Gayle's Guide ✨ 17th May
Issue 6 - Wellbeing Week at the museum, World Bee Day and baby penguins!
Happy Friday! I’m sorry if you missed them (or are sick of hearing about them) but I can’t not mention the northern lights last weekend. I woke my little girl at midnight to come watch from the garden and it was just so special. There’s a nice BBC video here for anyone still trying to explain what they are to their kids. Rare atmospheric phenomena aside, there’s plenty on again, particularly at the museum since they are in the middle of their Wellbeing Week. Plus, some penguins at the zoo have hatched so let’s go!
Saturday 18th
🐧 Spring Market 10.00-16.00
📍 Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine
If you're overdue a visit to the zoo, here's a good excuse to go this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a wee market with a plant sale, gardening talks and craft activities for the kids. Plus, in case you hadn't heard, some of the baby penguins have hatched! Keep an eye out too for their friendliest penguin, Bertie (wearing a black and red bracelet), who loves diving down to interact with people through the glass at the underwater viewing area.
🐪 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 coffee for you! Through activities and games, the kids will explore the museum’s treasures while learning all about Ancient Egypt. There's also the Relaxed Curiosity Club for children with additional support needs at 14.30.
👕 Jack and Jill Market 10.30-12.30
📍 Granton College
Not specifically an event for kids obviously but summer is approaching and they need new clothes again so why not grab some bargains from this second-hand baby and children's market.
🎪 Grange Fair 13.00-16.30 🆓
📍 Fountainhall Rd, Newington
This yearly event in front of Newington Library is promising food stalls, pipers, children’s games and a good, old-fashioned tombola. There are small charges for some of the activities, including a bouncy castle, Lego building and hook a duck so don’t forget your cash.
Sunday 19th
🐝 World Bee Day 10.00-12.00 🆓
📍 Lauriston Castle, Cramond
Head along to Lauriston Castle to celebrate and learn all about the tiny creatures responsible for the survival of the human race. There will be talks about bees over the morning, seeds to plant, tiles to paint (obviously) and Mimi's 🍰
🦥 Slow Down Sunday for Families 10.30/13.00 🆓
📍 National Museum of Scotland, Chamber St
This looks lovely (for 5-8 year olds) but there's only a handful of tickets left so better be quick if you like the sound of storytelling, yoga movements, mindfulness and crafts with your child.
✍🏻 Mindful Art at the Museum 11.30-12.30
Facilitated by an artist and a mindfulness coach, this guided sketching session is for all ages (8+ recommended) and abilities and all materials will be provided.
🎻 Musical Moments in the Museum 13.00-16.00 🆓
Even if you don’t manage to get tickets to the other museum events, it's still worth heading along on Sunday to explore alongside musical soundscapes from Scottish Chamber Orchestra musicians.
Monday 20th
🦘 Parent and Toddler Jump 10.00
📍 Gravity, Fountain Park
This trampoline session (18 months - 4 years) runs Mon-Sat at 10.00 and 09.00 Sundays for the extra-committed bouncers. We go here a lot, especially when we need to burn off some serious energy and it never fails to do so. Bouncing along to Disney tunes is pretty hilarious and always turns my beautiful daughter (and myself) into a red, sweaty mess by the end. Just make sure you arrive in plenty of time to sign a waiver and don your mandatory, luminous orange socks.
Tuesday 21st
💚 Wee Leithers 10.00-11.30 🆓
📍 Grace Church, Leith
This group for babies and toddlers under 5 meets weekly during term time for some free play, toys and songs as well as self-serve drinks and snacks throughout. Contactless donations welcome to cover costs.
Wednesday 22nd
🌳 Nature Play 10.00-12.00 🆓
📍 Bridgend Farmhouse, near Cameron Toll
This weekly session for children aged 6 years and under meets at Bridgend Farmhouse and walks to Craigmillar Castle Park Forest for some child-led, outdoor activities such as scavenger hunts, water play and mud kitchens. Free spaces given to local children (EH16/EH17) but additional spaces may be available for £5 if you live elsewhere.
Thursday 23rd
🎞 Tiger Stripes 11.00
📍 Cameo Cinema, Tollcross
Innocuous as the title may seem, this is definitely not a film for kids - unless they’re over 15. But if you fancy getting out with your baby to see a Malay-language, coming-of-age, body horror film (one of those classic new parenting experiences, surely), then here’s just the ticket!
📚 Bookbug 11.00 🆓
📍 Davidson's Mains Parish Church
Unfortunately due to dodgy concrete, Blackhall Library is currently closed but they are running fortnightly Bookbug sessions on Thursdays in their mobile library bus. Could be a very exciting wee trip out for any bus (or book) fanatics but make sure to check their Facebook page beforehand since it won't run in bad weather.
Friday 24th
🍿 Toddler Club: The Little Mermaid 09.30
📍 Everyman Cinema, St James Quarter
This is the original 1989 Disney classic for you and your toddler (1-5 years) to enjoy with a complimentary hot drink and slice of cake.
Fancy a stroll?
🌱 Redhall Walled Garden 🆓
Since it is the tail end of Mental Health Awareness Week, I thought I'd add in a wee note to highlight this beautiful 18th century walled garden which is a wonderful place for a family walk. Run by SAMH, they offer people opportunities for therapeutic horticulture, training and community connections to improve their mental health. It is a really peaceful place with loads of produce growing plus there is easy access to some shallow parts of the Water of Leith for splashing and plopping stones.
🌻 Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens 🆓
Here's another beautiful spot to designed to improve mental wellbeing. Tucked away in the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and run by Cyrenians, the gardens are maintained by volunteers through various horticulture programmes for patients and community groups. Lovely for a stroll with lots of wee nooks for hide and seek and benches to sit at so bring a picnic!
Quite the extensive list, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for a lovely newsletter. You might be interested in this event next week (it's free). https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theedinburghacademy2/1238073