Robot Helpers and Flying Houses: Edinburgh Fringe Tips for Families

Bleep Bleep!

Underbelly until August 31

This delightful show, aimed at children aged five and up, features a lifelike robot helper that takes its tasks a little too seriously. The eager-to-please android's overzealous actions, from building props out of sketches to hoovering the stage (and audience members), create a humorous and energetic performance. Accompanied by a quirky soundtrack created with guitar loops and percussion, the production, by Dender Cartoontheater, is full of lighthearted fun that will captivate young audiences, even as the narrative ventures into submarine and space rocket escapades.

Don’t Wait for Me …

French Institute in Scotland until August 23

This charming bilingual production, perfect for those over four, tells the story of a puppet child whose house mysteriously disappears overnight. The show, by Vera Rozanova, is a whimsical adventure where houses take flight like birds. Finding one's own home becomes a quest, with houses transforming into different shapes and sizes. Switching seamlessly between French and English, the performance explores themes of displacement, discovering new places, and the meaning of home. It's a visually and sonically beautiful experience.

Float

Pleasance at EICC until August 23

Designed for babies under 12 months and their parents, "Float" by Starcatchers is a mesmerizing aquatic-themed show. Staged around a translucent water barrel, the performance offers a gentle and dreamlike experience for the youngest audience members, who can relax on beanbags. The show evolves subtly from vocal improvisations to graceful dancing, with performers in shimmering costumes interacting with light and creating gentle breezes. A solo performance within the barrel adds to the magic, and warm blankets are provided for sleepy attendees, making it a truly enchanting experience.

The Letterman

Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 31

This silent, alphabet-themed comedy, suitable for children over five, showcases the expressive talents of Bryce Flint-Somerville. Playing a mischievous schoolboy left unsupervised, he embarks on a series of comical pranks, engaging the audience in his antics. The show features a towering set of alphabet blocks that seem to have a life of their own, with the performer humorously trying to keep them in order. It’s a silly and potentially educational show with gentle humor.

Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels

Assembly George Square until August 30

Fans of Quentin Blake's illustrations will appreciate this adaptation, which brings to life the eccentric inventor Mrs. Armitage and her numerous attempts to visit her cousin. The production by Samantha Lane, featuring Esk, includes delightful songs about making the ordinary extraordinary. Lottie Johnson shines as Mrs. Armitage, supported by puppeteers Christopher Dobson and Duncan Taylor, who bring the enthusiastic dog Breakspear to life. The show is bright, engaging, and features a creative wooden shed set, offering wholesome family entertainment with a touch of the original's wit.