This event is becoming a mini Glasgow Families Institution. I feel like everyone I know has been once. The Sparkle Horse pub runs a baby disco on the last Sunday of every month. There's no entry fee but the set up is fairly basic.
First let me describe the venue: the pub is the old Dowanhill but with a much-changed clientele. The interior is shabby chic with the emphasis on shabby. There are some fairy lights and lots of toy horses scattered about. The seating is black wooden chairs, wooden tables and booths. It's not a huge establishment and the area at the back is raised up some stairs. It's not dark and gloomy with big (ish) windows at the front. There is a long bar along the side. The staff are young and friendly and were up for the challenge of mini-patrons.
The pub is open from 12pm with the disco running from 1-3pm. We arrived about 12.30pm to bag a table and have some lunch. It is typical pub fare: macaroni cheese, burgers etc. There was a special baby disco menu which was mostly small portions of the main menu around £4.50 a go. Angus enjoyed his chicken goujons, Mr GFM's beef burger was huge and my Cajun chicken burger was delicious. A note for picky eaters, the chips are the skin-on wedge sort (and covered in salt grrrrr).
On to the disco itself. There was a disco light revolving but the house lights stay up. In one corner was a reputable Glasgow DJ playing very enjoyable music. In the other corner was a face painter charging £4 a go. There is a small space for dancing, which we did. Angus made friends with other children too. The tunes are a mix of pre-schooler hits, Motown, indie...
We had a good afternoon out and will definitely be back when the Sundays become rainy and cold. We will definitely be bringing toys along and friends for a more relaxed time. If you're looking for more entertainment for the children, then you should try the more organised, ticketed events.
The toilets are easily accessible and there was a nice baby change set up in the Ladies. There was a small buggy park and guests are invited to fold up buggies. There is metered parking available but we walked round the corner from Kelvinhall.
Showing posts with label Organised Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organised Fun. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 July 2019
Sunday, 14 October 2018
Baby Discos...
Today I went to our first Mini Manouvres, so I thought it would be apposite to review the three different baby discos I have attended. They seem to be a booming industry and justly so.
Firstly, two disclaimers: I used to host the discos for East Renfrewshire and the Mini Manouvres we attended wasn't in their usual venue but commissioned as part of The Spree (and may I also say how magnificent Paisley's The Spree is).
Let's start with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure. Details about these, usually seasonal, discos can be found on the Eastwood Park Theatre website. They take place either in the theatre or in the large community halls that are Carmichael Hall or Clarkston Halls. The halls are huge and the capacity is limited so the children get a lot of room to run around but it also feels like they are rattling around. These discos are more like a very old-fashioned children's party. There are balloons and lots of games and songs including things like Sleeping Bunnies and Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes as well as Musical Bumps etc. The toilet and baby change facilities are good and there is copious parking. Overall, I feel this disco is best if you are attending with lots of friends.
New to the scene is Be Bop Bairns. We attended this at Platform at the Arches, which is a fantastic, nostalgic venue. There is a street food market in the first few arches and then the back two are closed off for private events. So there was a great choice of very tasty food, which you can take in to the disco (also a bar and coffee vendor). The furthest arch was used as a disco space and the first had face painting, crafts and soft play blocks. There were lots of balloons but also a few naughty children popping them, which really scares Angus. The DJ hosting was excellent, there were so many different games including a lot of singing along to Greatest Showman. Angus thought the games were excellent and joined in, even though he didn't know any of the other children. He especially enjoyed keeping the giant Wubble in the air with the other children. There was definitely a community spirit. This one is a little more grown up than East Ren's and I just loved the vibe.
Finally on to Mini Manouvres, this is usually held at SW3G, which I have never been to. The commissioned event was in the Spiegeltent. The USP of this disco is that it accommodates parents and their musical tastes too.
Mr GFN and I are not so into the dance/house scene, so the middle third of the party (which is the longest disco of the three reviewed) didn't appeal so much, as it's music time for the grown ups. I suspect in it's ordinary home, this is a big hit and there is a bit more drinking and dancing involved. There were a few games at the start and end but this disco had the most alternative activities: soft play blocks, Duplo table, craft, bubbles, face painting. If this was a 90s indie disco, we would be there every time.
If you have any questions, please comment below. We love a baby disco and I think they'll continue to be part of our social lives for a long time.
Firstly, two disclaimers: I used to host the discos for East Renfrewshire and the Mini Manouvres we attended wasn't in their usual venue but commissioned as part of The Spree (and may I also say how magnificent Paisley's The Spree is).
Let's start with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure. Details about these, usually seasonal, discos can be found on the Eastwood Park Theatre website. They take place either in the theatre or in the large community halls that are Carmichael Hall or Clarkston Halls. The halls are huge and the capacity is limited so the children get a lot of room to run around but it also feels like they are rattling around. These discos are more like a very old-fashioned children's party. There are balloons and lots of games and songs including things like Sleeping Bunnies and Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes as well as Musical Bumps etc. The toilet and baby change facilities are good and there is copious parking. Overall, I feel this disco is best if you are attending with lots of friends.
New to the scene is Be Bop Bairns. We attended this at Platform at the Arches, which is a fantastic, nostalgic venue. There is a street food market in the first few arches and then the back two are closed off for private events. So there was a great choice of very tasty food, which you can take in to the disco (also a bar and coffee vendor). The furthest arch was used as a disco space and the first had face painting, crafts and soft play blocks. There were lots of balloons but also a few naughty children popping them, which really scares Angus. The DJ hosting was excellent, there were so many different games including a lot of singing along to Greatest Showman. Angus thought the games were excellent and joined in, even though he didn't know any of the other children. He especially enjoyed keeping the giant Wubble in the air with the other children. There was definitely a community spirit. This one is a little more grown up than East Ren's and I just loved the vibe.
Finally on to Mini Manouvres, this is usually held at SW3G, which I have never been to. The commissioned event was in the Spiegeltent. The USP of this disco is that it accommodates parents and their musical tastes too.
Mr GFN and I are not so into the dance/house scene, so the middle third of the party (which is the longest disco of the three reviewed) didn't appeal so much, as it's music time for the grown ups. I suspect in it's ordinary home, this is a big hit and there is a bit more drinking and dancing involved. There were a few games at the start and end but this disco had the most alternative activities: soft play blocks, Duplo table, craft, bubbles, face painting. If this was a 90s indie disco, we would be there every time.
If you have any questions, please comment below. We love a baby disco and I think they'll continue to be part of our social lives for a long time.
Tuesday, 10 October 2017
Baby 'n' You Beginners Baby Yoga
Organised fun for babies starts early...with Douglas (baby #2), I enjoyed this block of classes so much I did it twice!
Baby 'n' You is an independent business run by Suzy out of the Scout Hall in Dowanhill. With Angus, I did Baby Massage and Baby Calm, followed by Beginners Baby Yoga, all of which I recommend.
I was worried that I wouldn't be able to manage Baby Yoga as I have problems with my back, but the focus is mainly on the baby. Both my babies loved it and I'm trying my best to keep up bits at home with Douglas; although it's mainly the bits for assisting windy tummies I practice! The difficulty of the moves build up over the four weeks.
Suzy is very welcoming; I find the fact she's a paediatric nurse very reassuring and useful when I've had questions about the boys. The classes as a whole are warm and friendly, through the time for tea at the end of each session, I've made good friends as well as starting my journey into Mum Life as I bump into these mums around and about. I think this is a unique aspect to these classes and a great touch.
The sessions are quite fast-paced, which seems daunting at first but I picked up the moves and the songs quickly. There's a good balance of simple moves, more complicated ones, quiet time, props and songs.
With Angus I remember sitting out in the garden, drinking tea and chatting in the sun...no luck with this maternity leave.
Since then parking restrictions have come in, which means you can't pop down to Byres Road and continue the party in a cafe or nip to the shops as easily. You can still park for free nearby. Obviously there's a baby change! The price for the block seems quite high at first but it keeps the class sizes smaller which I prefer.
Baby 'n' You is an independent business run by Suzy out of the Scout Hall in Dowanhill. With Angus, I did Baby Massage and Baby Calm, followed by Beginners Baby Yoga, all of which I recommend.
I was worried that I wouldn't be able to manage Baby Yoga as I have problems with my back, but the focus is mainly on the baby. Both my babies loved it and I'm trying my best to keep up bits at home with Douglas; although it's mainly the bits for assisting windy tummies I practice! The difficulty of the moves build up over the four weeks.
Suzy is very welcoming; I find the fact she's a paediatric nurse very reassuring and useful when I've had questions about the boys. The classes as a whole are warm and friendly, through the time for tea at the end of each session, I've made good friends as well as starting my journey into Mum Life as I bump into these mums around and about. I think this is a unique aspect to these classes and a great touch.
The sessions are quite fast-paced, which seems daunting at first but I picked up the moves and the songs quickly. There's a good balance of simple moves, more complicated ones, quiet time, props and songs.
With Angus I remember sitting out in the garden, drinking tea and chatting in the sun...no luck with this maternity leave.
Since then parking restrictions have come in, which means you can't pop down to Byres Road and continue the party in a cafe or nip to the shops as easily. You can still park for free nearby. Obviously there's a baby change! The price for the block seems quite high at first but it keeps the class sizes smaller which I prefer.
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Swim School - West Dunbartonshire Leisure
Angus, who is 3, took part in the pre-school Swim School this summer, which is one of West Dunbartonshire's Holiday Camps
The class took place every day from Monday to Friday during one week, lasting half an hour from 9am. I'm not going to lie, there was a lot of organisation to get us there in time. However, as it is not term time, it was an easy journey with almost no traffic.
Angus had been very confident in discussions about leaving me to go with the instructor before the course but in the event, there was tears. The instructor was good at knowing how much to push and when to leave him be. It would have been nice if he had introduced himself to the mums and even better, if he had told the children his name (I should probably give him the benefit of doubt, Angus being 3).
There were four children in the class and one instructor. There was lots of splashing and building confidence in the water using toys. The children were held by the instructor to swim across the pool, on their front and back and also to jump in and lie back to make a star shape. I could see progress being built across the week and I'm definitely looking to book a weekly class.
It's really brilliant of West Dunbartonshire to make sure there is still swimming provision for the early years during the holidays as it's usually the first to go, to full credit there.
The facilities are very clean and the pool is warm. There is ample space to change and staff are helpful and friendly. There is baby change facilities close by. There is lots of car parking close to the leisure centre but as it's all one with the council offices, it can be confusing. Customers for the leisure centre have their parking protected by a barrier. Get a ticket as you go through and validate it at reception.
The class took place every day from Monday to Friday during one week, lasting half an hour from 9am. I'm not going to lie, there was a lot of organisation to get us there in time. However, as it is not term time, it was an easy journey with almost no traffic.
Angus had been very confident in discussions about leaving me to go with the instructor before the course but in the event, there was tears. The instructor was good at knowing how much to push and when to leave him be. It would have been nice if he had introduced himself to the mums and even better, if he had told the children his name (I should probably give him the benefit of doubt, Angus being 3).
There were four children in the class and one instructor. There was lots of splashing and building confidence in the water using toys. The children were held by the instructor to swim across the pool, on their front and back and also to jump in and lie back to make a star shape. I could see progress being built across the week and I'm definitely looking to book a weekly class.
It's really brilliant of West Dunbartonshire to make sure there is still swimming provision for the early years during the holidays as it's usually the first to go, to full credit there.
The facilities are very clean and the pool is warm. There is ample space to change and staff are helpful and friendly. There is baby change facilities close by. There is lots of car parking close to the leisure centre but as it's all one with the council offices, it can be confusing. Customers for the leisure centre have their parking protected by a barrier. Get a ticket as you go through and validate it at reception.
Monday, 5 June 2017
Rhythm Time
A Mum Chum had taken her (then) baby to Rhythm Time classes at Whiteinch Community Centre. As a "something new to do", my Monday Club decided to book into the Toddler class at Hillhead Sports Club on a Monday morning. I think we initially did a term and a half, took a couple of terms off and returned for one final term before the boys turned three.
The classes are led by one member of staff, Helen and then Amelia, who are very friendly and whom the children adore. Each session is very formulaic but babies and toddlers love that! Overall, I thought each session was well-thought out and includes: action songs, pitch, tempo, dynamics, rhythm and beat activities, listening activities (with a tickling rabbit in a hat!) and lots of instruments. There is a "What's in the box today?" segment, which introduces new things. The pace could have been quicker for the boys, as they easily got distracted (especially when the tractor was out mowing the lawn) and started to run around the large space.
I do feel the boys gained some musical skills over their Rhythm Time journey but the classes are definitely age-appropriate and when they were three they had got everything out of the Toddler classes they were going to. I haven't been to any other franchise music classes, so I can't compare to Music Bugs etc. but I think the programme provides lots of fun and good basic skills.
I can't quite remember how much the classes were, about £4.50 per session and you do have to book a block. I'm sure when we started each session was about 45 minutes but this seemed to shrink and shrink. The session was very busy and popular.
One of the absolute highlights for Angus is the CD you get each term with all the songs and music. It is a firm favourite in the car.
The venue at Hillhead Sports Club is quite posh. There is lots of on-street parking. We usually stopped for a fancy coffee at Cafe Source Too downstairs. The toilets and baby change facilities are excellent. There is a lift upstairs to the space but most people left their buggies downstairs (space for about 10 indoors and sheltered space for lots more outdoors).
I can see that Helen, the Glasgow West franchisee has lots and lots of sessions elsewhere too: Funworld in Greenock, Partick Burgh Hall, Strathgryffe Squash Club in Houston, Whiteinch Community Centre and Kilmacolm Community Centre. I am considering taking the New One (when they arrive) to the Young Baby classes. There are also franchisees for Glasgow South (Giffnock, Busby and Newton Mearns) and Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Bonnybridge.
The classes are led by one member of staff, Helen and then Amelia, who are very friendly and whom the children adore. Each session is very formulaic but babies and toddlers love that! Overall, I thought each session was well-thought out and includes: action songs, pitch, tempo, dynamics, rhythm and beat activities, listening activities (with a tickling rabbit in a hat!) and lots of instruments. There is a "What's in the box today?" segment, which introduces new things. The pace could have been quicker for the boys, as they easily got distracted (especially when the tractor was out mowing the lawn) and started to run around the large space.
I do feel the boys gained some musical skills over their Rhythm Time journey but the classes are definitely age-appropriate and when they were three they had got everything out of the Toddler classes they were going to. I haven't been to any other franchise music classes, so I can't compare to Music Bugs etc. but I think the programme provides lots of fun and good basic skills.
I can't quite remember how much the classes were, about £4.50 per session and you do have to book a block. I'm sure when we started each session was about 45 minutes but this seemed to shrink and shrink. The session was very busy and popular.
One of the absolute highlights for Angus is the CD you get each term with all the songs and music. It is a firm favourite in the car.
The venue at Hillhead Sports Club is quite posh. There is lots of on-street parking. We usually stopped for a fancy coffee at Cafe Source Too downstairs. The toilets and baby change facilities are excellent. There is a lift upstairs to the space but most people left their buggies downstairs (space for about 10 indoors and sheltered space for lots more outdoors).
I can see that Helen, the Glasgow West franchisee has lots and lots of sessions elsewhere too: Funworld in Greenock, Partick Burgh Hall, Strathgryffe Squash Club in Houston, Whiteinch Community Centre and Kilmacolm Community Centre. I am considering taking the New One (when they arrive) to the Young Baby classes. There are also franchisees for Glasgow South (Giffnock, Busby and Newton Mearns) and Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Bonnybridge.
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra Babies
We haven't been to many GIOBabies workshops but we absolutely loved them.
Led by Una, the children (0-5 years), got to try playing her double bass (not a cheap instrument to throw about!), played games with chiffon scarves and led some improvised music with them, sung some songs with shakers, experimented with pitch, dynamic (volume) and tempo in a couple more activities and generally enjoyed themselves.
Una wasn't phased by some of the younger tearaways and simultaneously engaged the older children, she was very friendly and welcoming. There were only 5 boys at my first session, so I hope a little bit of publicity helps them out.
The workshop was about half an hour long but is free. They take place on the second Friday of the month at 10.00am and 11.00am at the CCA. Whilst it's free, you do need to book tickets on the CCA website. I definitely want to take Angus back but Friday is a nursery day, so it will have to be high days and holidays for us - or the extra, special workshops that they sometimes hold on other days.
There is an accessible toilet right outside the workshop room but it doesn't have baby change (I think you would have to go down a floor or two for that). The cafe at the CCA is wonderful. Buses stop right outside the venue but we got the subway and walked from Cowcaddens (Angus was 35 months at the time). There is lift for buggies in the CCA from the ground floor to Level 2 for the workshop.
Overall, the workshop was really good fun and I like that you don't need to commit to a block of lessons. It feels like an excellent way to get a music fix for Angus and is technically high quality.
Led by Una, the children (0-5 years), got to try playing her double bass (not a cheap instrument to throw about!), played games with chiffon scarves and led some improvised music with them, sung some songs with shakers, experimented with pitch, dynamic (volume) and tempo in a couple more activities and generally enjoyed themselves.
Una wasn't phased by some of the younger tearaways and simultaneously engaged the older children, she was very friendly and welcoming. There were only 5 boys at my first session, so I hope a little bit of publicity helps them out.
The workshop was about half an hour long but is free. They take place on the second Friday of the month at 10.00am and 11.00am at the CCA. Whilst it's free, you do need to book tickets on the CCA website. I definitely want to take Angus back but Friday is a nursery day, so it will have to be high days and holidays for us - or the extra, special workshops that they sometimes hold on other days.
There is an accessible toilet right outside the workshop room but it doesn't have baby change (I think you would have to go down a floor or two for that). The cafe at the CCA is wonderful. Buses stop right outside the venue but we got the subway and walked from Cowcaddens (Angus was 35 months at the time). There is lift for buggies in the CCA from the ground floor to Level 2 for the workshop.
Overall, the workshop was really good fun and I like that you don't need to commit to a block of lessons. It feels like an excellent way to get a music fix for Angus and is technically high quality.
Monday, 13 March 2017
Play Gym
The headline here is - we love Play Gym!
We have been attending Play Gym sessions since September 2015, at which point Angus was getting to be a confident walker. He'd started walking in the June.
We go to the sessions at Palace of Art in Bellahouston Park.
We have been attending Play Gym sessions since September 2015, at which point Angus was getting to be a confident walker. He'd started walking in the June.
We go to the sessions at Palace of Art in Bellahouston Park.
At first there would only be a few families attending our session but it's now (March 2017) quite busy. This makes me feel confident that they won't shut down the sessions!
For your money, you get one hour to play with your child(ren) on all the gymnastics equipment (balance beam, scramble tables, bars, soft play blocks, trampettes), (sometimes) a bouncy castle and a big trunk of balls, bats, scoops, quoits, bean bags etc. on the sprung floor. One hour is sufficient time to try everything but not long enough to get bored. Angus is ready to go once our hour is up. He loves it and I used to get a really good nap out of him afterwards, back in the day.
You do have to commit to playing with your child, you can't sit back a watch or chat (some mums try and it's their children that are absolute pests). But it's only one hour.
Parking is plentiful for the time of day and free. If the weather is nice, we park at the House for an Art Lover and enjoy a bit of time in the park afterwards. There is a toilet and baby change situated next to the hall used, which is very convenient. The corridor outside offers lots of buggy parking, although people bringing a baby seem welcome to park them in the hall. Some people choose to get a vending machine coffee and hang out with friends afterwards but if you wanted something posher there are cafes in the House for an Art Lover (very nice, not as expensive as you'd think) and the Ski Centre (untested to date!). Sessions run throughout the week during term time and they run a restricted timetable during holidays (although you have to be eagle-eyed to find out when!). It is £2.10 per child plus £1 per extra child and £1 per adult. It's pay as you go too, which is brilliant.
Sessions also run at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre (once a week) and Kelvin Hall. I haven't been to either. I notice West End mums get charged more for their session and you would have to pay £1 to park at Kelvingrove. Hooray for Govan living!
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Tennis with Glasgow Life
We made a last minute decision today to go to a free open taster session for Glasgow Life's tennis programme. It was specifically for the programme at the Gorbals Community Indoor Tennis Centre.
We thought the coaches would have put out all the equipment and you could drop in and play but it was a highly-organised session, where children were split into age-group groups and moved around different stations. There was one group for three year olds and their parents. There were lots of different tennis-based activities to try, finishing with open play. I even got to see how fast my serve was.
The coaches were (mostly) young, approachable, friendly and professional. I got a very good idea of what I would be doing (or my child) if I booked a block. The coach based at the Gorbals was also introduced to everyone, which was a nice touch and we were told that the children would see the same coach every week. The ratio of coach to child is always 1 to 7 or less, which is impressive. The cost for a block for P1 and over is very cheap.
We are at the Tots Tennis level, with 30 minute parent and child sessions. These take place at Scotstoun, Gorbals and Kelvin Hall. At Scotstoun, you have to book a 6 week block but for the other two venues, it is pay as you go (£3.50). This is a little steep but I have yet to try a session. I have to confess, Angus isn't 3 yet, so not eligible, we just sneaked in to this taster! I will definitely be trying out these sessions and will be reporting back. Angus is tennis mad and had a great time.
A few notes about the Gorbals centre, it is in the leisure centre (not obvious everywhere). There was loads of free parking on the Saturday afternoon. There is a little cafe and the toilets were very close to the tennis hall.
Watch this space!
We thought the coaches would have put out all the equipment and you could drop in and play but it was a highly-organised session, where children were split into age-group groups and moved around different stations. There was one group for three year olds and their parents. There were lots of different tennis-based activities to try, finishing with open play. I even got to see how fast my serve was.
The coaches were (mostly) young, approachable, friendly and professional. I got a very good idea of what I would be doing (or my child) if I booked a block. The coach based at the Gorbals was also introduced to everyone, which was a nice touch and we were told that the children would see the same coach every week. The ratio of coach to child is always 1 to 7 or less, which is impressive. The cost for a block for P1 and over is very cheap.
We are at the Tots Tennis level, with 30 minute parent and child sessions. These take place at Scotstoun, Gorbals and Kelvin Hall. At Scotstoun, you have to book a 6 week block but for the other two venues, it is pay as you go (£3.50). This is a little steep but I have yet to try a session. I have to confess, Angus isn't 3 yet, so not eligible, we just sneaked in to this taster! I will definitely be trying out these sessions and will be reporting back. Angus is tennis mad and had a great time.
A few notes about the Gorbals centre, it is in the leisure centre (not obvious everywhere). There was loads of free parking on the Saturday afternoon. There is a little cafe and the toilets were very close to the tennis hall.
Watch this space!
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