Rock August with Us!
Rock August with us!
This month on 27th at 10am we’re joining the world’s first Parent Strike! Following on from the success of the Dads Strike last summer it’s going to be bigger and better this year as we’ll be demonstrating in Edinburgh and Glasgow! All the details are here: Parent Strike
There’s lots of activities coming up so take a look below – we can't wait to see you at one of our events!🍉☀️🍦🌻✨
Join us for The Parent’s Strike
Becoming a parent is life-changing, but the UK system is failing families. We currently have the worst paternity leave offer in Europe—just two weeks, paid at less than half the minimum wage. On top of that, too many parents are routinely denied the flexible working arrangements that make balancing a job and childcare actually possible.
It’s time for a systemic shift.
On Thursday 27th August, parents and allies across the country are joining the national Parent Strike to demand a fairer future. Dads Rock is leading the demonstrations right here in Scotland, alongside Mother Pukka, The Dad Shift, Father’s Network Scotland and Flexible Working Scotland.
We are demanding a minimum of 6 week paternity leave to give dads enough time off to support their partner and bond with their kids without taking leave away from mums. We want it to be paid leave so everyone can afford to take it even those who are self employed. We want it to be equal so mums and dad are free to shape their own roles in the family and not have them dictated by gender.
Groups
If you are wanting to spend some quality time with your wee one(s) and chat with some other local dads, our groups are the place for you.
Most groups run every week but it’s always worth checking the calendar to make sure it’s on.
North Ayrshire: In Irvine we have weekly groups for Dads and their children on Sundays at 10.30am and the Three Towns Dads Group is on Wednesdays at 6.30pm🚴
Glasgow: In Maryhill we have a playgroup on every Saturday at 10am🐝
Edinburgh: In Gorgie we run playgroups every Saturday and Sunday at 10am. On Tuesday evening at 7pm is our Dads and Dice group - a games night for Dads with or without their babies🌻
Dundee: Saturdays the Boomerang Centre 10am🥁
East Ayrshire: Join us in the Baby Sensory Room, My5s Football, Kilmarnock. Monday’s from 6pm🫧
You can sign up to come along to any of our groups: GroupSignUp and check the calendar to see it’s on: WhatsOn
Don’t forget our WhatsApp groups! If you’re not part of our community you can join here: WhatsApp
Trips
Ayrshire- Wednesday 5th August 11am–3pm - Kay Park Play Day 🎨⚽🌳 As part of National Playday celebrations, the park will be packed with free activities, creative play, sports, adventure trails and much more. The Dads Rock team will be there throughout the day and we'd love to see you for a fun-filled family day out. No booking required – just come along and join us! Contact Gordon gordon@dadsrock.org.uk or 07783 982737 to sign up.
Edinburgh - Saturday 8th August - Fringe Trip - We’re going to see A Comedy Magic Show for Kids! Limited tickets available for our regular families - contact hello@dadsrock.org.ukif you would like to come.
Dundee- We’re heading to Dundee for another brilliant Kiltwalk this summer. It’s a fantastic way to get involved, meet other families and raise vital funds for Dads Rock. Choose the distance thatsuits you and come along for a great day out on August 16th! Sign up here- Dads Rock - Kiltwalk 2026 - Register your interest 🚶♂️🏅You can also sign up for Edinburgh Kiltwalk on 13th September via this link 😉
Edinburgh- Join Dads Rock at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Wednesday 19th August at 10am-11.30am for a fun Pop in and Play session📚 No need to book! (excuse the pun!) Just come along for stories, play, and a relaxed chance to spend time together. It’s a great opportunity for parents and their children to get involved, have fun, and enjoy the festival atmosphere🌷
Glasgow- Saturday 22nd August - Join us for a family day out at the Calder Glen Country Park and Zoo this summer. It’s a great chance to explore together, enjoy some time outdoors and see lots of animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, wallabies, otters and meerkats - and connect with other Dads Rock families. Sign up here- Meerkats
Edinburgh and Glasgow - Parent Strike - 27 August 2026. Parents across the UK will take part in the world's first Parent Strike to demand proper paternity leave and real flexible working rights. Dads Rock will be leading the strike in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Sign up:https://parentstrike.org/
Edinburgh - Fringe Performance - Following our songwriting workshops we’re performing our new songs on the Community Stage on 28th August at 4.30pm 🎭
Workshops
We run free workshops regularly in our different locations across Scotland. There are a range of topics that we cover and this month we will be running:
Songwriting with Dads and Kids - Join us on Sunday 2nd, 16th and 23rd at our Gorgie playgroup with musician Todd Henkin 🎶 dads and children will work together to write and practise a song before performing it live together at the Edinburgh Fringe Community Stage on 28th August at 4.30pm 🎭
Hair workshop Edinburgh on 22nd August - Come and learn how to look after your child’s hair. Master putting up ponytails and have a go at doing plaits. Sign up: Edinburgh
Dads Antenatal Glasgow - Join us on Tuesday 18th August from 7:00pm–9:00pm at Maryhill Community Centre for our free Dads Antenatal Workshop. This relaxed, dads-only session offers practical advice and hands-on experience, including changing nappies and bathing a baby, while giving you the chance to meet other expectant dads and build confidence ahead of your little one's arrival👶💙
Sleep Online - Our trained team will be available on Wednesday 26th August at 7pm to help you learn how to create a successful bedtime routine and improve your child’s sleep patterns and discuss any sleep issues you may be having with your toddler. Sign up: sleep
Our workshops are free to attend but donations are always welcome! They are a great way to build confidence while spending quality time together.
You can find out more about all our workshops using the link here: Parenting Workshops
Other support
As always we’ll be providing one to one support in Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Tayside and Glasgow, as well as peer support for New Dads through our PS service
JuLY Round-up
July was a busy month at Dads Rock giving plenty of opportunities for dads and families to connect. We had our summer of fun over in Ayrshire with activities every Wednesday and Thursday from football to fire station visits. Our usual groups and workshops were running as well and we even found time for a camping trip to Loch Achray for some of our families!
Below is a round up of July photos👇
