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!
Festival fun with a difference!
It may not be a normal year when it comes to Edinburgh’s festivals but there are still events to enjoy from the Fringe, Book and Film festival for kids – see below for details.
FRINGE
SpaceUK
The Space is running an online Fringe programme from August 8 to 30 with more than 80 different shows, including cabaret and comedy – children’s shows listed below, see the online programme for full listings. Shows range from 10 to 45 minutes and are all free! Watch all shows online at www.theSpaceUK.com
Bubble Show with Dr Bubble and Milkshake
Ecological bubble show presents different ways we can save the planet with bubbles. Physical comedy with environmental awareness and bubbles, including square and smoke-filled bubbles and a grand finale. (3+ 48 mins) www.theSpaceUK.com
Craig: The Juicy Orange
2020. The world is living in isolation. For Craig, adjusting to the new normal as been as sour as lemons. Until Craig meets a juicy orange who quickly becomes a brand new buddy. But what will happen when Craig gets hungry? (8+ 7 mins) www.theSpaceUK.com
Countdown to Clowntown
Singalong, dancealong, laughalong! Patty and Giggles from Canada’s top award-winning clown band take you to their Clowntown backyard for a taste of music and magic. (1+ 15 mins) www.theSpaceUK.com
BOOK FESTIVAL
From Saturday 15 to Monday 31 August, the Edinburgh International Book Festival goes online and FREE! Lots of events for children, visit the book festival's website for more details.
Highlights include appearances from Eoin Colfer, Julia Donaldson, Oliver Jeffers and Cressida Cowell.
Every morning of the Festival at 9.30am (BST) the Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme offers a 10 minute Drawalong activity for younger audiences on the Book Festival’s Facebook page (@edbookfest). Rob Biddulph shows off his new picture book and Oliver Jeffers drops in from his home in New York to inspire budding illustrators of all ages. Julia Donaldson brings some of her favourite characters to life in two events and Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell introduces the latest in her Wizards of Once series with special guest Eoin Colfer. Rashmi Sirdeshpande launches Dosh: How to Earn It, Save It, Spend It, Grow It, Give It, Science communicator Emily Grossman is in conversation with Konnie Huq about her Brain Fizzing Facts, Helen Skelton, Lily Dyu, Eilidh Muldoon and Lari Don all explore stories of fantastic female adventurers and comedian and actor Samantha Baines introduces Harriet, whose hearing aid helps her understand aliens.
Michael Morpurgo is joined by illustrator Polly Dunbar, while Sharna Jackson and Robin Stevens share stories of their young detectives. Philip Ardagh reads from The Railway Cat, Annabelle Sami & Allen Fatimaharan launch Llama Out Loud, introducing Yasmin who never speaks and her toy llama who speaks a lot. Sensory storyteller Ailie Finlay is joined by illustrator Kate Leiper in a Learning Disability friendly event and Ailie, alongside inclusivity charity PAMIS, has created short videos to help teachers, parents and carers incorporate sensory elements while they watch the Book Festival’s events with Julia Donaldson and Slovenian author/illustrator Dunja Jogan. Additional resources for teachers are also available on the Book Festival’s Learning site to accompany a range of events across the Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme.
FILM FESTIVAL
Drive-in Movies, a project by the Edinburgh International Film Festival and Unique Events, will see up to 250 cars at Edinburgh Airport car park every month from the end of this month. Tickets on sale now at www.edinburghdrivein.co.uk
Line-up for August is:
Thursday, 27 August: 6pm - Sunshine on Leith; 10pm - Get Out (2017)
Friday, 28 August: 2pm - Grease (1978); 6pm - Airplane! (1980); 10pm - Con Air (1997)
Saturday, 29 August: 10am - Mary Poppins Returns (2018); 2.15pm - Clueless (1995); 6pm - William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996); 10pm - Alien (1979)
Sunday, 30 August: 10.30am - Up (2009); 2pm - The Princess Bride (1987); 5.45pm - La La Land (2017); 10pm - Dirty Dancing (1987)
The films will be shown on a state of the art 100sqm LED screen, one of the largest mobile screens in the world with the audio broadcast straight to cars, for audiences to control the soundtrack.
Audiences will be able to arrive up to 1 hour prior to the film’s starting to take part in a car disco with a playlist relating to the screening, along with an interactive on-screen quiz with spot prizes. Food and snacks will be available to purchase from a selection of local food suppliers who will have stalls on site.
Organisers say with cars suitably distanced apart, Drive-In Movies will be a safe environment for families and friends to enjoy an event, in line with government guidelines for outdoor events. Standard tickets priced at £35.00 per vehicle for up to 5 people, with a number of tickets being made available to EIFF’s community partners.
Drive-in Movies offer accessible toilets and food units. Please check listings for captioned screenings. If you have access requirements please email admin@filmhousecinema.com.