How do you find after-school classes/activities for primary school kids in Edinburgh?

[girlghostbusters]

We've recently relocated to Edinburgh and my DD will be starting P1 in January. I'll pick her up directly from school (Sciennes), and I was interested in signing up for one or two classes or activities after school, such as dance, drama, gymnastics, karate, guides, etc.

We don't have local friends/connections yet to recommend activities and the school's website is out of date, so I've been relying on Google search to try to find activities within about 20 minutes (walk/bus) of school or our nearby home, and not finding a lot.

Is there a local site that you can use to find clubs/activities, or is it all word of mouth and internet search?

Join the Facebook group call Egg and you will get loads of suggestions. Welcome to Edinburgh!

Local Facebook pages.

School might share details on behalf of the organisers too.

Most clubs in my area have long waiting lists, you might have more choice in Edinburgh.

My dc both went to Sciennes although youngest is now at secondary and eldest has left school. When my dc were there, there were quite a few after school activities, so likely there still will be, although not all were available for p1s. Out of school, Morningside Dance Academy is on Grange Road, and there's a Brownie pack meets at St Catherine's Argyle. There used to be lots of kids activities at the Eric Liddell centre, plus the Commie pool is nearby. Agree with pp that EGG on FB is a great source of info. Welcome to the southside of Edinburgh, it really is a great area to bring up children, there's so much to do.

Have you tried some of the Scottish governing sites such as Scottish karate rtc they should. Whichever sport it is the governing group should know of clubs in your area that you can contact.

Our girls went to karate and judo. OH contacted the governing bodies and asked, they put us in touch with clubs which he visited to see what they were like. (Years ago)

Edinburgh leisure does kids activities. I think there is Judo and Karate at the Eric Liddel and for drama you could look up Stagecoach, though it’s quite pricey and I’m not sure where your nearest venue would be.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

I did look at the school website and contacted some of the out-of-school groups listed there, but the ones I contacted hadn't offered classes in some time, so I would guess the website isn't updated frequently :)

Egg and the local groups mentioned are very helpful, I will look into all of those.

Ask parents at the schoolgate. I did this relocating to Scotland and had quite a lot of great response.

Egg and Edinburgh Mums and dads on Facebook.

North Merchiston community centre is nearby with the Eric Liddle centre, plus asking other parents.

Edinburgh Leisure for gymnastics, swimming and sports
Guiding Register your daughter - Girlguiding Scotland
There's a junior parkrun at The Meadows home | The Meadows junior parkrun | The Meadows junior parkrun

Welcome to Edinburgh! Agree with joining EGG on Facebook and just asking for what you are looking for - lots of karate / dance / etc options around there. I live slightly further out than you so don't have specific recommendations but it's a great area and you'll have loads of choice. (I didn't know anything when my daughter wanted different things so would just search 'dance' and my postcode and see what came up)

The Crags is great for different sports clubs!

That's down by your neck of the woods!

Don't forget to check out the Commonwealth pool and see what they've got on.

Active schools will run clubs after school for different sports, usually using local club coaches to give you a taster of what's available.