Families Glasgow Issue 69 May Jun 18

FR M E E E H O

TA KE

M E

Glasgow IN THIS ISSUE

On Trend Children’s Parties Festivals Are Fun! Summer Camp Special ...and lots more!

Issue 69 May/June 2018

familiesonline.co.uk

In this Issue...

2-5

News & Views

6

Attachment Parenting

7

STEM Education

8-9

Children’s Parties

10

Festival Guide

11

Outdoor Adventures

12-13 Summer Activities 14-15 What’s On

Welcome to issue 69!

Noticed anything different? Apart from that bright, golden orb in the sky! Our front cover this issue is a bespoke image taken by the talented Polly Harris, who specialises in photographing children and families. Our cover star is also local, so you may spy her in or around Glasgow – many thanks to both artist and subject for such a fabulous shot! During May and June we are busy knuckling down to the task of getting both garden and home ready to be ignored for seven weeks while we bask in the glorious sunshine which we believe we are totally owed after that long winter.

If you are short on annual leave and need to sort out care for your kids, get to it! (Inspiration and information on pages 12-13.) And remember to plan some fun - it can’t all happen spontaneously. Camping is a cheap and relatively easy way to change your scenery. Throw in a festival and everyone has entertainment on tap. Check out our guide on page 10. We’ve been to two of the festivals listed, and it really is an adventure worth having. And don’t forget Father’s Day on June 17th!

Best wishes,

New App for Parents Offers Extra Help

New Lease of Life for the Citz

A new web app has been launched aimed at giving parents and working people an ‘extra pair of hands’ when they need it.

Kandoo Network is a mobile web app that brings parents and working people who need jobs done together with young people who have the time to help and need some extra money.

From waiting for a delivery or walking the dog to helping to set up a children’s party, a parent’s “to do” list for the family is endless. Kandoo may offer the solution by connecting parents with an extra pair of hands via reliable teenagers and students who have received recommendations from jobs done for existing subscribers.

A free 60 day trial is available with Promo Code KANDOOTRIAL08 More information visit www.kandoonetwork.co.uk

The Citizens Theatre is a world-renowned organisation which has brought many outstanding productions to the stage since its formation in 1943. Now, with the help of funding from Glasgow City Council, the building will undergo its first comprehensive refurbishment in its 140-year history.

While the redevelopment work is taking place, the theatre’s administrative, box office and learning functions will relocate to Scotland Street School Museum in June, with the museum open as normal. Other functions will relocate to City Building’s Skills Academy in the Gorbals, and a number of performances will take place in Tramway.

The Citizens Theatre also plans to tour its work during the period of closure, expected to last until 2020.

Get in touch

Editor: Susanne Hein editor@familiesglasgow.co.uk, 01355 459 314 Keep up to date at www.familiesonline.co.uk FamiliesGlasgow Next issue: July/August Tell us about any events or classes that you want to publicise.

Please get in touch

LANGUAGE CENTRE & CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP The Language Hub C.IC. 52 Keith Court, Glasgow, G11 6QW www.thelanguagehub.co.uk info@thelanguagehub.co.uk t: 0141 258 2700 m: 07505 144 476

Sensory, play-based music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in Milngavie, Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Scotstoun and Partick.

Booking deadline: June 4th Special ad rates and offers available, call or email to find out more.

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Copyright: Families Glasgow Magazine April 2018.

Families Glasgow is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Glasgow are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Glasgow.

Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Glasgow; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

2 Families Glasgow

familiesonline.co.uk

‘Grannannying’ is the Word

Decay Rates Drop and Children Lead Adults More than three quarters of children aged 11 now have no tooth decay. This percentage has increased from 59% a decade ago according to recent figures from the National Dental Inspection Program (NDIP).

NHS dental registrations in Scotland in the last two years also show children are more likely than adults to visit an NHS dentist.

However, oral health disorders are the most common reason for elective hospital admission of children in Scotland, accounting for over 10,000 episodes per year, according to the NDIP. According to the national Childsmile programme it is important to protect your child’s first teeth against decay so that adult teeth have a chance to develop before they come through. It’s never too early to start caring for your baby’s teeth.

Childsmile recommends registering a baby with a dentist soon after birth and taking them to the dentist for their first visit by the time they are six months old. From then on, parents should take their child to the dental practice every six months, or as advised.

For more information, visit www.child-smile.org.uk

The trend of grandparents providing vital, day-to-day support to their grandchildren known as ‘grannannying’ is more widespread than you may have thought according to a new YouGov poll for Age UK Two-fifths (40%) of the nation’s grandparents over the age of 50 – 5 million – have provided regular childcare for their grandchildren, according to the survey. The vast majority did so once a week but a fifth provided support 4 to 6 times a week.

Revealing the pivotal role that many grandparents play in reducing the financial burden of childcare, over half of grandparents said their help had enabled their own child/children to work more to support their family.

But it’s not all one way. Nearly all grandparents (88%) said they enjoyed the time spent with their grandchildren, and half felt it kept them physically and mentally active.

For more information about the survey, visit www.ageuk.co.uk

Protect Kids from #FOMO with #JOMO

The Pups are Back!

Get ready for another adventure with your favourite pups! In PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. However, when Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears…Tracker! Using their heroic rescue skills, problem solving and teamwork, the pups set sail to save the day. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small!

Join the team at the SEC Glasgow on August 4th and 5th, tickets available at www.pawpatrollive.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Parents are urged protect their children from the negative health effects of social media by helping them discover the ‘Joys of Missing Out’ #JOMO. According to Dr Georgia Henderson, a clinical psychologist working with young people at the Priory Hospital in London, social media is endlessly demanding, leading to toxic feelings of inadequacy amongst young people. #JOMO is the opposite of #FOMO, where young people constantly check their smartphones because of the ‘Fear of Missing Out’ on conversations or social events.

The ‘what and why’ of #JOMO: • “When we turn off – we have to reconnect to the real world.”

• People are at their most intelligent, productive and calm when they can slow their thoughts down and use mindfulness.

• There is increasing pressure on young people to be more mature than they are ready for in relationships as a result of social media, so why not pause and step away?

• Parents modelling good boundaries around their own ability to shut off technology is the best way to show that being with your kids is enough.

• Self-esteem. Young people who spend a lot of time on social media are more likely to rely on external approval and physical attractiveness, rather than their internal attributes and worth.

Families Glasgow 3

Parent 2 Parent

I

have five in my family: myself Callum, Carolyn, my wife, my daughter, Mirren (11), my eldest son, Callum (10) and my youngest son, Lachlan (10 months). We are a very close family, and we love to spend time with each other as a whole family or individually in many different sports and hobbies. We love to go out for meals together and play games in the house when we have time to.

I have worked at Pinkston water sports for three seasons now delivering kayak and canoe sessions. Pinkston is a great venue for kids to learn the basic and progressive skills needed for kayak and canoeing. Pinkston helps youths develop their personal boating skills, meet new people, join new clubs and get a general idea of how water sports work while being in a safe and controlled environment ran by some of the best coaches Glasgow has to offer. Pinkston itself has a great feel around the place, everyone has a very positive outlook, they try to encourage youths from all walks of life to come and give water sports a go. If the kids enjoy it then they are more than welcome to join one of our local clubs located on site, or we will do our best to point them in the right direction of what they might like or suit them better.

Why do you like living where you do?

My family and I live in Barlanark, in the east end of Glasgow. We have lived here all our lives and we would like to move a bit further afield eventually. We enjoy living here as it was where we were born and bred, all our family and friends live here to provide support if needed and it’s a great little place with a tight-knit community.

Favourite Park

Our favourite park at the moment is Mugdock park in Milngavie as it has wide range of activities for the kids: from orienteering, wild life spotting, a café, cycling and many more fun activities we can all take part in as a family.

Favourite children’s club/class

Having three kids we have a bit of a mix in our household: Mirren loves gymnastics, climbing, scouts and kayaking. Callum really enjoys Kayaking, scouts, climbing, camping and hill walking.

Lachlan is 10 months and enjoys trying to walk and climbing over anything he can.

Favourite day out

A favourite day out is a tough one as everyone likes something a little different, but if I was to pick one it would have to be shopping and going out for a family meal.

Favourite child friendly restaurant

TGI’s, my family love this place and would live in it if they could.

Biggest waste of money Takeaways!!!

No parent should be without

A small bit of peace and quiet to relax when kids are out.

Parenting pet hates

Temper tantrums when they can’t get what they want.

Funniest comment your kids have ever made

Traveling on the train and my eldest boy used to ask at every train station: “what country are we in now, dad?”

Favourite family holiday spot

We have a small caravan on the beach in Campbeltown. It’s so peaceful and relaxing for everyone in the family with nothing to worry about. We can go on long walks, camp, make fires, kayak and play tag with the cows.

A World of Chocolate Heaven Sasha Clelland is well versed in creating maximum enjoyment for youngsters – her experience at a drama and children’s party company stood her in good stead when she applied for a job as a workshop leader at The Cocoabean Company, Braehead. “I think it helped”, she laughs, as I quiz her about the application process. “I saw the job online – and who doesn’t want to work with chocolate?” How to temper it was one of the first things she learned during her training at the original Twynholm location.

The Cocoabean Company in Twynholm is a well-established weapon in Dumfriesshire parents’ assault on boredom, but the Braehead location was a whole new chapter in the company’s history. “We’ve had a few teething problems”, says marketing manager Emma, “but our customers are great, and we’re constantly expanding what we’re able to do in this new location.” Sasha agrees: “Some people think we just do one kind of kids’ workshop, but there’s so much more.”

Having a quick look at the Facebook page shows just how far the new venue has come. Beanie Tots for 1-4 yr olds, themed workshops, family workshops, afternoon tea, birthday parties, school trips and clubs like Brownies visiting means that Sasha and her colleagues need to be able to entertain not just primary school children. “It really is like a performance”, she tells me, “we try to keep the energy up and let the kids go a little crazy if they want.”

4 Families Glasgow

They have learned to be sensitive to different needs as well.

“Some kids are overwhelmed and we make sure we coax them through the new experience in a way that enables them to enjoy it.” Although sometimes it’s the parents that need coaxing. “It can be quite messy”, Sasha tells me, “especially Beanie Tots. It’s a half hour workshop for £6, which I think is such good value. We spend 15-20mins making things, and then we just have messy play with the chocolate. The kids love it!” And her advice to anyone coming along to a workshop? “Wear short sleeves!” familiesonline.co.uk

Are you an LAT parent?

The Water is Calling You! Pinkston Watersports operates a clean flat-water basin and Scotland’s only artificial whitewater course. Pinkston is a charity and social enterprise with the objective of increasing accessibility of paddle sports. The ethos underlying the organization is to make the benefits of taking part in outdoor sports accessible to all – but always with every intention of ensuring it is a lot of fun! Pinkston Watersports operates as a venue which can be hired out by organizations and groups who have qualified coaches.

They offer discounted group rates for constituted community groups, and kayak sessions and lessons to members of the public.

It is also possible to go white-water rafting, and one of the resident clubs, Pinkston Panthers, runs summer holiday activities. The latest offering is the opportunity to come and take part in kayaking or raft building as a birthday party. This involves one hour spent on the water with friends taking part in an activity of your choice followed by an hour in a cosy classroom overlooking the water.

That time can be used for food or games – and most importantly for blowing out candles on your cake!* Situated just 10 minutes walk from Glasgow City Centre, 2 minutes from the M8 and with easy free parking onsite, Pinkston is an ideal option for a thrilling outdoor activity with no need to step out of the city. *not provided

You have probably heard of Blended Families but have you heard of Living Apart Together (LAT)? This is a term used to describe an emerging form of family structure, where couples, with and without children, are in an intimate relationship, but do not live together for some or all of the time.

Around 10% of adults in Britain, a quarter of all those not married or cohabiting, are in a steady relationship but do not live with their partner. Research suggests that there are many reasons why partners may be LAT. Researchers found that around a third of LATs live apart because they feel they are not yet ready to live together, although many hope to do so in the future.

A further third choose to live apart because they view it as emotionally safer, or a better way to manage other commitments, such as those to children, family and friends or work. Some may see it as a ‘last chance saloon’ to preserve a faltering relationship.

The remaining third are not able to live together due to circumstances outside the relationship itself – including financial reasons or working or studying in different places.

As part of its research into the changing dynamic of British family structures, The Birbeck London University is currently inviting parents who may be living apart together to take part in an online survey, Family Life You. To find out more, visit www.familylifeyou.co.uk or email smanna01@mail.bbk.ac.uk

Mental Health Issues Starting Early Storming Ahead Storm Gymnastics are bursting with pride – they recently received the Lord Provost Award, an honour previously bestowed on Sir Andy Murray and Dame Kelly Holmes.

The award recognises outstanding sporting achievements of individuals, teams and clubs who have excelled in their sporting endeavour, as well as the work done by young athletes, coaches, schools and volunteers. The club was founded ten years ago by Janet McClintock in Wallacewell Primary School in Robroyston, and has now expanded to also hold classes in Paisley and Bishopbriggs, as well as the purpose built gymnastics studio at Kelvin Hall.

Their programme not only consists of recreational level, they also have development groups, elite teams, Junior and Senior Competition and Display – and their members regularly bring home medals to prove it! Although there are currently waiting lists for all classes, Janet is looking to the future: “We have some big plans for the club, so keep an eye out for announcements!” familiesonline.co.uk

One in 10 children aged five to 16 - or three in every classroom - have a diagnosable mental health problem, and 75% of mental illness starts before the age of 18 according to statistics.

Place2Be, a national charity providing emotional support to children, advises that it’s never too early or too late to start thinking about your child’s mental health.

Some simple actions you can take at any age to help promote positive mental health include: • Carving out time to be with your child one-to-one. Put other worries to one side and actively listen to them and their feelings.

• Enjoying a quiet activity together can make it easier to talk to your child and can encourage your child to open up naturally.

• taking a step back from today’s busy lives and enjoy some dedicated time listening and playing with your child.

• Creative activities such as art and craft can encourage bonding with your child.

• Providing a stable and consistent environment, with clear boundaries helps children feel secure and better able to learn about and cope with the world around them.

• Be kind to yourself and look after your own mental health. This will have the most beneficial impact of all on the wellbeing of your child.

For more information and advice, visit www.place2be.org.uk Families Glasgow 5

Would Attachment Parenting Work for You?

Be Predictable

By Laura Brant

W

ith so much advice on different styles of parenting, how do you know what works? One style that is becoming increasingly popular is known as Attachment Parenting.

This type of parenting focuses on nurturing the strong connection that parents can develop with their children. This nurturing connection is viewed as the ideal way to raise secure, independent and empathic children. By having secure, trusting attachments to parents starting in infancy and continuing throughout childhood, it is believed that children will develop the basis for secure relationships and independence as adults.

Establishing a strong bond with an infant is extremely beneficial to them as they grow and by providing security, warmth, and routine you will allow your young child to feel safe and confident when they begin to explore the world on their own.

In addition, there is evidence that physical closeness, sensitivity, and responsiveness in parenting helps children have higher selfesteem, perform better in school and manage stress.

Here are four simple ways in which I’ve developed a stronger connection with my children:

Be Dependable

Your child needs to see you as a safe place. This means you need to provide comfort whenever he or she is sick, hurt, or upset and be physically available as often as possible. When your child feels safe, they can explore the world on their own, knowing they can return to you for security and comfort when they need it. It’s great to encourage your young child to try new things by showing you believe they can do it on their own, but be nearby in case they need to return to you for comfort.

Be Attentive

It’s really important that you find time to Interact with your child one-on-one – not always easy when you have more than one child and a busy life! What works well is finding activities you both enjoy, playing games together, and, as your child gets older, talking about his or her interests. Take your child’s lead on what they need; do not force a specific type of interaction based on your own needs.

I’ve discovered that these activities do not need to take up a great deal of time; it’s the affection and undivided attention that is important. Eye contact, warmth, touch, and smiles really help build attachment while you’re chatting or doing something together.

6 Families Glasgow

Young children need routines to feel secure and this continues to be important as they get older. Having a routine for meals, bedtime, and any other regular activity helps your child establish self-discipline and security. Knowing what comes next allows young children to begin to take the next step in the routine on their own, encouraging their independence.

Be Understanding during Times of Separation

Don’t worry that having your child spend time with another caregiver will impact your attachment. It’s normal for your child to bond with another person in addition to you. When leaving your child with someone else though, I’ve found it helps if they have a goodbye routine. My children have always tended to take their cues from my behaviour. If I behave confidently, they behave more confidently too. I would suggest, if possible, gradually introducing your child to spending time away from you, and slowly increasing the amount of time you are gone. Some children benefit from a security blanket or familiar toy.

Here are some other things you can do to increase bonding with your infant which are also seen as characteristic of the attachment parenting model: Breastfeeding on demand - is seen as teaching infants that parents will listen to their cues and fulfil their needs.

Baby-wearing - carrying babies during the day in a sling or baby carrier and keeping them physically close, rather than pushing them in a buggy or pram.

Kangaroo care - infant is held in skin-to-skin contact with a parent, typically the mother, for as long as possible each day.

Co-sleeping - an infant sleeps in the same room or bed so parents can feed and emotionally soothe during the night. This can be a lovely experience for parents and infant, but please note that The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has confirmed that although Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is rare, it does happen more often when parents or carers sleep with a baby (on a bed, sofa or chair). For this reason, it’s important to co-sleep safely. For guidelines, visit https://www.nct.org.uk/ parenting/co-sleeping-safely-your-baby Constant caring - the nearly constant presence of a parent and a limited amount of childcare for babies younger than 30 months.

For more information, I’d recommend www.attachmentparenting.co.uk I also like Dr Laura Markham’s www.ahaparenting.com Laura Brant is a mother of three who has embraced the majority of attachment parenting practices. familiesonline.co.uk

STEM: Helping Children with the Fundamentals of Education

By Christopher Cederskog

I

t’s not easy being a parent. You want to do the best for your children, but sometimes it’s hard to work out what the best actually is. Education is one of those areas where advice is constantly changing.

If you are interested in helping your kids with the fundamentals of education there is an acronym which you should become aware of: STEM. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it is fast becoming the core of the British and global education system. There is hardly a career which does not involve some element of STEM, from farming to neurosurgery, and it also plays a part in a many everyday activities. This is why it’s important our children can understand its key tenets.

As a parent, then, what can you do to help form the STEM of your child’s tree of knowledge? familiesonline.co.uk

I have always believed that learning should be fun and the popular perception is that the subjects of STEM are anything but. However, science, engineering and technology are particularly well-suited to play and mathematics can be applied to virtually any day-to-day situation.

It’s just a matter of identifying the right opportunities.

The next time you’re baking pastry together, let your child measure out the ingredients and ask them questions: what does ‘half fat to flour’ mean? Let them work out, according to that rule, how much flour is needed if you’re using 100 grams of fat.

Get them to count out how many pastry cases were made from that ratio, then work out how much more pastry it would take to double the number of cases, or how many pies each family member will get based on the current number. Talk about the ingredients, what they are and where they’ve come from.

The next time your child falls, take the chance to talk to them about gravity and discuss why they fell downwards rather than upwards! If they’ve grazed their knees, once the tears have stopped, chat a bit about biology – why is blood red, why do scabs form, how do cuts heal? If you don’t know the answers yourself, call on Doctor Google – he’s always there to help.

When you’re out with your children, encourage scientific observations: when walking to the park, talk about why the leaves are green or why they fall in autumn.

See if your children can spot any minibeasts and set them the challenge of learning about them when they get home.

And when at home, help bring out your child’s inner-engineer by encouraging them to put those endless MegaBlocks and LEGO bricks to work.

Every activity can be a learning opportunity without a child needing to identify it as such. Your job as a parent is to try to find ways to make the learning opportunity fun.

While I’m not saying that all education should be done by stealth, I am an advocate of learning through play. The lessons I most strongly remember from my childhood are those that were learned while I was having fun: the Van de Graaff generator sparking as much imagination as electricity; the recreation of the witches’ scene in Macbeth making Shakespeare seem relevant and interesting; the days in the garden, learning where food actually comes from and that there is a point to worms.

Children were born to learn and their brains are busy absorbing information from the second they leave the womb. If you can make your lessons fun, informal and an integral part of everyday life, then your little ones will learn by osmosis and you can sit back in the happy glow of a good job, well done.

Christopher Cederskog is MD of Wonder Workshop which teaches children coding through robotics and enables them to master critical thinking, problem solving, cause and effect, communication, and collaboration. For more information, visit www.makewonder.com Families Glasgow 7

Be on Trend with Your Child’s Party in 2018!

By Claire Winter

C

hildren’s parties are always a hot topic of conversation in most households across the country. Who to invite? What theme? Which location? We’ve talked to party specialists and planners to find out the top party ideas for 2018, so you don’t have to.

Glamping

Tipi and glamping parties are going to be really popular especially during the summer months. Set up tents wit themes like cowboys, intergalactic, or botanical. You can hire companies such as Activity Delivered to put them up in the garden and if you haven’t got a garden – set up the tents in the house. Older children can have a sleepover whilst the youngsters can go home. Andrew Pearce, co-owner of the belltentexperience.com says “we have seen a huge increase in bookings for children’s parties. Bell tents are fun and versatile. You can set them up indoors, or outside and kids love them. Sleeping in a tent is magical whatever age you are!”

Get Me Out of Here

Unusual Themes

Think of a party with a twist. Top party organiser Fable & Moon (www.fableandmoon.com) says “Children’s parties are becoming even more sophisticated in 2018! Unicorns and Mermaids are still going strong but expect a fresh twist on the theme. Also expect to see wedding trends making their way into children’s parties, particularly celestial (moons and stars) and all things holographic.

Think, oversized disco balls and lots and lots of sparkle!”

Chocolate Parties

Escape rooms are a great choice for older children. You get locked in a room and have to work out how to get out. It’s a great teambuilding experience and no mess in your house! Many escape rooms have themes - you could even get guests to dress up to match it! You need to check what the age range is and whether you need adult supervision.

Top Tips for a Budget Party

Most kids love chocolate; it’s messy, fun and creative. What’s not to love? The Cocoabean Company at Braehead will teach your children to make some fantastic chocs. Alternatively, hire some moulds and melt dark, milk and white chocolate so they can make their own. The chocolate is hot so this option is probably not suitable for very small children. An extra bonus is they get to take away their chocolates instead of a party bag.

Timing If you hold a party between 3pm and 5pm, you can provide party snacks or treats instead of a meal. Try fruit kebabs that you dip in melted chocolate for a fun treat. Hiring a chocolate fountain could also be a fun way to end the party. Just warn the parents not to dress their kids in their best party clothes! Older children would probably prefer a pizza delivery.

Unicorns are Still Cool

Try E-invites Create your own digital invitations to email to guests. You can also use the free option at www.paperlesspost.com and pay a small amount using various other websites, like www.miniepic.com. Founder of the business Jonathan says “Our digital invitations can be created and sent in just a few minutes, with no paper or postage involved, which not only saves you time and money but also saves some trees! But what's proving really popular is the ability to download your Mini-Epic invitation to share via WhatsApp."

Kids are still going unicorn crazy. Harriet Jones, founder of online boutique store Rockahula Kids (www.rockahulakids.com) says “2018 has to be the year that the unicorn trend and theme takes centre stage at children's birthday parties. Over the last few months, we have seen an incredible increase in demand for unicorn-themed accessories for party favours, whether it be hair clips, charms, necklaces or hairbands. Coupled with unicorns, we have noticed more interest in our rainbow themed accessories for party bags such as clips, rings, and bracelets which go hand-inhand with the mythical creature." A kitsch, rainbow unicorn party sounds like just the ticket!

ACTIVITY

THE PARTY EXPERTS

over 300 parties last year | DELIVERED TO YOU | QUALIFIED, PROFESSIONAL TEAM

Look for Bargains Pound shops can be a treasure trove of party napkins and decorations.

Buy plain paper bags and get the children to personalise them. You could also make cupcakes and get the kids to decorate them. Party favours and entertainment all at the same time!

Themed Parties Choose a theme like pirates, Alice in Wonderland or teddies for the younger kids and base all the games make all the games centred on your chosen theme. Decorations can be homemade – get the whole family involved. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration.

Share Split the cost by sharing the party with a classmate whose birthday is at a similar time. Just make sure you agree who is doing what!

INDOOR MINI TIPI

ZORB FOOTBALL

ARCHERY TAG

GAMING & CINEMA TIPI

NERF WARS

www.Activitydelivered.com | 0131 510 7165 | INFO@Activitydelivered.com 8 Families Glasgow

Don’t Forget to Say Thanks Take a group photo of all the kids at the party and print it off at Boots or use an online site. Get your kids to write a thank you note on the back with a Sharpie or gold pen. A great memento and thank you all at once! familiesonline.co.uk

Our top picks of party providers The Room (Riddle Rooms Ltd)

Bricks 4 Kidz

Sea Force

Pinkston Watersports

Type of business: entertainment 0141 237 1960 wwwriddlerooms.co.uk enquiries@riddlerooms.co.uk Starting price: £112 Number of guests: 8-14 Best suited to: puzzle loving 10-14yr olds

Type of business: experience 0141 221 1070 www.seaforce.co.uk web form Starting price: £5 per child/ 20min boat ride / £10 adults (includes stop-off at Krispy Crème) Number of guests: minimum 5 Best suited to: a blast of fresh air for sugar lovers. Quote Families Glasgow when enquiring

Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre

Type of business: full party service (excl cake) 0141 339 6185 www.maskandpuppet.co.uk info@maskandpuppet.co.uk Starting price - £10.50 per child Number of guests - up to 40 Best suited to: everyone with a sense of wonder age 4+

Glasgow Music Studios

Type of business: experience 0141 552 0907 www.glasgowmusicstudios.co.uk info@glasgowmusicstudios.co.uk Starting price: £65pp Number of guests: minimum 5 Best suited to: budding singers of all ages Quote Families Glasgow when enquiring

familiesonline.co.uk

Type of business - entertainment 07971 515 141 www.bricks4kidz.co.uk/scotland-glasgow cbarr@bricks4kidz.com Starting price - £120.00 Number of guests – up to 50 guests Best suited to: Lego lovers

Type of business: active/sports venue 0141 332 5636 www.pinkston.co.uk info@pinkston.co.uk Starting price - £15 per person Number of guests – from 6 to 16 Best suited to: adventurers aged 8+

Glasgow Playbus

Type of business: Mobile party/event entertainment 07545 534 013 www.glasgowplaybus.com info@glasgowplaybus.com Starting price: £225 Number of guests: up to 30 Best suited to: young, active children

The Cocoabean Company

01557 860 608 www.thecocoabeancompany.com workshops@thecocoabeancompany.com Starting price - £15.95 Number of guests – up to 75 Best suited to: chocolate lovers of all ages

Wonder World

Type of business: full party service/venue 0141 429 8004 www.wonderworldsoftplay.co.uk/glasgow/ glasgow@wonderworldgroup.co.uk Starting price: £11.95 per person Number of guest: 10+ Best suited to: jumping and climbing

Music Bugs

Type of business: creative and sensory party entertainment 0844 412 8173 www.musicbugs.co.uk/glasgow-north glasgownorth@musicbugs.co.uk Starting price - £100 Number of guests - up to 20 children Best suited to: pre-schoolers

The Language Hub

Type of business: full party service/venue (excl cake) 01412 582 700 www.thelanguagehub.co.uk info@thelanguagehub.co.uk Starting price - £80 for venue and entertainment, food £3.50pp, party bags £2.50pp Number of guests – max 12 Best suited to: calm youngsters in a homely atmosphere

Activity Delivered

Type of business: entertainment 0131 510 7165 www.activitydelivered.com info@activitydelivered.com Starting price: from £200 Number of guest: varied per activity Best suited to: bringing a unique experience to your location

Scotkart

Type of business: activity/venue 0141 641 0222 www. scotkart.co.uk race@scotkart.co.uk Starting price: from £180 Number of guest: up to 12 Best suited to: thrill seekers aged 8+ Quote Families Glasgow when enquiring

Families Glasgow 9

Courtesy of Kelburn Garden Party

Festivals are fun Easy steps to make your kids’ first festival a breeze

By Sally J. Hall Introducing your children to music is a great way to give them a love of everything from folk to classical. Many of the UK’s festivals have plenty to do for the whole family so you’ll all have a great time.

Where to stay

If you have a tent, this can be the cheapest option. Check the tent before you go. A good ground sheet is a must, as are camp beds or self-inflating air beds and a playpen for babies. Pre-erected tents, Yurts and teepees may be provided. Take a look at what’s suitable.

If you can’t face roughing it, book a local hotel or bed & breakfast.

Site Map

Check where your favourite bands will be, as well as the loos and showers. For small kids, take a travel potty, as kids often need to ‘go’ quite suddenly. Try Tron disposable potty from Hippy Chic (www.hippychic.com) – they fold for easy storage, withstand up to 30kg and are completely biodegradable. Most festivals have a craft and activities area for kids too. Pushchairs can be tricky to Tron collapsible disposable use if the ground is muddy. Carriers are potty, £8.99 for 3, www.hippychic.com. more portable and take up less space.

Camp in the family or quiet areas so as not to be kept awake through the small hours.

Setting up

Car parks can be a way from camps, so pack gear in a couple of backpacks. Some festivals rent a wagon to transport your stuff, which you can then use to pull the kids around in.

Solas Festival - 22 - 24 June

The Bield at Blackruthven, Perth Scotland’s midsummer festival has been running takes place on a working farm. The all-age, weekend-long celebration of music and the arts is designed to entertain, inspire and challenge. The festival offers a broad, inclusive, creative and entertaining programme for festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. There is no specific family camping area, but an accessible campsite for people with mobility and access issues is available.

Kelburn Garden Party - 29 June - 2 July

Kelburn Castle & Country Centre Fairlie, Largs www.kelburngardenparty.com This fairytale land celebrates music, art & adventure for all tastes.

Art pieces transform the Neverending Glen into a wonderland.

The Secret Forest, a Labyrinth-like children’s maze, becomes an immersive adventure specially for the festival where a one-off cast of colourful characters lead you through a living theatre installation. Six stages and various pop-up nooks host the musical programme – this year featuring Goldie, A Guy Called Gerald and Auntie Flo among many others. Families can enjoy a range of special activities. Under 5s go free, and there is a flat rate £25 ticket for ages 5 to 13. There is a new quiet and family camping field and some upmarket toilet and shower facilities for those who like a bit more comfort.

Doune the Rabbit Hole - 13 ­- 15 JUL

What to eat

Food stalls can be pricey. If you want to do your own cooking, invest in a camp stove. Easy, one pot meals are best, or freeze some homemade meals and take them in a cool box. Take lots of snacks too.

Safety

Kids should have your name on them (not theirs) in case they get separated. Write it and your phone number on their arm, or use these clever little straps from Little Life (www.littlelife.com). Each Safety iD Little Life Safety iD strap, Strap comes with two ID cards which £3.99, www.littlelife.com can be filled out with the parent or guardian’s contact number. Make sure your phone is charged, so if your kids do get separated, you are able to be contacted. Dress them in bright clothes and take a photo of them each morning so you know what they are wearing each day. Keep valuables with you in a day pack

Fancy dress

Many festivals now have a fancy-dress parade, so take costumes, face paints, glow sticks and bubbles.

Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

To win a 3-pack of Tron disposable potty or a Little Life Safety iD strap, please email editor@familiesglasgow. co.uk with "Tron" or "Little Life" in the subject with your name and address by June 10 10 Families Glasgow

Our top local, child-friendly festivals

near Lake of Mentieth, Cardross Estate, Stirling www. dounetherabbithole.co.uk This independent music & arts festival will play host to a selection of live music, DJs and spoken word. It is well-established and knows it’s customer: laid-back, eclectic and inclusive, Doune the Rabbit Hole is one of the UK’s most family-friendly festivals with a host of activities from arts to crafts and workshops and a family camping area quietly sited away from the hurly burly of late night events. Not one to exclude furry friends, Doune is also one of only two dog friendly festivals in Scotland. Children aged 12 and under go free. They’ve also managed to bag The Leveller’s only Scottish gig this year, as well as Atari Teenage Riot, Big Country, and The Orb.

Mugstock - 27 - 30 JUL

Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie www.mugstock.org MugStock takes place in Mugdock Country Park, practically on our doorstep. It is organised on a not-for-profit basis and kids 12 and under go free. Tickets for Over 60s and accompanied teenagers are half price. It’s a jolly civilised affair, safe for kids and fun for grownups. There’s a nice selection of food and drink available with a choice of novel street food vendors, a proper indoor restaurant, and 2 cafes serving terrific homemade soup, rolls etc. which can be a lifesaver when the heavens open. There is separate family camping in walking distance, with a shuttle bus for tired legs, and lots of family-friendly activities.

Electric Fields - 30 AUG – 1 SEP

Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire With great ambitions, Electric Fields has grown to become a key fixture in the festival calendar. Big name acts, a fairground, and a dedicated kids’ play area make this a large, but attractive proposition for families. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Leftfield, James and Teenage Fanclub are just some of the wellknown music acts you can expect to hear this year. The castle’s adventure playground is open to ticket holders, there’s family camping and lots of extra kids’ activities. Under 6s go free, 6-12yrs cost £20 and tickets for 13-15year olds are £45. familiesonline.co.uk

Outdoor Adventures

By Claire Winter

T

he weather is getting warmer and the summer holidays are looming. Families takes a look at some cool, outdoor adventure activities to get everyone off their screens and enjoying the great outdoors.

Park Run

If you haven’t come across the phenomena that is Park Run, you should check out your local options. Volunteers set up 5km races in parks across the UK and there are now 500 locations. They also do shorter runs for kids aged 4 to 14, which are 2km long. We go running as a family about once a month and then have a massive brunch afterward. It’s a great way to exercise together and best of all it’s free!

More information at www.parkrun.org.uk.

Ziplining

Adrenaline junkies can experience Europe’s fastest zipline in Wales.

The Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales is also the longest zip wire in the world. There are age and height restrictions, so please check on their website for details. For the velocity zip wire, children need to be aged 10+. More information at www.zipworld.co.uk

Aqua Parks

Outdoor water play parks are popping up all over the UK, and they offer a great way to burn off some steam during the warmer months.

You can wear wetsuits and can usually go to a park up until the end of September. Liquid Leisure (www.liquidleisure.com), Europe’s largest Aqua Park based in Datchet, near Windsor, has amazing inflatable play zones, including a floating trampoline and is suitable for children aged 6. Closer to home, the outdoor salt pool in Gourock is always popular during summer months.

Rock Climbing

Take yourself to new heights and learn new skills climbing on real rocks.

Climbing courses are great for building confidence and inner resilience.

There are lots of outdoor climbing courses that you can undertake in the Lake or Peak District. More information at www.pureoutdoor.co.uk

Coasteering

Coasteering is an exhilarating activity that allows you to explore rocks and the sea. It combines rock climbing and scrambling, with jumping and swimming in the water. Britain has an amazing and varied coastline and many locations that offer coasteering. You wear a wetsuit and helmet for the activity, and it is suitable for children aged 8+. There is a plethora of coasteering companies in Britain.

Favourite locations are in Wales (www.celticquestcoasteering.com), Scotland (www.myadventure.org.uk) Dorset and Cornwall (www. xtremecoasteering.co.uk).

Horseriding on the Beach

Even for a beginner, there is nothing quite like riding a horse on a beach. Newquay Riding Stables in Cornwall (www. newquayridingstables.co.uk) offers beautiful scenic beach and coastal rides. You can also ride on the beach with Studland Riding stables in Dorset (www.studlandstables.com).

Navigation Skills

Never get lost again! Learn basic navigation skills and how to use a compass in the Lake District. Lots of outdoor centres also offer beginner, intermediate and advanced navigation courses. More information at www.thelakedistrictwalker.co.uk (When I was at school it was called orienteering. Check out Mugdock’s Orienteering Packs, available at the Visitor Centre, available in both easy and challenging version – Ed.)

Caving

If you are feeling really brave, why not try a family caving trip? Not good if you don’t like enclosed spaces, but the kids will love the challenge of exploring underground. Caving specialist www.gocave. com offers a variety of caving trips for people aged 6 to 60 in a variety of locations around the UK.

Wilderness Survival

Embrace your inner Ray Mears by trying one of the many bush craft or wilderness survival courses on offer. You can take the whole family on a three-day course in Kent and learn how to make a basic shelter, light fire without matches and cook on an open fire. More information at www.natural-pathways.co.uk.

Canoeing

A canoe is perfect for a family adventure afloat. You can canoe on lakes, rivers and the sea and it’s an accessible sport for the whole family. You can share kayaks and double canoes too. Suitable for children aged 8+, this activity is fabulous fun for the whole family.

You can find canoeing activities all over the country at www. britishcanoeing.org.uk. Canoeing and Kayaking are some of the activities you can learn at Pinkston Watersports pinkston.co.uk

Wild Swimming

Swimming in hidden lakes, rivers and secret coves is all part of the wild swimming movement. You can check out places to visit via their website at www.wildswimming.co.uk. Please ensure that you and your family are strong swimmers and stay safe at all times. familiesonline.co.uk

Families Glasgow 11

Summer Holiday Camps and Courses Guide

By Andrew Campbell

T

he long summer holiday break is a great opportunity for children to take part in organised activities, play schemes, workshops or day camps either within their local area on a daily or weekly basis or, increasingly, attend an Americanstyle residential summer Camp.

Here’s our guide to some of the options available, together with some advice on how to choose the right summer activity for your child.

Residential Camps

These are independent holidays for unaccompanied children aged from 7 years and above. Children are supervised round the clock in a secure residential environment such as a boarding school.

Group leaders usually take care of children’s pastoral and welfare needs whilst Instructors provide a programme of activities. Camps can offer specialist courses or a multi-activity programme. Unlike American summer camps, which due to longer school breaks and less holiday leave for working parents often provide a home-fromhome experience, residential camps in the UK usually involve just a 7-day break. However, if your budget can be stretched, there are a large number of residential camps operating throughout Europe and North America which can offer your child additional cultural and linguist experiences.

The Benefits of Summer Camps and Workshops Physical Activity

Much of a child’s time at school is spent sitting behind a desk so spending the day running around, swimming, hiking, or playing sport gives children a great chance to get moving.

Develop Talents and Skills

At some camps, children may be given the opportunity to learn skills and take part in activities they have not encountered before. Learning archery, painting or lacrosse may help children discover talents and interests they didn’t know they had.

Building Confidence

Discovering these new talents and developing new skills will, in turn, help children to grow in confidence and self-esteem.

Offering Role Models

Often the instructors on summer camps provide a rare opportunity for a child to interact with an adult who is not part of the family unit or teacher. Their leader should be trained to care for them, offer them support and advice when needed, and always be there for them throughout their attendance.

12 Families Glasgow

Multi-Activity Day Camps

These are non-residential, full-day camps running in your local area. They are for unaccompanied children from 3 years and above which usually run from Monday to Friday, offering a varied programme of sports or creative activities throughout the day.

Typically, multi-activity day camps involve 4 to 6 activities per day, with each activity session lasting between 1 and 1 ½ hours.

Often the sessions focus on ‘tasters’ or introductions to a range of activities such as performing arts and outdoor adventure.

Holiday Play Schemes

These offer non-residential full or part-day supervised childcare for unaccompanied children from age 3 and above but are usually run by voluntary organisations or local authorities. Activities at play schemes may be specific, such as sports or art and craft, or involve a range of different activities. Many play schemes run off-site trips to attractions such as museums or parks. In the main, they are provided for children living in the catchment area of the venue.

Learning Social Skills

Engaging with children from different schools, different areas and ultimately different backgrounds, is a great way to build social skills and to make new friends.

Developing Independence

Sometimes giving children the freedom to make decisions and plan their own time is a fantastic way for them to learn to be independent.

Leaving Technology Behind

As fantastic as it is that we live in a world filled with TVs, mobile phones, lap tops and other devices, it is always great to encourage children to get outside for a good old-fashioned kick about and run around.

Enjoying the Outdoors

Climbing trees, changing a bike wheel, or building an outdoor camp can help ensure your child does not miss out on the learning benefits to be gained from the great outdoors and enjoy adventures they would not otherwise experience.

Playing!

At summer camps children have the chance to just be children, away from the pressures of school, social media and the commercial world.

familiesonline.co.uk

Day Camps

Here’s a selection of our favourite day camps!

Performing Arts:

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland The RCS offers a wide range of performing and production arts summer schools for children aged 5–17. This is an opportunity for children and young people to explore new skills, develop confidence in the performing arts, work with expert tutors and make new friends whilst learning in Scotland’s national conservatoire. We have courses across dance, drama, music, production and film, with lots of courses suitable for children with no previous experience of the performing arts. Find out more online: www.rcs.ac.uk/summer

Sports/Activity Courses or Workshops

Specialising in a specific sport or activity such as performing arts or art and craft, these courses generally operate for 2 to 3 hours per day, running for just one day or as a progressive course over 4 to 5 days. Sports courses are often led by qualified instructors/coaches or by local authority sports/leisure centres, specialist swim centres or riding schools. National governing body awards can sometimes be achieved. Performing arts workshops tend to be run by performing arts schools who also offer term time classes for children.

How safe will your child be?

Most summer camps and courses are regulated by various independent bodies, or in some instances by government inspectorates such as Ofsted which monitors safety standards.

Levels of inspection vary according to the type of course or camp.

Day camps and play schemes offering full day care programmes for children under the age of 8 are legally required to register with their local authority. Registered providers are subject to inspection by government inspectorates such as Ofsted.

Sports/activity Courses will not generally be registered with the local authority unless they provide tuition for under 8s.

Horse riding centres are legally required to register with their local authority ‘though.

Adventure activities run by any commercial organisation providing specific adventure activities (certain watersports, climbing, trekking and caving activities) are legally required to obtain a licence from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). This body inspects and monitors safety standards. Information on these inspections is available to the public from the AALA. www.hse.gov.uk/aala Residential Camps are not subject to legal registration unless they operate specific adventure activities or provide courses for under 8’s. Providers who are members of the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) are subject to an independent inspection scheme covering site safety, activity standards, staff qualifications and training, health and safety and emergency procedures. For more information, visit www. thebapa.org.uk

STEM skills:

Bricks4Kidz A Bricks 4 Kidz® camp is a fresh and fun way for kids to spend their school holidays! With specially-designed Bricks 4 Kidz® models, LEGO® games galore, and plenty of time for free-play, the kids are always having fun. Camps are specially designed for kids ages 5-12 and are staffed by trained, PVG checked Bricks 4 Kidz® teachers.

We use LEGO® bricks to explore the world of engineering, architecture, robotics and animation movie-making in an open, friendly and team-based environment. For more information and to book please go to www.bricks4kidz.co.uk/scotland-glasgow

Languages:

The Language Hub Summer Holiday Fun The Language Hub will be running a summer holiday camp with lots of different activities for different age groups: Arts & crafts, bounce & rhyme sessions, book workshops, language immersion and learning sessions. For more information see www. thelanguagehub.co.uk or contact us directly at The Language Hub children’s bookshop and language school, 52 Keith Court, Glasgow G11 6QW, 0141 258 2700.

Sports Coaching:

Enjoy-a-Ball Summer Camp is full of action packed fun from start to finish.

We play various ball sports, fun games, parachute games, musical games, team building games and much more.... Between activities there are plenty arts and crafts materials available to use. During our lunch break, we will watch a short, animated movie, this allows the children to enjoy some rest time. If the weather is nice we may go outside to a local park to play games. For more information and to book please go to www.enjoy-a-ball.com/findaclass

Outdoors:

Forest School Forest school on the Carbeth Guthrie Estate is child led, so whatever your child’s interests, they can develop their skills, make new friends and have great fun outdoors. Exploring nature, building dens, using tools, nature craft, woodland games, building the campfire and toasting marshmallows, just some of the great activities your child will enjoy. For more information and to book please go to carbethguthrie.estate/forestschool

Police Checks

All registered day camps and plays schemes are required to get checks on specific staff. In England and Wales this is done via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and in Scotland via Disclosure Scotland. It is worth checking with the provider to see what their policy is in this area.

Staff Qualifications

You may also want to check on staff qualifications. Most sports governing bodies have an official coaching scheme for instructors or leaders at various levels. It is a good idea to ask for further information on staff qualifications if the organisation does not explain its policy in its promotional material or on its website.

familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMEEGRO CB A MPS L ri with

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www.bricks4kidz.co.uk/glasgow LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse these programs.

Creative Learning Corporation common shares are listed on OTCBB under the ticker symbol CLCN. © 2013 Bricks 4 Kidz

Families Glasgow 13

5-7 MAY Superhero Secret Forest Various | £7 child, £9 adult, £30 family Kelburn Country Centre, Fairlie, Ayrshire, KA29 0BE, 01475 568685 www.kelburnestate.com Be a hero and help save the Secret Forest from the Evil Villian’s plan. Start your visit with some activity training led by one of the great Superheroes before using your skills to find what is needed to defeat the Villain and save the world!

5-9 MAY The Selfish Giant 10.30 + 12.30 + 15.30 | 3-7yrs | £5 Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court Brunswick Street, G1 1TF, 0141 552 3988 Family Storytime is an interactive performance for 3 to 7 year olds and the whole family at Scottish Youth Theatre! Laugh, play, jump and shout - that’s what Family Storytime is all about! These popular interactive storytelling adventures never fail to delight early years audiences and the whole family. Join our Family Storytime Company as they entertain your wee ones using music, theatre and a little bit of science - yes science! As we have teamed up with the Edinburgh International Science Festival, we explore the science behind every story, making our Family Storytime fun as well as educational.

Mon 7 MAY Nature Fun Day 10.30-15.00 | £5/4 child, adults free RSPB Loch Lomond, High Wards Farm, Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8SB, 01389 830 670 ww2.rspb.org.uk Bring the whole family along for nature adventures and wildlife crafts.

Go on a mini-beast safari, try out frog hunting and even make a bug B&B to take home.

Sat 12 MAY Big Box of Magic Tricks 14.00 | £5.95 Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8-10 Balcarres Avenue Kelvindale, Glasgow G12 0QF, 0141 339 6185 www.maskandpuppet.co.uk Mick Magic presents another funfilled show full of magic, surprises and lots of participation for all the family with Nog the Dragon and introducing the amazing Panda, Noodles!

Everybody will Ahhhhh...when they meet Trix a real fury bunny rabbit.

Sat 12 MAY Carmunnock Gala Day 13.30 | £2.50 adults, children free | King George v Playing Fields, Glasgow South Side http://gala.carmunnock.com/ Carmunnock’s annual village Gala day is a real fun family event. The crowning will take place on the low green at 1:30 and then you are welcome to join the parade to the park, where a family afternoon of music and food and fun awaits. Brand new for this year “The Community Stage”. Please come along and share in the fun!

14 Families Glasgow

Sat 12 MAY Teddy Bear’s Picnic 10.30-12.30 | FREE | under 5s Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow South Side G43 1AT, 01412760927 If you go down to the woods today... bring along a packed lunch and your favourite teddy. A morning of fun, stories and adventure ending with a picnic for you and all of your furry friends.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Old stable courtyard. Booking essential.

12-13 MAY Langside 450 11.30 – 18.00 | FREE Queens Park Arena, Queens Park Langside Road, Glasgow South Side G42 Facebook: @qparena A programme of events is being held in and around Queen’s Park to mark the 450 year anniversary of the Battle of Langside! Langside Community Heritage, Inhouse CIC, and many other amazing community organisations have curated a programme of events. Langside 450 is not a commemoration or celebration of battle but is about the coming together of the local community and the area’s rich past.

Sun 13 MAY Hogganfield Birthday Party 13th May 2018 11.00-15.00 | FREE Hogganfield Park Cumbernauld Road, G33, 01412760931 Join Glasgow Countryside Rangers and the RSPB as they celebrate the 20th birthday of Hogganfield Park LNR. All day fun & frolics including wild activities, stalls, craft birthday cake and lots more.

Sat 19 MAY LANGSIDE KIDS: Circus Skills & Storytelling 9.45-12.30| £5.98 | 5-11yrs Langside Parish Church, 167 Ledard Road, G42 9QU www.southsidefringe.org.uk Come along and hear stories told by the brilliant storytellers from The Village Storytelling Centre and learn Circus Skills from skilled folks from The Big Top! There will be two groups who will each participate in a storytelling session and a circus skills workshop. There will be a short break between sessions for some juice and biscuits. For more information, contact langsidekids@gmail.com

19-20 MAY Wee Write! Family Day Various times and prices The Mitchell Library, North Street, G3 7DN, 0141 353 8000 www.ayewrite.com/weewrite Wee Write! the dedicated book festival for children and families returns to the Mitchell Library ! Looking for a fun day out for the little bookworms in your life? Celebrate their imagination at the Wee Write! Family Days! It’s an absolute must for the kids. Join us for a weekend of imaginative, literary fun! There will be a fantastic mix of children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers, plus theatre shows, puppets and lots more!

Sun 20 MAY Mad Hatter Tea Party with Alice in Wonderland 13.00-15.00 | £15 | Darcys, Princes Square Buchanan Street, G1 3JN, 0845 166 6012 One 4 The Kids & Darcy’s are delighted to bring you their Mad Hatter Tea Party featuring Alice in Wonderland... an event for all the family! Includes an hour of games, storytime and magic trick! Get your picture at our Mad hatter backdrop with Alice. Tickets cover all costs, afternoon tea and entertainment for the kids. Adults will be allocated tables outside the party room - where they will receive a 20% discount on the main menu.

25-27 MAY Merry-go-round At The Briggait 10.00-16.00 | FREE The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, G1 5HZ, 01414232299 Merry-go-round returns to the Briggait with a massive 3-day mega sale! They’re taking over the Briggait and filling it will all things baby at super bargain prices. They’ll be bringing their entire stockroom and that means they’re bringing you EVERYTHING from clothes, toys, books, shoes, blankets, nursery stuff, feeding equipment including electrical items, maternity clothing, bouncers, playmats, moses baskets, cots, prams and anything else that parents, parents to be, grandparents, grandparents to be, babies, basically anyone who knows a child might need!

Sat 26 MAY Dinghy Sailing Open Day 12.00-16.00 | FREE | 8+ Bardowie Loch, Off Craigmaddie Road, Milngavie, G62 6EX, 01412212774 www.clyde.org/dinghy-section Join Clyde Cruising Club Dinghy Section for their open day at Bardowie Loch near Milngavie. Anyone can get on the water! Have a spin on a powerboat, or perhaps be shown the ropes on one of our sail boats if the weather is good. Find out about our facilities and what you can do, with coffee and cake while you chat to our experienced sailors. We are currently running evening classes for adults and juniors (aged 8 and above), and there are places available for our popular summer school, which is a great way to spend time during the holidays while learning a sport that the whole family can enjoy together.

Sat 26 MAY Family Fun Day Rave 12.00-16.00 | £10/£8 family £30 The Classic Grand, 18 Jamaica Street, Glasgow City Centre G1 4QD, 07908313654 www.classicgrand.com Bring the kids, bring the Grandparents, and all your friends, because 1994 are proud to present Glasgow BIGGEST Oldskool Family Fun Day Rave for ALL the family!

Bouncy Castle, Balloon Drop, face paints, fairy cakes, baby soft play, glow sticks, bubble machine, licensed bar and so much more.

Mon 28 MAY Kids Cupcake & Biscuit Decorating Class 14.00-17.00 | £15 | Browns Brasserie & Bar Glasgow, 1 George Square, G2 1DY Join One 4 The Kids at Browns Brasserie & Bar for their Under the Sea themed Cupcake and Biscuit Decorating event with afternoon tea.

The Kooky Kitchen joins us to teach the kids how to decorate 2 biscuits and 2 cupcakes each using various techniques, specifically tailored to kids. Each will get to take their creations away with them too.

Highland Games Highland Games are a fab day out for the whole family, so we have collected the dates of those accessible from Glasgow over the next couple of months. Keep checking the below website for more details. www.scotlandwelcomesyou. com/scottish-highland-games/

MAY 2018 Gourock Highland Games, Battery Park 12-6pm, It is free entry and open to all.

13th May, 2018 Blackford Highland Games, Moray St, Blackford, Auchterarder Adult £7, Child £2, under 5s free 26th May, 2018 Carmunnock Highland Games, King George V Playing Field Gates open at 11.30am and the games begin at 12.30pm, £7 per adult £4 for children under 16 & OAP’s, No charge for children under 5 27th May, 2018 Atholl Gathering and Highland Games , Blair Castle Admission: Adults – £7; Children (5-16) – £3, under 5s – Free; Seniors – £5; Parking – Free Gates open at 9.30am, competitions start from 10am 27th May, 2018

JUNE 2018 Shotts Highland Games, Hannah Park Official opening 1pm 2nd June, 2018 Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games Helensburgh Rugby Club 2nd June, 2018 Bearsden & Milngavie Highland Games West of Scotland Rugby Club, Milngavie 9th June 2018 Ardrossan Highland Games, Ardrossan Rugby Club 10th June, 2018

familiesonline.co.uk

Fri 1 JUN The Govan Fair 12.00-22.00 | FREE Glasgow South Side Facebook @govanfair The annual Govan Fair returns for 2018 on Friday 1st June and this year’s event will celebrate its 262nd anniversary! This year it celebrates its 262nd anniversary. Starting with the procession at Arcklet Road and the coronation of the new queen on Friday, 1st June, 2018! For more information please visit our facebook page or contact us govanfair@gmail. com

Mon 4 JUN Eaten various | £8.50/£5/£4 | 6+ yrs Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow, G34 9JW, 0141 276 9696 www.platform-online.co.uk What if your food started talking back? Meet Lionel the lion. He’s just eaten a human called Mamoru. But Lionel has not chewed his food well.

So, Mamoru’s alive and well in his stomach. Stuck in one body, the two become best friends. Eaten invites children to the fascinating world of food chains, asking ‘What should we eat?’, and ‘Who should eat us?’

7-9 JUN Cirque Berserk!

17.00 +19.30 (Sat 14.00) | from £15 | 5+ Kings Theatre Glasgow, 297 Bath Street, G2 4JN http://www.atgtickets.com Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk! celebrates the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre.

Sat 9 JUN The Glasgow Murder Mystery Day 10.00-17.00 | £30 per team Glasgow City Centre www.cluedupp.com CluedUpp are holding a Murder Mystery Day in Glasgow City Centre... it’s just like real-life Cluedo! But will your team be good enough to catch the killer? CluedUpp is the most popular and unique murder-mystery event on the planet. Ever wanted to put yourself in the centre of your very own murder mystery experience?

Well now’s your chance!

9-10 JUN The Rock of Ages 12.00-16.00 | £10 adult, £6 Child Dumbarton Castle , Dumbarton G82 1JJ, 0131 668 8885 www.historicenvironment.scot Dumbarton Castle falls victim to the History Bug. And it’s all thanks to The Rock of Ages where we will be celebrating 2,000 years of west coast history. Join us at the foot of the rock and watch our fearless warriors in thrilling battles and learn more about cooking, traditions, armour and weaponry through the ages.

To mark the centenary of WWI visit our trenches and find out what life was like for brave soldiers on the frontline. Book online in advance to receive a 10% discount. familiesonline.co.uk

Sun 10 JUN Downs With Love 15.00 | £8.50/£5/£4 | 8+ yrs Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow, G34 9JW, 0141 276 9696 www.platform-online.co.uk “Downs With Love” tells the story of Beth, a young girl with Down’s Syndrome. She lives a very independent life with the help of a new support worker, Tracy. On Friday nights, Beth goes to the pub to watch Mark, a local singer. Beth loves Mark but the problem is - Mark loves Tracy.

Complex and challenging issues arise for all. Moving, funny and thoughtprovoking.

Sat 16 JUN The Big Glasgow Comic & Craft Fair 11.00-17.00 | £1 (under 10 free) Trades Hall of Glasgow, 85 Glassford Street, G1 1UH www.bigglasgowcomic.com The Big Glasgow Comic & Craft Fair returns with over 40 traders selling Comics, Graphic Novels, Crafts, Art, Old and New Figures, Funko Pop, Cupcakes and much more. The Cosplay Competition for under 16’s and over 16’s take place at 4pm on the stage in the Main hall.

Sat 16 JUN Wee Explorers 10.00-12.00 | FREE | under 5s Victoria Park, Victoria Park Drive North, G14, 01412760931 Join the Glasgow Countryside Rangers in Victoria Park for Wee Explorers - explore, create, play and have fun in the natural world! Suitable for children under five, plus carer.

Booking essential, call 0141 2760931 for more information.

Sun 17 JUN Funbox: Pirate Party 12.00 | from £10 Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre, Kelvin Way, G12 www.funbox.co.uk Get ready to raise the flag and set sail for some nautical nonsense with Gary, Anya and Kevin as they bring their Pirate Party to Kelvingrove Bandstand! There are songs and silliness galore in this exciting production and of course keys to find to open the Funbox, which has everything you need inside it to sing a song or have an adventure! Fluffy and Flossie the Funsters will be there to help us and who knows, we might even need your help on stage too!

Sat 23 JUN Malls Mire Local Nature Reserve Celebration 11.00-15.00 | FREE Malls Mire Community Woodland, Glasgow South Side 01412760924 Facebook @urbanrootsGLA The Glasgow Countryside Rangers and Urban Roots are holding a celebration in Malls Mire Local Nature Reserve and you’re all invited! All day fun & frolics including wild activities, stalls, crafts and lots more. Meeting Place: Behind Toryglen Community Base, Prospecthill Circus.

Families Glasgow 15

Now g Takinngs Booki Visit us in Soar at Braehead and make your own chocolate.

What delicious fun!

Love. Chocolate.

www.thecocoabeancompany.com

SUMMER SCHOOLS for ages 5–17

Join us this summer to take part in a course at Scotland’s national conservatoire.

Choose from over 30 summer schools for children and young people aged 5–17 across dance, drama, music, production and film.

Explore the performing arts this summer and book your place online today.

rcs.ac.uk/summer summerschools@rcs.ac.uk

16 Families Glasgow

familiesonline.co.uk