A new month and even more activities needed to keep Sophia entertained! I've been looking around online and managed to create this little list of things happening in and around Aberdeen during May! If you know of an activity, run an activity or even attended one of the events on this list I would love to hear from you! Hopefully this helps some of you grown ups out there, I know how difficult it can be thinking of ways to keep the kids happy and it's also nice for us adults to do some socialising.
NCT Sling Meet
Crown Terrace Methodist Church
3/5/17
Now personally I never tried baby wearing when Sophia was younger, before I had Sophia I never even knew this was a thing. I remember how popular it was amongst parents on baby groups/pages I was part of. The NCT sling meet starts at 10:00 and is on until 12:00, you have the opportunity to meet other parents which is always a plus, you can try slings and I believe you can even hire slings. Every parent I've known to attend a sling meet in and outside of Aberdeen has always had very positive things to say and found the meets very useful.
Now I wasn't 100% sure about including this event as I know it's way past Sophia's bedtime, but saying that it may help some of you out who have older children or you might be huge Star Wars fans and want to do something different! This is a drive in cinema experience ( I love that more of these are happening around Aberdeen!) and according to the National Trust Scotland website the film begins at 19:30 although cars can appeared 45 minutes before the film is due to start.
We are really looking forward to this one and it's bound to be a great family day out. Bruce no doubt will be bringing his motorbike along to Haddo House and we will be trailing behind in the car! We are keeping everything crossed that it's a lovely day! This is a free event but a donation would be help the organisers continue this event next year! You can also enjoy a walk around the grounds, let the kids play in the park and check out the delicious cafe!
I feel like all I have done is give you film options but I am loving these outdoor cinema experiences. Why not relive the 80's and grab the chance to see E.T. in style! Again this is a later event so maybe better for older children, the film starts at 19:00 and finishes at 21:00.
Movies For Juniors
Cineworld
Saturday & Sunday mornings
A trip to the cinema can be super pricey, throw a child into the mix and it's not long before the sweet smell of popcorn has them crying out for a snack. Movies For Juniors is a great time to take your children to the cinema, my reservations with taking Sophia to the cinema is the thought of, "will I spend a fortune and she won't sit still or perhaps she won't be interested in the film.". Thankfully the super discounted prices starting from only £2 mean that if Sophia does decide she's not in the mood to sit still, we can quite easily leave and not have paid a small fortune. I believe the films change weekly so I recommend contacting your local Cineworld to find out what's on & times!
I love the fact more places are holding sessions for children who may find the usual soft play experience too much to handle. Hoodles Play barn hold an event on the last Thursday of every month from 17:30-19:30. I can imagine it's a fantastic opportunity for your child to enjoy the Hoodles experience without it being overbearing. Mum's & Dads also have the opportunity to relax a little. Wouldn't it be amazing if more establishments had events like this? I would also love to know if you are aware of any similar events in and around Aberdeen!
Messy Play
What child doesn't love some messy play!? Held in various locations on all different days and times I didn't want to list just one option. A quick look on google can help you find the best option for you and your little one. You can even try some messy play at home from painting to making your own slime, Pinterest is a gold mine for messy play ideas. Messy Play classes are a great way to get out & about and meet new people and tend to be fairly inexpensive!
Only 15 minutes from Aberdeen City Centre by car, Doonies Farm covers 134 acres from Nigg Bay to Cove. Open 10:00-16:00 with last entry at 15:00. Doonies Farm is closed Monday & Tuesday expect on School Holidays and is a great day out. A family ticket which permits 2 adults and a maximum of three children is only £10, children under 2 go free and you can even bring a picnic along for when you start to feel a bit peckish. You will see a big mix of animals and now is the perfect time to visit, why not go and see if you can spot any of the new arrivals at Doonies Farm?
Introduce your child to the world of tennis! Suitable for ages 3-10, With smaller courts, nets and rackets and lower bouncing balls, LTA Mini Tennis offers the perfect introduction to the sport, with all the fun and energy of the real thing. There are four stages of LTA Mini Tennis; Tots, Red, Orange and Green, each with their own court size and type of ball. This tailored approach enables players to develop vital skills and techniques at an early age. You can take a look at the timetables and how to sign up here!
Newburgh Beach
Why not come along to Newburgh and visit our beach! Nicknamed seal beach it's a quiet beach compared to Aberdeen. Only a 15/20 minute drive and you can take in the views of the colony of seals that like to rest at the mouth of the Ythan River. You could also take a short trip to the Forvie National Nature Reserve and stop for lunch at the Newburgh Inn. You could also venture along to Ellon and try out the new dessert parlour, Ice Dreams!
I am not affiliated with any of the events or companies mentioned above. These are my personal suggestions and I hope that some may come in useful!
