HAD your fill of turkey and chocs? Fed up with Christmas telly? Looking for some fun stuff to do before the schools go back? Look no more - here's a round-up of some of the best family days out and events on the go. ANN FOTHERINGHAM reports. IRN-BRU CARNIVAL

Europe's biggest indoor funfair is in full flight in its 21st year at the SECC with a dizzying array of nerve-jangling rides, including the Speed Flip, Rotor and Drop Zone, and old favourites like the dodgems and waltzers. Firmly established as a Glasgow festive institution, the jamboree of stalls and family attractions is expected to attract 140,000 visitors during its three-week residency. Until January 14, SECC, Finnieston Quay. Wristbands priced £2.50-£19 from 0870 040 4000 or info: www.irn-bru-carnival.com SCIENCE CENTRE FUN

Have a "gas" during the school holidays at Glasgow Science Centre's live science show, get prepared for a balloon-bursting finale, and check out the winter night sky in the ScottishPower Planetarium. You can also prepare for the winter months and discover fascinating facts about our future climate and experience a thunderstorm in the UK's only climate change theatre - certain to be a weather forecast with a difference. Or, if you're not too scared of heights, take a trip up the 128m tall Glasgow tower (£4.95/£3.95 conc). Various show times, Glasgow Science Centre, Pacific Quay, £6.95/£4.95 for Science Mall entry, 0871 540 1000. SNOWFLAKE WORKSHOPS

Going back to school is probably the last thing on most children's minds, but there's a very different experience to be had in New Lanark. Step inside Robert Owen's school and blow away the Christmas cobwebs with some wintry crafts. January 2 to 7, noon-4pm, New Lanark, £3 or free with passport costing £5.95/£4.95 conc, 01555 661345 or visit www.newlanark.org AT HOME WITH THE ROMANS

Take a step back in time by visiting a new and exciting exhibition which provides a vivid insight into what life was like for Roman legions in Britain between 122 and 410AD. It's suitable for all ages. And don't miss the chance to explore the rest of Low Parks, including the fascinating buildings once part of the Duke of Hamilton's estate. Until April 30 (closed New Year's Day and Jan 2), open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm, Low Parks Museum, 129 Muir Street, Hamilton, free, 01698 328232. COME AND TRY CURLING

You may have watched the Scottish team on TV picking up the World and Olympic championships, and here is your chance to give the sport a try at East Kilbride Ice Rink. All you need are trainers with clean soles. Coaching by Royal Caledonian Curling Club official coaches. Mondays 6.30pm to 8pm from January 8 until March 5. Olympia Shopping Centre, East Kilbride. First session is free and it's £3 thereafter. Call 01355 244065. ZOO CREATURES QUIZ

You don't have to be Doctor Dolittle to enjoy learning about animals. This fun, one-off quiz is designed for kids of all ages, who can take part in colouring in activities, word searches and quizzes to test their wits and skills. Meet at the Calderglen Conservatory, beside the Cactus Bed. Hogmanay 2-4pm, Calderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride, free, 01355 236644. THE SNOWMAN

Whether the weather outside is frightful it's always snowing in the classic cartoon version of the Snowman. Unwind after a tour round New Lanark with a festive screening in the centre's AV theatre. And you can bet that Raymond Briggs' snowman won't pinch anyone's fizzy drinks! Until Hogmanay, 1pm & 3pm, New Lanark, £3 or free with passport costing £5.95/£4.95 conc, 01555 661345 or visit www.newlanark.org CATCH A PANTO

Christmas may be over (it's behind us!), but panto season continues in its full flamboyant finery. You can still catch Aladdin at the King's Theatre (0870 060 6648) until Jan 13, Peter Pan at the Pavilion Theatre (0141 332 1846) until Jan 27, Wullie Whittington at the Tron (0141 552 4267) runs until Jan 7, and James and the Giant Peach is at the Citizens (0141 429 0022) until Dec 30. Call venues for details. BALLET HOO!

Scottish Ballet's mesmerising retelling of the classic fairytale Cinderella pirouettes its way through its final week in Glasgow before going on a tour of Scotland. Under the charge of artistic director Ashley Page, the company dance to the famous Prokofiev score in a production described as like "Vivienne Westwood meets Andy Warhol". Until Saturday, Theatre Royal, Hope Street, £9-£26, 0870 060 6647. GLASGOW'S HOGMANAY

Building up to become one of the hottest tickets of the year, Glasgow revellers see in 1997 with local kings of indie pop The Fratellis, Dundee's rising stars The View and internet pop phenomenon Sandi Thom. Only those with tickets will see Donnie Munro and the spectacular fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Call 0871 200 3940 or visit www.seeglasgow.com/hogmanay GET CRAFTY

Motherwell Heritage Centre is running drop-in craft days throughout the festive holidays for children over eight years of age (or younger if accompanied by an adult at all times). Topics include winter window decorations tomorrow, Christmas badges on Thursday, finger puppets on January 3, wooden animal photo frames on January 4 and design your own pencil case on January 5. Motherwell Heritage Centre, High Road. Costs from 50p. Info: 01698 251000. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

While Glasgow audiences have enjoyed a panto-tastic season, over in Edinburgh the big theatre blockbuster is this fantasmagorical stage musical. Everyone's favourite car takes centre stage in a cast that includes Gregor Fisher as Grandpa Potts, Barbara Rafferty as Baroness Vulgaria and Joe McFadden as Caractacus Potts. Until February 24, Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, tickets £8-£37.50 from 0870 606 3424. BUGSY MALONE

The Glasgow Film Theatre rings out to the sounds of Fat Sam's Grand Slam as the classic movie Bugsy Malone gets a shiny new print. Starring a young Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, and directed by Alan Parker, a family audience is expected for a series of screenings, culminating in the "fancy dress" screening on Hogmanay, where the audience can dress up in their finest gangster outfits. Friday 4.15pm, Saturday 2.15pm & 6.30pm, Hogmanay 6.30pm, GFT, 12 Rose Street, 0141 332 8128. CBeebies LIVE! FANTASY CIRCUS

Roll up, roll up as this pre-school paradise invades the SECC. This extraordinary circus stars Justin Fletcher (from Tikkabilla and Something Special) with a little help from his friends Bob the Builder, Postman Pat, Fireman Sam, Tweenies, Bill and Ben, Pingu, Boo and Andy Pandy. Jan 4, 10.45am, 1.45pm & 4.45pm, SECC, Finnieston Quay, £14.50-£20, 0870 040 4000. WALK KELVINGROVE PARK

There's no rest for the wicked walk leaders at Kelvingrove Park, who will be leading hour-long tours of the Victorian park every day at 10.30am - and even on Ne'erday. It's a chance to find out more about Scotland's first park, all 85 acres of which were designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. Daily 10.30am, Kelvingrove Park, free. Meet at Rangers Station beside museum, Info: 0141 287 0241. RSPB LOCHWINNOCH

Learn how to care for our feathered friends when it's freezing with help from the RSPB nature reserve at Lochwinnoch, just 20 minutes from Glasgow city centre. Pick up tips for your own garden at the feeding station', or walk the nature trails and hides overlooking Aird Meadow loch. Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Largs Road, Renfrewshire, 01505 842663. BURRELL FAMILY CLUB

Explore the collection and meet a special guest - a jade terrapin from the British Museum. The weekly family sessions include activities such as storytelling, painting, drawing, ceramics, mosaic making and more. Friday & Saturday 2pm to 4pm, Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, free, 0141 287 2550. EDINBURGH'S HOGMANAY

Auld Reekie goes in for New Year in a big way, with a series of family events well worth making a trip eastwards. A torchlit procession accompanied by pipers winds from the Royal Mile to Calton Hill on Friday (6.30pm), the Night Afore International takes over George Street on Saturday (8pm-11pm) and on Ne'erday it's all about the pooches for Dogmanay in Holyrood Park (1.30pm-3pm), featuring Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed and Siberian Huskies. Info: www.edinburghshogmanay.org or 0131 473 2000.