Summer Playdates!

This summer in Perthshire we're lucky enough to be treated to two fun-filled events that place an emphasis on the importance of play in the lives of children and their parents. 

First up is Bertie the double decker Play Talk Read bus who will be doing a whistle stop tour of Perthshire between Monday the 24^th to Friday 28^th July. All parents and carers with children under five are invited to come on-board and get involved in free storytelling and rhythm sessions. The bus has a range of play and activity sessions for children and their parents, to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of positive parental engagement with simple and fun free activities and resources which parents can take home. 

You can catch Bertie at the following locations:

• King Edward Street in Perth on Monday the 24^th
• Rattray Primary School on Tuesday the 25^th
• Glendoick Garden Centre in Glencarse on Wednesday 26^th
• Loch Leven Campus in Kinross on Thursday 27^th
• Bute Drive Car Park at Perth Grammar School on Friday 28^th

If that wasn’t enough to keep your kids busy during the long summer break then there's more!  On August the 2^nd Perth and Kinross are also participating in National Playday which is an annual celebration of children’s right to play.  This year’s national event is going to be the biggest play sector event EVER in the UK and maybe even Europe! 

The genesis of the idea came about way back 1986, rumours abounded of imminent cuts on school play centres and adventure playgrounds in London.  In response, a group of play workers held a meeting to see what they could do.

From just a couple of events in 1987 the event ended up going national in 1991, fast forward to 2016 when the UK celebrated Playday at more than 850 events and is helping to show decision makers that cutting local play services will, and does, have devastating effects on children, families and their communities.

Perth & Kinross Council is getting involved in the celebration by holding a fun, free play event on Perth's South Inch, Perth on Wednesday 2 August between 10 am and 3pm. There will be a range of activities on offer including bouncy castles, face painting, arts, crafts, football, tennis, crazy golf, as well as special area for the under 3s and whole lot more.

There are two play sessions per day at most venues these are 10am - 12 noon and 1pm - 3pm.There will be one single longer session at Perth Grammar School's Community Wing running from 10 am - 1pm.  

'Time2Play' will be taking place at the following venues:  

- Balhousie Primary School, Perth on 24 & 31 July and 7 August; 

- Rattray Primary School on 18 & 25 July and 1 & 8 August; 

- Our Lady’s Primary School, Perth 19 & 26 July and 9 August;

- MacRosty Park, Crieff 20 & 27 July and 3 & 10 August;

- Perth Grammar School Community Wing 21 & 28 July and 4 & 11 August. 

***

Find out more about the National Playday here

Find out more about PlayRead here

Keep up to date with family news, stories and events by joining our Small City Families group on Facebook>>>