Recreation, Social, Learning

We are running some arts sessions for young neurodivergent( ND) people ages12-18 ( or up to 25 if care experienced). These sessions are aimed at supporting ND young people to meet similar peers, in a relaxed, small group environment. We have fabric designer Georgina Hickey, offering 1 full day for artistic young people who have the patience to create a design and cut out stencils to be screen-printed on to fabric, as well as 4 x 2hr sessions for a taster workshops, to give an introduction to the process and offering a range of stencils to use. We have also got Northstone Art providing 4 x 2 hour workshops, with a range of small projects to chose from and create something beautiful using Powertex.

Join us for a Pop Up in the Park! Take part in a Colour Run around the park and make memories with your pals! Speak with youth workers about local Youth Work opportunities and how YOU can get more involved in your community.

Peerie Artists Science Printmaking & Planetarium live show (3 hours) Come and join us for a session exploring science through the ancient art of print making. You will experiment with creating different marks and explore the fascinating ways in which the ink can react. Each workshop includes a live interactive audience led planetarium show in the immersive 360-degree dome at Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium. ✨ All materials provided, old clothes a must! ✨ Suitable for ages 10 plus 🗓️ 5th & 9th August ⏰ 1:00–4:00pm 📍 1:00–2:00pm Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium & 2:00–4:00pm Kirkcudbright Galleries mezzanine Night Sky Art Workshop & Planetarium live show (3 hours) 🌌 Night Sky Art Have you ever tried to paint the sky when it doesn’t stay still? In this session, you’ll use liquid watercolours to create your own glowing night sky — watching colours spread, blend and shift across the page to form galaxies, auroras and nebula-like effects. There’s a bit of magic in it. You don’t control every part… and that’s exactly what makes it work. Once your sky has developed, you’ll add bold black silhouettes using Indian ink — simple shapes like mountains or tree lines that make all those colours really stand out. No two pieces ever look the same, and you don’t need to be “good at art” to enjoy it — just up for experimenting and seeing what happens. Each workshop includes a live interactive audience led planetarium show in the immersive 360-degree dome at Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium. ✨ All materials provided ✨ Suitable for ages 5–18 🗓️ 1st & 2nd August ⏰ 1:00–4:00pm 📍 1:00–2:00pm Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium & 2:00–4:00pm The Little Art Den, Kirkcudbright Sci-Club workshops Weekly events over the summer in and around the Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium focusing on a fun aspect of science each week! Previous SciClubs have seen us build egg drop landing gear & parachutes; test meteor-proof buildings; build rockets; hydro dip baubles and even run crime scene investigations. Keep an eye on our website as details emerge for each week’s activity! ✨ All materials provided ✨ Suitable for ages 5 plus (some activities will have age guidance when booking due to suitability for different age groups) 🗓️ Weekly ⏰ 1-2 hr sessions depending on age group involved 📍 Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium Solar telescope workshops Drop-in sessions to observe our Sun safely using a solar telescope. Guided by one of our science communication team, you can view the Sun’s surface and atmosphere to reveal bubbling plasma, dark snaking lines, giant loops of gas and solar flares. ✨ Suitable for all ages 🗓️ Weather dependent ⏰ drop in during opening hours 📍 Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium

Summer of Play 26 @ The Crannog FREE Summer of Play 26 @ The Crannog is packed with fun, creative and adventurous activities for young people aged 5–18 from Thursday 2 July to Wednesday 19 August 2026. Try crafts, cooking, gardening, bushcraft, fishing, archery, cycling, music making, skatepark sessions, 3D printing and loads more beside Carlingwark Loch as well as in our Community Garden. Meet new friends, learn new skills, get outdoors and help shape activities with other young people. There will also be shared meals and take-home food for families. Whether you love making, exploring, performing or just hanging out, there will be something for everyone this summer.

The Parents Inclusion Network will be visiting Abernethy Barcaple, where children and young people will get the chance to try exciting outdoor activities like raft building, bushcraft, and a challenge course. They’ll work together in teams, take on fun challenges, build confidence, and learn useful outdoor survival skills along the way. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, try something new, and have lots of fun outdoors.

Free Family Fun Day – An entirely free, inclusive event for all young people from Kirkcudbright and the wider community. Come along and enjoy a climbing wall, football, painting, games, crafts and much, much more! Tell all your friends, pack a picnic and join us for a fun filled day!

Forest Foraging - will you sink or swim as you forage your own materials to build a mini raft and set sail in Dalbeattie Forest.

Painting pottery at the Wee Pottery Kirkcudbright and food at Clann Cafe.

The programme will provide free, accessible summer activities supporting the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of children and young people within the community. Activities will include free packed lunches during the holidays, helping address food insecurity and reduce pressure on families. A community fun day featuring a fun run, open-water plunge, crafts, water sports, and a silent disco will encourage physical activity, creativity, confidence, and social connection. All activities will be free of charge, ensuring accessibility within a rural community where affordable opportunities are limited. Overall, the project will reduce isolation, strengthen wellbeing, and create positive shared experiences and lasting memories.

Supported games session for neurodivergent young people. In the morning, after a warm welcome and a tour of the facilities, we will go over to the Ryan Centre for a range of fun activities with a parachute canopy, and bean bag toss, basketball hoops, volleyball, boccia and golf. After lunch, which will be provided, we will play a variety of indoor fun games back at the Better Lives Partnership site.