A Very Scottish Halloween: Events for Kids (and Some Extras for Adults)

Earlier this month, I published a guide and blog post on great things to do for Halloween in Edinburgh. However, I must advise that some of those activities may be way too scary for young children (think Mackenzie Poltergeist tour by City of the Dead) – although I must admit I would have jumped at the chance to be smacked by a ghost when I was 10!

Still, here are some age-appropriate activities for the young ones:

Friday, October 29th

The Dare to be Scared Fangtastic Halloween Party at Monkey Bizness

This bouncy play centre will host lots of spooky games and fun for your tots. Dress them up in a ghoulish get up for a chance to win a prize in the costume competition. They can also get their groove on at the Halloween disco and feast themselves on the “creepy” buffet.

5-7:00 p.m., £7 per child (includes one accompanying adult).

Scottish Mining Museum’s Halloween Disco and Ghost Tour

For primary school children only, like the first the Scottish Mining Museum‘s Halloween event will feature fancy dress, games, a ghost tour, a disco and refreshments.  But if mom or dad want to take a break, they should sneak off for the Ghost Tour of the Lady Vic: Take an evening tour of the Lady Vic with Aggie McGhee and Mungo Mackay.  Find out about the spectres and shadows that haunt the mine .  Hear the chilling tale of the headless miner, Joke Kane and listen out for Dode Donnelly’s squeals of terror coming from the deepest shaft to be sunk in Scotland!

Kid’s Halloween Party: 6-8:00 p.m. Tickets £5 each.

Lady Vic ghost tour: 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are limited so call now of 0131 663 7519 or purchase direct from the museum reception.  Tours last approx 1hour and 15 minutes and are followed by a glass of wine and ghost stories in the coffee shop, all included in the ticket price of £10 per head.

Saturday, October 30th

Seafield Community Recycling Centre’s Halloween Thrills

Kids will learn how to make Halloween masks and costumes out of recycled materials. They will also learn about all the creepy critters that leave in composts heaps.

11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., All Entries Free. Fillyside Road, Edinburgh EH7 6RD. For more information contact the Waste Education Officer, telephone 0131 469 5070 or e-mail wasteaction@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Sunday, October 31st

A Spooky Halloween at the National Museum of Scotland

Fun with an educational twist at the National Museum of Scotland: Children can about learn about ghastly Scottish traditions, encounters and activities. Like in others, they can also create their own Halloween masks and even paper lanterns before joining in on the Halloween Hunt through the museum!

11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m., Entries Free. Located in the Early Peoples Gallery, Level 0

Air and Scare Halloween at the National Museum of Flight

East Fortune is the perfect place to have a ‘spine-tingling’ experience with history going back to the First World War, you may even spot a ghostly wounded soldier or two!

- Scary activities will include spooky storytelling in the dark, with gruesome hands-on interaction. What will youfeel in the dark from the selection of body pieces? Takes part in the Concorde hangar lecture Theatre at 11.30/13.30/15.30

-The Big Spider Hunt. Can you find all the giant spiders hidden in the webs around the hangar?

- Take part in the ‘Scary Games Challenge’. If successfully completed you will receive your very own Halloween Certificate!

- Take a ride around the site in our ghoulish land train, if you dare…

-Halloween Make and Take Activities. What will you make to take home, a spooky spider, frightening mask or Witches Hat?

- You can also dook for apples or even better see if you can hook your own doughnut!

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Cost: Included in museum admission, Children under 13 get in for free.

National Museum of Rural Life – Halloween Party

Once again, revel in apple dooking, scary games and creepy crafts at the National Museum of Rural Life.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Free admission from 3 p.m.

Usher Hall: Heroes vs. Villains Concert

A great introduction to classical music for your kids at Usher Hall: With some nasty Hallowe’en villains on the prowl, Owen and Olly will need plenty of help if they are going to battle vampires, daleks and gunslingers. Luckily they’ve got Indiana Jones and James Bond on their side, but the whole audience will have to fire cannons at the French army to help the Royal Scottish National Orchestra win the day.

Young ones should come dressed as their favorite hero or villain for a chance to win a prize.

3:00 p.m. Child £6, Adult £10, Concession £6 (registered disabled, unwaged, senior citizen, full time student), Family £29 (2 children, 2 adults), Group 1 free adult with every 8 child tickets (these to be booked by calling the box office).

[Photo Credits: Witch Cartoon by eyehook; Old Photo - Kids in Pumpkin Masks by stevechasmar; Pumpkins by hanna-horwath; Candy Corn by Juushika Redgrave; Moon by peasap; Kids in Costumes by SteveChasmar.]