Halloween and Mid Term Activities in Edinburgh and the Lothians

30th September-31st October 2019

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Autumn is here and the leaves are putting on their coats of red and gold. It’s extraordinary how much change happens over this season – at the end of September we’ve still got golden days and (mainly) green trees, by November the twigs are bare and we can be feeling the first pinch of frost.

But it’s also a wonderful time of year to have fun with children too, from pumpkin carving and guising to fireworks displays. It’s also the perfect time for a scavenger hunt through a woodland of changing colours – try Pressmennan Wood in East Lothian with the added attraction of the glingbobs and tootflits fairy folk to find!

Cycling is also a fantastic activity for autumn when it’s getting too chilly to stay still for long but too nice to stay indoors. And don’t forget it’s Pirate Day on October 12, so make sure you practise your oo-arrs in plenty of time!

 

Come and play at a big-hearted club

The Very Inclusive Play Club, housed at Inch House Community Centre, is a unique club that exists to support the development of pre-school children who have additional support needs. The club runs weekly sessions (0-3 yrs on Tuesdays and 3-5 yrs on Thursdays) that are highly structured and specifically tailored. There is a strong emphasis on communication (verbal, sign, use of symbols); social interaction skills (turn-taking, waiting, naming, following instruction) are also practised; as are fine and gross motor skills.

Leanne Reid is the heart of the VIP Club. She brings a raft of professional training and experience, as well as a passion for the children’s development and empowerment of parents to support their own child at home. As well as directing the company, Leanne devises and delivers the content of every session. Parents, carers and the children themselves develop very strong social bonds here too; the result is a big-hearted, supportive community, highly ambitious for the children and completely inclusive. ‘There is nothing else like this in the city. Nothing else has helped my daughter’s development more than The VIP Club sessions.’ (Parent).  Contact Leanne to find out more: 07799 616203; email: thevipclub17@gmail.com; web: https://www.theveryinclusiveplayclub.com/ 

 

Overcoming learning difficulties with Raviv can be life-changing

“In 2011 at 13 years old, my son started Raviv with Karen, he could not write a full sentence. He is about to graduate from Edinburgh University where he has been studying history. We were told at the age of 12 that he would not have one English qualification when he left high school. Written off at 12! “He went on to prove everyone wrong and got As in every exam from 14 years onwards. There is no doubt from my husband and I that this is down to the work he did on the Raviv programme. Raviv changed his life.” For further details, please contact Karen: 07711 623605 or k.wexelstein1@gmail.com/learningdifficulties-raviv.co.uk

 

Animation workshops bring fun to life!

Do you love Wallace & Gromit, Morph and Pingu? Then come along to some workshops where you'll learn how to make your own stop motion films, develop skills and realise your creative ideas with fun activities, specially crafted puppets and props, whilst using the latest software and equipment. These are practical courses led by model maker, animator and teacher Emma Dougherty. Animate paper, plasticine, people and more! All abilities welcome. 12 places per workshop. Age guide: 8-12. Pirates 14-15 October, Spooktacular 19 October, Halloween 26 October, Festive Fun 21 December. All dates 10am-3pm. Price: 2 day workshop £125, 1 day workshop £65. 15% Discount for sibling/friend or booking 2+ workshop dates

 

Enrol in Conifox’s School for Witches and Wizards

Dress up and come along to Conifox to see the park’s exciting interactive show. Enter all four classrooms to experience a true witches and wizards school. Which house will the Sorting Hat select for you in Headmistress Academious’ Room: Dragon Eye, Phoenix Flame, Pegasus Wing or Lion Heart? In the Potions Room Professor Snotbags will teach you the secrets to a magical mixture. Then get your wand ready for casting spells in Professor Nostradamus’ Wizards Room before finally going home after a broomstick decorating and flying lesson with Professor Icarus. Children get to take home a wand, broomstick and graduation certificate. Book via Facebook: @conifoxadventurepark, call: 07968 746355 or visit conifox.co.uk. Dates: October 19-20 and 26-27, one-hour sessions. Prices: £15 per child, £10 per adult, park entry included.

 

Join Bald Agnes for some spooky fun!

Get set for Halloween with a spooky fortnight of activities during the half term at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, inspired by the 17th century fears of witchcraft and the legend of Agnes Sampson who lost her life at the Palace. There will be family short talks, a beginner’s guide to herbology and multisensory storytelling sessions led by Anna Lehr. Dates: October 14-27, 11am-4pm, www.rct.uk/whatson. Come back for free! Get your ticket stamped on your first visit and come back as many times as you like in a year at no extra cost.

 

The gift of adventures

Riding a bike is a quintessential childhood experience. Memories will be made. Elbows will be scraped. Fun will be had! After all, nothing compares to the freedom of adventure that a bike brings, no matter what your age. Pay a £10 deposit and Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative will store your child’s bike until you want it. Plus, it will come fully built, safety checked and ready to ride on Christmas morning. Visit www.edinburghbicycle.com

 

Sounds like a creative choice!

Portobello Music School provides comprehensive music education to children aged birth to teens from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Its progressive Creative Music Classes are aimed at children from birth to primary 2, preparing them for Beginner Group Instrumental Classes and Kodály-based musicianship classes starting in Primary 3. Children choose from a variety of instruments taught by an enthusiastic team of experienced music teachers. Children new to the school with previous experience can join existing non-beginner classes. Enrol online at www.portobellomusicschool.com or tel: 0131 623 2513

 

Light up winter nights with new hobby

Learning a musical instrument is the perfect hobby for winter nights and there’s no better place to learn than East Lothian’s favourite music school – Lamp House Music (Haddington) with fun but informative music lessons for children and adults. There is a timetable bursting with opportunity - instruments available include guitar, ukulele, drums, piano, saxophone, flute, violin, vocals plus many, many more. It’s easy to get to, there’s ample parking and it is open seven days a week, with patient, professional tutors teaching high quality lessons - Lamp House Music is a welcoming, busy little hub of music for all. For more information or to book a first lesson see lamphousemusic.co.uk or call 01620 825630.

 

Fireworks extravaganza in aid of Indian children

Scottish Love in Action is a charity helping vulnerable children in India. The charity is hosting two spectacular fireworks displays in aid of the charity. The Blue Show will take place on Sunday 3rd November at 4.30pm at Myreside, while the Red Show is at 7pm at the same location on the same day. Tickets on sale now at www.sla-india.org. Tickets cost £8.50 for a single ticket (under 2’s go for free) and family discounts are available.

 

Discover the joy of skating

Murrayfield Ice Rink is promoting a free open day on Monday October 14 to introduce a new generation to the joy of ice skating. Offering free admission and skate hire, this all-day event running from 10am through to 6pm, will be punctuated by showcases from figure skaters, junior hockey players, Murrayfield Racers and their mascot, qualified coaches and much more. Just turn up on the day or book your place online at www.murrayfieldicerinkltd.co.uk or by phone on 0131 337 6933.

 

I be reckoning this will be a fun day out, me hearties!

Shiver me timbers! Pirate Day is back at the Scottish Seabird Centre on Saturday 12 October. Inspired by the link between Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and the nearby island of Fidra, Pirate Day is a swashbuckling fun event celebrating the high seas. Don't miss one of the highlights in their events calendar as the rip-roaring fun returns. With treasures to seek and games to play, you won’t want to miss it! All included with admission. Full details at www.seabird,org.  The Discovery Centre will be closing on 22 October for the 2nd phase of its refurbishment programme, installing new marine themed exhibits. It is scheduled to reopen in late December. The Seabird café and gift shop will remain open throughout the refurbishment programme.

 

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