Well, with Guy Fawkes coming up this weekend there's loads to keep the little ones (and bigger ones) amused if you live in lovely East Lothian - like me! And apologies if you don't and feel jealous - but perhaps you should visit if you're near enough?
Anyway, my two thrifty recommendations for the weekend:
Lennoxlove Book Festival - OK, now the main events are not necessarily cheap BUT you can get a Family Book Festival pass that gives 5 people (2 adults and 3 kids) entry to the Festival on either Saturday or Sunday (although I think the Saturday has sold out). For the bargain price of £22, the 5 of you can get entry into 5 events including Julia Donaldson, Sir Charlie Stinky Socks author Kristina Stephenson and Funny Food with Nick Sharratt. Or, if you're not sure what you're up to this weekend and would like a bit more flexibility, there are free Storytime and Bookbug Rhyme Sessions - all in the gorgeous surroundings of Lennoxlove House just outside Haddington.
Pencaitland Fireworks - the best fireworks display this side of the Edinburgh Festival, it's a fantastic achievement by Pencaitland Primary School PTA to put on THE fireworks display in everyone's calendar not just those who go to the school. This year it's on at 6.15pm on Saturday 5th November and tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children on the door.
Showing posts with label free kids activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free kids activities. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011
Techy-tastic!
Last week, my laptop decided that, after 3 plus years of use, it had had enough and simply wasn't going to connect to the Internet anymore. After much cajoling, coaxing, shouting and ignoring, I finally had to admit that it wasn't going to work (not without mouth to mouth from an IT expert to sort out that fatal disc error anyway).
So, considering the fact that I'd been fairly determined to get myself a new computer anyway, I took myself off to Edinburgh and came back a few hours later the proud (although very, very skint) owner of a shiny new iMac. Now, you'll assume that this blog post has absolutely NOTHING to do with being thrifty - and you'd be right.
Macs are beautiful and effective - in fact, as I'm discovering, fantastic compared to my chuntering laptop - but one thing they definitely are not is cheap. I am, however, hoping that they're value for money (especially as I still hyperventilate when I remember how much it cost).
No, the point of this post is to wonder at the incredible natural ability kids seem to have for IT. We've never owned a Mac before. My husband uses them in his work, at his work but not in our house. And, as far as I'm aware, the kid's schools don't have Macs either. So how come, the kids knew how it worked the minute it was out the box and set up (which unbelievably took all of 5 minutes - I took it out of the box, I plugged it into the wall, switched it on and it was up and running, connected to the Internet AND my WiFi printer all without me having to install anything! No, this isn't a sponsored post - I wish).
Anyway, here are Cheeky Boy's efforts - I know it's all Mac tricks, I'm just impressed that he figured them out in minutes (if not seconds!). I hadn't even realised there was a camera on the flippin' computer!!!
Is it just me being slow or are kids really just whizzes on computers (Gawd, I sound like someone's Nan!!). (And yes, my kids are posers!)
So, considering the fact that I'd been fairly determined to get myself a new computer anyway, I took myself off to Edinburgh and came back a few hours later the proud (although very, very skint) owner of a shiny new iMac. Now, you'll assume that this blog post has absolutely NOTHING to do with being thrifty - and you'd be right.
Macs are beautiful and effective - in fact, as I'm discovering, fantastic compared to my chuntering laptop - but one thing they definitely are not is cheap. I am, however, hoping that they're value for money (especially as I still hyperventilate when I remember how much it cost).
No, the point of this post is to wonder at the incredible natural ability kids seem to have for IT. We've never owned a Mac before. My husband uses them in his work, at his work but not in our house. And, as far as I'm aware, the kid's schools don't have Macs either. So how come, the kids knew how it worked the minute it was out the box and set up (which unbelievably took all of 5 minutes - I took it out of the box, I plugged it into the wall, switched it on and it was up and running, connected to the Internet AND my WiFi printer all without me having to install anything! No, this isn't a sponsored post - I wish).
Anyway, here are Cheeky Boy's efforts - I know it's all Mac tricks, I'm just impressed that he figured them out in minutes (if not seconds!). I hadn't even realised there was a camera on the flippin' computer!!!
Is it just me being slow or are kids really just whizzes on computers (Gawd, I sound like someone's Nan!!). (And yes, my kids are posers!)
Monday, 24 October 2011
Thrifty Day Out!
OK, today's thriftiness is not because I managed to engineer a cheap day out using only my imagination and creativity. It was entirely down to the fact that my extremely kind and helpful neighbour won family tickets to Blair Drummond Safari Park and gave them to us to enjoy. And enjoy we did.
Blair Drummond is just outside Stirling and we really did have a fab day out. There are animal shows (the birds of prey swooping over the kids heads being a particular high point) and of course, you can drive through the safari park itself. My kids were squealing with delight/terror when two female lions decided to 'have it out' with each other about 3 feet from our car!
It's about to close for the year on 30th October but if you're still on half term - or looking for something to do at the weekend that doesn't involve dressing up in Hallowe'en outfits - I'd recommend a visit. It isn't normally all that cheap to get in (I think adult tickets are around £12.50) but you can print off free entry for kids from their own website - and you can also use your Tesco Clubcard points.
The park opens again in March 2012 if you're not going to be in the area this week and, if you do manage a trip, the kids (and our) highlights were:
The Birds of Prey Demonstration - complete with swooping vulture, speedy falcon and huge owl.
The Lion Enclosure - all roaring and ripping of meat (not for the faint hearted)
The Fort - which is a large play area next to the restaurant with a large fort for the older ones and a smaller fort for little kids. There's also a large sand play area complete with 'buried treasure' which if you find, you can swap for a prize!
The Sea Lion Display - learn about these amazing creatures while watching them show off their abilities and strength.
The Bumpy Slide - (I loved it too!).
I do have to admit that I safari parks and particularly zoos don't always sit all that well with me but the animals all looked healthy. The keepers knew their stuff and really care about the animals, being more than happy to impart their knowledge about them to inquisitive 8 year old boys (is there another kind, I hear you ask?). So, Blair Drummond Safari Park got the big thumbs up from the Thrifties - made all the better by our 'free entry tickets'.
Blair Drummond is just outside Stirling and we really did have a fab day out. There are animal shows (the birds of prey swooping over the kids heads being a particular high point) and of course, you can drive through the safari park itself. My kids were squealing with delight/terror when two female lions decided to 'have it out' with each other about 3 feet from our car!
It's about to close for the year on 30th October but if you're still on half term - or looking for something to do at the weekend that doesn't involve dressing up in Hallowe'en outfits - I'd recommend a visit. It isn't normally all that cheap to get in (I think adult tickets are around £12.50) but you can print off free entry for kids from their own website - and you can also use your Tesco Clubcard points.
The park opens again in March 2012 if you're not going to be in the area this week and, if you do manage a trip, the kids (and our) highlights were:
The Birds of Prey Demonstration - complete with swooping vulture, speedy falcon and huge owl.
The Lion Enclosure - all roaring and ripping of meat (not for the faint hearted)
The Fort - which is a large play area next to the restaurant with a large fort for the older ones and a smaller fort for little kids. There's also a large sand play area complete with 'buried treasure' which if you find, you can swap for a prize!
The Sea Lion Display - learn about these amazing creatures while watching them show off their abilities and strength.
 |
| Wheeeeeee..... |
 |
| HUGE White Rhino - slightly nervous Toots |
 |
| Time to go home (with the swiftly named Lemie the Lemur and Scratchy the Siberian Tiger) |
I do have to admit that I safari parks and particularly zoos don't always sit all that well with me but the animals all looked healthy. The keepers knew their stuff and really care about the animals, being more than happy to impart their knowledge about them to inquisitive 8 year old boys (is there another kind, I hear you ask?). So, Blair Drummond Safari Park got the big thumbs up from the Thrifties - made all the better by our 'free entry tickets'.
Monday, 10 October 2011
'Best Day Ever!!!'
The title of today's post is, for the eagle eyed among you, a quote from Tangled - quite possibly my daughter's favourite film AND coincidentally (and rather fortunately for this blog post) the film that was played most on the long drive to our holiday this year. I say fortunately because this post is about the best day spent with my family which has to be the fantastic, fabulous, exhausting, entertaining, thrilling, funny and down right brilliant day spent at Legoland Windsor.
After a week on a farm in Devon, we decided to take a detour on the long trip 500 miles north - but didn't tell the kids what we had planned. On the last morning of our holidays, the sun shone, the temperature was already hitting 20 degrees as we left the hotel at 9am and it was all looking perfect. Then we got lost in Eton (which doesn't have a direct driving route through it to Windsor even though it looks as though it does on the map!!!). The kids still had no idea where we were going although we were getting rather hot under the collar especially as my sister 'Auntie Carole' was already at Legoland and phoning with updates on how busy the car park was getting. To keep the kids off the scent, we told them we were going to Windsor Castle. Massive huffs and harrumphs from the back seat - sneaky grins shared between us in the front :-)
As we got nearer, Cheeky spotted a road sign and, voice shaking with excitement, whispered 'Are we going to Legoland?' Shrieks of joy from the back when we confirmed that indeed we were. And what a day! Roller Coasters, Viking Rides, Pirate Training Camps, Fire Engines, Hot Air Balloons and, of course, the ubiquitous Lego itself! Not to mention, the miniature land which they used to show on Blue Peter when I was a kid. We hired a Q-Bot to avoid standing for too long in queues which was our only expense (£15 each, incidentally, so not cheap). However, Thrifty Mummy isn't my name for nothing - our tickets had been purchased via Tesco Clubcard vouchers which saved us a small fortune.
Top recommendations have to be the Water Park (if you get a hot day that is); the Driving School (where they get a 'driving licence' afterwards) and Pirate Falls (bring a change of clothes!). Three months later and we're all still raving about Legoland and planning our next trip back there - I think the photos say it all...
Check out other Best Days at Brit Mums...
After a week on a farm in Devon, we decided to take a detour on the long trip 500 miles north - but didn't tell the kids what we had planned. On the last morning of our holidays, the sun shone, the temperature was already hitting 20 degrees as we left the hotel at 9am and it was all looking perfect. Then we got lost in Eton (which doesn't have a direct driving route through it to Windsor even though it looks as though it does on the map!!!). The kids still had no idea where we were going although we were getting rather hot under the collar especially as my sister 'Auntie Carole' was already at Legoland and phoning with updates on how busy the car park was getting. To keep the kids off the scent, we told them we were going to Windsor Castle. Massive huffs and harrumphs from the back seat - sneaky grins shared between us in the front :-)
As we got nearer, Cheeky spotted a road sign and, voice shaking with excitement, whispered 'Are we going to Legoland?' Shrieks of joy from the back when we confirmed that indeed we were. And what a day! Roller Coasters, Viking Rides, Pirate Training Camps, Fire Engines, Hot Air Balloons and, of course, the ubiquitous Lego itself! Not to mention, the miniature land which they used to show on Blue Peter when I was a kid. We hired a Q-Bot to avoid standing for too long in queues which was our only expense (£15 each, incidentally, so not cheap). However, Thrifty Mummy isn't my name for nothing - our tickets had been purchased via Tesco Clubcard vouchers which saved us a small fortune.
Top recommendations have to be the Water Park (if you get a hot day that is); the Driving School (where they get a 'driving licence' afterwards) and Pirate Falls (bring a change of clothes!). Three months later and we're all still raving about Legoland and planning our next trip back there - I think the photos say it all...
In the Viking Maze (pre-soaking)
Scary Driver
Careful Driver
Mini Scotland
Kids Rollercoaster - still scared me!
Splash! (We are actually in a boat under all that water)
Soaked
Check out other Best Days at Brit Mums...
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Free Family Fun Day!
I am all about thriftiness so what better than a free day out with the kids?
If you live in or near Edinburgh, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho - which both my husband and son absolutely love - is having a free family fun day this Sunday, 2nd October 10am - 4pm.
There sounds like there will be lots to do for big and little kids with face painting, soft play, abseiling and climbing sessions. So if you fancy scaling the heights - or even just a leisurely ceramics session and a coffee, why not head along there for lots of free activities for the kids - with the added attraction that they'll burn off some energy in the process and you might get a quiet evening.
If you live in or near Edinburgh, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho - which both my husband and son absolutely love - is having a free family fun day this Sunday, 2nd October 10am - 4pm.
There sounds like there will be lots to do for big and little kids with face painting, soft play, abseiling and climbing sessions. So if you fancy scaling the heights - or even just a leisurely ceramics session and a coffee, why not head along there for lots of free activities for the kids - with the added attraction that they'll burn off some energy in the process and you might get a quiet evening.
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