Gayle's Guide ✨ 17th October 24
Issue 28 - Halloween parties, free storytelling walks at the Botanics, Japanese culture and free drawing at Lauriston Castle, Hey Duggee at the cinema, and much more!
Apologies for those of you who got an early email on Tuesday - I did a quick edit while taking a break during a 2½ hour (!) bedtime and clicked publish instead of schedule. Gobshite….
Anyway, I had intended on using one of my (not very impressive) photos of the Northern Lights last week for my cover picture but then I spotted this wonderful bit of street art in Morningside and wanted to show ye what some clever soul has been up to! If you would prefer to look at some photos of the Northern Lights (and other great photos from around Edinburgh) from a fantastic local photographer, check out Tom Duffin’s Photography Journey. There’s also a nice BBC video here for anyone trying to explain what they are to their kids. Rare atmospheric phenomena aside, there’s loads on again this week so let’s get stuck in!
🌻ASN 🐣Baby 🐤Preschool 🐔Primary
Friday 18th
✏️ The Big Draw at Lauriston Castle 10.00 🆓
📍 You guessed it… Lauriston Castle
Sorry to repeat myself two weeks in a row but just in case you missed it on Monday, here’s another chance to get the family outdoors to visit Lauriston Castle and witness the beautiful autumn colours tuning up. Drop in and get drawing in these stunning surroundings. Pencils and drawing boards will be ready for you to collect in Mimi’s cafe, as will some tasty treats.
⛔ SOLD OUT Dino Day 11.00/13.00📍 National Mining Museum Scotland, Newtongrange
This is an hour long dinosaur show followed by half an hour of activities like a fossil dig and crafts. “Dino Hour and a Half” isn’t a very snappy title, I suppose. They’ll feature some real-life reptiles, and presumably, not so real-life baby dinosaurs. I’ve never been to the Mining Museum myself but if your kid is a budding palaeontologist, here’s your excuse to try it out.
🌍 The World We Share 11.00/14.00
📍 Assembly Roxy, Southside
”Join an exciting, intergenerational, ensemble of dancers, performers and circus artists in a fast moving and curious promenade performance where together they re-imagine, re-build and reflect upon ‘the world we share’.”
Saturday 19th
🦸♀️ Heroes and Princesses Breakfast Party 10.00-12.00
📍 Gyle Shopping Centre
A charity breakfast event where children can meet their favourite heroes and princesses. Proceeds go towards CHAS which offers hospice support to families in unimaginable circumstances.
🍿 Hey Duggee is 10 (1-4y) SAT/SUN 10.30 🐣🐤
📍 Vue Cinema, Edinburgh Ocean Terminal
An entire hour of Hey Duggee - please nobody mention it to my daughter.
📖 Bookbug & Storytime (0-5y) 11.00-11.30 🐣🐤🆓
📍 Corstorphine Library
Thank goodness for the libraries still holding the fort for those of us with preschoolers needing entertained over the mid term when so many baby/toddler groups break for the holidays.
🐐 The Bouncy Billy Goats Gruff 11.00-12.00 🌻
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre, The Royal Mile
Part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, this is an interactive and sensory version of this classic tale with some crafting afterwards. Suitable for everyone but particularly children with additional support needs.
👕 10th Birthday Repair Cafe (+kids clothes swap) 11.30-15.30 🆓
📍 Leith Community Croft
Admittedly, a not-really-for-kids event, sorry. But this organisation in Leith are doing some amazing work so I thought I’d give them a shout. Plus, a reader sent it in after I’d decided not to include it so maybe some of you might be interested. Bring your broken stuff to fix and kids clothes (max 5 items) to swap and learn more about how the Edinburgh Tool Library can help you save items from the bin.
🦕 How to Train Your Dinosaur SAT/SUN 12.00/13.30/14.30
📍 Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine
More dinosaurs! This is expensive when you factor in the zoo entry fees, but if you’re planning on going anyway, or have membership, it’s not as bad. The show will use real animal training techniques to whip these dinos into shape as they wander around the Budongo lecture theatre. There’s also a related Steggs and Eggs dinosaur themed breakfast event if you really have cash to burn. Edinburgh Zoo is a conservation charity doing some amazing work though so if you’re due a treat or need to spend some birthday money, at least you’re funding a good cause.
🎆 Dusherra 15.00/19.30 🆓
📍 Calton Hill
Spotted in The Edinburgh Minute, this Indian festival promises music, food, fireworks and burning effigies! Cultural programme starts at 15.00, fireworks and effigies at 19.30. Kids love an effigy, right?
Sunday 20th
🔥 Family Samhuinn 10.30/13.30 🆓
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre
This is a chance to introduce the kids to the pagan festival Samhuinn which will take place on the 31st. This (much tamer) version is in collaboration with Beltane Fire Society who run the main event. At 10.30, there’ll be free face painting and crafts (just drop in) and then two bookable storytelling sessions. The 12.00 slot is sold out but still tickets for 13.30 so get ‘em while they’re hot, they’re lovely. (Life of Brian, anyone? Totally irrelevant quote there, sorry)
🦋 Slow down Sammy Book Launch 11.00-12.30 🆓
📍 North Merchiston Club, Polwarth
Local author (and yoga/mindfulness teacher) Natasha Iregbu is celebrating the release of her new book, Slow Down Sammy. Book your spot for this free storytelling session with scavenger hunt and crafts. And hopefully, a little bit of calm.
🍁 Autumn Japan Sakura at Lauriston Castle 11.00-15.00 🆓
📍 Lauriston Castle
Autumn has well and truly taken hold of the city’s foliage so I bet the grounds of Lauriston Castle look unreal! There’s loads of Japanese themed stuff to do today so a great excuse to visit. Drop in to learn some Japanese writing, try origami, find out about the art of Bonsai and even see some comedy. Plus there’s a Mimi’s cafe. The beach is just 5 mins drive from here if you fancy a walk out to Cramond Island, just make sure you check the tide times and factor in plenty of time for little legs or risk getting stranded! Wear your wellies, the causeway has plenty of puddles to splash in along the way and shellfish to spot.
🍎 Apple and Arts Festival 13.00-15.00 🆓
📍 Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden
Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, this sounds like a lovely, slow paced thing to do on a Sunday. Head along to press your own apples and take part in some nature themed arts/crafts in the gorgeous surroundings of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Gardens. (More about the gardens at the end of the newsletter!)
Monday 21st
🎃 Family Pumpkin Craft Workshops 10.00/11.15/13.00/15.30 🆓
📍 IKEA, Straiton
Also has some carving-free decorating workshops if you value your kids’ fingers.
🪄 Relaxed Magic Carpet (0-6) 10.30/14.00 🌻🐣🐤
📍 National Museum of Scotland, Chamber St
”This is a monthly, relaxed version of our Magic Carpet event, for babies, toddlers and children aged 0-6 with additional support needs or for anyone who would prefer a calmer session and a slightly more relaxed pace.”
Tuesday 22nd
🍑 Tiny Treasures - My First Halloween (0-10m) 10.30-12.00 🐣
📍 Argyle Studios, Marchmont
Bring your baby along to make some adorable canvases to commemorate their very first Halloween. Hand and foot print cats and witches are very cute but who could resist a TINY-ARSE-PRINT PUMPKIN?? I can't believe my kids are too old to dip their bare bums in paint… in public, at least… 🤔
Wednesday 23rd
📚 Bookbug (0-4y) 09.30-10.00 🐣🐤🆓
📍 Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, Leith
Bookbug sessions are held weekly in libraries all over town and are a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the magic of books and storytelling. This one has the added bonus of being in the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage. Know anyone who likes fire engines?
💻 Prewired 17.30-19.30 🐔🆓
📍 CodeBase, Castle Terrace
I featured this in the very first issue of Gayle’s Guide 6 months ago since my husband used to be one of the Prewired volunteers. This weekly class for under 19s supports young coders of all abilities to develop new skills. Under 11s need a guardian to remain with them but this is optional for 11 and older so it's a nice place for older kids with similar interests to hang out together.
Thursday 24th
🚶🏻♀️ Motherwalk (0-6m) 10.30-12.00 🐣🆓
📍 Middle Meadow Walk, The Meadows
Run by the Pregnancy and Parents Centre, this hour long, gentle walk is a great way to get some fresh air while making some new baby pals for your newborn.
🎃 Halloween Parties at Clambers 16.00-18.00
📍 Royal Commonwealth Pool
A party at soft play with a disco, games and circus tricks. And the coffee is actually alright, most of the time.
🌱 Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Gardens
Tucked away in the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, this beautiful spot was designed to improve mental wellbeing and this is clearly evident if you manage to have a wee peaceful stroll here. Run by Cyrenians, the gardens are maintained by volunteers through various horticulture programmes for patients and community groups. It’s well hidden - we usually access it from Myreside Road and or from Morningside Terrace. Many locals don’t even realise it’s there. There’s lots of wee nooks and willow structures for hide and seek plus benches to sit at so bring a picnic if you’re a glass-half-full kind of person (or bring an umbrella if you’re a realist!) Plus, right now amongst the vegetable beds, there’s some little pumpkin patches with real growing pumpkins - probably winter squashes technically and not for picking but lovely to look at. I personally can’t be arsed driving an hour out of town to traipse though a field with a load of supermarket pumpkins dumped in it, so this is a really nice local (and free) alternative to get into the spirit of Autumn.
✨ Gayle’s Guide will always be free! But here’s an extra week to say thanks to my paid subscribers. Everyone will see these events next week and whatever else I find along the way though so no panic if you don’t fancy upgrading.