Fun activities over the October break

FREE Library Events

Free Children's Activities at your local library

With scores of  free events, there's autumn fun for kids of all ages at your local library, including Bookbug, Lego clubs, scavenger hunts, coding, crafting and making sessions.

Call your local library to find out what's on or follow our library service on Twitter and Facebook.  

Find Your Local Library:

• Dalkeith Library
• Danderhall Library
• Gorebridge Library
• Lasswade Library
• Loanhead Library
• Newbattle Library
• Newtongrange Library
• Penicuik Library
• Roslin Library

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FREE events at Hawthorn Family Learning Centre

The autumn group timetable at Hawthorn Family Learning Centre is open to all Midlothian families and children of all ages are welcome to attend. 

The events are on from Monday 7 October to Friday 11 October:

• Scones, Stories and Songs
• Family Picnic
• Food and Family Learning
• Parent Cooking

Visit Hawthorn Family Learning Centre's Eventbrite page to find out more about the programme.

Midlothian outdoors

• Vogrie Country Park
• Countryside and woodland parks
• Walking and cycling

Sports & Leisure in Midlothian this October break

Swimming Pools

Intensive Swimming Lessons for Pre-Schoolers (3-5 years) and Beginners (5 years +):

• Newbattle Campus

Extra Pool Inflatable Sessions

• Lasswade Centre
• Loanhead Centre
• Penicuik Centre

Football camps and other fun activities

Football October Camp for young people (Primary 4-7 age pupils)

• Newbattle

American football October camp

• Newbattle

Introduction to First Aid

• Newbattle

KIC Dance (Primary 1-7 age pupils)

• More info

Flex & Flow and Wiggle and Wellness (yoga and pilates)

• Loanhead and Lasswade

Family nature walk

• Loanhead

Primary Play for children (5-12 years)

• Sessions full of fun activities for P1s to P7s

Communities and Lifelong Learning Event: Free Family Crafts

• Penicuik Town Hall
• Wednesday 16 October, 1-2.30pm
• Tea, coffee and juice provided

To book:

• Phone or text 07500998508 with the number of adults and children attending (no unaccompanied children) 
• Or book online

New Teenzone sessions

• Danderhall Community Hub
• 2 sessions daily from Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October
• 1.15pm-2pm and 2.15pm-3pm
• 12-15-year-olds
• £4.40
• Full staffed by instructors
• Book now

Free Bike Tent Event

• Monday 21 October, 1.30pm-3.30pm
• Woodburn Community Hub, 10 Woodburn Road, EH22 2AT
• For all sizes and ages of bikes

Get a free service for your bike or scooter by a qualified mechanic. Try the our Smoothie Bike and pick up cycling equipment freebies
Check out the family craft stall for more fun activities!

CLL event: Free guided walk round Mavisbank House and grounds

• Thursday 17 October 1.30-3pm

Mavisbank House and grounds are a hidden gem in a secluded valley near Springfield Mill, Polton. There is a river, woods, a romantic ruined house, a pond, trees that are hundreds of years old, the ruins of an old paper mill, an old Iron Age hill fort and lots of wildlife. We have arranged a quiz around the site.

To book:

• Go online
• Call or text 07500998508 with number of adults and children attending
• Email CLL@midlothian.gov.uk

Snowsports at Hillend

• Junior schools
• Kinder schools
• Adult courses

Alpine Coaster

• Alpine Coaster sessions available
• £7 for one ride or £19 for three (all three rides must be taken by the same person)
• Now fully booked throughout October break but few slots still available weekends to 1 December
• Book online

Tubing

• Tubing sessions available 
• £8.60 (Junior) and £10.60 (Adult) for a 45 minute session.
• Sessions are bookable online 7 days in advance
• Book online

Other things to do in Midlothian

• Have you seen the attractions in Midlothian that are open all year?