4 fun family time things to do this weekend
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From empowering new animation Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to gardening fun to Bushcraft Basics for youngsters – and don't forget the circus is in town ...
1 Underwater adventure
There's a new film out on Friday, June 30 – first shows of many at Vue Cinema 2pm and 4.30pm – from DreamWorks Animatio. It lets you dive into the turbulent waters of high school with Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (PG), a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she's part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens. Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, she's maths-tutoring her skater-boy crush (Jaboukie Young-White), but she's prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her over-protective super-mum (Toni Collette), has stopped Ruby from ever getting in the water. But when Ruby breaks her mum's rule, she will discover that she is destined to inherit the throne from her grandmother (Jane Fonda), the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas, and must protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids who have been battling with the Kraken for centuries. There's one major problem, the school's beautiful, popular new girl, Chelsea (Annie Murphy) just happens to be a mermaid...
2 Get outside...
Learn about the great outdoors with Bushcraft Basics led by Will Hall and have fun in nature. It's an outdoor experience for the whole family as you learn how to track animals, forage for food, build a shelter and more. The session meets at Logie Steading (near Forres) by the main entrance from 10am on Saturday, July 1 before heading out into the estate grounds to explore the woodlands. Although there will be a bit of foraging it's a good idea to bring a snack and don't forget to check the weather for the two and a half hour event. The cost is £20 per person but under 12s go free with an accompanying adult. And useful to know to wear sensible footware (paths can be slippy) and bring a waterbottle and snack. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
3 Get growing with summer fun
Get your youngsters to Dobbies Garden Centre on Sunday, July 2 at 10.15am and 11.30am for this month’s free Little Seedlings workshop suitable for four to 10s and very timely for the weather, It's all about garden watering! Youngsters can learn about – how to look after your garden in the heat, why plants need water and how they use water, the helpful role mulch can play and how to conserve water. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and book early to avoid disappointment. And here's a heads up to a fun one a little later in the month – a special Little Seedlings holiday club workshop where little ones can learn all about pizza planting. Take a closer look at what herbs and microgreens can be grown in your garden to put on pizza. Plant basil seeds and enjoy the chance to learn interesting facts about herbs and microgreens. Those workshops – the same one – has two different times this month, Sunday, July 16 and 22, at 10.30pm both days – and it will also return in August.
4 From sheep shearing to looms
Highland Folk Museum’s Woolly Weekend annual celebration of woollen crafts is taking place on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 11am-4pm each day at Kingussie. Visitors will be able to get hands-on, and try out a variety of different crafts, such as spinning, crochet, knitting, and weaving on a variety of small looms. Helen Pickles, High Life Highland’s curator at the Highland Folk Museum, shared: “We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting our fourth Woolly Weekend. The event is a fun day out for visitors and crafters alike, with plenty to see and do across the whole site. The full wool celebration stretches across Highland Folk Museum’s one-mile site, from sheep shearing down at Aultlarie Croft to the traditional textile crafts up at the Township." Some activities such as sheep shearing and waulking will be running on a set schedule. More information and timings will be available at the event and on social media, and from museum staff and volunteers each day. Finally, get creative! Visitors can add to the community bunting intended for display at future Woolly Weekend events. Go along and knit or crochet a triangle to add to the bunting!
HEADS UP
Don't forget Circus Vegas is in Inverness from Thursday, June 29 till Tuesday, July 4 with a new specially-created show. Find them at Inverness Caledonian Thistle Stadium, times vary!
