Free things to do at Edinburgh Festival on a Monday with a seven year old…..

One of our readers wants to know what they can do on Monday with a seven year old at the Festival and for free…..

So here are our suggestions:-

You might want to start off in Chambers Street and spend some time at the newly refurbished Museum which, as we all know, is fabulous and free. Apart from all the great exhibitions on a clear sunny day you could go to the roof and see a lot of rooftops, hills and the Forth.

The Counting House is the place to be at 12.05 for a show called The Hamwehads.

“Here’s what’ it’s all about…

On a normal day, in a normal town, a normal boy and his dog wake up and embark on an amazing adventure.
Kats Whiskers will take you deep underground to a magical place called “Down Below” where rabbits are French chefs, mice generate electricity and Hamwehads rule! With animated puppets, lyrical poetry, imaginative storytelling and a death defying slapstick battle, your only worry is will Asa and Lola ever get home?”

Between 1 & 2 you could go along to the Book Festival for some Crafty Fun for 6-8 year olds…or even earlier at 10a.m. you might catch the ten minute intro billed by the Book Festival as follows:-“A quick and wonderful free reading from one of our authors to start your literary day. Check the screen in the Entrance Tent to see who’s reading each day.” It only lasts for 10 minutes.

The Charlotte Square Garden is also a good stopping off place for refuelling on books, food and drink.

On the way to your next show you could take in some of the free street entertainment on offer outside St Giles on the Royal Mile….always a juggler or two there.

Then get yourselves over to The Three Sisters for Sheep Ahoy! On Grassier Tides. This is billed on the Free Festival site as a one man show of poems, stories and live cartoon drawings.

By then you may well be handing the seven year old back to its rightful owners so time to try out the other free events on offer…For example Pearse James introduces three comedians at Jekyll & Hyde at 7.00pm….more details here. 

Oh – and have wipes, tissues, change for the bus and sweeties….but none of those with e-numbers mind! And Have Fun!

And if you, dear reader, have any more suggestions then please add them as comments below…