Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Wildlife Activities for Children in Edinburgh
You don’t have to travel far to find wildlife, it really is everywhere. As well as local nature reserves 
close to home, you can explore the park, your school, the breath-taking East Lothian coastline or at home. Whether you’ve got a garden or window box, you’ll be surprised what you might find and you will be sure to discover something new. So, find your friends, persuade your parents, grab your grandparents…and get out there and discover how to give nature a home near where you live this spring.
Here are just a few event and activity ideas to get face-to-face with nature from den building to making Easter surprises for furry friends…… Go on, get the kids involved and inspired by nature!
RSPB Scotland
RSPB Scotland’s nature reserves are the perfect places to explore, discover and enjoy nature with all the family. Not only do you get the chance to get up close to some amazing wildlife, you can also join in daily activities or special events throughout the year. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in to pond dipping, go on the hunt for elusive mini-beasts, build a den in the woods or let off steam at our natural play areas. For more information on events and great places to visit across Scotland visit www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB Scotland Loch Leven Centre, Kinross
Family Fun Weekend
Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May
10am - 4pm
Price: Standard entry charges apply (FREE for members), plus £5 per child for all activities.
Drop into the reserve this weekend for an action packed nature discovery adventure. Take the wildlife challenge, join in with hands on activities, experiment with the art of den building, discover what lies beneath the pond's surface and enter the grand designs bird feeder competition. For more information call 01577 862355 email loch.leven@rspb.org.uk
RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond
Family Nature Day
Saturday 30 April
11.30am - 2.30pm
Price: Children £5 (RSPB members – 20%) £10 for nest box making (£8 for members).
RSPB Wildlife Explorer Groups
The RSPB runs Wildlife Explorer groups for young people. The groups offer children the opportunity to meet with others who share their interest in wildlife and birds. Join the HOBBITs (Hermitage Of Braid Birders In Training) in South Edinburgh within the woodland of the Hermitage of Braid – the HOBBITs can turn their hand to any nature task! The NEWTS (North Edinburgh Wildlife Team) continue to meet at the Royal Botanical Gardens – it’s not all about plants and gardens here, but wildlife too. For group meet session dates visit: www.rspb.org.uk/groups
Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) Lothians
Edinburgh’s Wildlife Watch Group, the wildlife club for SWT’s junior members is expanding! At the moment, the group meets on the first Saturday of each month for fun in the outdoors - exploring in the woods, looking for mini-beasts, having fun with crafts - and there’s even been a visit from a bat expert.
With so much fun going on another group in Edinburgh is being formed in Cramond, on the third weekend of the month, doubling up the wildlife adventures every month!
To get involved contact Donna Mathieson at dmathieson@swt.org.uk or phone 0131 312 7765.
Both RSPB and SWT Explorers groups run on alternate weekends, so now there is a Wildlife club every weekend in the Capital!
Easter Enrichment at Edinburgh Zoo
Saturday March 26
10.30am – 4pm
Go along to the Zoo to see animals receiving Easter themed enrichment (not of the chocolate variety!) to stimulate their natural behaviours. Join in the enrichment-making session in the morning to get creative and make some themed items for the animals. Then watch in the afternoon as the keepers give the animals the items you have made.
Enrichment promotes appropriate natural behaviours, such as foraging for food and nesting. Edinburgh Zoo has an enrichment team dedicated to making sure the animals get plenty of stimulation and chances to express their natural behaviours. This fun day will demonstrate some of the enrichment the keepers use with the animals. For further event details visit www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
The National Trust for Scotland
Aside from the Easter events featuring in our Easter Roundabout guide at National Trust sites, there’s plenty of Lothian Rangers events lined up from spring this year. Children can love the outdoors with Nature Detectives club and activity days. Even the under 5’s can get close to nature and experience the outdoors with Nature Nipper sessions. For session dates visit: www.nts.org.uk/Events