Gayle's Guide ✨ 12th September 24
Issue 23 - A baby group on a canal boat, preschool science sessions, £3 sport classes and much more... Plus an extra week to plan your life for my paid subscribers!
5 months in and I’m trying something new that I’ve had up my sleeve since this newsletter started (but hadn’t gotten my arse in gear to actually do it!) Since 70% of you voted for more planning time, here’s your usual week’s worth of fantastic things to do with your family… 🥁🥁🥁
…followed by ANOTHER WEEK’S WORTH of juicy forward-planning opportunities for my paid subscribers only! I’m delighted to finally be able to show my gratitude for their support so I hope this is helpful. And don’t worry, everyone will still get their usual free newsletter next week and every week.
To sweeten the deal, start your paid subscription during September for only £3/month ✨ Bargain! Substack only applies the discount to brand new subscriptions so if you're already on the list, just unsubscribe first then use the offer link below. Dumb design but I can't change it unfortunately.
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Friday 13th
✨ I seem to be struggling to not start the newsletter with Fridays. While I adjust, check out last week’s newsletter for…
🤸🏼♀️ Play & Try Week 13th-19th September (0-5) 🐣🐤
📍 Various Edinburgh Leisure Centres
It can be risky signing your kid up for a block of classes without being certain they’ll enjoy them so if you’re quick, you can book one-off taster sessions in swimming, gymnastics, football and more for just £3. We’re going to try dry-diving… yes, dry diving. 🤷🏻♀️ Although I reckon our 4 year old will still insist on wearing her dinosaur swimming togs.
Saturday 14th
🌋 Scottish Geology Festival 10.00-16.00 🐔🆓
📍 Dynamic Earth
There’s going to be free, drop-in activities all weekend for the Scottish Geology Festival, no entry ticket required. ”You’ll make a paper volcano, craft an ammonite fossil and even dig up dinosaur bones – recommended for budding palaeontologists ages 5+”
🎨 Colony of Artists 14th / 15th
📍 Abbeyhill Colonies
This hyperlocal art festival runs every year where lots of the local residents run tours of the area and open their doors to exhibit their artwork. Similar to Art Walk Porty last weekend, this isn't specifically pegged as “family friendly” but is definitely an interesting thing to do as a family. I've only skimmed the programme but there are some hands on arts/crafts to be had like We Are All Artists 11.00-18.00 on both days.
🤖 Curiosity Club 10.30-12.00 🐔
📍 National Museum of Scotland, Chamber St
These sessions are for children aged 7-11 to enjoy without their parents so a cheeky bonus child-free 90mins for you! Through activities and games, the kids will explore the museum’s treasures while learning all about robots. There's also the Relaxed Curiosity Club 🌻 for children with additional support needs at 14.30.
🍂 Foraging Discovery Day 13.00-16.00 🆓
📍 North Merchiston Club
Following on from their Bat Walk last week, here’s another great event for all ages in Harrison Park, co-organised by The Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust. There will be a drop-in, foraging discovery space at North Merchiston Club (which does a very decent oat latte for TWO POUNDS FORTY!) plus two nature walks, one of which is sold out but the other you can book here.
🚫 SOLD OUT Soundplay Projects (0-5y) 10.30/13.15 🐣🐤🆓
📍 Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street
“Expect a playful and collaborative exploration of sensory music making, immersive light and interactive animation.” This sold out too quick for me the last time it ran so I’m excited to have gotten tickets. Get yours quick if you’re keen!
🐢 Walking Like a Tortoise (5y+) 14.00-15.00 🐔🆓
📍 Central Library George IV Bridge
This workshop was cancelled after I featured it at the beginning of August so here’s another chance if you’d hoped to attend then. Based on the mixed media art exhibition of the same name all about Granton, kids will get a chance to get creative themselves and engage with some local history. There’s also an Adult Workshop at 18.30 on Wednesday 18th if you can get away from the kids.
Sunday 15th
🚶🏽♀️ Kiltwalk Wee Wander 10.00/10.30
📍 Victoria Park to Murrayfield Stadium
The Dads Rock team are doing the Wee Wander at 10.30 so if you and the family are needing to stretch your legs, there’s still spaces to join them (or your chosen charity) for this 5ish mile stroll. Suitable for everyone, even the dog, so don yer tartan and get some fresh air as a family while supporting some very worthy causes.
📚 Family Stories with Kate and Ailie 11.00 🌻
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre
Part of the Accessible Book and Story Festival, this art and storytelling session will use sensory tools to take the children on a journey into Autumn. Suitable for everyone but in particular, children with additional needs and their families.
🌍 Edinburgh Multicultural Festival 13.00-19.00 🆓
📍 Lauriston Castle
Here's another great excuse to visit Lauriston Castle for this free music and arts festival which celebrates cultural diversity in Edinburgh. Expect performers from all over the world in a beautiful, family friendly setting. Free but ticketed, see the programme and get tickets here.
🤹🏾♂️ Open Community Circus 15.00-17.00 🆓
📍 The Wee Play Hub, Ocean Terminal
Got a kid that's always trying to do tricks/cartwheels/juggling? These drop in family sessions on Sundays are for all ages to learn some circus skills like juggling, hula hoop, balancing and spinning. They also run regular, paid classes for various age groups with a sliding pay scale so no child needs to miss out. We saw these guys perform at 360 Fest a couple of weeks ago and the kids (and grown-ups!) all loved getting to try everything out afterwards.
Monday 16th
🗣️ Chatterbooks (8-12y) 16.00-17.00 🐔🆓
📍 Corstorphine Library
This wee book group is an excellent opportunity for children to share ideas, discover new books and make friends.
🧱 LEGO Club 16.00-17.00
📍 Moredun Library
There’s quite a few after school Lego Clubs in libraries around town. A fun way to bridge the gap between home time and tea time.
Tuesday 17th
🚜 Little Farmers Boogie Beats (1-5y) 13.15-14.00 🐣🐤
📍 Craigie’s Farm, South Queensferry
A weekly music and movement class at Craigie’s Farm, which has excellent play spaces. Add a play session to your class for an extra fiver.
🍼 Baby Group for Dads 18.30-19.30 🐣🆓
📍 Gorgie Mem, Gorgie
I’ve featured this a couple of times already but I feel like dads are often forgotten about when it comes to baby groups so worth repeating. The bonus is that it’s in the evening too so that their partner can get a break from the baby before the dreaded nightshift starts.
Wednesday 18th
🎻 Dance N Play (18m-5y) 10.00-10.45 🐤
📍 Dance Base, Grassmarket
My daughter and I used to go to this regularly before she started nursery and we've missed it ever since. The teacher Jo is incredible with the children and even plays her fiddle during the class to get everyone moving. It's honestly one of the nicest things we've ever done together and is just as much fun for the grown ups as it is for the kids.
🎼 Music Makers (0+) 10.30 🐣🐤
📍 North Merchiston Club, Polwarth
I’d seen posters for this weekly music class for a while now and finally went this week. It's only £2 per child and although it was maybe pitched at more of a preschool level, my 14 month old still loved it. This isn't your typical sit-in-a-circle-and-sing-nursery-rhymes baby group. The teacher is a musician and clearly very passionate about introducing music to little ones, using stories, songs, instruments and puppets to explain pitch, rhythm and even tonality of music.
Thursday 19th
🐾 Dog Friendly Libraries 🆓
📍 Various libraries across town
Did you know some libraries allow dogs in on Thursdays? Useful to know for those of us that begrudge having to haul the dog and children out first thing before doubling back home only to head straight out again to entertain the kids. Save their limited leg mileage and take your fur baby (and human babies) to the library!
🧱 Leith Lego Groups (7-11y) 16.30-18.00 🐔
📍 Duncan Place Community Club, Leith
This Wee LUG (Lego Users Group) is only a pound and allows kids to make new friends while getting creative with Lego. They’re strict with their age range but also have a session on the 26th for 12-15 year olds and even a group for adults.
Friday 20th
🍿 Toddler Club: An American Tail (1-5y) 10.00 (also Sat 09.30/Sun 10.30)🐣🐤
📍 Everyman Cinema, St James Quarter
Oh my god does anyone else remember the terrifying cats in this film?? There is no way our daughter could hack this but maybe your preschoolers are made of the tough stuff like us children of the 80s. A hot drink and slice of cake is included with your ticket price but you might have to accept they might leave with… *checks google*… ailurophobia. 🙀
🌳 Dynamites: Wonderful Woods (0-4y) 10.00-11.00 🐤
📍 Dynamic Earth, Holyrood
“Have you ever seen an owl pellet? How about a squirrel-chewed pinecone? Get up close and personal to these and more in a session that includes a great interactive story, object handling and crafting your own woodland creature mask!”
⛵ Canal Boat Trip 13.30-15.30 🐣🆓
📍 Polwarth Parish Church
This is a special trip out for the local NCT parent/baby groups so let them know if you’re thinking of joining in. “Bring your baby for a chat and cup of tea. New Mums, pregnant Mums, more experienced Mums, Grans and Dads welcome.” How lovely!
🤱🏻 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Group 14.00-15.30 🐣🆓
📍 LifeCare Centre, Stockbridge
This meeting is for anyone breastfeeding their child, at any stage of their journey and is definitely not just for those who are struggling. On the 3rd Friday of the month, the theme this month is “Harvest time: food for ourselves and our babies”.
🗞️ Hear ye! Hear ye!
I just wanted to say thanks a million to for featuring Gayle’s Guide in The Edinburgh Minute yet again this week. He has created an incredible resource which informs the people of Edinburgh, without click-bait or social media. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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