April May 2014 April.May 2014 2 | Page 18

Step into Spring and get up close to nature by discovering some of Edinburgh’s greenest and wildest venues with regular activities to keep the kids entertained. If you’re looking to keep the little ones entertained, take a look at our pick of events for the whole family taking place in the capital over the next month. Hopetoun House and Estate A place of outstanding natural beauty, Hopetoun grounds cover 6,500 acres of designed landscape, parks and farmland. Enjoy the history and natural beauty by following the signposted cycle route through the countryside, woodland and along the Firth of Forth, or head to the Ranger Centre for information on the local wildlife. Butterfly and Insect World Head to the world’s longest running butterfly house with hundreds of free flying butterflies in a large indoor rainforest. Journey through the paradise of jungle flora, waterfalls, fish ponds and bubbling mud swamp, and look out for lizards, giant snakes, poisonous frogs, jumping locusts and glow-inthe-dark scorpions. 18 informededinburgh.co.uk Edinburgh Zoo Edinburgh Science Festival Blood Bar Explore Edinburgh Zoo and get up close to a wide range of animals from all over the globe. Make time for an Animal Encounter at 1pm where you can find out more about their smaller, more unique creatures, and don’t miss the ever popular Penguin Parade each day at 2pm. Date 5-8 April Venue City Art Centre Tickets Admission free Info Prepare to be grossed out at the Blood Bar as you make your own scabs, mix up a gooey blood clot and even touch a real heart! Explore the science of blood and see how we can diagnose disease with some cutting edge technology. Scottish Owl Centre See one of the largest collections of owls in the world at the Scottish Owl Centre at Polkemmet Country Park. Here you can see the spectacular daily indoor flying displays or alternatively you can book your very own private Owl Encounter. Botanic Garden Refresh your senses and explore the riches of the green kingdom at one of the world’s finest botanic gardens. Founded in the 17th century as a physic garden, it now extends over four gardens and boasts a rich living collection of plants. Easter Camp Peppa Pig’s Big Splash A Magical Easter Date 7-11 April / 14-18 April Date 12-13 April Date 19- #&