one4review | On 15, Aug 2012

3 Star
***

Alchemy Menagerie handed us a ticket at the Meadows, and turned out to be an interesting find. Tucked away within Summerhall, artists guide youngsters of all ages through various craft activities, while also offering beanbags to slump in, and tea or coffee to tired parents.

The activities are set to vary with each theme. We happened to be at “Journey to the Sky! Birds!” and after following the trail of silver birds to find the room, enjoyed making a traditional Asian bird kite from recycled materials.

11th August was set to be “Journey to the Past! Dinosaurs!” involving making a puppet. August 18th is “Journey to the Rainforest! Reptiles!” where children will make lizard shaped rain sticks, again, using recycled materials. Finally on 25th, it’s “Journey into Space! Aliens!” where the children collaborate to build a rocket, and make their own alien head-dress. All also have themed play activities, and a room full of interesting things for children to pick up and look at, or get hands on and feel.

Not in the fringe guide, we could easily have missed this, but it adds real variety to ‘things to do with your child at the fringe’, and real fun for the child.

Reviewed by Gill Smith

Summerhall

To 25th August (Saturdays only)

Drop in from 11:00 to 16:00