Workshops, free events

Edinburgh's festival season kicks off with the Meadows Festival, which offers the best local bands, dance groups, quirky performers and workshops amidst lots of family-friendly activities.

Make a wee silver trinket box and decorate it with embossed silver and coloured stones.

Young people (aged 16–25) can get a little taster in circus skills, urban dance, and performance with a tryout workshop with Bright Night International. From this, there is the chance to be a part of a 12-week training programme and the opportunity to perform at Edinburgh Mela.

Story time followed by magic hat making.

Creative writers of all stripes – poets, short story scribes, script writers, flash fiction junkies – are invited to discuss all things writing, from procuring an agent to overcoming writer's block.

Creative workshops for families inspired by Glasgow Museums' collections, plus short, family-friendly tours throughout the day.

A unique education festival developed and promoted by the sector agency College Development Network, aimed at challenging, provoking and generating ideas about how education could be. Launched this year by Mel Young, President of The Homeless World Cup, there will be virtual games, philosophy cafés, a night of dangerous…

Children can create objects based on the theme of the theatre show.

Activities for the whole family to enjoy with everything from archaeological digs to bat walks.

Ever fancied yourself a fly-fisher, but just don't know where to start? Now you've got a chance to learn all the technique and finesse of fly-fishing and fly-fishing to get you going, with help from the folks at Orvis. To book, call the Edinburgh store.

Learn how to look after the wide range of wildlife in your orchard.

Children can make a collage of an animal that lives in the Thames.

A school homework session.

Trade standard specialist paperweight dealers selling paperweights, making demonstrations and talks. Plus special exhibition and identification service by the paperweight collectors circle.

Salsa dancing for beginners, intermediate and experienced dancers.

Drop-in art workshop aimed at children and parents.

A self-led and informal creative writing group inspired by rooms within the house.

This seasonal workshop shows how to make wreathes and festive decorations to brighten your home this Christmas.

An opportunity to see the bobbin lace makers demonstrate their craft.