Having trawled the Edinburgh Book Festival program and the Fringe festival program I hereby highlight the events recommended for toddlers ie. people under 2 years old. It goes without saying, as an adult if you only attend these events you might feel like a toddler yourself but here goes:
Book Festival
I am looking forward to the annual occupation of Charlotte Square. Located at the west end of the magnificent George St it's one of those excellent grassed town squares that you wish were public. The office people looking on to it certainly don't seem to use it for the other 11 months of the year. It is gloriously open to the public in August and these toddler and babes in arms events are free events! but they require booking.
Bookbugs
Little ones and their grown-ups can sing along with traditional nursery songs and action rhymes. This incredibly popular event is hosted by Edinburgh City Libraries and is part of Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years Programme. Maximum 4 tickets per booking.
Scots Rhymes
Craigmillar Books for Babies returns with their ever-popular singalong event chock full of Scots rhymes. A lovely playful half-hour which helps to develop language, rhythm and coordination skills through motion and gesture. Maximum 4 tickets per booking.
Fringe Festival
The choice here is overwhelming, even when you isolate the events suitable for under-twos. Weirdly it is not possible to do this on the fringe website as far as I can imagine but in some spare minutes after toddler bedtime I lay on the recliner and manually trawled the program. In doing this I questioned the age rating of some of the shows, witness Oz, seemingly about the trauma of death in the family. Why this is rated as being suitable for 0 to 1 year olds I have no idea, perhaps it's a typo in the program or perhaps it's for babies so young that it remains for the adults to seek interest in the storyline. On the other hand a trawl through the online program led me to shows which the printed program missed for 0 to 2 year olds including Baby Disco, surely worth a visit with a little one who has newly found their feet and Buzzing, which discovers the poetry in insects at the Botanic Garden. Here are the rest of those isolated events for your delectation. I have copied in the blurb from the program and you can click on the links to find out cost and times and to buy a ticket! Only a couple are free but I have indicated when they are:
The Amazing Bubble Show
C too St Columbas by the Castle, Johnston Terrace
Breathtaking bubbles, people-inside-bubbles, square bubbles, amazing bubble colours, sculptural bubbles, special effect bubbles. A show for kids of all ages to thrill, laugh, love and learn about the world of Bubble-Ology. Book early.
Doctor Austin and Sparks in Space
C Central Carlton Hotel North Bridge
Puckish pop scientist Doctor Austin is back with cheeky puppy Professor Sparks in an all-new puppet science show for the whole family that's out of this world - literally!
Flamenco for kids
C Plaza George Sq Theatre
Flamenco for all the family - learn the rhythms, stamp your feet, clap along, get up on stage...and dance! Costumes for kids and instruments to try out.
Hairy Maclary
Assembly @ George St
Out of the gate and onto the stage went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. Come and see the UK show, based on Lynley Dodd's much-loved children's books, featuring many of your favourite characters.
Little baby Snoogle-Fleejer
Church Hill Theatre
An imaginative tale by President Jimmy Carter. Others might flee at the sight of a terrifying sea monster, but Jeremy is surprised to discover a kindred spirit and learns some valuable lessons along the way.
Monkey Music
Pleasance Courtyard
Back by popular demand award winning Monkey Music has fun filled workshops for six-months to two-years (10:30am) and two-years to five-years (11:30am). There'll be action songs, games and fun with percussion instruments. Join in the fun with Monkey.
Our Little Green Book of Children's verse
St Cuthberts Parish Church, corner Lothian Rd and Princes,
FREE non-ticketed
New original fun-filled show! Come and join performance poet Jenny Wilcock as she travels through her garden and beyond.
Oz by Don Zoldis
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall, Nicolson St
Reeling from her sister's death, a young woman finds herself on a journey of the mind, into a world suspiciously resembling 'the Wizard of Oz'. Enjoy a hilarious and often heartwarming exploration of grief and perseverance.
Pandora's Book
Church Hill Theatre
A precocious little adventurer must save the day when stories escape from a magical book. Join Pandora as she outwits folktales from around the world in this whimsical, humorous tale featuring live music, puppetry and multicultural performance techniques.
Penguin
Pleasance courtyard
'Penguin' is a spectacular puppet show, adapted from award-winning book by Polly Dunbar. Follow the twists and turns of this wonderful tale, in which a silent Penguin turns marvellously eloquent and a little boy finally gets his heart's desire.
Petite Rouge
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall
'Petite Rouge' - book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing. Children's musical - Red Riding Hood is a duckling and the wolf an alligator called Claude! This entertaining fable is colourful with jazzy foot-tapping tunes.
The Red Bus Children's Show
The Meadows
Classic entertainment for children on board our original 1962 red double-decker Routemaster bus in the Meadows. Puppetry, singing and storytelling every day, 11am 'til 5pm. You can't miss us! Rides first and last thing.
Seesaw
Dancebase
Sparkleshark
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall
Sparkleshark' by Philip Ridley is an adventure-laden show wherein teens battle monsters and rescue princesses, becoming fast friends. Highly interactive, come and witness the power of storytelling! First premiered at the Royal National Theatre in 1997.
Tall Storrie and Wee Godley
Pleasance Dome
Scots mother and daughter team Janey Godley and Ashley Storrie have exciting games, storytelling, comedy, funny improv and music. Kids are encouraged to bring along their own favourite instrument and join the house band.
A World of Pure Imagination
Laughing Horse@The Three Sisters, Cowgate
FREE non-ticketed
Interactive show of favourite stories and poetry from authors including Kipling and Lewis Carroll. Each performance varies, uniquely brought to life by entertainers inviting you to share their world of pure imagination.
Ok, so the last one sounds right up my street. But with the likes of a children's musical penned by ex-president Jimmy Carter I feel I must issue a disclaimer and point out that the above selection is made wholly on the basis of age bracket alone and I have not viewed any one of the above shows. Barring Monkey Music which I did go to last year and about which my most generous comment is that I will reserve judgement until revisiting this year.
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