Looking for something to do over the next week with the kids, then why not check out one of these family friendly events?
** Event details as at time of posting, please check through relevant links for more details **
Fungi Foray
Where: Haddo House & Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
Date: Saturday 15th October 2016
Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Price: Free
Description: Join the Grampian Fungus Group on Fungi Foray around Haddo. The Foray will start by looking at the amazing, multi-coloured waxcaps on the house lawns, then move out into the park for the rest of the day.
You can join us for the whole day or just for a couple of hours (if you’re coming for the whole day please remember to bring a packed lunch/snacks/drinks).
If you’d like to join us after lunch then please contact the foray leader to get details of where we’ll be for the afternoon session. For more details please contact the foray leader Toni Watt on 0777 3626981 or email twatt@nts.org.uk
Website: http://visithaddo.com/events/46/605-Fungi-Foray/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/184296111980369/
Hamish Dears Warm Hugs Coffee Morning
Where: Melvin Hall, Tarves AB41 7
Date: Saturday 15th October 2016
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Description: Coffee Morning in aid of Hamish Dears Warm Hugs – Everyone welcome!There will be raffles and stalls including ‘Handmade by Donna Alexis’ offering bespoke handmade paper flowers, Spa at Home, Sarah Shearer ‘Jamberry’ nail wraps, and Jade Gourlay MUA .
Jade will be offering eye make up on the morning for a donation of £5 (excluding lashes) which will go to Hamish Dear’s Warm Hugs (lashes can be purchased for £3 or bring your own). This will be ideal if you have a night out on the 15th! Hope to see you there!
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/341421299530186/
Whitehills Toddlers Coffee Morning
Where: Whitehills Public Hall, Banff AB45 2
Date: Saturday 15th October 2016
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Price: Adults £2.50, Children £1, Under 1’s Free
Description: Come along to enjoy a fine piece and cuppa! ☕️
Website: https://www.facebook.com/whitehillstoddlers2016/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/821092378033983/
Banchory Farmers Market October Market
Where: Banchory Farmers Market, Bellfield Carpark, Dee Street, Banchory
Date: Saturday 15th October 2016
Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Description: Come and join us on October the 15th 9am – 1pm. Here’s a sneak preview of what to expect….
⭐️ The Deesidedly Tasty Company – yummy breakfast rolls and their new maple BBQ brisket rolls ⭐️ Ingram’s Aberdeenshire – home-cured bacon, sausages and more ⭐️ Letty’s Preserves – fruity vinegars and cordials ⭐️ Fern House Foods – local honey and fudge ⭐️ Burnorrachie vegetables – locally grown organic veggies ⭐️ The Store – all the meat you could want! ⭐️ The Devenick Dairy – local cheese and veal ⭐️ Wark Farm – a selection of meat and their famous pork pies ⭐️ Granite City Fish Ltd – a fabulous aray of seafood ⭐️ Marcy’s – beautiful handmade cupcakes ⭐️ Mortlach Game – venison and other game ⭐️ Katy’s Eggs – local hen, duck and quail eggs ⭐️ All About Lemons – everything lemony! ⭐️ Shirley’s Jams – homemade jams and preserves ⭐️ Ashbrook Nursery – plants and bulbs ⭐️ Eliz Chalmers Pet Supplies – all you need for your four-legged friends ⭐️ The Highlanders Bakehouse – local fresh bread ⭐️ Mains of Leask Vegetables – locally grown organic veggies ⭐️ Garay’s Bakery – bread, butteries and croissants ⭐️ Steamin a Heid mobile coffee etc – coffees, teas and hot chocolates ⭐️ Suzie’s Spice Kitchen – chutneys and pickles all with a kick ⭐️ Barra Bronzes Free Range Turkeys – order your free range turkey for Christmas ⭐️ Kincardine Castle – biscuits, home bakes, pies and shortbread ⭐️ The Chocolate Stall – all things chocolate!⭐️
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Banchory-Farmers-Market-357596284308498/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1083134848451251/
Ranger Event: Children’s Hedgehog Crafts in the Castle
Where: Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate, Sauchen, Inverurie, AB51 7LD
Date: Saturday 8th – Sunday 16th October 2016
Time: Castle Fraser open Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday & Tuesday, crafts 11.00am-4.00pm
Price: Normal castle charges apply, donations for crafts welcome.
Description: Self-led children’s hedgehog crafts in the castle during normal castle opening days / hours.
Drop in event, no booking required
DanceLive Festival – Experts in Short Trousers
Where: St Nicholas Centre Roof Garden, Aberdeen
Date: Monday 17th October 2016
Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Price: Free
Description: MiniFest is a festival for children and their friends and families, featuring a range of performances created especially for children, interactive workshops and a drop in arts and craft sessions.
MiniFest is visiting Aberdeen on 17th October with performance of Experts in Short Trousers from Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre.Thanks to generous funding from Youth Arts Collective North East and OpenBoxDesign, this events are FREE.
Monday 17th October St Nicholas Centre Rooftop, AberdeenExperts in Short Trousers by Cultured Mongrel Dance Theatre
You’re six years old and you are on your way to school, a community centre, a theatre… As you get close you notice something isn’t quite right. There are objects strewn everywhere. As you get closer you realise there has been a disaster – an alien crash landing! As you almost trip over a body you squeal. It squeals. You jump.It jumps. And so it begins…
A fun and colourful show with live percussion, dancing and play for children aged 4+ and their families.
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1710533992604525/
DanceLive Festival – Grass
Where: Woodend Barn
Date: Monday 17th October 2016
Time: 12.00pm & 3.00pm
Price: Tickets £5 (Family ticket £15, 2 adults + 2 children)
Description: Featuring worms, slugs, snails, spontaneous outbreaks of ant dancing and plenty of obscure insect-related facts, Grass uses performance, puppetry and projection to inspire children to look closely at the world around them, to get mucky and play! Recommended for ages 2–4.
Website: http://www.dancelivefestival.co.uk/
Facebook Page/Event: www.facebook.com/citymoves
DanceLive Festival – Experts in Short Trousers
Where: Woodend Barn
Date: Tuesday 18th October 2016
Time: 12.00pm & 3.00pm
Price: Tickets £5 (Family ticket £15, 2 adults + 2 children)
Description: Experts in Short Trousers is a fun and colourful show with live percussion, dancing and play for children and their families. You’re six years old and you are on your way to school, a community centre, a theatre… As you get closer you realise there has been a disaster — an alien crash landing! Recommended for age 4+.
Website: http://www.dancelivefestival.co.uk/
Facebook Page/Event: www.facebook.com/citymoves
Make Your Own Morse Code Machine! – October Holiday Craft Workshop
Where: The Gordon Highlanders Museum, St. Luke’s, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7XH
Date: Tuesday 18th October 2016
Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm
Price: There is a charge of £5 per child, payable on the day.
Description: This is a hands-on workshop where attendees will have a go at making a small Morse code machine similar to the one shown in the image!
At the end of the session attendees will be encouraged to attempt to send a secret message to another member of the group.
Booking is essential as spaces are limited. To reserve your space, please email the museum with a booking request and the number of spaces you require by 17th October: museum@gordonhighlanders.com
Additional Information: This event is suitable for children from 7-13 years old.
Children will need to be accompanied by adults. Adults will be required to complete a brief booking/consent form on the day.
Website: http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/Diary-of-Events?item=149#.V__72ZMrL-Y
NCT October Sling Meet
Where: Crown Terrace Methodist Church, Aberdeen AB10 6
Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Description: It’s our October sling meet! Autumn will be in full swing and with Halloween approaching we are inviting you to join us for sling chat, hires, help with your own carrier and demonstrations.
We will also have our popular “try me” table: a table full of our personal stashes for you to try out with the aim of finding your perfect carrier or just to try something new!
Older siblings as always are welcome and we have more space as we have moved downstairs to the sanctuary of the church! And as always, there will be lots of tea, coffee and cake!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nctaberdeenslinglibraryandmeet/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1833024106928616/
Wild Art in the Park
Where: Haddo House & Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Price: £5 per person (under 6s free)
Description: Join us for a Wild Art workshop 2-4pm with Petra. Learn the many ways in which leaves and seeds provide birds and animals with food. Make your own seed or fruit shapes from materials we gather in the Park. £5 per person. Reserve a place on 01651 851041 or email: haddo@visithaddo.com
Website: http://visithaddo.com/events/46/710-Wild-Art-in-the-Park/
Union Terrace Gardens Play Session
Where: Union Terrace Gardens
Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Price: Free
Description: Aberdeen Play Forum is hosting a play session at Union Terrace Gardens! 10am-12pm, free play!No need to book or pay, just come along and play!
Bus Route: Wallace Statue – Bus no. 12, 20, 37, 59, X18, X20 Union Terrace – Bus no. 3, 3G, 5
At Aberdeen Play Forum we run play sessions in parks and green spaces around the city during school holidays. We provide our loose parts kit for children and families to play with. What are Loose Parts? I hear you ask…Loose Parts are materials like tarpaulins, milk and bread crates, planks of wood, pipes, guttering, logs, tree slices, fabrics, blankets, pillows, pots and pans, spoons, brushes, sponges, sticks, and stones – the list goes on….Loose Parts are materials which children can move, adapt, control, change and manipulate in their play.
Loose parts play offers children high levels of creativity and choice. The materials can be whatever the child wants them to be – the possibilities are endless. There are no set instructions with loose parts – children have to use their imagination, take control and lead their own play. With a little imagination they can be transformed into almost anything… Tarpaulins turn into dens, crates and tyres could be a car or a bus, pipes for water play and lots more!The possibilities are endless – so don’t forget your imagination!All of our Loose Parts Kit are risk assessed before children have access to play with them.
Disclaimer: Sessions are run as ‘drop-ins’ and operate as per ‘Street Play’ programmes: they are free of charge and not compulsory; participants who feel the session is unsuitable for them are free to leave at any time; participants are responsible for their own health, safety and general well-being; Staff, Aberdeen Play Forum and Aberlour Childcare Trust are not responsible for participants.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenPlayForum/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1602118166761425/
Seaton Park Play Session
Where: Seaton Park, Aberdeen
Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016
Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Price: No need to book or pay, just come along and play!
Description: Aberdeen Play Forum is hosting a play session at Seaton Park 1:30pm – 3:30pm, Wednesday the 19th of October, free play!
Bus Route: Don Street – Bus no. 20, 25
(See Union Terrace Play Session above for activity details)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenPlayForum/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1417889131558850/
Everyones Favourite Brick
Where: Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate,Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 7
Date: Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd October 2016
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Price: Normal Castle admission or FREE to NTS Members.
Description: Take a trail around the the Castle, find the characters and complete the challenges. Enjoy viewing all our models around the Castle – and why not design yourself a mini figure? Have your photograph taken inside a big brick!
COMPETITION Bring along your brick in whatever format you like to enter our competition; knit it, paint it, build it, bake it – go for it!! Competition winner will be chosen on Sunday 23 October at 3pm in the Great Hall.
Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Castle-Fraser-Garden-Estate
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1222329424475633/
Ranger Guided Children’s Walk: Simply Squirrels
Where: Fyvie Castle, Turriff, Aberdeenshire , AB53 8JS
Date: Thursday 20th October 2016
Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm
Price: Adults £1 Children £5 (Booking essential 01330 844810)
Description: Join the National Trust for Scotland Ranger and Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Officer for a walk round Fyvie estate to learn all about our native red squirrels. There’ll be games and activities to help us learn all about them and with any luck we may actually see some.
All our events begin and end in the property’s car park where there is a car parking charge for non-members. Children’s walks are aimed at 5-11 years olds.
Please let us know if you have any special requirements, some of our trails are unsuitable for pushchairs. Contact: For further information please call 01330 844810
Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Ticket/Buy/5536/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1560903557536564/
Aliens and Monsters
Where: Aberdeen Central Library
Date: Thursday 20th October 2016
Time: 2.15pm – 3.30pm
Price: Free – Contact the Children’s Library on 01224 652507 or e-mail childrenslibrary@aberdeencity.gov.uk to reserve a place (booking required)
Description: Free craft and story session for children
Create your own alien or monster and be inspired by exciting tales at this fun story and craft activity. Ages 4+
Website: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/xev_EventDetail.asp?id=9598
Creature Comforts
Where: Bennachie Visitor Centre, Inverurie
Date: Thursday 20th October 2016
Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm
Description: As autumn and winter approaches it’s important to think about the birds and animals and how they will survive now that it’s getting cold and dark. We’ll talk about hibernation and how we can help the animals in the woodland by giving them somewhere dry and cosy for the winter. We’ll also make bird cake for you to either take home to your own garden or leave in the woodland.
Please wear warm clothing. All welcome, children must be accompanied.
Booking essential. Contact the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470, garioch.ranger@aberdeenshi
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/948518381960425/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/948518381960425/
DanceLive Festival – Liminal Dance: Up High
Where: Citymoves Studio
Date: Friday 21st October 2016
Time: 2.00pm
Price: Tickets £5
Description: Liminal Dance present an interactive playful dance performance with live music for children under 5 and their grown-ups.
We encourage you to play together and explore in a relaxed and comfortable celestial atmosphere. Inspired by the children’s book,Sky High. A collaboration between Gemma Caine Williams, Jo Jeffries and Fiona Kearney.
Join us for play time after the performance.
Website: http://www.dancelivefestival.co.uk/
Halloween Magic at Haddo
Where: Haddo House & Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
Date: Friday 21st & Sunday 23rd October 2016
Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Price: £5 per person (under 6 free), Family ticket £20 (2 adults, up to 4 children)
Description: Join us for a magical family Halloween at Haddo. Explore the park by torchlight, walk through beautiful coloured illuminations, meet the fairy queen, talk to a tree spirit, or bump into something a bit more spooky…
Suitable for families/all ages. Hot food and drink available.
Lights switched on at 7pm and off at 9pm, tickets give you access to the park any time between 7pm and 9pm
Website: http://visithaddo.com/events/46/697-Halloween-Magic-at-Haddo/
Nerf Night – Ages 5 to 7
Where: Kool Kidz Playcentre, Insch Business Park, AB52 6TA
Date: Friday 21st October 2016
Time: 6.30pm -8.30pm
Description: Our Nerf night includes: All Nerf Guns, Nerf Bullets, Safety Glasses, plus Juice and Cookies at Half Time!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/koolkidzplay/
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/192541931180346
Play-Doh Spooky Family Fun
Where: Pitmedden Village Hall, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 7
Date: Friday 21st October 2016
Time: Sessions from 10.30am, see Facebook Event for availability
Price: Tickets £7, £5 siblings. Limited availability and must be pre-booked.
Description: The Creation Station is excited to have teamed up with the brilliant team at Hasbro to bring you a squishy spooky family session.
Suitable for children aged 2-8yrs.
Please email ruthmorris@thecreationstat
Facebook Page/Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/314832085548845