The Galleries kids club

This February, little visitors to The Galleries in Bristol, will be able to get creative with a range of exciting and stimulating arts and crafts at the centre’s free kids’ club.

Giggling Geckos has been chosen as its brand-new name and was suggested by local shopper – Ella Jarrett. The centre asked members of the community to come up with something that was fun yet also unique, and its management team felt this was the perfect choice.

Commenting on being selected, Ella said: “I want a safe and fun environment for my children, and I feel the word ‘giggling’ really encompasses this. Kids love a mascot, something they can clearly recognise, and a Gecko is a cute, lively animal that youngsters will love! And from a marketing view the g alliteration works perfectly with The Galleries, meaning it will stick in people’s minds!”

The first Giggling Gecko session kicked off to great enthusiasm at the weekend with participants taking part in pancake making in celebration of Shrove Tuesday. Running every second Saturday of the month until September, children will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exciting activities. Whether it’s making memories for mum to celebrate Mother’s Day, getting experimental in the slime lab, or enjoying an egg-citing Easter Egg Hunt there will be a huge variety of tasks on offer. Plus, everything they make on the day can be taken home as a memento.

Amari-Blue successfully flips her pancake at the Giggling Gecko Kids’ Club at The Galleries

David Wait, The Galleries Shopping Centre manager, said: “We are delighted with the name Giggling Gecko, it really does sum-up the ethos of the club wonderfully. It is very much for the local community so what better way to really make our customers feel involved than to invite them to put their own ideas forward?

“Judging by how well the first one went, it’s already proving a huge hit. Each and every event we plan to run, will be engaging and enjoyable, offering children the chance to use their imagination allowing them to spark their creative flare.”

Each kids’ club will be on from 10am until 4pm and located on the ground floor. There will be a loyalty card on offer to parents and after the first three sessions, for those who get their card stamped can collect an exclusive goodie bag, allowing children to continue the fun at home.

Emily gets stuck into eating her pancake at the Giggling Gecko Kids Club at The Galleries

Also, mums and dads who sign up to receive club event emails about what’s coming up, will be sent a special birthday surprise message for their child. This will include a fantastic discounted visit to Jungle Mania, plus, if they show the email at the next kids’ club, they can collect a birthday gift.

Ella added: “As a mum of two young kids, the idea of being able to combine my love of shopping with some fun activities for them is amazing! We are all very excited to come and try Giggling Geckos out.”

For more information on all the events taking place at The Galleries website, please visit www.galleriesbristol.co.uk. 

See more: 8 new things to try with the kids in Bristol in 2020