30 things to do in the Borders

The Scottish Government’s early years initiative, PlayTalkRead, is asking for parents and carers to vote for their favourite activities to do with their children around the Borders.

Created with the help of parents across Scotland, the list includes 30 activities such as riding a bike together at Glentress forest, looking for crabs and starfish in the rockpools at Coldingham Bay and following the Teddy Trail to the adventure playground at Paxton House.

Minister for children and young people, Aileen Campbell commented: “PlayTalkRead is all about enjoying time together with your wee one to help their brains grow.

“It doesn’t need to involve lots of toys or extra equipment - the 30 Things To Do in the Borders list offers lots of free ideas that have been suggested by parents and carers across Scotland, so it is truly by parents and for parents.

“As a mum of two young children I know first-hand how difficult it can be to find new and exciting activities for the kids to enjoy so by voting for your favourite activity not only allows you to have your say for your local area, but you might discover some fun new ideas too.”

Parents and carers can vote from the 30 Things To Do in the Borders list, which includes top playing, talking and reading activities to do with your wee one, by simply visiting www.playtalkread.scot/30things selecting the Borders and voting from the 30 activities listed.

All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win a bumper box of PlayTalkRead prizes worth £250.

Once the results are in, PlayTalkRead will share the top things to do in the Borders, as voted for by parents and carers.

Voting closes at the end of this week on December 13.

The 30 Things to do in the Borders list includes:

Making funny faces at the gargoyles at Melrose Abbey

Playing hide and seek in the cloisters at Jedburgh Abbey

Playing a game of crazy golf at Hawick Museum

Swinging high in the playpark at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre

Jumping up high next to the William Wallace statue in St Boswells

Riding a bike together at Glentress forest

Having fun in the playpark at Hirsel Estate in Coldstream

Skimming stones in the loch at Duns Castle Nature Reserve

Jumping the waves at Pease Bay

Playing poohsticks from Dryburgh Suspension Bridge

Look for crabs and starfish in the rock pools at Coldingham Bay

Spot seabirds at St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, Eyemouth

Putting on our wellies and having a woodland walk at Kallzie Gardens, Peebles

Peeping inside the smugglers’ cave at Cove Harbour, Cocksburnpath

Being an otter spotter at Bemersyde Moss, near Melrose

Playing I-Spy at Floors Castle, Kelso

Water a lovely sight! Looking for the waterfall at Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick

Watching the salmon leaping at Philliphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre, Ettrick River, Selkirk

Singing ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’ at Burnmouth beach

Hopping across the Dutch Bridge at Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Peebles

Making up stories about the kings and queens of Dryburgh Abbey

Learning the names of flowers at Monteviot House Water Gardens

Listening to a tall tale at Rhymer’s Stone

Visiting our local library for free stories, songs and rhymes at a Bookbug Session

Reading the names of the boats at Eyemouth Harbour

Following the Smuggler’s Trail at Gunsgreen House in Eyemouth

Finding out who used to live in Hermitage Castle in Hawick

Reading about Romans at the Trimontium Heritage Centre

Reading about the birds at Tweed Valley Osprey Watch Centre

Following the Teddy Trail to the adventure playground at Paxton House