THE THISTLES in Stirling is launching The Little Thistlets Kids Club, an exciting entertainment-packed programme, taking place once a month throughout 2017.

A fantastic range of themes, featuring engaging characters such as Andy Murraymint, Zara the Zookeeper, Terry Dactyl, Barbara Woofhouse and Prince Pants a Lot, will guarantee younger visitors to the centre are kept occupied with lots of fun, educational activities.

Running 11am – 4pm, access to The Little Thistlets Kids Club is free and will also include exclusive discounts and special retailer offers for participants throughout the year.

The Little Thistlets Kids Club launches on Sunday, February 5 and will run on the first Sunday of every month.

Commenting ahead of the launch, Phil Byrne, centre director, said: "The Little Thistlets Kids Club is sure to prove popular with our younger visitors to the centre. We have created a fun-packed entertainment schedule to keep even the most demanding of children occupied, and allow busy parents and families to enjoy their shopping experience at The Thistles.

"The kids club is free and open to all, and we look forward to welcoming children to the launch on February 5 and every month throughout the year.”

SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY - 999 EMERGENCY

Calling all budding fire fighters, police on the beat and medical fixer uppers – we have an emergency! Billie Bump has had an accident…again! We need your help. A practical adventure where our group will make 999 calls to Chrissie Call Centre to get the right emergency services to Billie Bump’s rescue. When all else fails, our group of emergency services may just have to step up to the task themselves. Lots of action, games, decision making and sirens in this fun packed session.

SUNDAY 5TH MARCH – THE THISTLES DISCO

Come and make some noise at a Thistles Disco this month. Join Harmony and the Thrill Seeker on a musical journey to discover the new voice of 2017! There will be singing, body drumming and even a human orchestra. We want you to make some noise with us – come along!

SUNDAY, APRIL 2 – ZAPPY ZOO

Zara the Zookeeper is a bit worried. She let all the animals out to stretch their legs, tails and trunks a bit, but now they’ve wandered off! Can you help Zara round up the animals before the zoo inspector arrives?

SUNDAY, MAY 7 – DINOSAUR DETECTIVES

Step back in time with Terry Dactyl and his team on a dino stomping, rip ROARing, storytelling adventure. Finding fossils is the theme of the day and maybe, just maybe, even locating the whereabouts of the long lost Doyouthinkesaurous dinosaur! A fun packed prehistoric adventure from start to finish – a must for little dinosaur lovers with large imaginations!

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 – CRAZY COOKS

Top Chef Philip De Pancake is about to enter the Thistles Pancake Competition but he’s completely forgotten the recipe. Luckily, he’s called the Pancake helpline to Wilma Whish who, together with her team of helpers, can teach Philip to mix and whisk and flip the world’s biggest pancake!

SUNDAY, JULY 2 – ANYONE FOR TENNIS

Andy Murraymint thinks he had what it takes to be the tennis champion at Wumbledon, but we’re not so sure…For a start he’s broken his racquet and need help to fix it. Can you come and help Coach Cosy to get him in shape?

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 – LET’S GO CAMPING

Pack your kit, we’re going on a camping holiday! In to the woods…the deep dark woods…Have you got your tent? Check! Have you got your torch? Check! Have you got your bear repellent? No? Oh No!!! Join Captain Camp and Wilder Wildernessicals to learn the basics of setting up camp, singing camp fire songs and of course…how not to get eaten by a bear!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 – WOOF! WOOF!

Heel! Sit! Stay and play as top dog trainers Barbara Woofhouse and Reginald Rollover get ready for the Annual Thistles Dog Show! The only problem is, they don’t have any dogs. Will you come and help them in some crazy canine capers? Walkies!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 – A KNIGHTS TALE

Prince Pants-a-Lot’s horse has been kidnapped by a dragon and he’s terribly upset about it. Can brave Knigella the Knight rescue him in time? She needs the help of knightlings like you to come along and save the day!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 – WHOOSH BANG

Knatherine Wheel and Ricky Rockets have been planning The Thistles fireworks display for ages! Have they got everything they need? Safety equipment – check. Toffee Apples – check. The Fireworks…oh no! They’ve both forgotten the fireworks! Can you come and help them make sure it all goes off with a bang!