Good morning! There’s quite a few of you lovely subscribers now so thanks for joining me again this week for another helping of fun and merriment. I’ve just enabled comments so I’d love to hear what you think of the newsletter so far. Loads to do this week so let's get stuck in!
Saturday 27th
🍿 Migration 09.30
📍 The Everyman Cinema, St James Quarter
Maybe if you ask really nicely, you could persuade someone to come give the kids breakfast and take them to the cinema while you have a Saturday morning lie in… Any takers?? Email your offers below.
🦒 Dads Trip 10.00-16.05
📍 Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine
Dads Rock run classes and playgroups to support and empower fathers/male carers so they can feel confident in their vital roles as parents. This trip is one of many wholesome and fun events they organise so give them a shout if you're keen to get involved.
🚲 Critical Mass 14.00 🆓
📍 Middle Meadow Walk, The Meadows
“We're not blocking the traffic, we are the traffic!” These monthly mass rides happen all around the world as a form of activism, demanding better infrastructure and safer conditions for cyclists. This will be a short route, ending at the Parliament then on to the museum for the opening of Pedal Power: Cycling and Activism in Edinburgh. Everyone cycles together as one large vehicle and folk are exceptionally mindful of little ones, keeping them in the centre of the pack, well away from any motorists. We've been to lots of these rides and they're really well run, very safe and great craic for all the family!
Sunday 28th
🍟 Family Day: Junk Food 10.00 🆓
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre, Royal Mile
Part of the Pomegranates Festival of international traditional dance, this brand new dance show was devised by the P6 kids from Royal Mile and Abbey Hill Primary Schools and explores the question: should junk food be banned in schools? It's followed by a late morning family ceilidh (CeilidhKids) at 11.00 - presale tickets are gone but worth checking if any are available at the door.
🎻 Family Ceilidh 12.30 onwards 🆓
📍 The Counting House, Newington
Please don’t despair at the lack of ceilidh tickets at the Scottish Storytelling Centre - there’s another one just up the road so you can don your dancing shoes after all! Aimed at 3-9 year olds but all are welcome.
🌸 Cherry Blossom Picnic 14.00-16.00 🆓
📍 Starbank Park, Newhaven
If you missed Japan Sakura at Lauriston Castle last weekend, you have another chance this weekend. Or you could take a picnic to Starbank Park for another healthy dose of cherry blossom appreciation. Enjoy the sea views with some springtime sounds courtesy of the Edinburgh Brass Band.
Monday 29th
🏅Coaching Come & Try Week
📍Edinburgh Leisure Venues
I flagged this up last week so you had a head start on booking but there are still some spaces left for this week’s coaching taster sessions with Edinburgh Leisure. Kids' classes can be a bit of trial and error so with sessions from £3 it's worth giving something new a shot without having to commit to a full term.
PS - It’s International Dance Day so stick on some Beyoncé and have a boogie before breakfast!
Tuesday 30th
🔥 Beltane 20.00-01.00
📍Calton Hill
Most likely a bit late for a school night but there is no denying the incredible spectacle that is Beltane so you may want to make an exception! Plenty of kids attend this pagan festival but parental discretion is advised as it's certainly not tame. Expect disinhibited behaviour, drumming, painted boobs and lots and lots of fire!
Wednesday 1st
🚼 Buggy Walk 10.30 🆓
📍 Royal Botanic Gardens (East Gate), Inverleith
These weekly walks are a wonderful way to meet new parents in your area, get a bit of fresh air and gain some comfort in sharing stories about lack of sleep. Unless you’re unlucky enough to be beside one of those parents whose baby has slept through the night since day dot.
Thursday 2nd
🧸 Stay & Play Group 09.30-11.30 🆓
📍 Gorgie War Memorial Hall, Gorgie
This wee playgroup for babies and toddlers is run by some very lovely local childminders and runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings during term time. Lots of regular attenders so definitely a great opportunity for you and your little one to make new pals.
🎲 Board Games Club 15.00-16.30 🆓
📍 Stockbridge Library
What a great idea for after school! This club runs weekly during term time for 5 year olds and older. Kids can either bring their own games or borrow one to play with their brand new pals.
Friday 3rd
💖 Family Session 13.00-16.00
📍 The Yard, Canonmills
The Yard is a wonderful place for families with children who have disabilities or additional support needs. These weekly sessions allow siblings to play together in a fun environment as well as make connections with other families. They also run early years sessions from 10.00-12.00 weekly on Fridays.
✂ Crafternoon 14.00-15.00 🆓
📍 Corstorphine Library
For children aged 4+, this runs weekly during term time so pop into the library after lunch for a lovely wee crafting session.
Some more bike stuff…
🚲 Wee Bike Library 🆓
Surely this can't be true - free bikes for kids?? I’ve just discovered that The Bike Station runs a bike library where you can borrow kids’ bikes and exchange them when they outgrow them. What an amazing idea!
🚲 Bikes for Refugees
On the subject of bikes, my eldest isn't even four yet and I'm already getting overwhelmed with the number of vehicles she owns! If you have too many bikes, consider offering one to Bikes for Refugees who will find them a new home. The charity unfortunately had a break in back in October where they had bikes, tools and laptops stolen to the tune of £20k so they could do with some extra support. They would be very grateful to receive bikes in very good condition which have been stored indoors so they can pass them on to New Scots.
This is great Gayle! My son went with his pal’s family to the Sakura festival and LOVED it. They really came home with all sorts of fun facts and appreciation of Japanese culture.
Hi Gayle! Love your guide, thank you for taking the time to do it. As a new parent this stuff is so helpful. My feedback would be in the name of the newsletter/ email subject as it comes in. I am very sleep deprived and don’t read most of my emails as it’s all junk an ive missed yours before as I’ve not noticed it in amongst that. I wonder if a child emoji or the word kids or something would help? Thanks so much again!