Fri 7th, Sat 8th, Sun 9th May 2010
Leith Links, Edinburgh
10:00am - 5:30pm
ADMISSION FREE

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THIS IS THE WEBSITE FOR 2009. THE WEBSITE FOR 2010 WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY 2010.

Plu is the UK's biggest festival for parents with children aged 0-5 years and is organised by ordinary parents, all of whom give their time voluntarily. Ours is a place where you can relax with your children knowing that they are in a safe and secure environment and surrounded by only good things, most of which are free or ridiculously low-priced. Entrance to the fenced-off arena is free too, so there's absolutely no excuse for not coming along for a meander with offspring on tow. Grab yourself a coffee, make yourself comfortable in our covered seating area and lose yourself in the live music whilst you browse the free programme and consider how many of the dozens of activities on offer you might fit in to the short time you've allowed. For those of us with young children there's no other festival or family day like it.

THE BOX OFFICE LINE IS NOW CLOSED (RE-OPENS IN APRIL 2010)
18 shows... 41 taster sessions... 21 free storytelling slots... 16 free, interactive demos... 2 cafes... 7 healthy-option child-friendly food vendors... 50p fairground rides... 95 free events...

Another successful festival, thanks to the many 1,000s who persevered through the rain, wind and cold of Friday and most of Saturday. Sunday was much kinder, and busier, allowing us to close the festival on a high. Next year's dates are FRIDAY 8th, SATURDAY 9th and SUNDAY 10th MAY 2010. It's never too early to sun-dance.

If you have any ideas for shows and activities that you would like to see at Plu, please tell us!

 THEY CAME TO OUR RESCUE...
Mi Bo So Annaliese Brommersma, who took on Friday's Baby Massage slot in Hands On2 at 24 hours' notice (and also did the Saturday slot).
Edin council logo Edinburgh Council Play Action Team who stepped in at the 11th hour to do arena games all day on Friday and Sunday at a greatly reduced cost (they were the ones with the wonderful water-trail maze of piping and the sand games).
VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT OUR PARTY ON 13TH JUNE malmaison hotel The Malmaison Hotel, who provided a free loan of crisp white sheets for Sales Pitch, a week before the festival opened.
THEY GAVE THEIR TIME FREELY
Thank you to the MUSICIANS - Off The Rails, Aquarius, Red2Red, Caroline Gilmour, Strewart MacLennan, The Banjo Lounge Trio, Feis Dhun Eidean, and The Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band; the BAKERS Morag MacLauchlan, Catherine Di Placido, Clare Downer, Kate Marks, Rita Salton, Ann Mulligan, Councillor Marjorie Thomas; WALKABOUT PUPPETS Look No Strings, the 64 organisations that provided taster sessions in the ARENA and HANDS ON marquees and last but by no means least, the 104 INCREDIBLY PATIENT AND HARD-WORKING VOLUNTEERS who made it all happen!		 EAE EAE - who provided a loan of leaflet holders free of charge for Sales Pitch.
ECFI

EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD INITIATIVE who, with very little notice, took on the Big Cook activity when the original company dropped out and then, when Big Cook was forced to cancel, they set up a stall in Sales Pitch making free FRUIT FACES with children for two hours.
  Mike Magee, Harbourmaster at Forth Ports, who gave us a free loan of screens for Showtime and the Therapies tent, and crowd control barriers for Showtime.
Worth a special mention is Phil Gallagher - Mr Maker - who stayed in the arena from 12 noon until 5.30pm on Saturday to sign autographs and meet children. He was only supposed to do two hours in all, but wanted to do more because he knew how disappointed the children were about Justin Fletcher having to call off.  

Ximena Vengoechea, our fabulous Mini Movers instructor, who did two extra workshops at no cost when Kindermusik called off suddenly and unexpectedly.
   
Gingerbread man Bringing Up Happy Children author Kasim sing & sign Weatherman Nordoff Robbbins Funnybones Scotty & Lulu Geowalks
Gingerbread Man
Friday 3pm		 Happy Children
Friday 11.30am

Kasim & the Magic Carpet
Friday 4.15pm

 Sing & SIgn
Friday 10.30am 		Weatherman
Saturday 10.30 & 4.30		 Nordoff Robbins
Sunday 12.30pm
 Funnybones
Friday & Sunday		 Jo Jingles
Sunday 1.30pm		 Volcano Explosion
Friday 1pm		 Briar Rose
Sunday 4pm		 Cinderella
Sunday 2pm
MR BOOM sol out Books alive Music makers Big Cook Rhymtime Mini movers Baby Sensory Funnybones Phil Gallagher Relax kids Justin
Mr Boom
Saturday 11.45am 		Books Alive
Sunday 11.30am 		Music Makers
Sun 1.30pm & 2pm		 Big Cook
Sunday 4pm		 Rhymtime
Friday & Saturday 2.30		 Mini Movers
Saturday 3.30pm		 Drumming
Saturday 12.30		 Scotty & Lulu
Friday & Sunday 		Kindermusik
Sunday 3.30pm		 Relax Kids
Sunday 2.30pm		 Kiss The Fish
Sat 12.30 & 4.30
Holyrood Rangers
There are lots of free activities you may sign up for, such as the Nature Trail by the Holyrood Ranger Service which will take two groups on a 40-minute journey around the Links, learning about nature and wildlife and playing games. Sessions are 2.15pm and 3pm and leave from FREE PLAY 4 on Sunday. Phone the booking line to book a place. Alternatively, you can turn up on the day and join in without pre-booking.

Other free activities you can sign up for include:
Athletics (David Lloyd) for ages 4-8y, Free Play 4 on Saturday at 4pm
Buggy Race, Dad Zone on Sunday at 3pm - for dads with children aged between 2 and 4 in buggies. Child must be strapped in and wearing a helmet (we have some you may borrow). A short run for fun in relays. Maximum of 5 buggies at a time.
Learna Bikes - cycling for learners aged 2-5y, Free Play 4 daily - see the diaries
Football sessions by Mini Kickers (3-5y), Wee Dribblers (18m-3y) and Play2Learn (2-5y) - times vary; see the diaries.
Golf (Port Royal Golf) for ages 5-10y on Friday at Free Play 4
Powerpod activities - various - running every 45 minutes from Woodcraft, next to the Therapies tent (which Powerpod will be feeding solar powered electricity to!)
Rugby from Rugby Tots for age 2-3.5y and 3.5-5y on Saturday and from SRU on Sunday, all at the Dad Zone
Mini Tennis (David Lloyd) for age 3-5y on Saturday at 2.30pm in Free Play 4.

To sign up for any of these free activities telephone the box office on 0131 554 5043. Alternatively, turn up on the day and join in without pre-booking.

Some of the messages we received about Plu 2008:

"...we had an amazing, wonderful, happy, fun, safe time! All the shows were fabulous... food was fantastic... rides were lovely... baby facilities super and everyone was friendly." Maire

"...I think what you are doing is fantastic - had a brilliant day on Saturday with my son and his friends." Nicki

"...we had a brilliant time as usual, it seems to go from strength to strength - and great weather this year too!" Ron

"Just wanted to say thanks to all for a great festival. We came on two days and our daughter loved it - much thanks for all your hard work in putting it together." Sarah

"...my two aged 4 and 5 had a ball - their favourites were the swingboats, face painting and chocolate covered fruit" Caroline (CeilidhKids)

"What a brilliant 3 days! I saw my 10yr old for approximately 10 minutes all day as she sped from one great activity to another" Rachel (Usborne)

"The atmosphere was amazing and the Sales Pitch was brilliantly organised! It was a fab event." Karla (Best Buddies)

"May I congratulate you on a superb event... I came along with my 3yr old and thoroughly enjoyed all the shows and activities." Camille

Roam around the site using the menu bar at the top or any of the icons at the side – we update the site regularly as the festival approaches, so do keep in touch! Email us at
info at parentslikeus dot co dot uk or telephone 0131 553 2152.

Click here to view a selection of photos from previous festivals