Laura's Childcare

Discounted Admission Prices at FSZ! 🎉

Starting today (1st November), enjoy significantly reduced prices on our day admission tickets! 🦁🐒🦎

🎟️ New Ticket Prices:

• Adults: £12.00
• Concessions: £10.00
• Children: £6.00
• Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children): £33.00

📅 This special offer is available from 1st - 14th November – don’t miss out!

Note: This offer applies to day admission tickets only and does not include the zoo illuminations.

Tickets are available at the entry desk upon arrival. Day admission tickets cannot be bought in advance.

📸 Peter Baird

Hi everyone 👋 hope you're all well!

I haven't popped my availability down in a while as i've been so busy - I do still have some dates between now and Christmas for babysitting.

Friday 8th November evening ✅
Saturday 9th November evening ❌
Friday 29th November evening ✅
Saturday 30th November evening ✅
Friday 13th December evening ❌
Friday 27th December evening ✅
Saturday 28th December evening ❌

I do also have new year availability in the evenings - (29th, 30th & 31st).

Let me know if you'd like booked in or if you have any questions 😁

Very local play bus!

This!

It's here! Some of you have been asking about it already, so by popular request it's back for another year - my big, bumper issue of things to do in Edinburgh over the October half-term holidays that won't break the bank. We’ve got museums, libraries, outdoor events and activities, play parks, cheap day trip suggestions and more! The majority of events are free, or are low cost (e.g. the annual Botanics trail). It has been a real labour of love pulling all this together, and I hope you all find something to enjoy.

https://www.thebearandthefox.com/october-holiday-events-in-edinburgh-that-wont-break-the-bank/

Featuring:
National Museums Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland
Museum on the Mound
Lauriston Castle
St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
National Library of Scotland
Oxgangs Library
McDonald Road Library
Corstorphine Library
Dynamic Earth
The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association
North Merchiston Club
Craigmillar Castle Park
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
And more!

Some events are drop-in, some require booking even though they’re free. Usual disclaimer, all info correct at the time of writing, but please do double check details before travelling!

Have a great Autumn everyone! And keep checking back here for the latest news and updates xx

Ohhhh this sounds lush!

Making Your Christmas Magical ✨🎄

Step into the magic of WinterFest this Christmas at Dalkeith Country Park. Glide across the NEW outdoor Ice Rink under twinkling lights, or join Santa for a special group session at ‘A Tale with Santa’ in The Christmas Cabin.

Enjoy Elf Storytelling, race through the Festive Doddie Dash, get creative in the Kids’ Christmas Workshops, or gather friends to craft something special in Restoration Yard’s Wreath Making Workshops. And don’t miss a magical start to the day at Breakfast with Santa.

Plan your perfect festive day out and soak up the Christmas spirit at WinterFest! Find out more: https://bit.ly/4d9POO5

What a day yesterday! 🦆🦆

Hello everyone 👋👋

Apologies for how quiet my page has been the last few months, i've been settling into my new job and just been super busy! I am still available for babysitting / ad hoc nannying if anyone is looking 😁 I don't have any September availability left due to holidays and booked sits, but I have some availability left for October! Look forward to seeing everyone again soon hopefully!

Today I took the girl I nanny for to see Bubbalicious at the Fringe. I highly recommend. Only 30 minutes long so perfect for wee ones who can't sit for so long. Lovely hosts who made everyone feel welcome and were so engaging, and all in all just a great wee show to support!

What’s on in Edinburgh this week? Summer holidays are coming to an end and so are many of the holiday programmes, but we’ve heat peak festival season. Here’s a round-up of free family-friendly events happening around Edinburgh this week (Mon 12 August - Sun 18 August).

*****

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & LIBRARIES
🌍 25 Years of Scotland’s Science Discoveries - free activities at Dynamic Earth
Daily until Mon 26 August, 10am - 4pm; drop-in
https://dynamicearth.org.uk/event/free-activities-25-years-of-scotlands-science-discoveries/

⭐️ Glider Races at McDonald Rd Library
Tues 13 August, 12pm
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=904901225009323&set=a.463742402458543

🚒 Bookbug at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
Weds 14 August, 9:30am - 10am; registration required
https://museumofscottishfireheritage.org/event/bookbug-at-the-museum-10/

🐾 Summer Family Trail at St Cecilia’s Hall
Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am - 3pm (until 17 August)
https://www.stcecilias.ed.ac.uk/whats-on/

🪙 Coin Striking at Museum on the Mound
Tuesdays to Saturdays, 2:30pm - 4pm; drop-in (until 17 August)
https://museumonthemound.com/

🖼️ ‘A View from my Window’ art workshop at City Art Centre
Sat 17 August, 2pm - 4pm; drop-in
https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/view-my-window

🌿 Nature Prints, Lauriston Castle
Sun 18 August, 12pm - 2pm; drop-in
https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/nature-prints

*****

FESTIVAL TIME:

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL -
Free Drop-in Events in the Children’s Tent
🌿Mon 12 Aug: Paper & Nature Workshop (10:30am - 1:30pm)
✂️ Tues 13 Aug: Make a Zine (12pm-2pm & 2:30pm-4:30pm)
📚 Wed 14 Aug: Gaelic Bookbug (10am & 11am, 30 mins); Pop in and Play! (12 - 4pm)
🎶 Thurs 15 Aug: Pop in and Play! (12-1pm), Rhymetime with Joy Tots (2pm - 2:30pm), Family Beats & Grooves with FATOWL (3pm - 4pm)
🚀 Sat 17 Aug: Space Explorers (10am-11am), Meet Supertato (11:30am - 12pm), Wheely Wonderful (1pm - 4:30pm)
🐻 Sun 18 Aug: Amazing Animals (10am - 11am), Meet Supertato (11:30am - 12pm), Wheely Wonderful (1pm - 4:30pm)
Most of these free events are listed under https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/events?strand_id=42

EDINBURGH DEAF FESTIVAL
⭐️ Family BSL Class
Mon 12 August, 1pm - 2pm; booking required
“a valuable opportunity for deaf children to learn BSL alongside their siblings, parents, and other family member”
https://edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/family-bsl-class2/?occurrence=2024-08-12

⚗️ BSL Science Show
Sun 18 August, 3:30pm - 4:30pm; booking required
https://edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/bsl-science-show/?occurrence=2024-08-18&time=1723995000

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE
🎉 Free Fringe Day at Valley Park Community Centre
Fri 16 August, 11am - 3:30pm; drop-in (all ages)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=919626276874911&set=a.465205105650366

🏅 The Comedy Games with Coach Mon at Valley Park Community Centre
Fri 16 August, 1:45pm - 2:30pm; drop-in (age 3+)
Part of the free Community Fringe Day
(submitted via Instagram)

PLUS: Check out my overview of free family-friendly shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe https://www.thebearandthefox.com/edinburgh-festival-fringe-2024-free-family-events/

*****

FREE CINEMA
🍿 Apple TV + Children's Hour at Everyman Cinema:
Monday 12 August - Friday 16 August, daily at 9:30am. Booking required.
Everyman Cinema at the St James Quarter are hosting a season of free 1 hr family friendly screenings; part of the Apple TV + Children's Hour, with juice boxes and popcorn included!
https://www.everymancinema.com/events/22792-apple-tv-childrens-hour/

🍿 Lonkero Free Outdoor Cinema at Edinburgh Street Food
Monday 12 August - Thursday 15 August, daily at 12pm & 3pm
Friday 15 August & Saturday 17 August at 12pm
Films include Mulan, Matilda, Barbie, Kung Fu Panda, Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the Shrek franchise
https://edinburgh-street-food.com/whats-on/

*****

OTHER FREE EVENTS
⚽️ Smaland Sport Day at IKEA Edinburgh
Mon 12 to Weds 14 August, 10am - 5:45pm (for children visiting the Creche)
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/smaland-sports-day--ba8afef1-74ac-45d9-bfe9-166439992576/

⭐️ Make Mess Matter at IKEA Edinburgh
Tues 13 August, 11am - 12pm; drop-in
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/make-mess-matter--aeed4e3b-3126-49d1-9694-4e0f0bc3a54e/

💻 Digital Skills 4 Girls: Electronic Sculpture Workshop at CodeBase (age 10+)
Tues 13 August, 5:30pm - 7pm; registration required
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-skills-4-girls-edinburgh-electronic-sound-sculpture-workshop-tickets-955909068757

💻 Prewired Programming Club for under 19s at CodeBase
Weds 14 August, 5:30pm - 7:30pm; booking required
https://www.prewired.org/

🎲 Family Games Night at IKEA Edinburgh
Weds 14 August, 6pm - 7:30pm; registration required
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/stores/events/ikea-edinburgh/family-games-night--c4af5c3d-fadb-462c-a892-3d90dbf67d55/

🎪 The Wee Play Hub at Ocean Terminal
Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am - 3pm; drop-in
(incl. Weds arts classes; Fri craft class & story time; Sat art class & Lego club; Sun circus community jam)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=488859880572392&set=pcb.488860797238967

🖍 Kids Zentangles Drawing Event at John Lewis
Fri 16 August at 11am & 12pm; booking required (for members of My John Lewis)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-zentangles-drawing-event-tickets-936397208257

✂️ Kids Bookmark Making Crafting Event at John Lewis
Fri 16 August at 1pm & 2pm; booking required (for members of My John Lewis)
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-corner-bookmark-making-crafting-event-tickets-935629893197

🎉 Trade Union in the Community Family Fun Day at Peffermill Road
Sat 17 August, 11am - 4pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/772932308370635

*****

(NOTE: Information correct at time of writing; please double check before travelling)



Dynamic Earth | McDonald Road Library | Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage | St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum | Museum on the Mound | City Art Centre | Lauriston Castle | Edinburgh International Book Festival | Edinburgh Festival Fringe | The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association | Valley Park Community Centre

Had a lovely day out at The Scottish Deer Centre with my friend. It is currently pay what you like / can to get in - so maybe something to consider during the school holidays 😎

Some events!

This sounds awesome!

Play Bus will be in East Lothian next week!

For info! 😃

For all the machinery loving kiddos out there 🚜

We’re so excited to announce our first ever Big Machinery Weekend!

A fantastic event where you can explore a wide range of farm machinery, learn about their jobs on the farm, ask any questions and even get a picture in the driving seat! 🚜

Learn more about how various machinery is used in the growing and preparation of the delicious fresh fruit and veg that you can buy right here in our shop and café. We’ll also showcase how machinery in farming has changed, from Clydesdale ploughing to self-driving tractors – what will be next!

And if all of that isn’t enough to tempt you, we also have FREE barrel train rides, food stalls and themed ice cream from The Little Parlour 🍦

The perfect Bank Holiday activity for future farmers, tractor enthusiasts and anyone looking for an exciting day of learning, fun, food and farming!

Tickets include entry to all outdoor areas of the farm, our farm shop and café.
Please note - a separate ticket is required for entry into Little Farmers Playbarn.

Mark it in the calendar for your May bank holiday weekend - 25th and 26th May.
You can book our first release of tickets online using the link - https://buff.ly/3xF8KoD

Get booking asap so you don't miss out 🐑

Lamb Feeding has arrived at Craigies ❤️

From the 16th - 30th April you can book a slot to come and feed the baby lambs!

Please note there is a maximum of 4 people per booking and each booking gets one bottle of milk as we can’t overfeed them.

If you require more than one bottle you will need to make a separate booking.

Your lamb feeding ticket does not include entrance to Little Farmers playbarn but this can be booked separately to tie in with your visit if required!

We expect slots to fill up quickly so get booking! https://buff.ly/4apa0Le

Half price soft play til end of April 🌟 🌟

If anyone's kiddos like Peppa 😀

Peppa and George are coming to the zoo!

Join us on Saturday 25 May for meet and greets and story time sessions with characters from the much loved children's TV show 'Peppa Pig' 🐷

Find out more 👉 bit.ly/PeppaAndGeorgeEZ

Hello everyone - hope everyone is well & welcome to my new followers 🥳

My April availability is:

Friday 19th April from 6pm ✅
Saturday 20th April ✅
Friday 26th April from 6pm ✅

I do also have midweek availability - just ask 😊

Love this ❤