Keep the kids entertained this October with our round up of fun things to see and do.

STIRLING SCIENCE FESTIVAL

From code breaking to discovering the deep, the full line-up for this year’s Stirling Science Festival has just been announced.

Wednesday 19 October

Four days of family fun kick off on Wednesday 19 October at the Tolbooth with an expedition under the sea with special guests Dynamic Earth. A chance to see real marine specimens and conduct your own biodiversity survey of a deep-sea reef.

The fun continues at the Tolbooth with Sensatronic Lab, an interactive sound experience where you can create your own music from a host of brilliant sound making machines and installations.

Then it’s time for a celestial evening of star gazing at Stirling Highland Hotel with Stirling Astronomical Society. Climb the spiral staircase to the copper domed observatory for amazing views of the solar system through the 133-year-old Newtonian reflective telescope.

Thursday 20 October

Day two highlights include a World War II themed codebreaking challenge at Bannockburn Library for the over 12s. Use replica encoding machines, to intercept and decode radio messages, and hunt down ‘submarines’ in an exciting game of cat and mouse.   

There’ll also be problem solving fun for younger kids (suitable for ages 5+). Join the Dinosaur Detectives as they search for clues about the past in a fossil themed puppet show featuring projection and shadow theatre.

Thursday will also see the Tolbooth host two interactive science shows. ‘Do you feel Lucky?’ looks at superstition and luck with some clever mind reading experiments!

Still have some energy left to burn? Head to Thistles Stirling to use your pedal power to make your own smoothie or race against your friends with their bicycle powered Scalextric track.

Little ones can also enjoy storytelling sessions with the award-winning author of One Button Benny, Alan Windram.

Friday 21 October

Hop on down to Thistles Stirling to learn how to create, restore and manage amphibian habitats with the Pond Doctor and take in Froglife’s virtual reality exhibition.

Or try your hand at the festival’s coding challenge by creating your own text-based adventure game.

Saturday 22 October

The final day of the festival will see The Albert Halls throw open its doors for a family fun day with circus performers and science sessions galore:

• Find out how fireflies and glow-worms produce light.
• Uncover the hidden link between chemistry and music.
• Lift and analyse your own fingerprints.
• Discover what happens ‘behind the scenes’ at Stirling’s composting facilities.
• Test your sense of smell and learn more about how important this sense is.
• Design your dream playground and learn about the science of play.
• Pop up the road to Codebase to boost your digital skills.

The full festival programme can be found at www.stirlingsciencefestival.org, where you’ll also find a series of fun experiments and experiences to try at home from escape rooms to making your own animation.

STIRLING OPEN STREETS FESTIVAL

Saturday 22 October also sees Stirling city centre play host to its first ever Open Streets Festival – a day of live music and free, fun activities for all the family.

Experience traffic-free streets and try out fun new ways to get active: from learning how to do football tricks with freestyler Ross Brown, to boogieing with your friends on the silent disco walking tour.

There will also be e-bikes, crafts, cricket, street games and facepainting. Don’t forget to look out for the spooky circus performers!

For further information see: www.yourstirling.com/open-street-festival/

STIRLING’S HORRIBLE HISTORY

Head to Stirling’s Old Town Jail this October to hear the horrible history of Stirling’s Tolbooth. Once famous for being the worst jail in Britain!

‘Prison Surgeon’ Dr Forrest will share his creepy tales of torture and torment with boys and ghouls of all ages.  Find out more at www.oldtownjail.co.uk

MEDIEVAL FUN AT THE MONUMENT

Fancy learning how to throw an axe or shoot an arrow? Visit The National Wallace Monument on Thursday 20 October or Friday 21 October for some weaponry tips from Duncarron Medieval Village’s expert team.

Other events to look out for at the Monument this October include Halloween Campfire Tales and live performances of ‘Scotland’s National Hero’. For further details see www.nationalwallacemonument.com/events/

READY TO DO BATTLE?

Avoid sibling squabbles and head to The Battle of Bannockburn Experience for armour and weapons handling sessions and sword and shield making workshops. Activities run from Monday 17 October to Sunday 23 October. No need to book.

PUMPKIN PICKING

Looking for the perfect pumpkin? Pick your own at one of three local patches this October and enjoy Halloween fun from marshmallow toasting to ‘trick or treat’ trails:

• Egglicious Eggs, Whins of Milton (Free entry)
• Hallowild at Blair Drummond Safari Park (Admission price applies, book online)
• Arnprior Farm Pumpkins (Book ahead, last parking tickets remaining)