Family activities citywide
Growing Not Waiting - One Parent Families Scotland
One Parent Family Scotland provides a safe, welcoming play space for children under 5 and offers support and advice to mothers living in temporary accommodation. They run a monthly housing rights clinic in partnership with Shelter Scotland as well as financial support, parenting advice and guidance and any other wrap-around support that may be needed regarding issues that result from the experience of living in temporary accommodation. The group runs in two locations
Running on Wednesdays during term time from 10 am to 12 noon at
And running on Tuesdays during term time from 10 am to 12 pm at
For more information contact
07770 350 951
Easy Sundays
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is running monthly sessions on stories, music, community and friendship. A warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. Sessions are free for all ages at
For more information visit the Scottish Storytelling Centre website or contact
reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
0131 556 9579.
Stay and Play
For parents and children 0-3 years. Face-to-face groups will run in Moredun, Craigroyston, Forthview, Sighthill, Niddrie Mill, Pirniehall and Clovenstone. Sessions will be required to be pre-booked and all safety guidelines will be adhered to.
For more information visit the Homelink Family Support Website or contact
info@homelinkfamilysupport.org
0131 661 0890
Play Plus Toy Library and Stay and Play
Membership of the Toy Library costs £4 per year which allows parents to borrow four toys for up to 4 weeks and attend stay-and-play sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.30 am to 12 pm during term time at
225 Gilmerton Road
To register visit the Smart Play Network Website.
For more information email
playplus@smartplaynetwork.org.
Newington Community Toy Library
This toy library runs on Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am during term time for parents and children 0-5 years. There is a £2 (£1.50 for members) charge, per session to cover snacks. Membership for the toy library is £10 per year.
41 South Clerk Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9NZ
For more information visit the Newington Toy Library website or their Toy Library Facebook page or contact
newingtoncommunitytoylibrary@gmail.com
0131 664 8660
Families Outside group work and peer support
Families Outside runs online and in-person groups and activities to support children, young people and adults affected by a family member's imprisonment. Sessions encourage families to come together and learn from one another’s lived experiences.
To find out about groups and activities near you visit the Families Outside website or email groupwork@familiesoutside.org.uk.
Families outside publish Activity Packs with lots of fun activities that children and families can do together at home or during visits, more information is on the Families Outside website.
Families Outside Family induction webinars
The family induction webinar series provides families affected by imprisonment helpful information at different stages of the justice process. The webinars Keeping Connected, Supporting Children and Young People and Coming Home can be accessed from the Families Outside event page on the Help, information, and support for families affected by imprisonment | Families Outside or contact
support@familiesoutside.org.uk
0800 254 0088.
Rainbow Families (LGBT Health and Wellbeing)
Rainbow Families events are for LGBTQ+ families living in and travelling to Edinburgh and Glasgow looking to meet other parents, share experiences and socialise in a family setting. The friendly and relaxed group tries to ensure LGBTQ+ family members feel safe, validated and respected and hopefully experience the joy and connection of finding a community. Events run as part of the LGBT Health and Wellbeing Community Programme. The organisation welcomes the entire diversity of the community including non-binary, pansexual, queer, intersex, asexual people, bi+ and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.
For more information visit the Rainbow Families website and Rainbow Families Facebook page or email
Children and Young People at Edinburgh Libraries
The Children and Young People at Edinburgh Libraries Facebook page has lots of fun family activities running each week.
Library online memberships
If you are not already a member, you can join your local library for free and access magazines and newspapers online, download ebooks, audiobooks and learning resources at the Your Library website.
Peep Learning Together programme
Peep Learning Together supports parents and carers of nought to five-year-olds to make the most of everyday learning opportunities - talking, listening, playing, singing, and sharing books and stories. Peep sessions are delivered in development stages for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers and offer ideas and activities to value and build on what parents already do. Peep sessions are delivered in Early Years centres and school nurseries during term time.
To find out more please ask at your local early years centre or school nursery. For more information visit Peep Learning Together Facebook and Peep Learning Together Instagram pages.