1 Build It: Adventures with Lego Bricks

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, from Fri

A new exhibition bringing a jaw-dropping collection of elaborate mini-buildings and models dreamt up by artist and professional Lego builder Warren Elsmore to the Scottish capital. As well as watching live build of a new three metre version of the museum building, visitors can also get creative with a range of hands-on activities and building sessions. Running until mid-April, Build It is part of the Festival of Architecture, a year-long showcase of Scotland’s built environment. www.nms.ac.uk

2 Saturday Science Live: Healthy Bodies

Wellgate Shopping Centre, Dundee, Saturday

Join the team from Dundee Science Centre for the latest in a series of free drop-ins, where curious children and their adults can find out how our bodies work through a range of fun, interactive activities from 1pm-4pm. In the month that astronaut Tim Peak was launched into history, visitors will also be able to get an insight into how humans are able to stay healthy while orbiting the earth for months on end. www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk

3 Manipulate Festival

Edinburgh and Aberdeen, from Fri

Back with more from the arty end of puppetry and performance is this annual festival of innovative theatre, visual storytelling and animated film. As well as plenty of weird and wonderful new stuff from Scotland, the programme additionally boasts award-winning artists and theatre groups from Austria, Canada, Cyprus, England, Russia and the USA - as well as screenings of work from the British Animation Awards for the first time. Venues include Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree and the Traverse in Edinburgh. www.manipulatefestival.org

4 Lightbox Project

The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, Fri-Sat

The interactive, educational theme continues with this free family-friendly technology workshop run by energy company Utilita. Giving children carte blanche to experiment, investigate and play, the event includes a variety of exciting activities, experiments and demonstrations including mini robot wars, 3D printing, plasma balls, instant snow, circuit building, light drawing and virtual reality headsets. Accessible, free of charge, and open to all on a drop-in basis from 10.30am to 4pm on both days, Lightbox Project also returns to Scotland in mid-February for a weekend at Glasgow’s SWG3. www.utilita.co.uk/lightboxproject

5 Hello, My Name is Paul Smith

The Lighthouse, Glasgow, open daily

Freshly opened at The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, this high profile touring exhibition celebrates the life and near five decade career of iconic British designer Sir Paul Smith. Exploring the history of his global retail empire while revealing insights into his creative processes, the show brings together items from his personal archive, are photographs and garments from runway shows along with a collection of some of greatest collaborations plus recreations of his office and first shop. Running until 20 March, tickets are £4-£6. www.thelighthouse.co.uk/hellopaulsmith

6 Winter Night at the Museums

University of Aberdeen, Saturday

The University of Aberdeen do their bit to liven up a washout winter by hosting this fun-filled evening of seasonal storytelling and crafts. Suitable for all ages, drop-in events include origami sessions, badge and mask-making, and object handling. Running from 6pm to 8.30pm, participating venues include the Zoology Museum, Aberdeen Biodiversity Centre, the King’s Museum, and the Special Collections Centre in the Sir Duncan Rice Library, which is also opens its café to offer Snow Queen-inspired refreshments. www.abdn.ac.uk

7 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Across Scotland, Sat-Sun

Reconnect with nature this weekend by joining more than half a million people across the UK donating time to the world’s biggest wildlife survey. The concept is simplicity itself - just set yourself up in any back garden, local park or green space for an hour and record all the birds and wildlife you see. For a more communal experience, there are also a number of organised events at locations including Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Dundee Botanic Gardens, and RSPB Baron’s Haugh near Motherwell. Sign up at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

8 Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour

Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat

Leave January behind and be transported to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the globe with this touring show collecting 13 of the best new short films from some of the world’s leading adventure filmmakers. Covering a mix of styles, themes and sports such as climbing, skiing, kayaking and biking, the programme is split into Blue and Red screenings starting at 2.30pm and 7.30pm (from £14.50). The tour returns next month for dates in Glasgow, Inverness and Pitlochry. www.banff-uk.com

9 Plague!

National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, daily until May 29

This engagingly gruesome exhibition explores the influence of plague, cholera, smallpox and other contagious diseases in Scotland over the last 700 years. Spanning official records, personal papers, rare books, old maps and contemporary accounts from the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, a wealth of material has been assembled to uncover the how and why of epidemic disease. Injecting a real-life dose of horrible history into proceedings are a variety of grisly items to examine, including a selection of preserved body parts. Admission is free. www.nls.uk/exhibitions/plague

10 Damian Shields: Landscape Photography

Leiper Fine Art Gallery, Glasgow, until Sun

As Glasgow prepares to bid farewell to Celtic Connections, there’s just time for one last look at this show by award-winning landscape photographer (and Herald and Times graphic artist) Damian Shields. Reflecting a long-standing sense of wonder at the natural world and a keen appetite for exploration, the free exhibition takes a stunning look at Scotland’s ever-changing weather and landscape. Timed to coincide with Glasgow’s annual winter folk festival, the show is presented alongside a collection of drawings by illustrator and musician Conrad Molleson. www.leiperfineart.com/damian-shields