🌞 Wee Weekender | 9-10 AugustPirates, Pop Stars & Puffing Engines: Full Steam Ahead for Family Fun!

Alright Wee Weekenders, let’s face it — summer holiday stamina is fading fast.

The snack cupboard's empty, the paddling pool’s turned into a wildlife pond, and the novelty of “screen time” has officially worn off.

But never fear — we’ve rustled up a cracking batch of weekend adventures to reset the vibes.

From vintage steam to sparkly pop to dinosaur trails, here’s what’s on this weekend...

🎡 Friends of Summerlee Steam Fair

Get ready for a weekend full of puffing engines and pure nostalgia! The annual steam fair at Summerlee is back with working steam engines, a mini train, coal mine tours, a sweet shop, arts & crafts, and even a dinosaur trail. There’s also a bouncy castle (Sunday only), ice cream van, and an old-school Photo ID kit where kids can create their own “police sketch” portrait. Grown-ups will love it too — promise.

📍 Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge
⏰ Sat 9th & Sun 10th August, Museum open 10am–5pm, activities 11am–4.30pm
💷 Free (small fees for some activities)
👉 More info

🏴‍☠️ The McDougalls: Pirate Adventure

All aboard the good ship McDougall! Auntie Aggie, Max and Morag the Rabbit are back with a brand-new pirate-themed musical adventure packed with catchy singalongs like A Sailor Went to Sea and Row Row Row Your Boat. It’s the ultimate stage show for little ones — especially those who love a good treasure hunt. Pirate dress-up highly encouraged!

📍 East Kilbride Village Theatre
⏰ Sat 9th August, 1pm
💷 £12 / £42 Family Ticket
👉 More info

🎮 Glasgow Indie Games Festival

This isn’t your usual gaming event — it’s a celebration of the weird, wonderful, and wildly creative side of gaming. Play never-before-seen indie titles, meet the developers, take part in workshops, and enjoy live music, talks, and even a bit of poetry. It’s all happening in one buzzing venue, with loads to explore for curious kids (and their gaming-mad parents).

📍 Barras Art and Design (BAaD), Glasgow
⏰ Sat 9th August, 12pm–10pm
💷 See website for ticket info
👉 More info

🎤 Girlypop Live

If your little ones are forever singing into a hairbrush, this is the event for them. Girlypop Live is bringing tribute acts for Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Chappell Roan to SWG3 for a mega pop party. With roaming entertainers, DJs, glitter stations, bubbles, confetti, sweet treats and more — it’s a full sensory overload (in the best way possible).

📍 SWG3, Glasgow
⏰ Sun 10th August, from 12pm
💷 See website for ticket info
👉 More info

🧘 Family Yoga at Nest

Time to slow things down and stretch it all out. This sweet, playful yoga session is designed for kids aged 3–7 and their grown-ups, using stories, partner poses, songs and breathwork to connect body and mind. It’s all about play, not perfection, and it’s a lovely way to co-regulate and calm those summer holiday meltdowns (yours and theirs).

📍 Nest Glasgow, East End
⏰ Sun 10th August, 2pm–3.30pm
💷 £12 (extra child/adult £1 each)
👉 More info

🚲 Hame’ll Dae Me

Don’t fancy jumping on a plane this summer? No need — the National Library of Scotland has created a full adventure right here in Glasgow. Hame’ll Dae Me is a free drop-in activity set with crafts, LEGO, a transport trail, quizzes, and vintage Scottish travel films that’ll take you on a journey through 100 years of getting from A to B.

📍 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow West End
⏰ Until Sat 9th August, 11am–4pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🎭 Theatre School of Scotland – Glasgow Open Day

Got a budding performer at home? Swing by the Theatre School of Scotland’s open day to get a taste of everything they offer — from screen acting to musical theatre and LAMDA qualifications. There are taster classes for different age groups, plus a chance to meet the faculty, tour the space, and ask all your questions before term kicks off.

📍 Theatre School of Scotland, Stockwell Place, Glasgow
⏰ Sat 9th August, 2.30pm–5.15pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🏋️‍♂️ Brodick Highland Games

Nothing says summer in Scotland like a good old Highland Games. Held in the heart of Arran since 1886, this family-friendly event features traditional heavy events, Highland dancing, athletics, fancy dress contests and stalls galore. A grand excuse to hop on the ferry and enjoy a full day of island fun!

📍 Ormidale Park, Brodick, Isle of Arran
⏰ Sat 9th August, from 11am
💷 Adults £5 / Children under 14 go free
👉 More info

💎 Jewellery Making: Charm Bracelets

Calling all crafty kids (and adults)! Learn how to make your very own charm bracelet at this chilled-out beading workshop in the West End. You’ll choose from colourful beads and silver-plated charms, then use basic tools to put it all together. Great for beginners aged 8+ (with a supervising adult) and a lovely way to make something special to take home.

📍 Creative Bloc, Garscube Road, Glasgow
⏰ Sun 10th August, 12pm–1.30pm
💷 £15
👉 More info

☀️ That’s a Wrap, Wee Weekenders!

From bouncing between bouncy castles and bracelet-making, to chilling out with yoga or grooving at Girlypop — this weekend is bursting at the seams with things to do. Get those snacks packed, charge your phones, and remember: you can nap on Monday.

Catch you next week for more pint-sized plans and parent-friendly fun.

💌 Stay fabulous,
The Wee Weekender Team