

56 Shopping

Post Party Pick-Me-Ups

58

Food & Drink

Pancake Inspiration

60

Diaries

What to do in Jan & Feb

64

Out & About 66 Tried & Tested

Yogabellies on trial…

5

news Local mums bag a winner with the Brug

Hello Nature Hello Nature, by Nina Chakrabarti and published

by Laurence King in February 2016 is a fantastic new nature activity book, exploring the exciting natural world around us.

With her beautiful, distinctive illustrations, Nina Chakrabarti urges you to explore the weird and wonderful things you can find all around you - whether you’re out in a park, your back garden or sitting in your living room at home! Hello Nature is your very own nature scrapbook, packed with fascinating facts and brilliant activities. www.laurenceking.com

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New Edinburgh-based start-up Wunderlife has launched an innovative bag with a dual purpose. Designed specifically to meet the demands of busy parents, the Brug is a unique new storage and travel solution that starts life as a bag and transforms into a large water resistant rug.

A simple yet novel design concept, which delivers on style and functionality, the Brug is the brainchild of two working mums, Dominique King and Melissa McConnell who have teamed up to form WuÂŽ new company that is making life that little bit easier for us all.

Large enough to transport everything a busy parent might need for a trip to the park, beach or swimming pool, the Brug can be used indoors or outdoors, is durable, wipe clean and machine washable, priced at ÂŁ59.99 and available from www.wearewunderlife.com

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www.mademagazine.co.uk

news Perfect Activity

Tracker for Parents

Funday Sunday Looking for something different to do on Sunday? Then go and play at The Yard! It is now open to the public on Sundays. The Yard in Canonmills has one of the best adventure playgrounds in Edinburgh where kids can build sandcastles, play pirates on the boat swing and splash in the stream. And indoors there’s soft play, dressing-up and an art-room. Admission is only £5 per child for a two hour session and every penny raised goes back into running the service for disabled children and their families. The Yard is open from 11am to 4pm and is perfect for children of primary school age. www.theyardscotland.org.uk

Perfect Activity Tracker for Parents The Polar Loop 2 activity tracker is the perfect partner for new parents trying to stay active, monitor their sleep and adapt to life with their new arrival. The Loop 2 builds on the wellliked Polar features, design, waterresistance, and the possibility to expand to heart rate-based training. Moreover, the Loop 2 introduces vibration alerts, smart notifications, and new colours and soft materials. Now available in Powder White and Sorbet Pink and Smoky Black for £94.50 www.polar.com/ loop2

2016 Fringe Schools Poster Competition

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

© EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE SOCIETY

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is calling on budding young artists in Edinburgh to come up with a unique and eye-catching design for the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe poster.

Chief Executive, Kath M Mainland, said: “The competition is a fantastic way for students aged five to 16 to get creative in the classroom and inspires engagement with the arts.’’

The entry pack and learning resources can be downloaded at www.edfringe.com/poster.

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news Take on a new challenge this year

and help beat Parkinson’s

Join Parkinson’s 2016 Edinburgh Marathon Festival team and raise funds to get closer to a cure. Choose from a marathon, half marathon, 10K or a 5K run – there’s distances for all ages and abilities. The charity is totally dependent on donations, so sign up now and help find a cure and support those affected by Parkinson’s.

Edinburgh Marathon Festival is 28-29 May 2016. www.parkinsons.org.uk/ edmf16

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Open Day at Cranley Lanark Road Nursery

Cranley Nursery Group’s newly refurbished nursery on Lanark Road is having an open day on Saturday 23rd January, at the former Tower House location on the corner of Gillespie Crossroads.

The experienced and fully-qualified nursery team have implemented Cranley’s award-winning recipe for success to create a safe, stimulating and fun environment for children 3 months to 5 years, with a secure outdoor play area and purpose-built timber annex dedicated to pre-schoolers. The nursery also has use of Cranley’s allotment, orchard and mini-bus. Parents and children are invited to drop in to the nursery open day on 23rd Jan, 10am - 3pm at 438 Lanark Road. www.cranleynursery.co.uk

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news Wellkid

enjoyparties For birthday parties packed full of active fun, you’re sure to have a blast with enjoyleisure. Across East Lothian, they have a wide range of party options - create a splash at a pool party; hire out Dunbar Leisure Pool or have fun on their aqua-runs; jump to your heart’s delight on bouncy castles (or kid’s trampolines in North Berwick); scale the walls at the Climbing Wall in Tranent; hire a hall for the sporting activity of your choice; or exclusively hire Jamboree or Wiggles soft play areas! enjoyleisure also offers a range of bespoke catering packages, so all you need to do is bring the cake! www.enjoyleisure.com

This winter was said to be the coldest yet, which means kids are spending even less time outdoors getting the necessary levels of Vitamin D. Wellkid Immune Chewable is new from Vitabiotics for children aged 4 – 12 years. It is packed with 24 nutrients to help safeguard your child’s nutritional intake, including zinc which contributes to normal immune system function. Available in a great tasting, natural orange & lemon flavour, it includes vitamins A, C and D which are recommended for young children by the UK Department of Health.

National Museums Scotland reveals 2016 exhibitions

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

© NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND

Two major developments will see ten new galleries unveiled at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh next summer and, in spring, two redeveloped aircraft hangars will open at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune. Meanwhile, a packed programme of exhibitions explores diverse themes from the secret world of primates in a major new family exhibition, Monkey Business, to the complex history of the peoples known as Celts, ground-breaking fossil discoveries and adventures in architecture with LEGO® bricks.

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news RIDE ON!

PedalHouse is a new state-of-the-art indoor cycling (spinning) studio in a sleek warehouse space in Canonmills. Spinning is a great way to build fitness and lose weight, burning up to 600 calories in a 50 minute session. PedalHouse uses music and motivation so that every rider builds up a sweat which leaves you feeling fitter and invigorated.

Perfect for time strapped parents to get an effective workout in daytime, evening or weekend classes.

Dedicated group classes can be organised on request for work groups, post-natal mums and triathlon clubs. www.pedalhousedinburgh. com

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Frock & Roll

Ladies!

On 5 March 2016, you can take part in a fun ‘Frock Swap’ in Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton. This fantastic event would like you to come along, bring a bottle, and some friends, for the chance to get your hands on something new for you in 2016.

Tickets are £10 which includes one swap and tea, coffee and nibbles. Further swaps, a silent auction and raffle will also take place on the night. All monies raised will go towards the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh and Colinton Parish Church.

The Colinton ‘Frock Swap’ would love to receive your good quality clothing, shoes or accessories so please contact church.office@colinton-parish.com for more information, tickets or to donate.

Dreaming of a family retreat to South West France?

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Dordogne, Le Chevrefeuille B&B and self-catering is the ideal family holiday haven. Approved by leading UK preschool tour operators, Le Chevrefeuille is easy to reach with low-cost direct flights from Edinburgh to Bergerac and Bordeaux.

This stunning accommodation has won Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence every year since opening.

Onsite there’s ample kid-friendly entertainment: toy-room, pool with safety fence, animals, bikes and beautiful grassed play area. All baby equipment is provided and for kids of all ages: babysitting!

Parents will love the stunning poolside views, beautifully appointed rooms and cottages and award-winning evening meals in high season with free baby monitors so you can enjoy gourmet French cuisine (and a few wines!) knowing your little ones are safe and sound just steps away.

Quote ‘MADE Edinburgh’ for a 5% discount off all bookings (outwith July and August).

Visit www.dordognefamilyholiday.com for more information on this blissful family retreat.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

PedalHouse is a new and innovative approach to indoor cycling (spinning) in a sleek studio where all levels of fitness are welcome. Spinning is your own journey and each rider sets their own effort level. Watch the pounds fall off as you spin your way to a fitter and healthier you.

First ride is always free.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER 30 days of unlimited classes for £30

Email us at ride-on@pedalhousedinburgh.com to take the offer up. www.pedalhousedinburgh.com ride-on@pedalhousedinburgh.com 29a Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh, EH74JE 0131 556 0133

Frock Swap A fun friendly evening of fashion swaps

Saturday 5th March

7.00pm for 7.30pm start Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton Raffle prizes, silent auction and more swaps available on the night.

Please donate your good quality clothes, shoes and accessories prior to the event.

Contact:

church.office@colinton-parish.com for tickets and more information.

ALL ladies welcome!

Tickets: £10 (this includes one swap, tea/ coffee and cake) BYOB

In aid of Marie Curie Hospice (SC038731) and Colinton Parish Church (SC010313)

“As our boys chased the hens and gaped at the sparkling pool, I knew immediately we had arrived at a place of French countryside perfection....”

Award winning accommodation inspected and approved by leading UK preschool tour operators

www.dordognefamilyholiday.com

news Good Mornings

To the Moon

Montessori Mornings in Bruntsfield is the special classroom where parents can spend time with their children with Montessori materials. Sorour and Rosita, both Montessori trained teachers, set up the classroom after realising more could be done to bring these benefits to Edinburgh families.

“Feedback has been very positive,” says Rosita. “Parents have asked us to tell them more about the basics of Montessori – that means they are learning as well.”

Montessori is grounded in scientific observation of the child. Teachers follow the child’s interests because the child’s attention span is key to their self-control. Children know what to expect and what is expected of them – so even on a busy day Montessori Mornings is a calm and happy place. Follow them on Facebook.

To the Moon, by Sarah Yoon published in February 2016 is the world’s tallest colouring book, stretching up to 4.5m/15ft! Colour an amazing tower, all the way from your house down on the ground, past dragons, witches, space ports and flying elephants, to reach the moon at the very top!

Stressed, unhealthy and unhappy?

Ladies, all it takes is six weeks to change your life! The Happy Mamas 6 Week Mind and Body Transformation programme gives you everything you need to create a happy, healthy lifestyle for you and your family – simple delicious family meal plan and recipes, short bursts of effective home exercise, creating a positive mind,

12

before

after just 6 weeks!

education and information, daily support and motivation to keep you focussed and on track. Their course will change your mind, your body and your relationship with food forever!

For more information go to www.happy-mamas.com, and to save 15% find their coupon on the page opposite.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Everything you need to create a happy, healthy lifestyle for you and your family

Edinburgh’s Montessori classroom for parents and children Mondays & Thursdays 9.30am-11.15am Edinburgh Scout Centre 15 Valleyfield St, Bruntsfield EH3 9LP montessoriedinburgh@gmail.com Find us on Facebook

montessorimornings.com

before

after just 6 weeks!

All it takes is SIX WEEKS to change your life - join our Happy Mamas Mind and Body Transformation Programme.

15% OFchF our 14 Mar 2016 course

APPY15’ Just quote ‘H limited e ar es ac Sp so join now!

Shannon Nelson 07921 722 092 • happymamasuk@gmail.com

www.happy-mamas.com

news Spring into 2016 with Monkey Music Edinburgh South Do you have a little monkey between 12 weeks and 4 years? Are you looking for a fun filled, high energy class full of singing, dancing and instruments? Then beat those January blues and spring into 2016 with Monkey and the team!

The spring term - starting on 11th January - is enrolling now and will include Monkey’s very special Easter Parades to end the term! With classes in Balerno, Colinton, Fairmilehead, Marchmont, Morningside and Newington, six days a week, your little monkey can enjoy action songs, sensory props and, of course, the all important instruments!

To celebrate the new year, Monkey is offering all MADE readers £1 membership to the Little Monkey Club (a saving of £16) if you enrol by the end of January!

For further info and to book a complimentary class contact Lisa on 0131 441 4581 or email morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk and quote ‘MADE’ to receive your discount.

JoJo’s Little Party People Husband and wife team, Lee and Lynsey, have owned Jojo’s Little Party People since December 2013 and after making hundreds of children extremely happy, they are delighted to be expanding their business in 2016. The popular pair are available for special events and private parties; and as well as providing soft-play equipment and a huge range of party supplies, they can also plan your entire occasion in the venue of your choice. They can even arrange a special character appearance, from Mickey Mouse to Queen Elsa, that always add a little extra magic to any celebration!

For more information go to page 27. or visit www.jojoslittlepartypeople.com.

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news

© DESIGNED BY FREEPIK.COM

Dunbar SciFest Building upon the phenomenal success of previous festivals, the award winning Dunbar SciFest is back for 2016! The 6th amazing weekend-long community science festival for families in south-east Scotland will lead into British Science Week, with the Family Weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 2016 (10am - 5pm both days) in the John Muir Campus of Dunbar Primary School and the Bleachingfield Community

Centre, with cafes in both venues. Get stuck into wacky workshops, sit back and enjoy science stage shows and have family fun at diverse drop-in

sessions. For under-fives, there’s storytelling and soft play.

After a day full of fun, stay on for Dunbar SciFest Nights Light Installation & Projection at Torness Power Station, between Friday 4 & Sunday 6 March (6.30-9pm). And on 27 February, science and panto collide to bring you The Periodic Fable at Dunbar Grammar School. For more information go to www.dunbarscifest.org.uk

Edinburgh Mums

Winter Sun The award-winning Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts is renowned for providing luxury family summer holidays but with two resorts beautifully positioned in the Algarve, it also offers the perfect winter escape. Temperatures rarely dip below 13◦C during the winter months and with the region’s 300 days of sunshine; families will find that winter sun is much closer than they think. www.martinhal.com made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Looking for some cracking deals this year ? Well check out the new Edinburgh Mums app! Created by two Edinburgh parents, it’s great for busy mums of all ages, and is totally free to download. The app gives fantastic offers, treats and discounts to mums across the Lothians. It’s a “one stop shop” experience, with everything from boutique kids clothing shops to superb bars and restaurants included in the app - which means you don’t have to spend hours searching online.

If you’re thinking about a night out or looking for that perfect gift for someone - it’s worth checking out the Edinburgh Mums app first.

It’s free and available now on iPhone & Android. www.edinburghmums.com

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Greenhill Montessori Nursery Weekly Local Classes

A watery world of confidence, skill and fun!

It’s safe to say you’ll burst with pride as you watch your baby journey from the early days of gentle floating, kicking and splashing to wriggling, giggling and jumping in!

classes held...

Corstorphine, Newington, Oxgangs, Crewe Toll, Dalmahoy & Dalkeith.

You can trust us to take the very best care of you and your little one.

Our world-class teachers could have trained as private pilots – five times over – in the time it takes to fully qualify with us. We won’t entrust your child (or our reputation) to anyone less than the best!

Let your child’s adventure begin!

P Children from 18 months to Primary Age P Hours from 9.00 to 16.00 (Care 8.15 to 17.30) P Billingual, with Native speaking teachers in both English and Spanish P Online progress tracking system for each child P We accept Childcare Vouchers P In Partnership with Edinburgh Council P Follows the Curriculum for Excellence Our Values Here at Greenhill Montessori Nursery we are committed to providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment for each child who joins us. We engage your child socially, emotionally and educationally to ensure their success in the future.

Their happiness, security and self confidence are our main goals.

To give your baby a splashing start call

3 Greenhill Park, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4DW

Let’s teach your baby to swim!

Tel: 01316290787 info@greenhillmontessori.co.uk www.greenhillmontessori.co.uk

0131 554 6682

www.waterbabies.co.uk

It’s a bag... and a rug!

A stylish bag that transforms into a large water resistant rug. It is a convenient, machine - washable storage and travel solution, ideal for messy indoor and outdoor play!

Buy direct now from our website wearewunderlife.com wearewunderlife.com wunderlife @wearewunderlife hello@wearewunderlife.com

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Outdoors

Mum’s New World WRITTEN BY Kirsty

Nicholls

EDITOR OF EDINBURGH FOR UNDER FIVES

W

hen I had a baby, I was fully expecting our evenings out to become a thing of the past. I am absolutely fine with this; I’m becoming increasingly – and woefully - aware that babyhood isn’t going to last forever. Before too long it’ll be my little Jack who’s planning a night out with his friends. Since he was born, we’ve popped out for the odd quick meal and even made it to the cinema a couple of times.

But then an invitation to a big fundraising ball dropped onto the doormat.

It was an important event for my husband’s work and I was thrilled at the prospect. The drinks reception (oh, the joy!) started at 7pm, which meant that Jack would need to be in bed and asleep far earlier than normal. Bath time would have to be the slickest operation we’d ever managed and even then, I’d have no time to get dressed. Details, details. The odds were against us, but we decided to take the challenge.

In the run up to the big day I started to get a bit anxious that should we make it to the ball, we’d end up crashing through the door hours late, mingling with the suited and booted in our jeans and hysterically chugging free booze.

So I came up with a plan. We would get there in a dignified and timely fashion and without food in our hair. On the morning of the ball, I decided to wake Jack up early and run the whole day two hours ahead of schedule.

A friend and ally suggested a very early morning playdate on the day in question and when we arrived, I exclaimed with a sense of huge achievement, that I was wearing my underwear. She looked a bit shocked that I might have come along without it. What I meant of course, was that I’d had a brief moment of clarity

“

in the midst of the early morning fuddle, and thought to throw on a strapless bra.

Jack happily munched on his lunch, unaware that it was 11am. He woke up from his brief afternoon nap to find mummy had a face-full of makeup. I managed to get some sparkly earrings into my ears in time for Gymbabes. Little by little, we put operation “You Will Go to the Ball” into action. It wasn’t without trepidation – and a sense of guilt – however, that I laid Jack down in his cot and tiptoed through his bedroom door. Our little man was asleep by 6pm, our babysitter arrived with plenty of time, and I even managed to get the zip done up on my dress. We had a wonderful evening.

I’ll admit, it was with a pounding head that I awoke to the baby monitor the following morning.

But I had to smile as I opened the nursery door to find Jack beaming up at me. I glanced at the clock; he’d woken me up two hours earlier than normal. Cheeky monkey. Payback, mummy! n

Little by little, we put operation “You Will Go to the Ball” into action

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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© MUSEYUSHAYA - FOTOLIA.COM

”

BIRTHDAY PARTY CRIMES

y a d h t bir y part s crime YOU DON’T WANT TO COMMIT

C

Scrimgeour

hildren’s birthday parties have changed since we were kids. Not necessarily for the better, either. I miss the days when all you needed for a decent birthday bash was some sarnies cut into triangles, a jug of squash and a cake lovingly crafted by your Mum. Which never had to resemble an ornate Disney character, nor rival anything produced by Mary Berry’s own fine hand.

Party bags were just tiny plastic carrier bags stuffed with choking hazards and a slice of said cake wrapped in a paper napkin - not some intricate hand-crafted keepsake that took three full days to prepare after weeks of scouring Pinterest for inspiration.

Nowadays, however, throwing a kid’s birthday bash is a minefield. Invite the whole class or just your child’s actual friends? Hand out invitations

18

in the school playground or will you incur the unending wrath of the mother whose little darling didn’t make the guest list? Is it acceptable to unfriend the no-shows on Facebook, and - the biggie - is offering the grown-ups Prosecco social suicide or merely the obvious way to get you all through three hours of frenzied Frozen fans in the grip of a sugar rush?

During a decade of motherhood I’ve committed enough birthday party sins to have learned a thing or two about what’s permissable around kids parties - or at least what the school gate mums might forgive - and what will pretty much guarantee your child never sees another party invitation this side of anyone’s 18th.

So, here are six birthday party faux pas to avoid…

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© ANTON GEPOLOV - FOTOLIA.COM

WRITTEN BY Heidi

BIRTHDAY PARTY CRIMES

1. Don’t issue a gift list

2. Don’t moan about birthday party etiquette on social media There’s a reason why it’s called social media. If you moan about the mum who issued a gift list alongside her child’s party invitation, or decry the manners (or lack thereof) of the parents who fail to RSVP to your child’s party invite, chances are the people you’re complaining about will hear all about it.

When the principal of Myleene’s daughter’s school got wind of the whole Kindle-deskUnicorn thing, she issued a newsletter to parents

© ANGIOLINA - FOTOLIA.COM

The major difference between a kid’s birthday party and a wedding - aside from there (hopefully) being no Bride or Groom at the former, is that guests at a wedding like to be told what gifts to bring. Parents of small children attending a birthday party do not.

I gleaned this when Myleene Klass - mother of two, former HearSay member and she of the enviable figure and Very swimwear range - took to social media to share her thoughts on an email she received about an upcoming birthday party to which her daughter had been invited. The birthday girls had apparently asked guests to club together to buy them a Kindle and a desk but Myleene took exception to such stringent gift guidelines.

“Dear All,” she wrote in reply. “For Ava’s birthday, she has requested a real, live Unicorn. I will be collecting Unicorn money via her book bag, in the playground or at www.

getwhatyouregivenandendthismadness.com.

(Additionally, I’d like a Ferrari and Leonardo DiCaprio, so by all means, do feel obligated to contribute to this too). If you don’t wish to, please don’t feel any pressure from the countless emails I intend to follow this up with and clog your inbox.”

I think she pretty much said it all. No gift lists.

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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BIRTHDAY PARTY CRIMES

stipulating: ‘If you can’t tweet anything nice, don’t tweet anything at all.’ Eek. Myleene took it all in her stride but learn from her; it probably pays to keep birthday party rage to yourself.

don’t really feel obliged to give, but consider it a small bribe to persuade the child’s parents not to pursue you through the small claims court.

3. Don’t invoice the no-shows

I have three kids, two of whom happen to be boys who are less than two years apart in age.

Consequently, I don’t think there’s a single birthday party they’ve been invited to where the non-invited sibling hasn’t begged to be allowed to tag along. There have been times when the mother of the birthday kid has taken one look at my party-less boy’s puppy dog eyes when we’ve dropped his brother off, and ushered him to join in the fun, but one should never assume a 2-for-the-priceof-1 deal with siblings when it comes to party invitations.

I’ve also been the mum who ends up with extra mouths to feed (and party bags to magic out of thin air) when someone wrongly assumes that I can squeeze in a few extra siblings whose names were not on the invitation to my child’s party, and it’s not cool to do that to any party-throwing parent. If their name’s not down, assume they’re not coming in.

‘As if anyone ever would,’ is what you’re probably thinking. Except that’s exactly what happened to the parents of one five-year-old schoolboy when he failed to attend his classmate’s birthday party.

Along with a friendly invoice a £15.95 ‘no show’ fee after the boy’s parents failed to let the other child’s mother know that their son would not be attending the party, the parents were also advised that the matter would be pursued via the small claims court if they didn’t cough up. Step away from the accountancy software and repeat after me: “It’s only a child’s birthday party.”

“

5. Don’t assume siblings are invited

Repeat after me: It’s only a child’s birthday party

4. Don’t be a no-show

It pains me to admit it - I’m actually cringing as I write this - but I’ve been *that* mum who totally fails to acknowledge a birthday party invite before. Ok, twice, actually. On both occasions the mum of the birthday boy / girl was immensely gracious about my faux pas, so thankfully I didn’t end up having to move my kid to a different school just to save face as I had initially planned upon realising my error.

But seriously, there’s no excuse for not turning up to a party when you’ve said you will, or for failing to let the party-thrower know that you can’t make it. Explain to your child - on pain of death if need be - the importance of handing over party invites as soon as they get out of school, and then do not set a foot beyond those gates until you have duly responded to the invite. And if you do unexpectedly go into labour (I failed to show up to my own baby shower for just this reason but that’s a different feature…) on the day of the party, or end up with some other almostpassable excuse for failing to turn up, be sure to give a gift to the child whose party you flaked out of. Yes, it’s annoying to fork out for a gift that you

20

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6. Don’t pass around the Prosecco unless you know the other mums really well I’ve been to kids’ parties where the mums were met at the door with a glass of bubbly, and to others where nothing stronger than tea was served for the parents. I also know of a mother who was mortified when adults brought alcoholic drinks to her child’s birthday party, and one who asked all the mums to bring a bottle to her daughter’s tenth birthday bash. Get this wrong and your risk genuinely offending someone, not to mention inadvertently looking like a lush infant of the people most likely to talk about you in the school yard. So if in any doubt, serve tea and coffee with posh biscuits for the grown-ups, and save the Prosecco for that glorious moment when the last of all your guests has finally - thankfully - gone home. n

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Have a bear making

party!

Huggy Bears NO SEW cuddly bear and animal kits.

Find out more at:

www.huggybears.co.uk Tel: 0333 335 0120

Huggy Bears Made Magazine Approved 101.5 x 69mm Artwork Nov 2015.indd 10/11/2015 1 13:06

• index • index 1

A Wonderful World of Parties .... 26

24 ComputerXplorers ..................... 26

2

Acting Out UK ........................... 32

25 Cookie Pop Shop ...................... 51

3

Alexander the

26 Cool Creatures .......................... 26

Great Entertainments ................ 26

4

Allan Telfer Coaching ................ 38

27 Craigmillar Community

Arts Centre ................................ 50

5

Almond Valley ........................... 47

6

Amazone @ The Kabin ............. 44

7

Artroom 32 ............................... 24

8

A-Star Sports ........................... 38

9

Awesome Folk .......................... 24

10 Babies & Bumps Cafe .............. 42 11 Beautiful Bairns ........................ 42 12 Bennett’s Bouncy Castle Hire ... 33 13 Blessings & Blossoms ............... 33 14 Bliss ........................................... 33 15 Bon Tot ...................................... 33 16 Boogie Beat .............................. 30 17 Calton Centre ............................ 50 18 Camera Obscura ....................... 47 19 Ceilidh Kids ............................... 29

28 Cramond Kirk Halls ................... 50 29 DanceBase ................................ 29 30 Deep Sea World ........................ 47 31 Diddi Dance .............................. 29 32 Doodles ..................................... 24 33 Dynam-nic Dance ..................... 29 34 Edinburgh Butterfly

& Insect World ........................... 47 35 Edinburgh Combat Challenge ... 38 36 Edinburgh Dungeon .................. 47 37 Edinburgh Leisure ..................... 38 38 EICA: Ratho .............................. 38 39 Enjoy Leisure ............................ 39 40 Enjoy-a-Ball .............................. 39 41 Eric Liddell Centre .................... 50 42 Fairmilehead Church Halls ....... 50

20 Clambers ................................... 43

43 Fantoosh Face Art .................... 26

21 Cloudberry Gifts ........................ 33

44 Fisherrow Community Centre ... 50

22 Clownaround ............................. 43

45 Foxlake Adventures .................. 39

23 Colourful Candy ........................ 51

46 Gambado .................................. 43

•

index

•

index

•

index

•

index

•

index •

index

•

The Top 100

22

• index • 74 Our Dynamic Earth .................... 48

80 Rosie’s Kitchen ......................... 25

54 Inverleith St Serf’s Parish

81 Royal Mile Recording

Church Halls ............................. 50

Experiences .............................. 30

55 It’s in the Bag Parties ............... 28

82 Ryze .......................................... 40

56 Jabberwocky ............................ 43

83 Scottish Seabird Centre ............ 48

57 Jenn’s Den ................................ 43

84 Sparkle Arts ............................... 32

58 Jojo’s Little Party People .......... 28

85 Stagecoach ............................... 32

59 Jupiter Artland .......................... 48

86 Step it Up Dance ....................... 29

60 Kids Masterchef ....................... 24

87 Stina Sparkles Entertainments .. 28

61 Kiss the Fish ............................. 25

88 StopMoGo ................................ 25

62 Lamp House Music .................. 30

89 Studio Life Photography ........... 42

63 Maddie & Marks ....................... 34

90 Surart & Design Piñatas ............ 34

64 Marmalade Skies ...................... 51

91 The Ceramic Experience ........... 25

65 Messy Munchkins ..................... 42

92 The Drama Studio ..................... 32

66 Mikes Military Mayhem ............. 40

93 The Paper Laundry .................... 34

67 Mini-Miners ............................... 44

94 The Stable @ Leaf & Bean ......... 50

68 Monkey Drama ......................... 32

95 The Sweet Boutique .................. 51

69 Monkey Music .......................... 30

96 The Wishing Tree Play Cafe ...... 44

70 National Museum of Flight ....... 48

97 TimeTwisters ............................. 44

71 North Merchiston Club ............. 50

98 Treehouse .................................. 34

72 Ocean Play ............................... 44

99 Tumble Tots ............................... 28

73 Orcadia ..................................... 40

100 Yoo-Star .................................... 30

index

53 Inspire Sports Coaching ........... 39

•

79 Pure Brilliant Events .................. 28

index

52 Huggy Bears ............................. 24

•

78 Potter Around ............................ 25

index

51 Gymboree ................................. 42

index •

77 Port Edgar Water Sports ........... 40

•

50 Gullivers .................................... 34

index

76 Play2Learn ................................ 40

•

49 Grace & Co. .............................. 51

index

75 Out of the Blue Drill Hall ............ 50

•

48 Gorgie City Farm ....................... 48

index

47 Go Wild Scotland ...................... 39

• 23

Arts & Crafts, Make & Create Artroom 32

ARTS & CRAFTS VENUE 44 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4AE PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5+ Artroom 32 offers art and craft classes, workshops and arty parties for children and adults lots of messy fun and something unique to take home as a keepsake of the day. Artroom 32 can do anything arty but offer a few ideas; themed parties (Minecraft, Frozen, Pirates etc.), painting, Decopatch, sculpture, printmaking, cool t-shirts - tailored to suit the birthday boy or girl. You are welcome to bring along a party buffet and leave the arty to clean up.

COSTS: Prices range from £8pp-£12pp CONTACT: Louise 07931 513815 info@artroom32.co.uk www.artroom32.co.uk

Awesome Folk ARTS & CRAFTS VENUE St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6AE Awesome Folk offer creative parties for adults or kids. Choose your theme and activity from a range of arts and crafts such as fabric badges, decopatch, printing, creative canvases, mini monsters or modelling. They love to work with your own ideas too.

COSTS: Kids party (per 10) : £145 for 1.5hr room hire, 2 teachers, small craft, large craft, crafty party bag and juice.

Adults party (per 10): £145 for 1.5hr room hire, 2 teachers, large craft, snacks, tea and coffee. Extras and mobile parties available too!

TOP TIP 24

CONTACT: Lorna 07775 622756 lorna@awesomefolk.com Kate 07717 330338 kate@awesomefolk.com

Doodles Ceramics Workshop

ARTS & CRAFTS VENUE 29 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 1HQ

animal kits. The easy-to-use kits include a bear or animal plush, stuffing, wishing heart, birth certificate, take home bag and instructions. No sewing required just stuff, pull closed and cuddle.

Extras include bear t-shirts for decorating, scent and smell chips and clothing.

Huggy Bears can provide a party hosting service, or they can simply mail the kits out to you. Perfect for all sizes of party.

CONTACT: 0333 335 0120 paws@huggybears.co.uk www.huggybears.co.uk

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5+ Doodles pottery painting parties are £11 per head, this includes party shelf items such as figurines, plaques etc, as well as a standard mug, bowl or plates. Normally allow 2 hours for children’s parties but for young children it is recommend a slightly shorter time of 1.5hrs. The time is divided between painting followed by a birthday tea. Doodles don’t supply food but they have (complimentary) teas or coffees for adults and juice or water for children most people bring along a selection of finger foods, treats and a cake.

COSTS: For bookings of 6 kids or more, Doodles requires a £25 deposit to secure the booking, this is then refunded on the day.

CONTACT: 0131 229 1399 painting@doodlesscotland.co.uk www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

Huggy Bears

MOBILE BEAR MAKING PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+ Have a bear making party with Huggy Bears no-sew bear and

Kids Masterchef

KIDS COOKING VENUE The Coach House, Newliston Estate, Edinburgh, EH29 9EB PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 9-14 yrs The kids’ birthday package lasts for 2.5 hrs; the kids cook a main course and a pudding, which the children then eat for their lunch or supper. Parents can bring in birthday cake and any birthday plates, napkins or balloons if they wish too. Menus are sent out on request. The children really enjoy cooking and then getting to sit down and eat what they have cooked! There is generally food to take home too.

COSTS: The price is £25 per child.

Min party 6, max 12.

CONTACT: Nichola Pearce 07768 976 817 nicholap72@gmail.com www.esfw.com

Always have an extra activity or game planned just in case something unexpected happens!

- HUGGY BEARS

Arts & Crafts, Make & Create Kiss The Fish

MOBILE ARTS & CRAFTS

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5 - 15 years Kiss the Fish come along to your home, favourite café, local community centre, office or any other venue that you’d like to use - they bring along all the protective tablecloths, aprons and equipment and materials and an instructor to make sure everybody goes away from your party with a fabulous creation.

Whether you’d like to do some sewing, mosaics, felt-making, decopatching, fabric painting or even jewellery making - they are sure to have an activity that everybody will enjoy!

COSTS: Prices from £10 per guest / £75 minimum charge per event / travel around Edinburgh and beyond with extra mileage payable.

CONTACT: Rhona 07467 088409 info@kissthefishstudios.com www.kissthefishstudios.com

Potter Around

ARTS & CRAFTS VENUE Overton Farm, Kirknewtown, West Lothian, EH27 8DD If you are a creative soul and want a creative party – Potter Around is your place. Their most popular

parties are ceramic painting where you and your guests paint a piece of pottery (usually a fun animal) and the party boy/girl gets a special plate.

However there are many more choices if painting pottery is not your thing. You can choose from bath bombs and lip balms, decopatch, art on a canvas, clay (including the potter’s wheel) and jewellery.

New for 2016 : Science Parties (e.g. Slime lab or DNA) and 3D Parties; watch the 3D printer do its stuff, then painting the printed creations.

COSTS: Parties from £10 a head.

Potter Around has a dedicated party room, can arrange facepainting and catering if required.

CONTACT: 01506 238961 chat@potteraround.co.uk

Rosie’s Kitchen CUPCAKE MAKING PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 6+ Decorate your own cupcakes with expert help from Rosie’s Kitchen.

Rosie provides everything you need to put a smile (and maybe some icing) on every child’s face!

Cakes, icing, equipment, tuition, decorations and a take-home box is all part of the package. Parties last approx. 1.5 hours.

COSTS: Prices start at £13 per person.

CONTACT: Rosie Hansen rosies.kitchen@hotmail.co.uk www.Facebook.com/ rosieskitchenedinburgh

StopMoGo

MOBILE ANIMATION FILM PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 7+ StopMoGo creates unique party experiences for budding animators to make their own stop motion animation films. With a wide selection of themes, lots of fun activities, a huge array of marvellous puppets and props, guests work in pairs at mini table-top studios and use the latest software and equipment.

Everything is provided, including a personalised card for each guest, and you can even opt to have everyone’s animations put on DVD for the ultimate goodie bag gift!

EXTRA INFO: Recommended group size :12.

Two hour animation session from £210 (plus travel & optional extras) CONTACT: Emma emma@stopmogo.com www.stopmogo.com

The Ceramic Experience

ARTS & CRAFTS AND SOFT PLAY VENUE

118 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JB

The Ceramic Experience is the perfect venue for children birthday parties – burn off energy in their soft play area and ball pool, before painting ceramics to take home.

Adults can join in the fun or chill out in the café area. Delicious sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, fruit and juice are all provided for the party-goers, and they do all the clearing up afterwards.

CONTACT: 0131 554 4455 edinburgh@ theceramicexperience.com

Don’t try to do it all yourself - you want to enjoy it as much as your child. They aren’t little for long.

- ROSIE’S KITCHEN

TOP TIP 25

entertainment Alexander the Great Entertainments

MAGIC, BALLOON MODELLING, DISCO, CIRCUS SKILLS & FACE PAINTING

minute handling session and £70 for a 1 hour session. A 30 minute session will meet 4 animals and a 1 hour session would meet 6 animals.

ComputerXplorers CSI KID DETECTIVE PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+ Alexander the Great Entertainments provides tailored entertainment to meet the needs of each individual party. They provide a colourful fun-filled show that involves all the children, especially the birthday child and encourage full audience participation. Whether it’s magic, juggling, balloon modelling or providing a disco with bubble and smoke machines, they have everything needed to ensure lots of interactive fun for the entire party.

CONTACT: 07881 780793 Alexanderthegreat76@yahoo.co.uk www.alexanderthegreatest.com

A Wonderful World of Parties THEMED PARTY PLANNER & EXPERIENCE DAYS PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: Any age Whether you are at one of A Wonderful World of Parties workshops, you are having a party or are at a Make a Memory experience, you will feel like you’ve just discovered what real magic is.

For mums and dads this means none of the stress of having to do it by yourself; and for the children it means an individual experience created and imagined just for them.

Kirsty and her team can come to you, your hired venue or you can hire their floating tent for garden parties! They have loads of themes suitable for boys and girls, and for different age groups. You can decide which you would like or ask for one to be created especially for your child.

CONTACT: Kirsty 07523 599 048 www.wonderworldparties.co.uk

TOP TIP 26

CONTACT: 07827 765 353 calum@coolcreatures.co.uk www.coolcreatures.co.uk

Fantoosh Face Art FACEPAINTING

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 6-12 years

CSI Parties for kid detectives are unique and tailor made children’s parties for budding detectives.

From fingerprinting to facial photo fits using the latest software, your children will have all the necessary skills to don their investigator suits and solve the crime. A crime scene within their very own home or party venue!

EXTRA INFO: CSI parties last an hour and a quarter and include a CSI party bag.

CONTACT: 0131 6530580 lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk www.sescotland. computerxplorers.co.uk

Cool Creatures

ANIMAL HANDLING PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+ Cool Creatures bring a children’s party to life with their animal handling sessions. The birthday child gets to choose from a number of animals to have at their party: meerkat, lizards, 9ft pythons, hedgehog, scorpions, skunk and tortoise are just a few to choose from.

COSTS: Prices are based on travelling locally. Party costs are £45 for a 30

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 2+ With her rainbow of colours, sparkle and a giddy sense of fun to match, ‘Fantoosh’ brings the WOW factor to all your parties!

Bringing everything with her and requiring only a little space to set up, she arrives well in time to adorn the big n’ small. Being an artist to trade, any theme and requests are catered for exquisitely and watching her work, is as much fun as being painted!

Fully insured and disclosed and ultimate hygiene practice.

EXTRA INFO: A returned booking form and small deposit will secure your event.

Need more painters? No problem, as Fantoosh has the ‘Fantoosh Team’ of fabulous painters when required.

CONTACT: Lynn ‘Fantoosh’ Fraser 07775 861075 lynn@fantooshart.co.uk www.fantooshart.co.uk

For your little ones of 5 years+ get them involved in helping make the invites, choose the music, even helping make the cake. It’s their party after all ! - FANTOOSH FACE ART

Any theme Any song Any dance style Your choice!

Your chosen songs are used to create a fun mash up routine to present in our Mini Show Finale!

Why not use our Studio space for an extra special party.

Packages from ÂŁ115 up to 28 guests.

StudioD, The Basement, 4 Hutchison Terrace EH14 1QB

www.dndance.co.uk 0131 4430753 nicky@dndance.co.uk 07545 551271

Call Lynse

y on

07583 326

844

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10% DISCOUNT quote MADE when booking

JoJo’s Little Party people are in the mood to

party

jojoslittlepartypeople.com

e Lynsey@jojoslittlepartypeople.com

f JojosLittlePartyPeople

entertainment It’s In The Bag Parties STORYTELLERS PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0-6 years ‘It’s in the bag’ are an awardwinning company who delight in taking children’s imaginations on a magical journey. The children go on a storytelling adventure; with rhymes, songs, creative games, drama and puppets to bring the story to life.

There are many birthday party themes from ‘Nursery Rhyme Favourites’ to ‘Superheroes & Princesses’. The theme can be linked to learning topics in schools and nurseries and the team can be booked for a special event or end of term party.

for the lucky birthday child! JoJo’s specialise in hosting the party to ensure everything runs smoothly and every child has as much fun as possible.

EXTRA INFO: As Jojo’s is a mobile party supplier, it means you can choose the hall that is most convenient for you and they will bring along the fun!

CONTACT: Lynsey McMullen 07583 326844 lynsey@jojoslittlepartypeople.com www.jojoslittlepartypeople.com

Pure Brilliant Events

FACEPAINTING, BALLOONS & GLITTER TATTOOS

EXTRA INFO: They are regulars at the Storytelling Centre too so keep an eye on their Facebook page for details.

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+

28

COST: Prices available on application CONTACT: 07724 814 117 www.facebook.com/stinasparkles www.stinasparkles.net

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-7 years

MUSIC, SOFTPLAY & MASCOTS

TOP TIP

Stina Sparkles provide everything your party needs; DJ, disco, facepainting, balloon modelling, magic, soft play, pamper and singing princess parties! As well as kids’ parties they are also available for adult functions - birthdays, weddings, christenings, corporate events and much more....

MOBILE ACTIVITY PARTIES

JoJo’s Little Party People

JoJo’s Little Party People offer a range of party packages with their most popular being the Giant Bouncy Castle Package.

This is designed for a 2 hour party and includes a 16x14ft bouncy castle, plus ball pool with plastic balls, soft play blocks, animal hopperz, party music, and a personalised ‘JoJo the Lion’ teddy

FACEPAINTING, MAGIC & DISCO

Tumble Tots Edinburgh East & South

CONTACT: Lorna 07967348661 itsinthebagparties@hotmail.co.uk www.itsinthebagparties.co.uk

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0-6 years

Stina Sparkles Entertainments

Pure Brilliant Events specialises in face painting, balloon modelling, glitter tattoos, popcorn and candy floss machines and balloon decoration. Whether you are having a small home party or a large venue party, they have a party package for you.

Tumble Tots go out of their way to provide a memorable day for your child. Let them bring their specialist equipment and run one of their popular parties for your child’s birthday. This is a great way of entertaining a lively bunch of children, with lots of physical activity and no worries about the weather! All you need to do is to hire a suitable hall and organise the food and they will do the rest!

COSTS: Standard prices start from £35/ hour but there are a number of party packages on the website which offer great savings.

EXTRA INFO: Parties run for 1.5 hours with lots of fun. The children will climb, balance, roll, practice eye-tohand co-ordination and above all, have fun in a safe and caring environment, finishing off with the parachute.

Parties cost £100 for up to 18 children and £130 for up to 24 children.

CONTACT: Bex 07593 332 744 info@purebrilliantevents.co.uk www.purebrilliantevents.co.uk

CONTACT: Jo 01875 819966, joletelier.lobos@virgin.net www.tumbletots.com/Edinburgh

Don’t be surprised if the birthday child is a bit off on the day - it can all be a bit overwhelming for them! ‘It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to’ and all that! - IT’S IN THE BAG

dance parties CeilidhKids

Dynam-nic Dance

DANCE PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4+ years A ceilidh is a great way to celebrate, if all the guests like to dance! CeilidhKids provides Scottish dancing for all the family and works best as a family party, with adults joining in too. Children not yet at school will definitely need an adult partner. They can run just an hour of dancing, or stay and lead a few games after tea. You book the hall and provide refreshments, they bring the music and the fun.

EXTRA INFO: Prices start at £50 for an hour of dancing.

CONTACT: Caroline Brockbank 0131 667 8898 ceilidhkids@ceilidhkids.com www.ceilidhkids.com

Dance Base DANCE STUDIO 14-16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU Dance Base has four awardwinning studios in the heart of the Grassmarket. These studios can be used for children’s birthday parties, end-of-term parties – any party you like! They can also provide you with the entertainment. Has your little one always wanted to dance to One Direction? Learn a Taylor Swift routine? Well, Dance Base’s teachers can provide. Their experienced teachers will make the session fun and get the kids dancing to their favourite tune in no time!

EXTRA INFO: £150 for 2 hours, which includes 1 hour dance class, but bespoke packages are also available.

CONTACT: www.dancebase.co.uk

DANCE - VENUE StudioD, The Basement, 4 Hutchison Terrace, Edinburgh, EH14 1QB

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5+ Let Dynam-nic Dance create a bespoke dance party for your budding star! Using your chosen music tracks, they create a mash-up dance routine, which is presented at the end in a mini show along with dance games and party food time. From Olly Murs to Jess Glynn, from Pirates to Cheerleaders, they can guarantee a high energy party full of smiles!

Take advantage of their full party package and use their studio, a readily available party venue.

The package includes a separate food room and DNDance party invitations. Party time!

EXTRA INFO: Prices from £115.

Min 10, max 28 children.

CONTACT: 07545 551 271 / 0131 443 0753 nicky@dndance.co.uk www.dndance.co.uk

Diddi Dance

DANCE

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES:1.5-5 years

Diddi Dance offers parties at your location, where your little ones can enjoy up to an hour of dancing, games and action songs using hoops, bubbles, ribbons, balloons and bells to have lots of fun! Their sessions are totally interactive there’s no sitting watching! They get all the children up dancing, grooving and boogieing to the funky tunes.

EXTRA INFO: £120 for up to 20 children, £140 for over 20 children.

Contact Diddi Dance for more information on various time lengths of their parties, as depending on the age of your guests, they can differ.

CONTACT: Debbie Rigby 07752 209482 Debbie.rigby@diddidance.com www.facebook.com/ CentralEdinburgh www.diddidance.com

Step It Up Dance

DANCE

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 2-11 years Step it Up Dance offer an exciting range of options for your child’s party to ensure an active, unique and memorable day. Their Family Hip Hop Parties from age 2+ are for grown-ups to enjoy with their tiny dancers. For ages 3 – 5 years they have the Hip Hop Juniors Party with the option of a theme, and for ages 5 – 12 years they offer Hip Hop, Breakdance or Cheerleading.

Their parties are hugely popular and highly organised with a team of expert party hosts.

EXTRA INFO: Family Hip Hop Party for 2-4 years with adult participation (1 hour) Hip Hop Juniors Party for ages 3 - 4 years, with the option of a party theme (1.5 hours) Urban Dance Party for ages 5+, choose from Hip Hop, Breakdance or Cheerleading (1.5 hours) CONTACT: Niki Hutchison 07428 110 135 hello@stepitupdance.co.uk www.stepitupdance.co.uk

Don’t put the food out until you want people to eat it - CEILIDH KIDS

TOP TIP 29

MUSIC PARTIES Boogie Beat Music & Movement Edinburgh and Stirling MUSIC & DANCE PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-6 years

Let your child’s imagination come alive with a Boogie Beat party!

Want an all singing, all dancing party for your little one? Look no further than Boogie Beat. The parties are fun, structured and include favourite songs, stories, fairy tales, puppets, instruments and parachute games. Come along and meet Giggles the Boogie Beat Monkey - it will leave you smiling!

EXTRA INFO: You can combine a Boogie Beat party with either a Tiki Tots or Jenn’s Den party package and let your little ones enjoy a snack, play and 30mins of Boogie Beat!

CONTACT: Zoe Young 07841 109 730 zoe@boogiebeat.co.uk www.boogiebeat.co.uk

Monkey Music (Edinburgh South)

MUSIC PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-4 years

Every Monkey Music party is individually tailored to suit each separate occasion. Monkey and his friends will ensure the birthday boy or girl has a party to remember, which is jam packed with his special musical ingredients. From singing and dancing to some very special props and, of course, the live musical instruments, your Monkey Music party leader will keep all your little monkeys entertained.

The Monkey team come to the venue of your choice and offer musical fun which includes your very own Monkey Music invitations and a little present for the birthday child!

TOP TIP 30

CONTACT: Lisa Fleming 0131 441 4581 morningside.pentland @monkeymusic.co.uk www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Lamp House Music POP STAR PARTIES The Lamp House, Station Yard, Hospital Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PP PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 8+ years Pop Star Birthday Parties at Lamp House Music provide 2 hours of singing and recording fun in professional rehearsal and recording studios. Choose any two songs, rehearse with the provided lyrics and backing tracks until ready to record.

Includes party tea and photo shoot plus take away VIP Passes, CDs of recorded songs and a CD of the days photos. Promising LOADS of Pop Star fun!

EXTRA INFO: Parties can accommodate 6 or 8 children. Lamp House Music is a charming, original railway building - easy to get to, with its own car parking.

CONTACT: 01620 825630 info@lamphousemusic.co.uk www.lamphousemusic.co.uk

Royal Mile Recording Experiences

RECORDING STUDIO PARTIES 1/8 Bailie Fyfes Close, 107 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1SW PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 7-15 years As well as being a fantastic way to celebrate a party, this is also a valuable recording studio learning experience which encourages creativity and cooperation within the group. Royal Mile Recording specialise in working with groups and have devised a successful

formula for this special singing experience. They make the whole occasion easy for the performers and work hard to produce a recording with the best possible end result. Everyone leaves with a CD and digital copies of the recording. They also photograph the event on a high quality camera and supply a disc at the end of the event with all the pics on.

CONTACT: Kirsty McKinna 0131 556 4882 info@rmre.co.uk www.royalmilerecording experiences.com

Yoo-Star MUSIC PARTIES Eldin Cottage, Eldin Industrial Estate, Edgefield Road, Loanhead, EH20 9QX

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5+ years

Be the star you know you are! With 13 years’ experience in musical parties, Yoo-Star guarantee a day to remember. Dress up in their glamorous dressing room for your photo-shoot. Experience the thrill of being on stage in a funky rehearsal room. See yourself live on TV. Record alongside chart topping Scottish acts in their professional studio. Leave with your own complimentary CD with a professionally designed cover featuring you or your band and loads of photos of the experience.

COSTS: Prices from £60 for hour long recording sessions to full party package for £140 (up to 16 guests, includes one complimentary CD and all the photos taken on the day). Domino’s Pizza or buffet available separately at £4 per person or bring your own snacks.

Extra CDs can be bought.

CONTACT: 0131 448 2170 info@yoo-star.co.uk www.facebook.com/yoo.star.party www.yoo-star.co.uk

Always plan a party based around what your little one enjoys, not what you think everyone else will enjoy - MONKEY MUSIC (EDINBURGH SOUTH)

...the ultimate pop party experience...

Be a star for the day at Yoo-Star, the professional, fun recording studio. Experience the thrill of being a real popstar, enjoy a fun recording session and photoshoot and leave with your own music CD. Perfect for kids parties, or an unforgettable day out for your little star to record their favourite tunes.

Yoo-Star @ Groove Tunnel, Eldin Cottage, Eldin Industrial Estate, Edgefield Rd, Loanhead EH20 9QX. t: 0131 448 2170 www.yoo-star.co.uk

Award winning music classes for babies & young children Balerno, Colinton, Fairmilehead, Marchmont, Morningside & Newington T: 0131 441 4581 E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

DRAMA PARTIES Acting Out UK DRAMA PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+ years Acting Out UK organise exciting themed kids’ parties in Edinburgh and surrounding areas, which include a fully qualified, highly experienced PVG approved Drama Teacher, a special lesson plan designed around your chosen theme, materials, costumes and props, equipment (sound systems, music, words etc) and a fully qualified, experienced assistant (if booking is for 11-20 children)

COSTS: For only £99 you can have a 90 minute drama party, based on a theme of your choice for up to 10 children in Edinburgh. For 1120 children, it’s only £130.

CONTACT: 07704 714 607 hello@actingoutuk.com www.actingoutuk.com

Monkey Drama DRAMA PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3-6 years Monkey Drama will take your children on an hour-long themed drama session, which will be filled with drama, imagination, energy and fun from beginning to end; including lots of props, music and role play!

You will receive invites, a couple of theme related party games included in the session, as well as some prizes, a certificate for all children and a special Monkey Drama gift bag filled with goodies for the

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birthday child.

Party themes include A Day at the Zoo, Superhero’s, Pirates, Off to the Fairground and The Hidden Rainbow.

CONTACT: Alana 07736 298 013 alana@monkeydrama.co.uk www.monkeydrama.co.uk

Sparkle Arts

DRAMA & DANCE PARTIES

Stagecoach DRAMA PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-16 years Stagecoach Parties are packed full of fun, lively party entertainment including dramatic games, fabulous songs and funky dance routines.

Each party is specifically tailormade for each age group.

Stagecoach also offers specially constructed Murder Mystery Parties for 11-16 year olds. Whether they want to be fairies, princesses, pirates or detectives, there’s a Stagecoach Party for everyone.

COSTS: Prices available on application CONTACT: 0131 610 0636 www.facebook.com/ stagecoachedinburgh www.Stagecoach.co.uk/ Edinburgh

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-10 years A Sparkle Arts birthday party is something truly magical. Simply choose from an extensive list of party theme ideas, and they’ll create a magical make-believe world where kids let their imaginations run free. Themes include Frozen, Princess and Pirates, Popstars, Superheroes, Dinosaurs, Harry Potter, Fairies & Elves and loads more – or just pick your own!

Featuring music, dance and drama combined with costumes, props, toys and puppets, a Sparkle Arts party is one your little boy or girl will never forget.

COSTS: Party prices start at £130; and Sparkle Arts can offer a bespoke package to include the cake, food and party bags.

Please give at least 2-3 month’s notice as demand is high.

07717 706 778 info@sparklearts.co.uk www.sparklearts.co.uk

The Drama Studio DRAMA PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-14 years Based on a theme of your choice The Drama Studio will organise an in-role, interactive party. Everyone will become characters in the Drama story as the Drama Tutors lead the children through a fantastic, imaginative adventure which will be completely captivating.

Other inclusions such dancing and music, quizzes and games etc can be accommodated and any special feature/idea proposed by the party child is most welcome - there have been some whacky ones!

Parties start price is £90+VAT based on 1.5- 2 hour (depending on age of children).

Louise Arbuckle 0131 444 1084 info@thedramastudio.com www.thedramastudio.com

Set the timescale for RSVPs two weeks prior to the party date, this will help you and your Party Planner organise food and numbers - THE DRAMA STUDIO

shops & suppliers planes with a Paper Box Pilots sticker set.

Bennetts Bouncy Castle Hire EQUIPMENT HIRE

CONTACT: hello@bon-tot.com www.bon-tot.com

Bennetts Bouncy Castle Hire is a family-run business and supplies homes, nurseries and school fairs with a wide range of indoor and outdoor inflatables to suit toddlers to adults. All their castles are tested annually to the highest standards.

COSTS: Prices range from £60 to £140.

Bennetts can advise customers on the most suitable inflatable for their needs. Delivery and set up is included in the price within Edinburgh area.

CONTACT: 0131 3344545 bennettshire@blueyonder.co.uk www.bennettshire.co.uk

Cloudberry Gifts GIFT SHOP & CAFÉ 193 Whitehouse Road, Barnton, Edinburgh, EH4 6BU 5 Seaforth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH4 2BS

CONTACT: 0131 332 4605 www.bliss-stockbridge.co.uk

Bon Tot CHILDREN’S CLOTHING & GIFTS 28 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AL

Blessings and Blossoms CHILDREN’S CLOTHING 132 St John’s Rd, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH12 8AX

Cloudberry Gifts is one of the best places in Edinburgh for gift inspiration. We love Cloudberry for the fact they embrace the idea that gifts for children should be as fun and stylish as gifts for the grown ups. There’s a wide range of toys and books to capture the imagination of all ages. It’s also perfect for after-party indulgences for parents. As a stockist of luxurious Scottish skincare brand Siabann, you’ll be sure to pick up a treat for you too!

Shop online and receive 10% off your first order. Just quote WELCOME10

CONTACT: 0131 538 0168 0131 467 2878 info@cloudberrygifts.co.uk www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

For party dresses and clothing for special occasions, Blessings and Blossoms in Corstorphine have it all. Their ranges include Mayoral, Sarah Louise, LeChic, Kate Mack, and many more. You can also pick up great accessories and baby gifts.

CONTACT: 0131 334 8322 www.blessingsandblossoms.co.uk

Bliss GIFT BOUTIQUE 5 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, EH4 1HU Stockbridge boutique gift shop, Bliss, sells favourite brands such as Olive & Moss, Jelly Cats, Toby Tiger, Ever Earth and Melissa & Doug which provide fantastic gift options for little ones. They also have a whole wall in their shop dedicated to an amazing selection of cards for every age group and occasion.

Bon Tot is the perfect place to shop for stylish and unique birthday gifts for little ones. A Fable Heart handmade crown is a must for the occasion, while Nor-Folk Wonder Years t-shirts announce the big birthday to the world; screen printed in bold graphic numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4 or with the mantra for the big day: “Play Hard”. Bon Tot’s collection of Buddy & Bear tableware has your birthday dinner service covered, and they even have something for the cardboard boxes - turn them in to cars and

Olaf £49.95 from Cloudberry

You don’t need to invite every single child you’ve ever met. Sometimes a small gathering of close friends and relatives can make for the best of times - CLOUDBERRY

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shops & suppliers Gullivers Toys & Gifts CHILDREN’S TOYS AND GIFTS 165b Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4DG Gulliver’s Toy and Gifts stock a fantastic array of toys for boys and girls of all ages but with a more traditional feel; soft toys, dolls and accessories, games and puzzles, science and educational toys, they have the lot! And with brands such as Micro Scooters, Pintoy, Melissa & Doug, as well as classics like Brio, Bristle Blocks, Usborne books and many, many more you will be spoilt for choice. Gulliver’s also has a great selection of small party bag items which start at just 50p so you can get everything you need in one place.

created several styles available at Maddie & Mark’s including the adorable ‘Lapin’ pink leather ballerina pumps with the cutest of rabbit ears. For something with a bit more sparkle, you can’t miss the 2016 collection of the sequinned Lelli Kelly. For these, and many more ‘must have’ party shoes, hop along to Maddie & Mark’s Shoes today!

CONTACT: sales@maddieandmarks.co.uk www.maddieandmarks.com

Surart and Design Handmade Piñatas

BESPOKE PIÑATA DESIGNER/MAKER

Maddie & Marks

A party is not a party without a piñata! Piñatas are a great way to add excitement to any celebration.

Surart and Design Piñatas can be customized to match any party theme, birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, Christmas, Easter, Halloween and more.

A piñata is a container in any shape made of papier-mâché or cardboard, it is decorated, filled with small toys and candies, hang up and children or adults are given a stick to smack it until it breaks.

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ONLINE GREETINGS CARD SUPPLIER The Paper Laundry is an online seller of gorgeous, high quality cards at affordable prices. They offer a lovely selection of children’s cards, including a nursery toyinspired age range for boy and girls. Cards cost just £1.50 each or £1.25 when you buy 8 or more.

Delivery is free on 4 or more cards.

CONTACT: www.thepaperlaundry.co.uk

CHILDREN’S GIFTS, CLOTHING, SHOES AND HAIRDRESSING 10-12 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU

PARTY SHOES 205 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, 1 Craigcrook Place, Edinburgh 195 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh

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The Paper Laundry

Treehouse

CONTACT: 0131 629 9424 www.GulliversToys.co.uk

Maddie & Mark’s Shoes have a whole host of beautiful shoes that will have your little one jumping for joy. Beautiful, gorgeous leather Bloch shoes are the latest addition to the party range. With their origins in dance shoes, Bloch has

CONTACT: 07551395166 surartdesign@yahoo.co.uk

EXTRA INFO: Orders can take between 2 - 3 weeks. Rush orders can be available if schedule permits, so feel free to contact if you are interested. Due to the artisan nature of the product no two piñatas are exactly alike, and remember filling is not included.

Bob & Blossom T-shirts from Treehouse come in a range of colours.

Just £17 Treehouse is your one stop shop for making special and memorable birthdays. Head to Stockbridge where Treehouse has the most amazing 3rd room packed full of delights from classic story books, wooden toys, arts & crafts plus pocket money ideas for party bags. These range from under a £1 with a thoughtfulness around your budget, and many priced under £10. Look out for new brands coming in 2016. As always Treehouse is your number 1 destination for children’s clothing, footwear and hairdressing in Edinburgh.

CONTACT: 01312251242 info@treehousechildrenswear.co.uk www.treehousechildrenswear.co.uk

Remember to take lots of photos - a party is a memory in the making - PURE BRILLIANT EVENTS

B irthday Presents 1

3 3. CHAD VALLEY

MAKE AND CREATE SOCK MONKEYS £9.95, Argos

2

1. HAPE WOODEN SPACE

2. PINK PIG BIRTHDAY

CENTRE £89.99

4. LOTTY DOLL AND PONY

CARDS Around £2.50 Various stockists such as Cloudberry (Barnton & Blackhall), Dragonfly (Broughton Street) and Blueberry(Musselburgh)

£26.99

6. HEXBUG RC BATTLE SPIDERS From £20

7. MICRO SCOOTER

4

5. XENO PACIFIC BLUE

INTERACTIVE SOFT TOY £39.99, Argos

From £59.99 All from Gullivers, Bruntsfield www.gulliverstoys.co.uk

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© DESIGNED BY FREEPIK.COM

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8. SNOWDROP INTERACTIVE PLAY KITCHEN £99.99, Plum Play

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y a d th B ir sents Pre

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2

3

4

5

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1. HAPPY JACKSON CARDS £2.50 2. RACHEL ELLEN GIRLS SECRET DIARY £7.95

3. EMOJI & CONVERSE WRAP

Quality wrapping paper featuring handpainted designs £1.75

4. FAIRY MUSIC BOX £18.95 5. COOTIE CATCHER

Fortune Tellers are there to answer all of life’s toughest questions - like whether your Prince Charming will have hairy nostrils. Includes 25 funky designs. £6.99

6. VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR STAMPER KIT £10.95

7. GIANT SPRINGY TOY

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Stairs beware! Ridley’s larger-thanlife version of this classic toy comes with improved bounce technology! £13.95

8. JELLYCAT TRUFFLES HIGHLAND COW (MEDIUM) Folds flat to form a small cosy rug. £17.95

9. SPACE PINBALL £9.95 10. PIRATE SNAP £5.99 11. RACHEL ELLEN LOVELY

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WRITING SET Includes 30 sheets of writing paper and 20 printed envelopes, as well as a sticker sheet. £6.95

12. PIRATE SKITTLES

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A lovely wooden set of 6 mini skittles in cute colourful pirate styles, designed for ages 2+. £16.95

13. BUG BOOK

A new interactive illustrated approach to nature guides suitable for ages 5+. £9.99

14. STAR WARS DOODLES (DOODLE BOOK) £9.99

15. STAR WARS WHERE’S THE

WOOKIEE SEARCH AND FIND BOOK £9.99

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All from Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton & Blackhall www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

© DESIGNED BY FREEPIK.COM

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Sports & Active Parties Allan Telfer Sports Coaching

MULTI SPORTS PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-12 years For something a bit different, why not book an AT Coaching party for your child’s next birthday. Each party is unique and can be tailored to suit the need of the birthday child. Each party includes 90 minutes of fun filled games and activities that keep the children engaged throughout.

EXTRA INFO: Minimum party size 12, and maximum 30 (depending on venue size). All you need to provide is the half-time refreshments and a suitable venue - which Allan can help you with.

CONTACT: 07572 875 789 AllanTelfer1983@gmail.com www.allantelfer.co.uk/parties

A-Star Sports

MULTI SPORTS PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+years A-Star Sports parties offer fun-filled and inclusive games - fast paced to keep the children engaged from start to finish. For children aged 7+ they offer sports-based and/ or themed parties for an actionpacked multi-sports adventure, and families can choose to have activities from their range of ten core sports.

JANUARY SPECIAL OFFER:

Quote ‘MADE’ to receive £30 discount.

Valid until end Feb 2016.

CONTACT: 07876021073 www.a-starsports.co.uk/ local-classes/Edinburgh

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Edinburgh Combat Challenge

OUTDOOR LASER COMBAT Lugton Bogs, Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH18 1AR (opposite Dobbies Garden Centre)

EICA:Ratho

CLIMBING ARENA & SOFTPLAY South Platt Hill, Newbridge, Edinburgh, EH28 8AA

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 8+ years Edinburgh Combat Challenge is an exciting outdoor laser combat game using long range authentic infra-red weapons. Experience being part of a real life computer game set in the woodland with authentic live sounds and game plays. It’s completely safe with no hidden costs. Only 4 miles from the city centre, free parking onsite and on a main bus route.

CONTACT: 07732 231220 edinburghcombatchallenge @gmail.com

www.edinburghcombatchallenge.com

Edinburgh Leisure Centres

SPORT & ACTIVE

Children love being active and parties are the perfect opportunity to let them run wild. Just treat them to an Edinburgh Leisure Active Party and you won’t have to run wild organising it.

They offer a mix of multi-activity sports and games parties, bouncy castle parties, football, swimming and even go-kart parties running at seven centres across the city: Ainslie Park Leisure Centre Drumbrae Leisure Centre Gracemount Leisure Centre Jack Kane Sports Centre Kirkliston Leisure Centre Meadowbank Sports Centre Queensferry High Recreation Centre CONTACT: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-16 years Simply choose your party, choose your food and get in touch. You can choose from Climbing Parties, Scrambles Softplay Parties, Rock Tots Playroom Parties and Toddler Softplay Parties. Parties include your own party host to look after you and your guests from start to finish, music supplied or you can give your host your own MP3 player, party invitations to download, a wide choice of tasty and healthy food options from sharing platters to set menus and there’s even tasty treats available for the grown-ups too!

CONTACT: 0131 333 6333 info.eica@edinburghleisure.co.uk www.eica-ratho.co.uk/activities/ birthday-parties

Don’t go overboard on party bags - GYMBOREE, EDINBURGH

Sports & Active Parties Enjoy-a-Ball

MULTI SPORT PARTIES PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-9 years Enjoy-a-Ball provides high energy, active parties, packed with nonstop fun. Their expertise in sports coaching, combined with their fun-loving nature, makes them the ideal party facilitator to leave all the guests buzzing with excitement.

They want your child’s special day to be happy and memorable. And for the grown-ups: they provide all the equipment and supervise the whole event, resulting in a worryfree experience for you!

COSTS: Full party terms and conditions are supplied with every party enquiry.

Sports parties are usually restricted to weekends due to weekday coaching commitments.

CONTACT: 08452 26 26 94 central@enjoy-a-ball.com www.enjoy-a-ball.com

enjoyleisure

SPORT, ACTIVITY & SOFTPLAY VENUES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-12 years For a birthday party packed full of active fun, you’re sure to have a blast at a party celebration with enjoyleisure in East Lothian! Choose from a wide range of options including pool parties, bouncy castles, soft play, trampolines or climbing wall parties! Hire a sports hall or synthetic pitch for an activity of your choice; or have exclusive use of Dunbar Leisure Pool, Jamboree or Wiggles Soft Play Areas.

COSTS: For information about party options and catering packages visit www.enjoyleisure.com

Go Wild Scotland

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE VENUE Located at Foxlake Adventures just outside Dunbar

Foxlake Adventures C.I.C

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & WATER SPORTS VENUE Foxlake Adventures CIC, Foxlake, Dunbar, EH42 1XF

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 6-16 years

Foxlake has found their most popular birthday package is the combination of a session on the FoxFall ropes course followed by Ringo Rides! Their FoxFall sessions are open to all abilities and involve the children tackling elements suspended over the lake then finishing with double zip lines that end up in the water! Ringo rides give participants the chance to tear up and down the lake on big inflatables, feeling every bump and splash along the way!

COSTS: FoxFall sessions last for 50 minutes and are priced at £14 per child.

There are two options for ringos depending on the group size; Small Ringo - £24.00 for 15-minute session (up to 6 people) Big Ringo - £30.00 for 15-Minute session (up to 10 people)

CONTACT: 01620 860657 info@foxlake.co.uk www.foxlake.co.uk

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-16 years

Go Wild offer parties where your children can run around outdoors with a structured programme, they can cook their own hot dogs on a stick in a fire and complete a lot of fun activities that are tailored to your child’s interests and age.

Activities include den building, catapult/slingshot shooting, foraging season specific, camp fire cooking and other age appropriate team games. Learning basic wildlife knowledge of the area through fun games. Learning about the forest and its animals and of course eating bugs…only for the very brave!

COSTS: £15 per child, minimum 8 children, maximum 50.

CONTACT: gowildscotland@gmail.com www.gowildscotland.co.uk

Inspire Sports Coaching

SPORTS PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5+ years Inspire has a variety of birthday party options for your child to choose from including football,

Don’t forget matches to light the cake - THE DRAMA STUDIO

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Sports & Active Parties fencing basketball and dance.

Each activity has been specially developed in a party format to ensure every child attending has a great time on the day.

They provide all the equipment required along with a fully qualified member of staff.

COSTS: 1 hour party for up to 20 children costs just £60. Larger groups and longer parties can also be accommodated. The party must be paid in full at time of booking.

CONTACT: John Crockett 07825 709151 jc@inspiresportscoaching.org

Mike’s Military Mayhem

OUTDOOR MILITARY PARTIES Ellwyn Glen, Galashiels

The New Recruit Party experience offers you and your friends the opportunity to train like real soldiers then put your skills to the test when you go out on patrol and carry out a mission on an enemy location.On arrival you will kit up and apply camouflage face paint (optional).

The Sergeant will then instruct you on health and safety before heading out into the military training field, where the fun really begins.The party package lasts for 2 hours.

Mike requires one adult marshal per 10 under 12, but don’t worry they get to cam up as well, lucky things!

COSTS: The cost for a new recruit party is £150.00 for 10 minimum and each additional recruit is £12.50 per head.The maximum number for any party is 20 children.

CONTACT: Mike 07810 562 543

www.mikesmilitarymayhem.co.uk

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TRAMPOLINE CENTRE 3 Windsor Pl, Portobello, EH15 2AJ Have a trampoline party in a room with 6 floor level trampolines, a bouncy castle and juke box!

COSTS: Parties can be booked for Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays for £99. This is for 1.5 hours private use; 1 hour in trampoline room and half an hour in the café. Please note this is selfcatering only.

CONTACT: 0131 669 1075 info@orcadiacentre.org.uk www.orcadiacentre.org.uk

Play2Learn Sports Coaching

South Queensferry, West Lothian EH30 9SQ PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 8+ Port Edgar can offer Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding for £19 per child. Other activities are available including sailing, banana boat rides and mountain bikes.

Please call them to discuss group size and prices.

CONTACT: bookings@portedgar watersports.com 0131 319 1820 www.portedgarwatersports.com

Ryze Edinburgh

INDOOR EXTREME AIR SPORTS ARENA Mayfield Industrial Estate, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 4AD

SPORTS PARTIES

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 4-11 Let the P2L coaches give your birthday boy or girl and their friends an active, enjoyable and memorable football or sports party they will never forget. Their packages and prices are based on 16 kids but they can easily take more than that if you wish.

They have many different venues including: The World Of Football at The Corn Exchange, Harrison Park, North Merchiston Sports Club, The Rugby Club, South Queensferry or pick your own venue! All P2L birthday parties involve lots of active fun, enjoyment, education and socialising. If you want to give your boy or girl the happiest and healthiest sports birthday party, then give Shaneo a call.

CONTACT: Shane McCreevy 07825086108 Shane@Play2Learn.info www.Play2Learn.info

Port Edgar Water Sports

mikesmilitarymayhem@hotmail.co.uk

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Orcadia

WATER SPORTS VENUE Port Edgar Marina, Port Edgar,

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 2+ Each Ryze party includes a onehour Flight Pass for the party guests to enjoy the facilities, exclusive use of a RYZE party room for 45 minutes after flight time, a party attendant to help you check in, set-up, clean-up and make sure you’re having fun, party plates, utensils, cups, napkins and table covering, and a free Ryze flight shirt for the birthday jumper, and wristbands for all of the fliers.

COSTS: Ryze partiy rooms host a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 35 guests.

Prices start at £135 for children aged 7 years and over and from £105 for children age 2-6 years.

CONTACT: 0131 634 0140 events@ryzeedinburgh.com www.ryzeedinburgh.com

Make sure everyone’s kept occupied with an activity they’ll all enjoy - KISS THE FISH

Children’s Parties We can provide a unique party which is designed entirely with your child in mind, incorporating an exciting mixture of music and dancing, stories and adventure, bubbles and bouncing and plenty of giggles.

Our purpose-built Play Floor and triedand-tested games will make it a birthday to remember for parents and children alike!

Book your Party today!

Gymboree Edinburgh 07910 188 713 edinburgh@gymboree-uk.com gymboree-uk.com

It’s party tIme

in East Lothian

Have an active birthday celebration with enjoyleisure!

• Pool Parties • Aqua Run Parties • Soft Play Parties • Bouncy Castle Parties • Trampolining Parties • Pitch Parties • Multi-Sports Parties • Climbing Wall Parties • Catering Options Available

@Enjoy_Leisure

Plenty fun for everyone!

enjoyleisure.eastlothian

Aubigny Sports Centre Haddington 01620 820650

Dunbar Leisure Pool Dunbar 01368 866040

Loch Centre Tranent 01875 824140

Meadowmill Sports Centre

By Tranent 01875 619079

Musselburgh Sports Centre Musselburgh 0131 653 5208

North Berwick Sports Centre North Berwick 01620 820730

For more information about our energetic party options, visit

www.enjoyleisure.com

Delivering services for East Lothian Council. Enjoy East Lothian Ltd, also known as ‘enjoy’ and ‘enjoyleisure’, is registered in Scotland as a charity, no SC040527.

Book our fabulously fun venue exclusively for your party!

PARTIES FROM JUST

£90!

Kids can play in a fun and safe environment and enjoy a tasty buffet in the party area.

• TASTY BUFFET FOOD Accompanying adults are welcome too.

Jenn’s Den is available for exclusive hire • SPECIAL PARTY AREA • FUN FOR EVERYONE on a Saturday or Sunday at 3pm.

• ADULTS WELCOME TOO

31 Corbiehill Road, Edinburgh EH4 5BQ • 0131 312 7077

info@jennsden.co.uk • www.jennsden.co.uk

under 5S Babies and Bumps Café PLAY CAFÉ 13-15 Church Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4BE Book your event from as little as £25 at Babies and Bumps Café.

Whether you want to celebrate your baby’s first birthday, host a baby shower or an NCT Reunion, Babies and Bumps Café will cater to your needs. Hire the venue exclusively or book an area, this fully equipped space can provide a simple party package or create a bespoke party just for you.

CONTACT: Louise, 0131 447 3549 hello@babiesandbumpscafe.co.uk www.babiesandbumpscafe.co.uk

Beautiful Bairns BABY & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER 151 London Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6AE

The cake smash session starts with classic portraits of your child with the option to choose from a range of props and outfits. Then your child gets stuck in to the cake! After the cake fun it’s time for a nice warm bubble bath in a gorgeous mini roll top bath and plenty of bubbles! Beautiful Bairns also offer Teddy Bear Picnics or Tea Parties for older children.

COSTS: Included in the package are your ten favourite images as digital files with unlimited printing rights, your custom made-to-order cake, styling of the set and the option to upgrade or purchase exclusive cake smash products at discounted prices. Available MonSat. At busy times of the year it is recommended you book at least a month in advance.

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CONTACT: 07843 912 692 Rachael@beautifulbairns.com www.BeautifulBairns.com

Gymboree Edinburgh STRUCTURED MUSIC & SOFTPLAY VENUE 3 Gorgie Park Road, Slateford Rd

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-5 years

WINNER of the WO4LO ‘Best Party Provider’ 2011, 2012 and 2013!!

Gymboree Edinburgh offer unique, custom designed, themed birthday parties for children ages 1-5 years old. You can WOW your little one with anything from a Pirate to a Princess party! Parties include venue hire, two members of staff to help with your day, party food and a structured play and music session.

EXTRA INFO: Party packages vary and can be altered to completely suit your needs and wishes. Max party size is 15 children. Gymboree can provide everything other than your birthday cake so you can enjoy a stress free day! They also have a private car park accessible from Slateford Road.

birthday parties different from any other party and there is always something for everyone – gluing, squishing, stirring, making, splashing and more... Each party is bespoke and designed to allow the birthday boy/girl and their guests to do what they do best - play!

Invitations, thank you cards and party bags all included.

CONTACT: Juliet Harriso,n 07876 542 492 juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk www.messymunchkins.co.uk

Studio Life Photography STUDIO BABY & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER 4a Kirk Loan, Corstorphine

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: Under 5s

A cake smash session is an absolutely wonderful way to celebrate your little one’s first birthday.

Just imagine your adorable baby having their way with a giant cupcake – and getting photos to document it all! Icing-covered faces and hands, giggles, smiles and individually styled outfits then finishing with a splash in the bubble bath, makes the whole experience unforgettable!

Studio Life will creatively craft a bespoke styled photo experience just for your baby.

Are you looking for something different for your child’s special day? Thought about a messy play party? Award Winning Messy Munchkins hosts messy play

CONTACT: Zsofia 0131 603 7777 hello@studiolifephotography.co.uk www.studiolifephotography.co.uk

CONTACT: 07910 188 713 edinburgh@gymboree-uk.com www.gymboree-uk.com/edinburgh

Messy Munchkins MOBILE MESSY PLAY

Choose a theme. This is a great starting point and helps with invitations, decorations, food etc.

Sometimes the simplest themes are the best and easiest to execute - BABIES AND BUMPS CAFÉ

soft play & play cafes Clambers at Royal Commonwealth Pool

SOFTPLAY Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5BB PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-10 years In the heart of the city, in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic venues there’s a big, bright, brilliant softplay which hosts some of the best parties in town. Children can have a blast burning off their energy in an exciting softplay followed by games and tasty (healthy!) food in the lovely, light party room. You can choose from Clambers Softplay Parties and Toddler Clambers Softplay Parties.

CONTACT: 0131 667 7211 info.rpc@edinburghleisure.co.uk www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Clownaround SOFTPLAY & TRAMPOLINE CENTRE 109 Restalrig Road, Edinburgh, EH6 7NY

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-8 years Clownaround offer the best party packages in town - great value for money where nothing is written in stone. They are a family run venue where every attention to detail is catered for. Check website for full details. Costs start at just 6.50 per child.

CONTACT: 01315537676 info@clownaround.me.uk www.clownaround.me.uk

Gambado Edinburgh SOFTPLAY Unit 6, Fountain Park, Dundee Street, Edinburgh PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0-12 years Birthday parties are more fun, less hassle at Gambado Edinburgh.

Take advantage of their unique, unsurpassable facilities to create a memorable party for your child, family and friends.

They have different party packages available. All parties last for 2 hours and include free carousel rides, unlimited juice, balloon for every guest and an amazing party host.

EXTRA INFO: Parent to confirm total numbers the week before party. Jabberwocky is 15 minutes from Fort Kinnaird, just off the A1, with lots of free long term parking, just around the corner, all weekend. 90 minute free parking during the week.

CONTACT: 01620 248070 hello@jabberwockysoftplay.co.uk www.jabberwockysoftplay.co.uk

Jenn’s Den PLAY CAFÉ 31 Corbiehill Road, Edinburgh EH4 5BQ

CONTACT: 0131 202 3566 Edinburgh@gambado.com www.gambado.com

Jabberwocky SOFT PLAY AND CAFÉ 6 Lodge Street, Haddington, East Lothian

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0-12 years Jabberwocky is a unique dragonthemed soft play with a whole range of great ideas to create the perfect party for your child. Have fun on the dragon softplay, or create a unique party in their sunny party room. Scrummy birthday teas, Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties, magician, mini-disco, ace painting or craft parties - you choose and they’ll arrange it all. Jabberwocky also do 3D printing parties (for over 6s) - everyone creates their own toy!

COSTS: All parties last 2 hours. Pricing varies on type of party, and price includes choice of party invites and thank-you cards. Good-value, gender-free party bags for small extra cost. Healthy party food only and they will ask for your input over content of sandwiches etc.

Minimum 10 children, payable at time of booking.

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-5 years Jenn’s Den standard play party is a popular choice for a simple, good value birthday party.

Kids can play in a fun and safe environment and enjoy a tasty buffet in the party area.

Accompanying adults are welcome too. Jenn’s Den is also available for exclusive hire on a Saturday or Sunday at 3pm. They can cater for your adults too so you can relax and enjoy the party knowing everything is being taken care of.

COSTS: From just £90 for parties up to 12 children. Exclusive use hire for 2 hours just £200.

CONTACT: Jenn or Aly 0131 312 7077 info@jennsden.co.uk www.jennsden.co.uk

Book early if you want a special date or time slot, especially if you plan to include a magician, face painter or party coordinator as they can book up a while in advance - JABBERWOCKY

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soft play & play cafes Mini-Miners Soft Play SOFTPLAY & VISITOR ATTRACTION National Mining Museum Scotland, Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange EH22 4QN

CONTACT: 0131 555 1900 oceanplaycentre@gmail.com www.oceanplaycentre.co.uk

The Kabin SOFTPLAY 5 Mayburn Walk, Loanhead, EH20 9HG

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0-8 years

Kids can enjoy 60 minutes (nonexclusive) play in Mini Miners Soft Play followed by 60 minutes in the Mini Miners Party Room. MiniMiners can cater for a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 children for just £7 per head which includes party food and music.

CONTACT: 0131 663 7519 enquiries@nationalminingmuseum. com www.nationalminingmuseum.com

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3+ years Ocean Play offers everything you need for a happy birthday! With party themes such as Simply Softplay, Pirates & Mermaids, Frozen, Superhero, Fairies & Knights, Wild West, Princess and Dinosaurs there is something for everyone.

All parties include 1 hour play and 30minutes for food in the party area with delicious food, unlimited juice and an empty party bag with a balloon and tattoo to help with the distribution of the cake.

EXTRA INFO: Ocean Play can also cater for adults with sandwich platters and scones & jam.

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CONTACT: 0131 639 0186 www.ttsoftplay.co.uk/parties PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-8 years Open for four years the Kabin is a community focused charity that provides space and facilities that complements existing community provision in Loanhead. Children can run wild in Amazone – a 3-tiered jungle themed soft play – and everyone can enjoy food, drinks and home baking from the recently awarded Healthyliving Honeypot Café.

JANUARY SPECIAL OFFER

Ocean Play SOFTPLAY Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ

Edinburgh’s award winning kids birthday party specialist, they offer the widest choice of parties and options to ensure all guests have “The Greatest Fun in History”.

From Soft-Play Parties to Make-ABear and Laser-Tag Parties, their party team know what it takes to make your child’s special day extra special. With a TimeTwisters Birthday Party, you know you’re in safe hands and can relax and enjoy the day as much as the children.

Quote ‘MADETOPARTYJAN2016’ to receive 10% discount off all parties booked in January.

COSTS: £8 per child, minimum party 10 children.

Exclusive use of softplay is £20 CONTACT: 0131 440 2541

TimeTwisters Play & Party Centre

Wishing Tree Play Café SOFTPLAY & PLAY CAFÉ 85 High St, Musselburgh EH21 7DA SOFT PLAY PARTIES: 0-8 years DISCO/PAMPER PARTIES: 9-12 years The Wishing Tree Play Café can provide everything you need for a party to remember in their newly refurbished woodland themed play café. Their parties last two hours; one hour in the play area, followed by one hour in the party room, with themed table, wall decorations, delicious healthy food, balloons and party bags. Themes include Princess and Pirates, Peppa-Pig, Gruffalo, Turtles, Super-Heroes, Frozen, Mini Mouse with loads more possible.

COSTS: Prices start from just £8 per child.

And extras such as face painter and glitter tattoos, party games, cupcake decorating, character visit, children’s entertainers, DJ and disco can be arranged.

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 1-11 years

EXTRA INFO: You can exclusively hire Wishing Tree Play Café with a minimum booking of 20 children on Sat at 4pm or Sun at 3pm.

Your child’s birthday party is one of the most important days of their year. TimeTwisters specialise in making sure it is an exciting, fun and memorable experience. As

CONTACT: Bev Anderson 0131 665 1588 info@wishingtreeplaycafe.com www.wishingtreeplaycafe.com

SOFTPLAY & PARTY CENTRE Catalyst Park, 2B Bankhead Dr, Edinburgh EH11 4EJ

Relax, let the experts do the hard work while you catch up with friends and family - WISHING TREE PLAY CAFÉ

Activity Classes for Children and their families

Secret Garden

lay Soft eP play & Frerea A

Children’ Themed s Parties

Event Hire

unity Comm b Hu

It’s OUR 10th BIRTHDAY!

SO...During 2016, every month we’re giving you the chance to win either:

For more info or to book a party please contact Bev Anderson www.wishingtreeplaycafe.com or email us info@wishingtreeplaycafe.com 85 High Street, Musselburgh, EH21 7DA. T: 0131 665 1588

wishingtreeplaycafe

A £100 PARTY VOUCHER! OR A 3-MONTH MEMBERSHIP

Enter once for FREE at www.ttsoftplay .co.uk/MADE2win

mini miners soft play

Plus...

Every time you visit Let’s party! you’ll get an extra FREE Competition entry!

So what are you waiting for?

TIMETWISTERS PLAY CENTRE UNIT 5, 2B BANKHEAD DRIVE EDINBURGH, EH11 4EJ 0131 639 0187

www.ttsoftplay.co.uk/made2win

PROMOTION

For a birthday party that will have the kids screaming for more, look no further than the Edinburgh Dungeon!

You and your party can experience the ultimate live action adventure through Scotland’s murky history. See, hear, smell and feel the country’s darkest stories as they come to life before your eyes!

As you are taken back in time, you’ll come face-to-face with frighteningly funny characters, from Torturers and Judges to local legends including the cannibal clan of Sawney Bean and infamous grave-robbers, murderous twosome Burke and Hare.

Explore surroundings like the plague-ravaged Street of Sorrows, the Anatomy Theatre of Dr Knox and the mysterious Old Craig House where a spine-chilling ghostly presence resides. As you discover the stories of some of Scotland’s most infamous characters, you’ll feel yourself drawn into another world, where the boundaries between reality and the past blur.

With 11 live actor shows and 2 thrilling underground rides to discover, including Edinburgh’s only underground drop ride, a visit to the Dungeon will give you the ultimate birthday party to remember!

Plus with prices from just £9 per person including a goody bag and photo discount, it’s a deal not to be missed!

46

Brave Burke & Hare Package TICKET TYPE

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL PRICE

15 and younger £9.00 Adult (16+)*

£10.00 1 adult goes free with every 5 children!

This package includes: • Priority entry • Tour of the Edinburgh Dungeon • Goody bags for each child • 20% off photography products Fancy a meal afterwards? We have 2 other packages available which include a visit to the Dungeon AND lunch from the Filling Station, Edinburgh High Street, just a 5 minute walk away from the Dungeon!

Find out more on the Dungeon website: www.thedungeons.com/Edinburgh *Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that Dungeon birthday packages are suitable for kids of 15 and under. For big kids who want to join in, check out the Dungeon website for great value group packages!

visitor attractions Almond Valley Heritage Centre

VISITOR ATTRACTION & SOFTPLAY Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 7AR PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 0 – 8 years Almond Valley parties are very different from hurried affairs offered by many outlets, and uniquely include an attractive decorated room that serves as your base for the two hour duration of the party, a choice of delicious party food, party badges, helium filled balloons for each child, your own private tractor and trailer ride and a play session in the Morag’s Meadow soft play.

You can invite extra family members to help out and join the fun; special passes allow them to explore Almond Valley in advance of the party, or stay on afterwards and make a real day of it.

COSTS: The standard birthday party package costs £8.50 per child, for a minimum of ten children. The party room can accommodate up to 35.

CONTACT: 01506 414957 www.almondvalley.co.uk

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

VISITOR ATTRACTION Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES 6-11 years Camera Obscura & World of Illusions makes a perfect venue for a birthday visit. Depending on your numbers, you can have a private viewing of the Camera Obscura, and then spend as long as you like exploring the five floors of exhibitions. Let them know about your ideas and they will be delighted to help you plan your visit. Groups must be booked in advance.

CONTACT: Alyce Paton 0131 226 3709 alyce@camera-obscura.co.uk www.camera-obscura.co.uk

Deep Sea World

VISITOR ATTRACTION North Queensferry, KY11 1JR PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3-11 years.

Deciding to hold your child’s birthday party at Deep Sea World is where the fun begins.

Choose from an exciting Shark or Magical Mermaid themes in the new exclusive Party Room.

All Birthday Parties include a fun filled 30 minute themed adventure tour of the aquarium, dedicated party host, kid’s lunch boxes, party games and themed party bags for the whole party.

PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 3-15yrs

Butterfly World can hold children’s parties on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10.30am and 1pm (or any time midweek depending on availability). Parties last a maximum of 2hrs, include use of the party room and a private talk, tour of the visitor attraction and animal handling session for up to 20 children.

EXTRA INFO: Party lunch boxes, personalised luxury cake, party bags and a sign displayed in the Burmese Python’s tank can all be arranged as part of your party!

CONTACT: 0131 663 4932 info@edinburgh-butterfly-world. co.uk www.edinburgh-butterfly-world. co.uk

Edinburgh Dungeon

COSTS: £14.95 per child, located just 20 minutes from Edinburgh with free car parking. Min party size 10, and max 20.

CONTACT: 01383 411880 www.deepseaworld.com

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

A HORRIBLE VISITOR ATTRACTION 31 Market Street, EH1 1DF The Dungeon team will make sure you and your party have the most horrible day! With fantastic packages to choose from you can combine the Edinburgh Dungeon experience with a goody bag, photo discounts and even lunch.

COSTS: For more information see opposite.

VISITOR ATTRACTION & MINI ZOO Dobbies Garden World, Melville Nursery, Lasswade, Edinburgh, EH18 1AZ

CONTACT: 0871 423 2250 www.thedungeons.com/ edinburgh

Choose a party venue that has the benefit of entertaining the adults as well as the children - EDINBURGH BUTTERFLY & INSECT WORLD

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visitor attractions Gorgie City Farm ANIMAL VISITOR ATTRACTION Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2LA Give any animal mad youngster a memorable day out! Gorgie City Farm’s unique party experience includes pet handling and animal feeding alongside a traditional birthday tea and party bags. Their party team will lead your party activities, serve food and do the clearing up. You just bring the cake and your camera! You can also hire their party room for your own thing, potentially booking private handling or feeding as a feature.

CONTACT: 0131 337 4202 parties@gorgiecityfarm.org.uk www.gorgiecityfarm.org.uk

Jupiter Artland ART & SCULPTURE VISITOR ATTRACTION Bonnington House Steadings, near Wilkieston, Edinburgh, EH27 8BB PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 5-12 years Jupiter Artland’s parties are 2 hours 15 minutes full of exploring, crafting and having fun, all set within a magical landscape of outdoor sculpture. All parties are based in a woodland classroom but set mostly in the outdoors and themes include Build a Bothy, Outdoor Adventure, Enchanted Forest and Artsparks. All parties include exploring the Artland, an exciting art and outdoor activity and invitations. A BBQ or Picnic party/lunch tea can also be included, as can extras such as party bags, birthday cake and adult refreshments.

EXTRA INFO: Prices start at £15 per head.

Catering is included in cost of party package from May-Sept but outwith open season parents can choose to provide their own catering.

CONTACT: Catherine O’Brien

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01506 889900 educationfoundation@ jupiterartland.org www.jupiterartland.org

National Museum of Flight

VISITOR ATTRACTION East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF

of all ages there’s the ever popular Adventurer Party.

EXTRA INFO: Parties are available every Sat and Syn the attraction is open and are suitable for a minimum of 8 children and a maximum of 20 children. Goodie Bags are available to order in advance.

CONTACT: 0131 550 7800 www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Seabird Centre

Celebrate a supersonic birthday with a special party at the National Museum of Flight. Choose from a Jet Powered or Supersonic package and enjoy a range of activities including boarding Scotland’s iconic Concorde, the hands-on interactive gallery, Fantastic Flight, and creative make and take sessions. Plus dress up in uniform, complete the assault course and get up close to military and passenger aircraft. Birthday parties are tailored according to the age of the party and include all activities and party food.

CONTACT: 0131 247 4238 www.nms.ac.uk/flight

Our Dynamic Earth VISITOR ATTRACTION Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS Fancy traveling back in time 15,000 million years to the beginning of our universe and taking an action packed adventure through the life of our planet Earth.

Dynamic Earth birthday party packages contain something for kids of all ages. For younger children there’s a Storytelling Birthday Party, and for older children there’s a fantastic Craft Activity Birthday Party. For children

VISITOR ATTRACTION The Harbour, North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4SS PARTIES BEST FOR AGES: 2+ The Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, offers a whole host of party themes to ensure your child’s birthday will stand out from the crowd. Choose from: Pirates, Mermaids, Professor Egghead’s Science Show, Puffin Circus, Under the Sea and Tots Puffling Party.

Select activity sessions, food, games, face painting, the chance to meet Tammie the Puffin – you can even have your child’s name displayed on a board in one of their fish tanks! They offer online printable invites, thank you cards and a gift for the birthday child.

Plus, that all important supply of tea and coffee for the adults!

COSTS: From £10.50 per child.

CONTACT: 01620 890202 www.seabird.org

Ensure you know all guests dietary requirements and allergies - DEEP SEA WORLD

OPEN 7 DAYS

 2 1 fofror

11am Animal & 4pm &11am 4pm

Terrapin 2pm Terrapin Feeding TalksFeeding

AnimalAnimal Feeding Feeding Session Session

2pm

Stand out from the crowd with a party that will inspire!

From £10.50 per Onlychild oneOnly voucher per transaction.

Offer ends 31 March one voucher per transaction.

Offer ends 312015.

March 2015.

for

Terms and conditions apply. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Terms and conditions apply. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Image © Sean Bell / Scottish Charity no SC025837

DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS · CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

Offer ends 20 March 2016. Terms and conditions apply.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

4$ "13

at Dobbies Garden World, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1AZ 0131 663 4932 www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk MADE J/F16

BOOK NOW

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merm

CALL 01383 411880 Deep Sea World Parties offer you a fun and hassle-free way to celebrate a birthday, guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience for children of all ages.

Find us on

www.deepseaworld.com

✃

www.seabird.orgat Dobbies Garden Garden World, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 at Dobbies World, Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1AZ Only one1AZ voucher 01620 890202 Tel: 0131 4932 Tel:663 0131 663www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk 4932 www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk per transaction.

FAM J/F 15

Party time!

Mini Mini12& noon AnimalAnimal Handling Meet Handling 3pm 12noon & 3pm Sessions &Tour GreetTour Sessions

10am

FAM J/F 15

10am

VENUES Calton Centre 121 Montgomery St, Edinburgh, EH7 5EP The Calton Centre is a fully refurbished venue with two halls suitable to hire for birthday parties catering for children 10 and under.

Hall A is a large self-contained space with stage and PA system, toilet facilities, baby change and a small kitchen area. The roof height offers plenty of clearance for an indoor bouncy castle. Hall B is slightly smaller with a lower roof but still with a 50 person capacity and speaker system with access to small kitchen and toilets/baby change. There are also plenty of good quality tables and chairs to accommodate both spaces.

COSTS: Hall A is available to hire at the weekend at the rate of £26 per hour Hall B is available to hire at the rate of £17 per hour CONTACT: 0131 661 0880 info@caltoncentre.co.uk www.caltoncentre.co.uk

Craigmillar Community Arts Centre 58 Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh, EH15 3HS 0131 669 8432 craigmillarcommunityarts@gmail. com www.craigmillarcommunityarts. org.uk

Cramond Kirk Hall 1 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ Cramond Kirk Hall is an excellent venue for all sorts of functions, especially for children’s parties.

Rooms are available for quiet receptions or wild ceilidhs! There is loads of space to burn off energy or to erect a bouncy castle in the Main Hall or have a more formal

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do in the luxurious Millennium Room. A commercial kitchen is available for the catering, crockery and cutlery is on site and there are loads of tables and chairs. The Halls are in safe open parkland with plenty of parking.

CONTACT: David Haggarty 0131 312 6911 hallenquiries@cramondkirk.org.uk www.cramondkirk.org.uk

Eric Liddell Centre 15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DP 0131 447 4520 www.ericliddell.org

Fairmilehead Church Halls 1a Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7AA Fairmilehead Parish Church offers a choice of different sized halls suitable for birthday parties. Bring your own entertainer or bouncy castle (height restrictions apply in some halls). Access to the kitchen is available and tables/ chairs for the birthday tea can be set up. Car park and free on-street parking nearby is available.

CONTACT: Carole Park 0131 445 2374 office@fhpc.org.uk www.fhpc.org.uk

Fisherrow Community Centre South Street, Fisherrow, Musselburgh, EH21 6AT 0131 665 7590 www.fisherrowcentre.org.uk

Inverleith St Serf’s Parish Church Halls 1a Clark Road, Edinburgh, EH5 3BD 0131 478 0642 halls@inverleithsaintserfs.org.uk www.inverleithsaintserfs.org.uk

North Merchiston Club 48 Watson Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 1EP The club is conveniently situated on the edge of the city centre, close to Fountainpark and adjoining Harrison Park East. The club is open 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, and 9am-4pm on Sat and Sun. Birthday parties can be held in the club most weekends.

CONTACT: 0131 622 1757 info@northmerchiston.co.uk www.northmerchiston.co.uk

Out Of The Blue Drill Hall 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, EH6 8RG 0131 555 7100 www.outoftheblue.org.uk

The Stable @ Leaf & Bean Café 12-14 Comiston Road, Edinburgh EH10 6AU The Stable can host baby and toddler parties and adult gatherings at very reasonable prices in the heart of Morningside. Their stable door can be half open or fully shut dependent on customer requirements. The Stable is suitable for a party of 10-12. They can provide party food packages which can be themed and can also include very reasonable prices for Birthday Cakes and all things delicious made by Artisan baker!

The space can be used for party themed baby & toddler events and activities and we are able to recommend companies who can provide entertainment based on your individual requirements. Their parties can all be tailored to exactly what you wish.

CONTACT: Joanna Campbell 07887 910900 boutiqueeboo@outlook.co.uk boutiqueeboo@outlook.com

Book your venue early and make sure that guests ‘save the date’! - FAIRMILEHEAD CHURCH HALLS

CAKES & CATERERS Colourful Candy

CANDY BUFFET SUPPLIER

Colourful Candy provide a wide range of sweet based goodies suitable for parties and events for all ages. Candy Buffets are a great addition to any party and allow guest to pick their favourites.

They also offer a wide range of party sweets with prices starting from just £1.50. They can be personalised too.

CONTACT: Sharon Brown 07969 970258 info@colourfulcandy.co.uk www.colourfulcandy.co.uk

wedding favours and personalised gifts. Biscuits can be supplied individually for party and wedding favours or you can order a selection in a tin for other special occasions – new baby, Christmas, Easter, Valentines etc.

Cookie Pop Shop can also supply bespoke cupcakes and celebration cakes.

EXTRA INFO: Late orders can sometimes be taken though will require at least 1 weeks notice due to the bespoke nature of the product. A minimum order of 15 biscuits is required.

Orders can be delivered for a small fee or collected for free.

CONTACT: Lucy Goddard 07727272109 cookiepopshop@mail.com www.facebook.com/ cookiepopshop

CONTACT: Rosanna Campbell 07739639252 rosanna@graceandcouk.com www.graceandcouk.com

Marmalade Skies Catering

CATERER

Platters of delicious home-made party food delivered to the venue of your choice. Kids’ party boxes packed with tempting finger food such as fresh fruit skewers, pinwheel sandwiches, rocky road and more.

07760 441 202 heather@mskies.co.uk www.mskies.co.uk

The Sweet Boutique

SPECIALITY CAKES & CONFECTIONERY

Grace & Co.

CELEBRATION CAKES & BAKED GOODS

Cookie Pop Shop

DECORATED BISCUIT SUPPLIER

Cookie Pop Shop provides delicious, handmade, hand-iced biscuits for every occasion! Any theme can be accommodated for birthday parties and party bags,

Celebration Cakes & Baked Goods Grace & Co. is an Edinburgh based creator of celebration cakes and wholesale baked goods. Each celebration cake is designed to suit your budget and event, whether it is a Christening, wedding or birthday. With a wide range of delicious flavours and truly tasty gluten-free options, Grace & Co. believe that your cake should taste as good as it looks.

From minions to mine craft The Sweet Boutique has it covered.

Be it an elegant wedding cake, a whimsical character cake or party themed cupcakes, they can make any style of cake for any party theme. The Sweet Boutique making your themes come true!

CONTACT: Susan 07931212633 sweetboutiqueconfectionery @gmail.com www.thesweet.boutique

Use established companies and ones with good feedback. Remember cheapest isn’t always best - COLOURFUL CANDY

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made FOR 2016

Babies and Bumps Café Clambers Softplay Cloudberry Gifts Cramond Kirk Halls Doodles Dynam-nic Dance Gambado Gullivers Gymboree

Jabberwocky Jenn’s Den Maddie and Marks Monkey Music Potter Around Scottish Seabird Centre Leaf & Bean Cafe The Wishing Tree Play Café

And HUNDREDS of other venues…

If your shop / café / nursery would like to become a stockist for MADE let Louise know at mademag@live.co.uk or call 07738 068022

TO SUBSCRIBE

email mademag@live.co.uk (quoting SUB16) and you’ll be added to our priority mailing list.

T&C: This offer is available for UK subscriptions only. Subscription starts on receipt of full £15 payment via cheque or BACS transfer. Details will be provided via email.

Leave it to Dad

WRITTEN BY Graeme

Easton

“I

’m going to party like it’s 1999”, sang Prince.

I’m not 100% sure what he actually meant, but if it was lashings of lemonade and ice-cream then throughout my primary school years, much like Prince, I had a purple patch.

The best parties, whether you are a child or big child, consist of games, food and music. These are things I can certainly relate to as kid, a dad and way back as a 20-something young adult.

Parties as a kid were very much home-made and consisted of The Farmer’s in the Den, The Hokey Cokey and a tension packed game of Pass the Parcel. However, one of my favourite games, which I don’t think had an official name, consisted of everyone sitting in a circle, with ILLUSTRATION: SAM MILLER www.sammiller.co.uk a large (I mean massive!) Dairy Milk bar plus gloves, hat, scarf, knife and DJing was the buffet break. Mary fork in the middle. There was Berry would have been right proud also a dice. This was the key You then had to of some of the vol-au-vents of the tool in the game. If you threw put on the gloves, early 90s. a six (cue everyone shouting And of course every party needs ‘Six!’) you then had to put on hat and scarf and some top tunes, so it was with great the gloves, hat and scarf and try to cut a piece pleasure (through gritted teeth) try to cut a piece of chocolate. that I would endlessly line up Right Meanwhile everyone else of chocolate Said Fred “I’m too sexy”. It was a was trying to throw a six. Top bit of a blur (and Oasis) back then notch fun! but it was hugely enjoyable and led Looking back at how things onto many great opportunities such as DJing in have changed, then one thing which has grown Edinburgh’s long-forgotten clubs such as the Red into an industry is the concept of a “party bag” at Hot Pepper Club, or The Ark/The Establishment, the end of a kid’s party. Now I’m not being mean, depending on your generation. However, the but to my mind this has gone way out of control! best part of a good party is a surprise, something What’s wrong with a bit of good ol’ fashioned you weren’t expecting, so in keeping with this, I’ll birthday cake wrapped up in a napkin? I recall keep my best party memories to myself… n many a good party with some birthday cake as the parting gift!

In my 20s parties took on a different twist, particularly when my brother and I set up Woosh!

Graeme Easton is dad to three children, girl Discos where we provided the tunes for a and boy twins aged 10 and a girl aged 6. He plethora of 18th and 21st parties, plus school is director of Woosh! Entertainments and can discos and even some 80s nights. One of the be heard at the likes of BT Murrayfield and highlights (apart from my hairstyle at the time) Hampden Park as he is the venue announcer. was the food at these dos. All great parties need Follow Graeme at @graemeeaston some good scran don’t they? One of the perks of

“

”

Find out more...

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

53

AGONY AUNT

Jojo!

Trust

Got a child related problem and need some advice? Look no further!

Comedian, JoJo Sutherland, is on hand to help. Send your problems to info@mademagazine.co.uk @jojosutherland www.jojosutherland.co.uk

I think I missed my vocation in life, I really should have been a party planner. Having four children and every year trying to come up with bigger and better party ideas was exhausting…until I finally nailed it. We’d done the bouncy castle, the swimming parties, princess days, fancy dress, laser quest, house parties, sleepovers etc. etc.

You name it, we’d done it. But then we had a Deal or No Deal party which was by far the winner! It may sound strange but my son is a huge fan of Deal or No Deal (I have no idea why, but he is truly obsessed) so in my finest hour I recreated the game in our living room.

He had 22 friends who all had boxes that contained forfeits instead of money – forfeits like, ‘take the bins out’ and ‘change the baby’s nappy’ alongside bars of chocolate and a whopping £25 to be won! His face was a picture when he won ‘do the dishes for a week’. Number 17 is no longer his favourite number. But before you call social services, he did also get the £25 and he proclaimed it was his best birthday ever!

Thinking outside the box (excuse the pun) is sometimes the cheapest and most fun way to go, although his idea that the next party should involve gunging the parents was immediately dismissed.

54

Dear Jojo My 6 year old wants to have a friend for a sleepover. His mum seems ok with the idea but I don’t want to have the responsibility – how do I say no?

Louise, Fairmilehead Dear Louise Repeat after me ‘NO, NO, NO’.

Although there is a train of thought that two can be easier than one, I think that was just a vicious rumour spread by a parent in denial.

Unless you know the child very well then I would avoid until older, mainly because nighttime can bring out all sorts of strange behaviours that someone else’s mummy or daddy can’t fix, and you’ll find yourself in your jammies, driving a distraught child back to their parents with an overwhelming, yet unfair, sense of guilt. Here speaks the voice of experience.

Jojo x

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Winter Sessions Autumn Term

made

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(Booking Essential) (Booking Essential) 18th Aug 5 Dec 2014 5th Jan - 4 April 2015 (Mid Term Break 16th - 20th FebOct 2015) Messy Play Sessions (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th 2014)Book now for

your c BAirstkhadayhPilds SPO bout oaurty

Children Aged 8 Months to 5 Years

TUESDAY TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh Crucial early learning Dobbies Edinburgh 10.00am Fun and safe 10:00am Mess without the stress

PRACTICE, LEARN, PLAY

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY North Merchiston Club, juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk

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Lucy Goddard Tel: 07727 272 109 cookiepopshop@mail.com

THURSDAY

The Lamp House, Hospital Road, Haddington, East Lothian EH41 3PP

www.lamphousemusic.co.uk 01620 825630

Thursday Inverleith Parish Church Inverleith ParishAutumn Church Winter Sessions Autumn Term Term 10.00am 10:00am (Booking Essential) (Booking Essential) 18th Aug 5 Dec 2014 5th Jan - 4-April 2015 (Mid Term - 20th FebOct 2015) (Mid TermBreak Break16th 13th - 17th 2014)Book now for

(Booking Essential) 18th Aug - 5 Dec 2014 (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th Oct 2014)

TUESDAY TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh Dobbies 10.00am Edinburgh 10:00am

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(only running until 10th TUESDAYOctober 2014) FRIDAY Dobbies Edinburgh SPOOKT t our HALLOWACULAR PARTYEEN

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WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY North Merchiston Club, North Merchiston Club 10.30am

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North Merchiston Club 10:30am

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Murrayfield Parish Church 9:15am and 11:00am

THURSDAY

Thursday Inverleith Parish Church Inverleith 10.00am Parish Church 10:00am

For a NOW PrivBOFor atOKeyouGr r oup

dless r Gro (only running until 10th October 2014) ChTodSe ioup’ ns FRIDAY ristmsas

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Murrayfield Parish Church, FRIDAY 9:15am and 11:00am Murrayfield Parish Church 9:15am and 11:00am

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Thursday Inverleith Parish Church 10:00am

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Murrayfield Parish Church 9:15am and 11:00am

Creative - Crucial early learning - Mess without stress

Creative - Crucial early learning - Mess without stress

Creative - Crucial early learning - Mess without stress

Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk Tel: 07876542492

Creative - Crucial early learning - Mess without stress

Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk Tel: 07876542492

Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk Tel: 07876542492

Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk Tel: 07876542492

Autumn Term

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(Booking Essential) 18th Aug - 5 Dec 2014 (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th Oct 2014) Ask ab out our SPOOKT HALLOWACULAR PARTYEEN

TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh 10:00am

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TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh 10:00am

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Thursday Inverleith Parish Church 10:00am

Thursday Inverleith Parish Church 10:00am

North Merchiston Club 10:30am

(Booking Essential) 18th Aug - 5 Dec 2014 (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th Oct 2014)

Ask ab out our SPOOKT HALLOWACULAR PARTYEEN

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For your Toddler Gro Christmsas up’s Party

Autumn Term

TT A5 Flyer JoLetelier_Layout 1 05/05/2015 14:55 Page 1 FRIDAY

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For your Toddler Gro Christmsas up’s Party

Murrayfield Parish Church 9:15am and 11:00am

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T: 01875 819 966 www.tumbletots.com/Edinburgh joletelier.lobos@virgin.net

TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh 10:00am A structured programme designed to develop those essential life skills such as balancing, co-ordination, agility and climbing.

Enhancing positive personality traits of self-confidence, self-esteem as well as language and listening skills.

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For your

Party

FRIDAY

Murrayfield Parish Church 9:15am and 11:00am

(Booking Essential) 18th Aug - 5 Dec 2014 (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th Oct 2014) Tel: 07876542492

BOOK NOW

(only running until 10th October 2014) ChToddler Group’s ristmsas

Tumble Tots the UK’s leading National Active Physical Creative - Crucial early for learning - Messfrom without stress to 7Creative early learning - Mess without stress Play Programme children 6 months years - CrucialWebsite: Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk

Ask ab out our SPOOKT HALLOWACULAR PARTYEEN

TUESDAY Dobbies Edinburgh 10:00am

North Merchiston Club 10:30am

(only running until 10th October 2014)

DP

Autumn Term

(Booking Essential) 18th Aug - 5 Dec 2014 (Mid Term Break 13th - 17th Oct 2014)

Creative - Crucial early learning - Mess without stress Website: www.messymunchkins.co.uk Email: juliet@messymunchkins.co.uk Tel: 07876542492

Ask SPOOKabout our HALLOTACULAR W PARTYEEN

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made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

North Merchiston Club 10:30am Venues: Morningside, Portobello, Fairmilehead, Haddington, Marchmont

Thursday Inverleith Parish Church 10:00am

classes held across West & Central Edinburgh, Broxburn, Bo’ness & Surrounding for more information and to book call Debbie: 07752 209482 email: debbie. rigby@diddidance.com

BOOK NOW

For your Toddle

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food & drink

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shopping

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food & drink

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shopping

shopping You did it! You successfully planned and hosted the party of the year and your little angel is on cloud nine.

Before negotiations for next year begin, it is time for some serious mum and dad downtime. Pop open the wine, get your comfy clothes on, feet up…..and relax.

Post-Party Pick-Me-Ups

1

2

1. ROW PINTO - BISCUIT AND BLOSSOM

3

EYEMASK £25, Amara

2. ISLE OF SKYE CANDLES - BOG MYRTLE & FRESH MINT £21.00

4

3. SEAKELP HAND & NAIL CREAM £8.95 4. SIABANN FACIAL SERUM £29.95 5. SIABANN SKIN CANDLES £8.95

All from Cloudberry Gifts, Barnton & Blackhall www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk

6 6. MURAD INTENSIVE-C RADIANCE PEEL 5 56

Brightens, smoothes and hydrates, revealing a noticeably younger-looking complexion after just 10mins. £49.50

www.mademagazine.co.uk

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DAVID GANDY FOR AUTOGRAPH DOGTOOTH PRINT WOVEN DRESSING GOWN £39.50, Marks & Spencer 8. ARTEMISIA BATH OIL £40, Penhaligon’s 9. ROUND BOXED CHOCOLATES £25, Hotel Chocolat 10. GOURMET HOT CHOCOLATE £8.50, Paxton 11. HANDMADE LUXURY SCENTED CANDLES From £7,Boutiqueeboo at Leaf & Bean, Morningside www.boutiqueeboo.co.uk 12. LSA CITY BAR WHITE WINE GLASSES ON WALNUT COASTERS £42, Black By Design 13. BLISSFUL REST TINNED CANDLE £7.25, Pippin Gifts, Haymarket 14. POM POM BALLERINA SLIPPERS (NEUTRAL) £39, Jigsaw

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FLIP SHROVE TUESDAY

d a e h s t i n o

Charlotte Thompson, owner of The Pantry in Stockbridge, shares with us her favourite ideas to make pancake day more exciting.

i Shrove Tuesday is February 9th this year

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Basic crêpe recipe l 30

grams unsalted melted butter (plus more for frying) grams plain flour l 325 ml milk l 1 large egg l 150

Leave the batter in the fridge for at least an hour. Then get your griddle or frying pan HOT HOT HOT! One minute on each side or until the top has completely changed colour and is bubbling.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

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Perfect for little hands

Red Velvet Pancakes

This little cracker of a recipe is great with strawberries and raspberries; or if you are feeling wicked, mix some cream cheese with lime juice and icing sugar and spread over the top! l Make

the basic crêpe recipe and set aside.

l Boil

two large peeled beetroot in a pan of water.

Once cool, blend into a paste. Add 50g of plain flour to thicken.

Banana Pancake Sushi Delicious hot or cold l Make

a basic crêpe recipe to start (see opposite page).

l Spread

the crêpes with chocolate spread (or peanut butter) and place a whole banana at the top of the crêpe…roll up and cut! Great as little treats! We found this recipe online last year and it’s now Teddy’s favourite!

l Add

l Cook

These 2-ingredient sweet potato cakes are an amazing low-carb, grain-free pancake alternative. They are also perfect for little hands. Just mix the ingredients, leave in the

as basic recipe.

made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

fridge for an hour, and ladle into a hot pan. They take about a minute on each side.

Ingredients cup mashed sweet potato (the flesh from 1 small/medium cooked sweet potato) l 2 eggs l Oil or butter for cooking l 1/2

2 ingredient sweet potato pancakes (gluten free)

the the beetroot paste one tablespoon at a time to the pancake mixture until you achieve the texture where it coats the back of a spoon. Add one tablespoon of vanilla extract.

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food & drink

Makes: 12 small pancakes

Optional seasonings l 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon l Pinch of ground ginger l Pinch of allspice l Pinch of salt These little smashers are great with cottage cheese or sweetened up with some maple syrup and bacon! n

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Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

5 11am & 2pm FUNBOX: Santa’s Sleepover Show @ Howden Park Centre

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7

© FREEPIK.COM

4

11 12 13 14 New term of Monkey Music Edinburgh South begins!

Contact morningside. pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk and quote ‘MADE’ for £1 membership.

Having a wardrobe clear out? Please donate any great quality clothes, shoes, accessories to our charity ‘Frock Swap’. Contact louisewilson@live.com for more info.

Teeny Tiny Toddler Fest 16 @ Camera Obscura. Let your little one enjoy plenty of hands on fun with six floors of interactive exhibits.

Runs Jan 11th-17th

18 19 20 21 9.30am-11.15am Montessori Mornings @ Scout Centre, Bruntsfield. Why not try a session with your baby/toddler and learn more about Montessori with Sorour and Rosita.

Mums! Contact Happy Mamas for 15% off their transformation programme to help you create a happy, healthy lifestyle! www.happy-mamas.com

MYSHOPSIGNS.COM

25 26 27 28 Robert Burns Day

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 60

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

January 2016 Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2

Happy New Year!

kids go

8 9 Child’s Play Exhibition @ National Museum of Scotland. Visit how children’s playthings have changed over 150 years. FREE. Exhibition finishes Jan 10th.

15 16 10am,1pm & 3pm Dino’s Dynamos - Light Fantastic January. Celebrate the international year of light by delving into the wonders of this natural phenomenon.

Workshops for ages 6-14.

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3

1.30pm - 4.30pm Kids Go Wild: Party with the Penguins @ Edinburgh Zoo! Pop Up Parents’ Events hosts their fun-packed inaugural event with masses of things to do.

IT’S IN THE BAG:

Burnsfest Special

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Scottish Storytelling Centre

10.30am Family Film @ Edinburgh Zoo. Screenings are free with standard Zoo admission. Every Sat & Sun in January and February.

Sam & Rosie’s Tartan Tea Party

17 11am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills.

The Yard is now open to the public on Sundays. Only £5 per child for two hours of fun. www.theyardscotland.org.uk

24

10am - 3pm Open Day @ Cranley Nursery, Lanark Road. Drop in and see the complete refurbishment.

11am - 11.25am Magic Carpet Weekenders @ National Museum of Scotland. Story activity sessions for under 5s. FREE, limited places.

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© FREEPIK.COM

Build it! Adventures with LEGO® Bricks starts @ National Museum of Scotland. Exhibition runs until April 17th.

Spotlight on...

Sat 23 Jan | 45mins | £6 per child

10am & 2.15pm (0-2yrs) Join Sam & Rosie as they journey to the North of Scotland for the annual Burns celebration. Lots of well-known Scottish nursery rhymes and songs with a smattering of the Bard’s finest throughout.

Sam & Rosie’s Highland Adventure: The Mystery of the Lost Haggis!

11.15am & 1pm (3-6yrs) Oh No! Disaster strikes just as the Burns Ceilidh is about to begin.

Grandad’s prize winning haggis has gone. Dressed in their finest tartan Sam & Rosie must solve the mystery... Lots of wellknown Scottish nursery rhymes and songs with a smattering of the Bard’s finest throughout.

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

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3

2

4

Build it! Adventures with LEGO® Bricks @ National Museum of Scotland. See Spotlight for more info.

8

9

10

Pancake Tuesday!

See pages 58 & 59 for inspiration.

15

16

Need a new challenge?

Run in Edinburgh Marathon Festival in May and raise money to help beat Parkinson’s. www.parkinsons.org.uk/edmf16

17

‘Journey into Space’ starts @ Out of the Blue, Dalmeny St. A 4-day animation workshop by StopMoGo. For ages 8+.

Book via www.stopmogo.com

22

11

18 7.30pm Mum’s the Word 2: From Toddlers to Teenagers @ King’s Theatre.

The ultimate mum’s night out!

Runs Feb 16th - 20th

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24

25

11am & 1.30pm.

Tortoise in a Nutshell & Oliver Emanuel: The Lost Things @ The Brunton Theatre. A boy falls and finds himself in a dark and terrifying new world.

For ages 9+.

29

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 62

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

February 2016 Spotlight on...

5 6 First Tingles of Spring @ Almond Valley. There’s things to make and seeds to plant as springtime slowly approaches.

Daily from Feb 6th - 21st.

12 13

© WARREN ELSMORE

Friday Saturday Sunday 7 11am - 4pm Sunday Funday @ The Yard, Canonmills. The Yard is now open to the public on Sundays.

Only £5 per child for two hours of indoor and outdoor fun. www.theyardscotland.org.uk

Build it!

Adventures with LEGO® Bricks

14

National Museum of Scotland Jan 29th - April 17th

12pm & 2.30pm The Crocodiamond @ The Assembly Rooms, George St. A Scottish Chamber Orchestra family concert for ages 4-10.

Interactive workshops.

10.30am Family Film @ Edinburgh Zoo. Screenings are free with standard Zoo admission.

Every Sat & Sun in January and February.

26 27

10am,1pm & 3pm Dino’s Dynamos - Light Fantastic February. Celebrate the international year of light by delving into the wonders of this natural phenomenon.

Workshops for ages 6-14

21 EN

RE

SC

© FREEPIK.COM

19 20

28

On Wednesday and Fridays in February and March, visitors will have the chance to watch a large scale model of the National Museum of Scotland being built in the Grand Gallery, designed by the renowned ‘artist in LEGO® bricks’, Warren Elsmore. During February half-term, families can help with an ambitious project to build one of the museum’s most iconic objects on a giant scale.

Build It! Adventures with LEGO® Bricks is part of the Festival of Architecture 2016, which will celebrate Scotland’s fantastic built environment, as a key part of the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design celebrations.

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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out & about

Out A

out & about

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out & about

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& UT BO

Have you got great photos from an event you’d like to share with MADE readers?

If so, email them to us at info@mademagazine.co.uk

1

out & about

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1. Edinburgh’s Mamma’s Pizza, the Greater Grassmarket’s award-winning American pizza and panzerotti restaurant, celebrates 30 years’ Star Wars style.

2. A ghostly gloop covered skeleton at Messy Munchkins Spooktacular Halloween Party.

2 64

3 www.mademagazine.co.uk

JORDAN MOFFAT PHOTOGRAPHY

out & about

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3. 60 local businesses took part in The Stockbridge Penguin Project to raise funds for two Edinburgh charities, LifeCare and It’s Good To Give.

out & about • out & about

4

• out & about

5 4. Deep Sea World’s Charlie the Clown Fish took on the role as Santa and delivered donated gifts to the Children’s Ward at Victoria Hospital in Fife 5. Deep Sea World’s very own scuba-diving Santa Claus!

•

6

out & about

6. Edinburgh teenagers, Mikaela Carmichael (16) and Anni Cameron (17), have been selected by Scottish Book Trust to work on the national ‘What’s Your Story’ project.

7. An open easel session and lampshade painting at Edinburgh Art Fair at The Corn Exchange.

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made JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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out & about

7

TRIED

and

Tested

ON TRIAL... Yogabellies with Linzi Busy parents and babies don’t have the time to research and try all the available classes available in Edinburgh, so let MADE do it for you. In this edition we spoke with Tamsin, about her experience with Pregnancy and Mummy & Baby Yoga experts, Yogabellies.

YogaBellies: Women Supporting Women YogaBellies offer inclusive, nurturing Yoga to empower women at every stage of their lives.

Tamsin said: Going to Linzi’s Mummy and Baby Yoga each week has been really great for me and my baby daughter, Molly (now 5 months). She loves the Baby Yoga moves and I enjoy watching her grow with every class. It’s a chance to leave the house each week to do some structured, regular and relaxed exercise in an supportive and welcoming environment. It is also an opportunity to meet up with the other lovely mums I met during my Pregnancy Yogabellies class, which I started when I was 15 weeks pregnant and continued until the day I started my contractions!

Linzi reccommends that you do not start Mummy & Baby Yoga until 6 weeks after giving birth, so we started firstly with YogaBellies Loving Touch Baby Massage. This was the perfect transition for us, getting back into the yoga mindset and gentling warming up mine and Molly’s muscles - ready for yoga when it started. I still use all the beautiful massage techniques on Molly every night as part of her bedtime routine, relaxing her and helping her to sleep.

The verdict…

I can’t recommend Linzi’s classes enough and in fact, have done so repeatedly to other new mums. It is so much more than just a yoga class. I can’t imagine my journey as a new mum without the support and comfort I have gained from Linzi and the ladies I have met by attending them.

If you are unsure, just try it, you won’t regret it! And you will always be welcomed warmly by Linzi.

For more information on classes contact linzi@yogabellies.co.uk

If you are a business owner and would like MADE to test your service/product get in touch at mademag@live.co.uk 66

www.mademagazine.co.uk

ashleigh is racing to beat PARKINSON’S

Join Her

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 28-29 May 2016 Choose your distance, from 5K to a marathon. Be a champion like Ashleigh - reach for the finish line and raise funds to get us closer to a cure. parkinsons.org.uk/edmf16

020 7963 9319

Parkinson’s UK is the operating name of the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the United Kingdom.

A charity registered in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554). © Parkinson’s UK 11/2015 (CS2065)

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