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Bring the kids for an hour of crafty sunshine at the Suncatchers Workshop in Newtongrange. This hands-on, £5 session at the National Mining Museum produces bright window art and a tangible souvenir—perfect for rainy days or a half-day family outing.
Bring the kids for an hour of crafty sunshine at the Suncatchers Workshop in Newtongrange. This hands-on, £5 session at the National Mining Museum produces bright window art and a tangible souvenir—perfect for rainy days or a half-day family outing.
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Operated by National Mining Museum Scotland · Newtongrange, Scotland
On a bright summer morning in Newtongrange, Scotland, the Suncatchers Workshop invites children to turn light into color. Held at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange, this one-hour session guides youngsters aged 2–12 through simple, hands-on projects using tissue paper and coloured acetate. For toddlers, instructors offer easy shapes; older kids can design dinosaurs, robots, and window hangings to take home. With all materials included and a fee of £5 per child, the workshop is an accessible way to spend a morning indoors while connecting to a place built around industrial heritage.
The setting is part family-friendly craft time, part local-storytelling. The museum anchors Newtongrange’s revival as a cultural site that preserves Scotland’s coal-mining past; pairing a playful craft with the heavier history of deep pits and miners’ lives creates an unexpected contrast that families appreciate. Natural light is essential to the project’s effect—sheets of coloured acetate throw jewel-like hues when hung in windows—so the building’s exhibition halls and community spaces make a practical studio.
What to expect: sessions run about one hour, spaces are limited, and children leave with a completed suncatcher. Young makers work with non-toxic materials and simple adhesives; staff or volunteers help with cutting and assembly. The process is tactile and forgiving, ideal for developing fine motor skills and creative confidence. Because younger children will need more supervision, parents or guardians should plan to assist or stay close during the crafting.
Practical tips: book ahead to secure a spot—community workshops at museum sites fill up quickly during school holidays. Dress children in clothes that can tolerate a dab of glue or paste. Bring a small bag for finished artwork; a flat surface in a backpack preserves delicate acetate pieces on the trip home. If you combine the workshop with a visit to the museum galleries, allow extra time to explore mining exhibits and learning displays that contextualize the region.
Why this experience stands out: it pairs an inexpensive, drop-in craft with a meaningful local institution, offering an easy front-door to cultural education for families. For visitors based in nearby towns or exploring the Scottish Borders and Midlothian, the Suncatchers Workshop is a short, joyful stop that produces a tangible souvenir and a photo-ready splash of color for windows at home. It’s simple, affordable seasonal fun designed for hands-on curiosity.
Booking is handled through the museum’s online system and spaces can fill fast during school breaks; expect a small-group setting where instructors can offer one-on-one help. The workshop doubles as a rainy-day plan and a low-cost creative souvenir-making class that supports community programming. Parents report that finished suncatchers make keepsakes and conversation starters about local history, and many families combine the craft with a guided tour later.
Children aged 2–12 can participate; younger kids will need adult help with cutting and assembly.
Sessions last approximately one hour.
The listed price is £5.00 per child.
Yes—tissue paper, coloured acetate and adhesives are included in the session cost.
Booking is recommended as spaces are limited, especially during school holidays.
Accessibility information is not specified; contact the museum directly to discuss needs and accommodations.
National Mining Museum Scotland, located in Newtongrange, Scotland, preserves and interprets the nation’s coal-mining heritage at the former Lady Victoria Colliery site. The museum offers multiple ways to explore mining history: guided tours led by former miners, a 16-stop audio tour, exhibition galleries with interactive displays, and a chance to descend into recreated underground tunnels. Visitors can see the museum’s giant winding engine, explore the Power House setting, and view artifacts and personal stories that reveal miners’ lives and the region’s industrial community. Seasonal and specialist events complement regular tours. Family-focused experiences include Halloween Family Ghost Tours, Santa’s Grotto visits, and the Snow Queen pantomime. Adults-only and evening events range from ghost tours with live actors to craft and social workshops such as festive wreath making, Paint & Prosecco painting sessions, and live storytelling evenings like An Evening with Eric Davidson. The museum’s programming blends history, hands-on activities, and community performance in purpose-built industrial spaces. Practical visitor information is delivered alongside interpretation: friendly expert guides, accessible exhibition galleries, and curated audio content provide layered options for different interests and mobility needs. The museum emphasizes authentic voices through former miner guides and tangible artifacts. Group bookings, family visits, seasonal events, and educational visits are supported by staff experienced in heritage presentation. National Mining Museum Scotland presents coal-mining history with immersive exhibits and events designed to engage visitors of all ages, preserving local memory while offering meaningful, educational experiences. Accessible facilities, a museum shop, and on-site parking support visitors throughout the year comfortably.
Book with National Mining Museum Scotland