What attracted you to the art centre at the MacRobert?
We're always looking for interesting things to do with Ben on our days off and had heard the MacRobert had been revamped recently to appeal to families.
And was that the case?
Very much so. It has a space called the Playhouse devoted to children's theatre, a modern cafe bar with a menu for everyone from one to 100 years old, a creche called the Treehouse with supervised arts activities and a film programme that's child and adult- friendly.
There are lots of other little touches, such as a box-office counter at child height and swing doors with portholes at adult eye level and small person level. The cafe even has game tables for kids where they can play chess and other board games, or just colour their menus.
So what did you get up to during your visit?
We had booked an 11am performance of a show called The Snowchildren, in the Playhouse. Ben was amazed at all the mermaids and fish hanging from the ceiling. The publicity said the play was suitable for four- year-olds and upwards, but Ben loved it and the theatre was so comfortable it felt like you're watching the show in your own living room.
The space is not overly big and has long, sofa-like benches, rather than seats. You could almost reach out and touch the actors, they seemed so close. Ben sat through the whole 50 minutes completely transfixed. Unfortunately, Snowchildren isn't on any more but there are new productions every week.
What did you do after that?
Ben was booked into the Treehouse at 12pm, so we made our way there when the show finished. I was impressed - it has qualified care for children from three months upwards and when we left Ben, we were tagged with a pager in case of an emergency, which means that you can go anywhere within the complex.
While Ben was playing there, we went to the cafe for lunch.
What did you make of the cafe?
The food in the cafe was very good and inexpensive, with main courses between pounds 3 and pounds 5. The adults' menu was varied and featured items such as pasta, savoury pancakes, paninis and beefburgers. The children's menu had staples such as pizza and pasta, but it also had dishes like pitta bread fingers with a hummus dip. Usually, you have to make do with run- of-the-mill chicken nuggets and chips.
The service was good, but I would say to anyone not used to the din of noisy children that a Saturday lunchtime is not the time to go for a relaxing meal. We were able to tune out of the noise because we're used to it. It is also possible to eat in the bar area, which was empty when we were there.
Did Ben have fun in the Treehouse while you were in the cafe?
Ben had so much fun he didn't want to come out. He made lots of mess, cuddled all the soft toys, painted pictures and had a ball dressing up.
Were there any facilities for older children?
Yes, there is an unsupervised den area called Wallace's Den where eight to 16-year-olds can chill out away from their parents with computers, books and games such as Playstation 2s.
Was the MacRobert easy to find?
It's easy to find until you get to the university campus. They need more signs to guide you once you're in.
Is it value for money?
Yes. An hour and a half in the Treehouse was just £3 while lunch for three of us, including drinks, came in at under £22.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have fun with their kids.
What was the one thing which stands out about the day?
Everything was great, but seeing Ben's face when he saw the hanging mermaids was good ... he was so excited.
Details...
Email: ticketsandinfo@stir.ac.uk
Web: www.macrobert.org Prices: The Treehouse costs £3 per child per session, while the Filmhouse is £4 full price and £3 concession. Wallace's Den charges a £2 refundable deposit. Theatre tickets vary.
Directions: The University of Stirling campus is best reached by car - taking the M9 from Edinburgh, the M80 from Glasgow, or the A9 southbound. Follow signs for Bridge of Allan at Dunblane roundabout. The entrance is on the left leaving the village.
Details
01786 466 666
The space is not overly big and has long, sofa-like benches, rather than seats. You could almost reach out and touch the actors, they seemed so close. Ben sat through the whole 50 minutes completely transfixed. Unfortunately, Snowchildren isn't on any more but there are new productions every week.
What did you do after that?
Ben was booked into the Treehouse at 12pm, so we made our way there when the show finished. I was impressed - it has qualified care for children from three months upwards and when we left Ben, we were tagged with a pager in case of an emergency, which means that you can go anywhere within the complex.
While Ben was playing there, we went to the cafe for lunch.
What did you make of the cafe?
The food in the cafe was very good and inexpensive, with main courses between pounds 3 and pounds 5. The adults' menu was varied and featured items such as pasta, savoury pancakes, paninis and beefburgers. The children's menu had staples such as pizza and pasta, but it also had dishes like pitta bread fingers with a hummus dip. Usually, you have to make do with run- of-the-mill chicken nuggets and chips.
The service was good, but I would say to anyone not used to the din of noisy children that a Saturday lunchtime is not the time to go for a relaxing meal. We were able to tune out of the noise because we're used to it. It is also possible to eat in the bar area, which was empty when we were there.
Did Ben have fun in the Treehouse while you were in the cafe?
Ben had so much fun he didn't want to come out. He made lots of mess, cuddled all the soft toys, painted pictures and had a ball dressing up.
Were there any facilities for older children?
Yes, there is an unsupervised den area called Wallace's Den where eight to 16-year-olds can chill out away from their parents with computers, books and games such as Playstation 2s.
Was the MacRobert easy to find?
It's easy to find until you get to the university campus. They need more signs to guide you once you're in.
Is it value for money?
Yes. An hour and a half in the Treehouse was just £3 while lunch for three of us, including drinks, came in at under £22.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have fun with their kids.
What was the one thing which stands out about the day?
Everything was great, but seeing Ben's face when he saw the hanging mermaids was good ... he was so excited.
Details...
