They say children are the toughest critics so it seems only fair to let them take on the role of reviewer when the world's biggest arts festival arrives on their doorstep.

With more than 150 shows on offer at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and everything from slapstick circus to improvised comedy, four very excited young Scots whittled down their options to a selection of shows before boldly stepping into the shoes of a festival reporter for the day.

Emoji scorecards in hand (because how else would you rate a kids show), siblings Orlyn and Cathan Fallis and their friends Maisie and Sandy Mowat had no qualms about bringing you their honest opinions on them.

Here's what they thought.

Billed as science's "greatest and most volatile" science show with exploding dustbins and supercharged spinning chairs, this is the first year Brainiac Live has been at the Fringe and it has bagged a sizeable venue at McEwan Hall.

Celebrating ten years of the show with this stint in Edinburgh, the shows has been a favourite at science festivals around the world and is not long back from the Sydney Opera House.

Sandy landed a spot on stage and even found himself in the winning team, earning the show a heart eyes emoji. He did also decide to use the much anticipated poo emoji because he "liked the bit where the big bangs went" in the show but we suspect it may have just been out of excitement to use the card. A tears of joy emoji was also in the review mix.

Brainiac Live! is on between August 6-12 then August 14-27 at 11am at Underbelly Bristo Square, McEwan Hall.

Another first for the Fringe, it is surprising that this comedy duo has never mingled in the Edinburgh festival scene before now.

But it's a better late than never situation for these BAFTA winners who have been on our TV screens for 20 years. Promising games, songs and, of course, bogies, the Horrid Henry actors seem to be sticking to what they know best with audience participation a key factor in their show.

Landing an interview with the duo, our four young critics had the chance to ask Dick and Dom a few questions and they did not disappoint by answering in a typical Dick and Dom style, finishing off each other's sentences with plenty of cheekiness.

Maisie: Why have you never done the Fringe before?

Dick: Actually we have, well one of us has.

Dom: Yes, I did it when I was 15 years old in the George Square Theatre for the whole month and I was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre and it was great but I am sure it is very different now.

Dick: I have never done it before, this is my Fringe debut and I am loving it.

Maisie: What's been your favourite show to do?

Dick: Dick & Dom in da Bungalow, many years ago. Do you remember that?

The children shakes their heads, laughing as they say no.

Dick: Too young for that.

Dom: It was 12 years ago.

Dick: You can watch it on YouTube.

Cathan: What's your favourite legal swear?

Dick: NannyNobNobs

Dom: Erm Granny sacks. I don't know what they are but it sounds rude.

Dick: Yeah, it does.

So, what was the verdict from our reporter?

Well it was a unanimous face with tears of joy emoji from all four, a response Dick and Dom were more than happy to receive.

Dick and Dom: Dick Vs Dom is on between August 6- and August 12 at 1pm at Underbelly Bristo Square, McEwan Hall.

The boys ditched the girls and set off to see bestselling author Stuart Reid as he took to the stage to bring his famous character Gorgeous George to life.

It seemed the humour appealed to our six and seven-year-old critics as they both opted for the face with tears of joy emoji again (there seems to be a bit of a theme emerging, they must be having fun).

Parents, you may also be interested to know that this show is part of the Free Festival.

Boogers, Books and Big Bottom Burps! is on at Laughing Horse at The Free Sisters in Maggie's Chamber at 3.15pm.

Enjoying some brother-free time, Orlyn and Maisie went to see a dance show called Break Free.

Direct from Tokyo and a Fringe first, the show had a cast made up of champion break dancers with eight world titles among them.

Billed as a 'breakdance fairytale', it certainly seemed to capture their imaginations with Orlyn saying it earned the heart eyes emoji because of the great dancing.

Break Free is on between August 6-12 then August 14-27 at Underbelly, Bristo Square - Cowbarn.

Have you been to see a children's show that you would like to recommend? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.