Ideas for the October Break - Get Active

Swimming

Good fun in any weather and there are loads of pools across West Lothian. The following offer free swimming to under 16s;

• Whitburn Academy 
• Xcite Armadale
• Xcite Bathgate
• Xcite Broxburn Swimming Pool
• Xcite Linlithgow
• Xcite Livingston

Sports Classes

There are many sports clubs and classes for your kids to remain active and learn Valuable skills.
Check out;

• Football - West Lothian Football Academy 
• Basketball - West Lothian Wolves 
• Athletics - Linlithgow Acc
• Gymnastics - Astro Gymnastics

Find an extensive list of different clubs and activities here; http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/tourism/1495/1496/528

Do you know of a great sports club or activity ?

 Do you run a sports club for Kids in the West Lothian Area ? Let Us know by leaving a comment below. 

Ideas for the October Break - Free or Cheap !!

Libraries

Don't forget your local library. Borrowing books is free and there are often events on during the holidays. Story times, book groups, author visits and much more check out you local libraries event calendar to find out what they have coming up.

Cycling

Free and Healthy !!! There are lots of family friendly cycle routes throughout West Lothian. Visit www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk and read their article on child friendly cycle routes.

Country Parks

Free with loads of tracks to walk, cycle and explore. There are loads of them in West Lothian and many have additional activties running. Check our our post on Beecraigs Country Park for there upcoming events.

Geocaching

This is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS co-ordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. There are over 500 geocaches hidden in the central area for you and your family to find. Free Family fun. www.geocaching.com

Midnight League Football

West Lothian Council has teamed up with Scottish FA to provide free sessions for youths aged 12 - 17 years old. PLayers can turn up in teams or as indivduals at the following venues.

Craigswood Sports Centre, 7-9pm
East Calder Sports Centre, 7-9pq,,7
Linlithgow Leisure Centre, 8-10pm


Check out the West Lothian Council youth Zone for more details. 

Do you know of any other free activities or events ? Or have you been to any of the above mentioned activities ? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

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Ideas for the October Break 2

History on our Doorstep

Historic Scotland

There are some amazing castle's and monument in our local area that the kids will love exploring and learning about. Find out what their curriculum is at school and try and tie in visits with that. Why not try visiting Linlithgow Palace. 

There are lots of ideas on the Historic Scotland website.  Visit the Torphicen Preceptory a 13th century church built by Knights Hospitaller. 

 Hopetoun House in South Queensferry is also holding a Bonfire on the 5th of November for the public.  

Ideas for the October Break

Rainy Day Activities

Soft Play

There are lots of soft play centres in West Lothian including Space Bugs at the Xcite centres in Bathgate, Craigswood, Linlithgow and Livingston. A great run around to tire the kids out and most of them have a nice cafe area where mums and dads can have a cuppa and a catch up. 

Cinema

See what's on at the Vue Cinema in Livingston for the kids this October Break. Johnny English looks like a good one for all the family to enjoy. It's a shame the cinema is soooo expensive these days i love going. 

Ten Pin Bowling

Get a game of Bowling and a burger from £6.25 at Deer Park, Livingston. 

Ceramics

At Potter Around in Kirknewton, you and the kids can make and paint your own ceramic pots and sculptures in a creative and welcoming enviroment. High Recommended by two little members of my family.  

Beecraigs Country Park Events

I was having a look around the web for things to do with the kids. With this winter weather settling in you think it would put a limit on getting the kids outdoors.

Then I came across the Beecraigs Country Park Rangers Service Calendar. The events programme last all year and has some great activities on in to get the kids outdoors and involved in nature. I have to admit, i'd be attending because i want to go to the activities.

The programme for October is offering;

• Build a bird box, 8th October (I'd love to go to this)
• Fabulous Fungas Fun, 9th of October
• Feed the birds, 15th of October
• Red Deer Walk, 19th of October
• Lantern Making, 29th of October.

I hope that you agree with me that these are great activities and something different for you and the kids to do.  With prices from as low as £2.10 for a child its not going to break the bank either. Build a bird box is £4.50 per bird box, they normally cost at least a tenner from garden centre, so i think this activity is an investment also. 

Booking is essential and all the contact details and everything you need to know can be found on www.beecraigs.com. I think it's a fantastic events calendar and a great asset to West Lothian and it's community. The money raised goes back into caring for the parks , another great reason to spend your money there. 

Outdoor Fun

With the completely unexpected Indian summer  westher has prompted this post. We have done our research and composed a list of what we think are the best outdoor activities and days out in West Lothian. So why not have a read and get the kids outside before the bleak winter is upon us.






Almond Valley Heritage Centre 
Set in a beautiful location with lots of room to let the kids run wild. There is lots to do including  the soft play and museum, as well as all the animals to see. 


There is always lots going on including milking, feeding, talks and handling sessions. And after all that there is a lovely tea room to grab a cake and relax. 


Five Sisters Zoo Park
The Five Zoo has a wide variety of animals, mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world. The Zoo has also boasts an indoor soft play and has recently opened a fantastic outdoor adventure park. 


The zoo is currently fundraising to save two bears and are planning a sponsored walk this Sunday across the Fourth road bridge. Be sure to donate if you visit !


Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
The park situated in Mid Calder offers plenty of fantastic walks along the river and parks. You can even book barbecue facilities. If you don't fancy the barbecue then the visitors centre offers facilities and refreshments. 


Go Ape! Beecraigs
Adventure park up in the trees ! Fantastic active day out for YOU and the kids. You will have a fun filled day tackling zip wires , tricky crossings and tree top high wires.

Linlithgow Treasure Trails 
Solve clues, learn and exercise all in the same activity !!! ids will love solving the mysteries to follow the trail. Once you do you can enter the answer on-line and be entered into the prize draw. Its a great way to get the kids active and thinking whilst exploring he town in the fresh air.

Leave us comments and let us know what you did this weekend or are planning to do !!! 


Five Sisters Zoo boasts a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world as well as an indoor soft play centre, ensuring a fun and educational day out for all ages.

Lets Start Sharing....

So this is post number 1 !!!

The Idea behind this blog is to share anything you have to say on being a parent in West Lothian. Whether you have had good or bad experiences get in touch and lets share them amongst the community.

I hope to review businesses, sports clubs and family days out with all my followers. Information sharing is the new weapon of today. We can use our community to pressure business to offer better services and products at better prices.

Most importantly we can share suggestions for great days out and tips to keep the kids amused, even tips on getting them to eat their greens.

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