Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Christmas activities for children in Edinburgh
.png)
Breeze through the seasonal festivities with these handy money-saving tips and up-to-the minute ideas that will help make Christmas a sensational time for you and your family…
Apportion the Christmas tasks to all family members
Who says that mum has to arrange Christmas? Ease the mammoth strain that often nestles on one
person’s shoulders by apportioning tasks and responsibilities to all family members. Yes, for mum’s that means letting go of the control!
Dad can sift out the tree and perhaps dabble with a bit of grocery shopping, granny can make the Christmas cake, whilst the children can beautifully, and quite uniquely, dress the tree and make decorations.
Slightly older children can assist in writing the messages in Christmas cards, or even show mums and dads how to send Christmas e-cards. Letting go of control and lightening the load by delegating tasks will help everyone feel part of the arrangements.
Buying and caring for the Christmas Tree
A ‘real’ Christmas Tree should last about four weeks, so it’s best not to buy it too early on – certainly no sooner than 1 December.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association suggest keeping the tree outside in a cool shaded place, preferably standing in water, until it is required indoors. Before bringing the tree indoors it is an advantage if about half an inch is cut off the butt in order to open up the pores of the tree. Mount it in a water-holding stand or wedge it in a bucket with pebbles, small stones or screwed up newspaper, and place it away from direct heat. Then keep the container topped up with water every day.
It is part of the life cycle of the conifer tree that it sheds needles and they will accelerate that shedding particularly if they dry out. The best way to ensure satisfaction is to care for the tree while it is in your home. A tree should be treated like any plant being brought into a warm, dry atmosphere. Find out more about caring for your Christmas Tree at www.bctga.co.uk
Re-Cycling Real Christmas Trees
Real trees are recyclable, however artificial ones are not. Local councils often arrange special collections of ‘real’ trees in early January. You may receive a leaflet from your local council detailing when the 'special collection' will take place. If you don't receive anything, contact your council and ask if they are collecting in your area. Once the tree has been collected it is usually shredded into chippings which are then used locally in parks or woodland areas.
Re-Cycling Artificial Trees
Due to the combination of materials used to make an artificial tree you are unable to recycle it. However, if in good condition, you could donate it to charity.
For further information about re-cycling Christmas Trees visit www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/christmas-trees
Save the pennies - recycle
Recycled gift ideas can be found on www.recyclenow.com. Making recycled presents not only saves the pennies it also helps save the environment. Estimates show that an extra three million tonnes of rubbish will be created this Christmas in Britain with nearly 3,000 tonnes of aluminium foil used to wrap Christmas turkeys alone.
Revisit traditional Christmas values
By drifting along with the festive tide it’s easy to lose sight of the traditional and true meaning of
Christmas. Children can learn the reason behind the festivities with the wonderful story of the nativity that will enlighten and explain what Christmas really is all about. Churches, local community centres, village halls and indeed schools continue to host the traditional nativity play, whilst many churches also hold other seasonal religious services such as a Christingle at this time of year.
Whether you have a Christian faith or not, a step away from the hustle and bustle into the calming atmosphere of a church where you will be reminded of the simple and humble story behind Christmas, is sure to reduce the pulse rate and perhaps, may help put life in a better perspective.
How to survive Christmas Day!
You’ve managed until now, but the big day has arrived. How will you survive it? Well, the blood pressure will reduce if everyone helps each other, rather than allowing one person do everything. Again, be prepared. Write a list of what needs to be done, who will do it and then stick to it. Children can help by laying the table, tidying their toys and clearing away the wrapping paper. On a day when they are buried with gifts galore they might be prepared to do their bit in return!
Arrange the annual festive trip to see Santa
An absolute must on any December to-do list has to be the annual festive trip to see the great white bearded one at one of his sparkly, icy clad grottos.
Santa is truly amazing and his timing is impeccable, as he magically transports himself from a snowy-landscaped garden centre to a busy shopping arcade to an historic steam train to a super fun children’s attraction, all with relative ease.
These visits are powerfully precious to any child and feature as a highlight in the run up to the big day - so slow down, leave the festive fuss behind and savour every bright, wide-eyed moment. Want to know where to find Santa?
Keep an eye out for our Where's Santa in Devon pages - coming soon!
Don’t forget the batteries!
Buy rechargeable batteries for all your children’s toys to save on the millions of batteries that go to landfill each year. In the long run you will also save money.
Leave something out for the Reindeers on Christmas Eve
Throughout Christmas Eve, Santa is nourished with plenty of mince pies and sometimes he may have
time to enjoy the odd tipple of sherry, whilst the reindeer are often left to rummage around for scraps of biscuit and carrots. So, this year, why not surprise the reindeer with a sparkly edible treat?
Special reindeer food can be made by the children and then sprinkled on the lawn on Christmas Eve. The food includes brightly coloured sprinkles which reindeer’s can easily spot in the moonlight – which helps them to find your house! The birds will no doubt feast on whatever is left behind.
To make the reindeer food you will need: Oatmeal, sprinkles (suitable for birds – and reindeer!), an empty baby food jar and tissue paper. The procedure is very simple.
Mix the ingredients together and then place them in a baby food jar covered with the tissue paper. Then leave the jars out on the lawn on Christmas Eve for the reindeer to munch on to help them along on their epic journey!
Start saving for Christmas 2016
It will help to start a saving scheme to pay for Christmas 2016. Ok, at the moment this may seem like a long distant ideal, but this time next year you’ll be grateful you planned ahead. The Money Advice Service website shows a variety of Christmas saving plans and explains how they work. Go towww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk and click on the ‘Saving for Christmas’ link to read more.
We’ve searched across the area for some of the best festive events – take a look!
Great Gift Ideas and a Penguin Festival at Edinburgh Zoo
Stuck for original gift ideas this year? Edinburgh Zoo may have the answer. Choose from a Keeper Experience where children have the opportunity to get up close to amazing animals and enjoy a day to remember, or perhaps an Animal Adoption would be an ideal gift for someone special which also provides a valuable contribution to the work carried out by the Zoo.
Or how about a RZSS membership, to receive a year of fun at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park as well as free entry to 12 other zoos around the UK? There’s certainly plenty of choice there. Once the Christmas gifts are sorted it’s time enjoy some fun with the penguins. This festive season, Edinburgh Zoo is celebrating the magic of penguins at an endearingly cute Penguin Festival from 5 December to 6 January 2016.
Join the Zoo for some of the warmest and fuzziest festive flicks to get you in the Christmassy mood at one of the Penguin Picturehouse screenings which will show some classic penguin films such as Happy Feet Two and Penguins of Madagascar. Plus, hidden around the Zoo will be five rare gold penguins. It’s your challenge to find all five penguins, take a selfie with a gold penguin and then upload it to social media using #goldpenguin for a chance to win a penguin magic moment. For more details visitwww.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Visit Santa Claus at Merryhatton Garden Centre
For a Christmas experience to remember, take your wee ones to visit Santa and Mrs Claus at Merryhatton, East Lothian’s family garden centre. Santa and Mrs Claus will be with there every weekend from 28 November until 21 December, from 11am to 4pm. You can book for your children to visit Santa in his magical grotto and have fun doing Christmas craft activities with Mrs Claus. Or make their Christmas extra special, by booking one of the magical tea with Santa and Mrs Claus events on 13, 19 or 20 December. With a fantastic range of Christmas trees, decorations, lighting and gifts, and an award winning café, the whole family will enjoy a visit to Merryhatton this Christmas. For further details and directions visit www.merryhatton.co.uk
Mrs Claus’ Christmas workshop at Potter Around
Get into the Christmas spirit at Potter Around at the Mrs Claus’ Christmas Decorations Workshop on Saturday, 12 December from 11am to 1pm. Join Mrs Claus and the elves who will help visiting children make a number of different Christmas decorations to hang on your tree or give to friends. You can choose from ceramic, decopatch, wirework and beads or fimo – or have a go at all 4. There will be hot chocolate and marshmallows and children can decorate biscuits to munch on while they are busy being creative. The workshop is suitable for youngsters aged 5-12 and costs £12 a head. Apart from this workshop, the Friday afternoon art club will continue throughout December with Christmas themed art projects. Call 01506 238961 or visit www.potteraround.co.uk
Bring in the bells at Deer Park
Kick start the New Year with a visit to Deer Park and bring in the bells with its Hogmanay Family Bowl Party. A delicious hot fork buffet will be served up and there will be ample opportunities to enjoy unlimited bowling with all the family right through until 1am. Deer Park is one of Scotland’s finest bowling centres, conveniently located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, just off junction 3 on the M8. To make a booking call 01506 446699.
Christmas and Hogmanay at Holyrood
Visit the Palace on Sunday, 20 December and celebrate a Royal Christmas. Learn courtly conduct and dancing whilst experiencing life in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots. Dress up like royalty and have your face painted for a Palace party. A few days later celebrate Hogmanay at Holyrood on Thursday, 31 December. See in the New Year by learning courtly conduct and Stuart dances, plus take a secret tour behind the ropes to find out about royal festive traditions and make a Palace inspired 2016 calendar to take home. Don’t forget to get your ticket stamped on your first visit for free return visits for a year. For more details call 0131 524 1120 or visit www.royalcollection.org.uk
Endless travel possibilities in Edinburgh this festive season
Venture out this Christmas and enjoy great value and endless possibilities with the Family Day Ticket from Lothian Buses. With this, two adults and up to 3 children can enjoy unlimited travel on Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams for £8.50. The Family Day Ticket is available to buy on a bus, at ticket vending machines at tram stops, at Travel shops, Park and Ride sites, and with a phone using the free Transport for Edinburgh app. Download the app today at TfEapp.com. Getting into Edinburgh couldn’t be easier - enjoy free parking at one of the five Park and Ride facilities around the city before boarding a bus or tram into the city centre.
Family Day Ticket terms and conditions apply, including travel restrictions within the City Fare Zone on Edinburgh Trams. For more information, visit www.lothianbuses.com
Stick Man returns to Edinburgh This Christmas
Scamp Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre are delighted to announce that Stick Man by Julia Donaldson will return in 2015, playing at the Edinburgh’s Christmas festival for a second year running from Friday, 20 November 2015. Passing through the seasons and culminating in a joyful Christmas celebration, Stick Man is a fantastic show which will delight all branches of the family tree! Touching, funny and utterly original, this enchanting adaptation features three actors and a one-man-band playing a host of colourful characters and animals to magically re-tell Stick Man’s adventures.
Stick Man follows the sell-out success of Scamp Theatre’s latest show The Scarecrows’ Wedding, which premiered at the Udderbelly as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the summer. Stick Man will be shown at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh from Friday, 20 November to Tuesday, 29 December 2015. To book tickets call 0844 545 8252 or visit www.edinburghschristmas.com
Maddie and Mark’s make it a really Heelys Christmas!
Get your skates on this festive season if you want to bag some Heelys. This years’ must have fun footwear can be found at Maddie and Mark’s Shoes, along with a whole selection of other footwear, gifts and stocking fillers that should be top of your shopping list.
There are the perfect winter warmers such as Uggs, and plenty of delightful slippers, boots and wellies, complete with matching raincoats and brollies. For the girls, there are the cutest Tutu’s, Fairy Doors and Gardens and for the boys, there are stylish Bart Hats as well as cool kits for building stunt cars or hovercraft. To add even more sparkle to your Christmas shopping, Maddie and Mark’s Shoes are hosting special festive evenings with late night opening and lots of special offers. Pop along to Bruntsfield on the 2 December or Blackhall and Portobello on the 3 December to get in to the Christmas spirit! For more details visit www.maddieandmarks.com
Edenmill – Where Christmas Trees are Born
Edenmill is part of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association and is one of the leading Christmas tree suppliers to garden centres as well as the public in the UK. As one of only a handful of recognised members in Scotland they take pride in being a local grower in Blanefield, near Glasgow and look forward to helping local families choose the perfect, fresh Christmas tree. Plus when a tree is bought, the little ones can see Santa for free! Needless to say, Santa is a very busy man but he will be in his Grotto at Edenmill Industrial Estate (formerly Oscars) on Saturdays, 5 and 12 December. For details visit www.edenchristmastrees.co.uk
Gifts that Last all Year
Imagine buying a memorable gift that can be used for 12 months. Well, you can! In these money-conscious times, people are becoming more cautious on how they spend their money, by shopping around for the best deals and searching for gifts that really offer value for money. Season tickets, memberships to attractions, an animal sponsorship or a charitable donation are ‘added value’ gifts that will be cherished well beyond the Christmas festivities. To help you decide where to spend that hard earned cash, we’ve taken a look at a few of the options open to you...
A membership to a local attraction
In the current economic climate, value for money is paramount to families and membership to a local attraction, where usage is likely to be more frequent, is often cash well worth spending. With an upfront sum, many theme parks, zoos, museums, art galleries and play zones offer the chance to buy an annual pass, season ticket or yearly membership. Dividing the cost over the year, many membership packages work out less than £1 per week so are certainly an attractive option.
Animal adoptions at a zoo or wildlife park
If your child has a passion for animals then an animal adoption may be the perfect gift. By adopting an animal, your money will make a real contribution towards the mighty food costs, veterinary bills and running costs of a zoo, animal sanctuary or wildlife park. Contact your local zoo or wildlife park for more details. Alternatively, the World Wildlife Fund offers adoption and guardianship packages aimed to help its plight for wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species. Go to www.wwf.org.uk