Youngsters go wild at Girlguiding Edinburgh’s Animal Antics extravaganza

On Saturday 11 May, more than 600 Rainbows and Brownies from across Edinburgh descended on George Heriot’s School for a day of animal-themed activities.

The event was organised by Girlguiding Edinburgh which provides opportunities for girls and young women across the city, through Rainbows (ages 4-7), Brownies (ages 7-10), Guides (ages 10-14) and Rangers (ages 14-18).

Each girl who attended the event, which was run by more than 40 volunteers, took part in four activities, including a live animal experience, an animal workshop, a craft and games.

Several businesses from Edinburgh and the Lothians were also involved in bringing the Animal Antics event to life, such as Menagerie Edinburgh, the Scottish Seabird Centre, Animal Man’s Mini Zoo, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Wildside Nature and many more.

Activities included a petting zoo, painting stone animals, making a bird feeder, a hungry hippos game, examining animal artefacts and even decorating toilet and kitchen rolls which were taken to Edinburgh Zoo to fill with food for the animals.

The day was rounded off with a disco hosted by Girlguiding Edinburgh County Ambassador Kirsty Baird from Chief Radio.

Lindsey Devin, County Commissioner for Girlguiding Edinburgh, said: “Our animal antics day for Rainbows and Brownies was fantastic and provided our members with the opportunity to try new things, do activities they enjoy and make new friends.

“We hope to provide opportunities like this regularly for our young members and hope the more than 600 Rainbows and Brownies who attended had a great time.”

Organisers received a grant from Girlguiding Scotland’s ‘Adventure on your Doorstep’ fund, which helped keep the cost down per person, making the event more accessible to units from all over Edinburgh.