As Scotland’s largest metropolis, it’s no shock that you just’re spoiled for selection with regards to issues to do in Glasgow with children.
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And whereas Glasgow is usually overshadowed by the capital, the beautiful Highlands or heading out on a Scottish highway journey, it makes for a incredible metropolis break for households.
My daughter’s first go to got here when she was a toddler and I found an entire new family-friendly aspect to the town I’d beforehand explored child-free – listed here are a few of my prime picks if you happen to’re searching for issues to do in Glasgow for youths.
Glasgow Science Centre
One in all my very own private favourites, the Glasgow Science Centre is so geared in direction of children, it’s arduous to get them out.
On our first go to when my daughter was a toddler, we spent virtually six hours exploring, with solely the briefest breaks to eat, and I nonetheless felt there was extra to find.
For starters, you’ll discover three flooring of interactive displays, particular actions and exhibits laid on, plus areas that allow children discover the world as they play, with every little thing from a mini crane to water shows.
Learn extra about our time out at Glasgow Science Centre right here.
Then there’s data on the human physique, a small planetarium – which has completely different exhibits aimed toward completely different age teams, together with a stunning one for youthful children – plus the IMAX subsequent door.
Go to at weekends and through faculty holidays and there are additional household occasions going down, together with a stay science demo on the day we visited. Positively one household attraction which tops my listing to go to year-round, although it’s perfect if you happen to’re visiting Glasgow within the rain and searching for some indoor leisure too.
Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery & Museum
No go to to Glasgow is full with out stopping at Kelvingrove museum, regardless of how outdated you might be, however even the youngest guests will love the animal galleries, together with an animated dinosaur, plus a succession of creatures from an elephant (aka Sir Roger) and giraffe down.
There are additionally museum bees, arms and armour, a show of masks, a Charles Rennie Waterproof coat Gallery, French, Dutch and Scottish artwork, the Historical Egypt show and short-term exhibitions – in complete, 8,000 objects in 22 themed galleries.
That’s all earlier than you try the short-term exhibitions too plus some grand structure and ornamental prospers to identify – to not point out a working organ, with performances. There’s additionally a carry between flooring if you happen to’re pushing a buggy.
Try my assessment of a go to to Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery & Museum with children
Glasgow Cathedral
Courting again to 1136, Glasgow Cathedral is without doubt one of the metropolis’s oldest and most well-known buildings, and if you happen to love historical past, it is a must-visit in Glasgow with children of all ages.
After testing the medieval church’s vaulted ceilings and wonderful stained glass home windows, head underground into the cathedral’s Thirteenth-century crypt, which is residence to the tomb and shrine of St Mungo, the founder and patron saint of Glasgow.
For older youngsters and youths with an curiosity in historical past, the cathedral provides quick free excursions run by its volunteers, perfect for studying extra in regards to the cathedral’s previous and its significance in Scottish historical past.
Uncover what we considered a go to to Glasgow Cathedral with a toddler
College of Glasgow
In case your children are Harry Potter followers, a go to to the College of Glasgow campus is a should.
Hearsay has it that the historic college was the inspiration behind Hogwarts when JK Rowling was writing her first books in Edinburgh.
We don’t know if that is really true – there are numerous locations laying declare to having impressed the Harry Potter books, however regardless, it’s arduous to not really feel transported to Hogwarts whenever you see the grand Gothic-revival-style constructing, with its stunning Cloisters and plenty of towering gothic spires.
As you wander by way of the grounds and courtyards admiring the structure, don’t miss the big tree within the courtyard of the Japanese Quadrangle, which many imagine may have impressed the Whomping Willow.
The Hunterian Museum
Whereas visiting the College of Glasgow, save a while to pop contained in the College’s Hunterian Museum, one other of the very best museums in Glasgow for youths.
Youngsters can study in regards to the historical past of Scotland by way of the museum’s diverse assortment of historic artefacts, with every little thing from Egyptian mummies and Roman ruins to animal skeletons and dinosaur fossils.
The museum additionally provides loads of academic workshops and occasions for youths of all ages, together with particular household talks, arts and crafts, themed trails, and extra.
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Journey
The award-winning and free Riverside Museum is residence to over 3,000 objects that inform the story of transportation and journey in Glasgow and past.
Most well-known for its ship-building historical past, there’s extra to find although, together with the town’s very important position in prepare manufacturing.
Youthful company will love exploring the museum’s interactive displays, which embrace an outdated cobbled Glasgow avenue with outlets relationship from 1895 to the Eighties, in addition to the prospect to climb aboard classic steam trains, trams, buses, and even a working hearth engine.
There are additionally loads of hands-on and academic actions that enable children to study in regards to the mechanics of transportation and check out their hand at driving a simulated prepare or automobile.
The Tall Ship Glenlee
Positioned on the River Clyde, simply in entrance of the Riverside Museum, you’ll additionally discover the UK’s solely floating Clyde-built crusing ship, the Tall Ship Glenlee, now over 125 years outdated.
You may step on board the historic ship and expertise what life at sea was once like throughout its heyday by wandering across the restored rooms and exploring the exhibition house.
The Glenlee has loads of enjoyable actions to entertain youthful children too, together with an under-5s smooth play space within the cargo maintain and plenty of household pleasant occasions, resembling storytelling classes, arts and crafts, deck video games, treasure hunts, and extra.
Plus, there’s no entrance price to go to the Tall Ship Glenlee, making it the most effective free issues to do in Glasgow with children if you happen to’re visiting on a funds.
Glasgow Police Museum
The Glasgow Police Museum is a small hidden gem within the metropolis centre with numerous displays and shows showcasing the historical past of policing in Glasgow.
Youngsters can study in regards to the completely different roles and tasks of cops and listen to actual tales of historic crimes handled by the Metropolis of Glasgow Police drive, the primary metropolis police drive in Britain. They’ll even costume up in police uniforms and pose for footage.
When arriving on the museum, be sure to ask in regards to the two children’ competitions to problem youthful guests.
The Lego Manhunt is for youths 8 years and under and includes trying to find Lego cops and robbers hidden among the many museum shows. The Museum Quiz is for youths 9+ and requires looking for clues and answering a sequence of inquiries to earn their ‘Junior Detective Award.’
Scottish Soccer Museum
When you’re visiting Glasgow with younger soccer followers, don’t miss the chance to go to the Scottish Soccer Museum, Europe’s first nationwide soccer museum.
Positioned inside Hampden Park, Scotland’s nationwide stadium, this museum provides a incredible expertise for soccer followers of all ages.
The interactive displays and shows will educate you all about Scotland’s soccer historical past, with loads of fascinating memorabilia, together with interactive video games and challenges all through the museum for youths.
And for an much more memorable expertise, add on a stadium tour for a behind-the-scenes preview of certainly one of Scotland’s largest soccer stadiums.
There are additionally different stadium excursions on supply whilst you’re visiting Glasgow with children, together with an opportunity to discover Celtic Park
Scotland Road Faculty Museum
[EDIT: TEMPORARILY CLOSED] Scotland Road Faculty Museum is a novel expertise in Glasgow for youths and adults alike. The museum is about inside the previous Scotland Road Faculty, which was designed by the well-known Scottish architect Charles Rennie Waterproof coat.
Inside, you’ll discover a vary of interactive displays that deliver to life the historical past of schooling in Scotland and permit children to expertise what it was wish to be a pupil within the early twentieth century.
Little ones will love dressing up in conventional faculty uniforms and taking part in make-believe within the recreated lecture rooms, full with desks, chalkboards, and dunce hats.
The Botanic Gardens
On a sunny day, look forward to finding Glasgow’s botanic gardens full of households – though it’s unfold out a lot that it by no means felt crowded once we visited.
The youngsters’s backyard goals to assist educate and encourage children, however can be a stunning peaceable spot to play in Glasgow for toddlers together with a small picket home which saved my daughter entertained for a shocking period of time.
The kids’s backyard can be subsequent door to a (much less peaceable but additionally enjoyable) playground which is useful if you happen to’ve acquired older siblings as properly.
However you can even wander by way of the rose backyard and arboretum, discover loads of open house to run round and uncover the plant homes, notably with older youngsters.
Better of all, there’s no entry cost if you happen to’re searching for free issues to do in Glasgow with toddlers or have an hour to kill whilst you’re visiting the town.
Try our assessment of our go to to Glasgow Botanic Gardens with a toddler.
Kelvingrove Park
There are some pretty parks in Glasgow in addition to the Botanic Gardens, and wrapped across the Kelvingrove museum constructing, Kelvingrove Park is ideal to mix with a go to – there are shaded paths alongside the river Kelvin or a number of playgrounds (and skatepark) on the opposite aspect.
Throughout holidays, you’ll be able to count on extra actions going down, however it’s a stunning place for youths to stretch their legs regardless – or head additional into the park for a calmer spot if you happen to want someplace to relax out after a busy day within the metropolis.
Both manner, if you happen to’re searching for good walks for buggy naps whereas visiting Glasgow with toddlers or to let older children burn off some power after wandering round a museum, preserve this on the listing.
Glasgow Inexperienced
Glasgow Inexperienced is a fantastic park within the east finish of the town, sitting on the north financial institution of the River Clyde. It’s additionally the oldest park in Glasgow, relationship again to the fifth century.
Together with strolling routes, there’s a number of inexperienced house for youths to run round and stretch their legs, a number of playgrounds, a motorbike rent station, and a skatepark.
But it surely’s the Glasgow Inexperienced Play Village which is without doubt one of the highlights of the park for households, with two incredible play areas to select from. One space is for toddlers and youthful children, whereas the opposite has a sequence of climbing frames and slides aimed toward older youngsters.
The park can be residence to the Folks’s Palace Museum, which is free to enter and offers an perception into the town’s historical past (higher for older youngsters/teenagers).
Glasgow Necropolis
Set on a hilltop with some wonderful views again over the town, this stunning Victorian cemetery is an enchanting if uncommon place to probe for guests of all ages.
The Necropolis runs guided excursions, that are good for households, with educated, pleasant, and fascinating tour guides serving to to make the expertise appropriate for youthful youngsters.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to obtain this app to study extra in regards to the cemetery on a self-guided tour and even print out some enjoyable information and puzzles for youngsters from the Necropolis web site, serving to children study in regards to the lives and tales of well-known Glaswegians buried right here as they discover among the many elaborate headstones and monuments.
Pollok Nation Park
When you’re searching for a enjoyable household time out in Glasgow away from the busy metropolis centre, look no additional than Pollok Nation Park, sitting simply on the outskirts of the town.
The expansive parkland contains loads of actions to maintain children entertained, together with woodland walks to a big journey play space, and a small hedge maze, in addition to a number of open inexperienced house. Be sure you preserve a watch out for the numerous highland cows roaming across the open grassland.
The park can be residence to Pollok Home, a historic stately residence, and its stunning gardens, for an fascinating perception into upper-class life in Glasgow throughout the Victorian interval.
The Glasgow Mural Path
The Glasgow Mural Path is a weird and thrilling option to discover the town’s vibrant avenue artwork scene in addition to Glasgow itself with children.
With over 30 murals scattered all through the town, the path is a enjoyable and interactive option to uncover Glasgow’s wealthy historical past and tradition. From big portraits of well-known Scots to whimsical cartoon characters, there’s one thing for everybody to take pleasure in alongside the path.
It will probably take a number of hours to finish the complete mural path, so if you happen to’re planning on doing it in a single go, that could be a bit an excessive amount of strolling for little legs (and shorter consideration spans). However you’ll be able to at all times simply choose one space of the town to give attention to and attempt to see as many as you’ll be able to.
You too can take a avenue artwork tour of Glasgow on a 90-minute stroll across the metropolis
Metropolis Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The Metropolis Sightseeing Bus Tour is an effective way to discover Glasgow with youngsters – particularly these with little legs who might wrestle strolling round huge cities.
The open-top bus takes you round lots of the metropolis’s hottest websites and sights, together with Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow Inexperienced, and the Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery and Museum.
You may hop on and off at any of the 22 stops as many occasions as you want for both 1 or 2 days, relying on which Metropolis Sightseeing Glasgow ticket you purchase, making it a simple option to get across the metropolis.
And whilst you’re transferring across the metropolis, children may study some enjoyable information about Glasgow’s historic landmarks by way of the onboard audio guides.
Go Quest Journey
For a enjoyable and strange option to spend a household time out in Glasgow, set your self the problem of taking over the Go Quest Journey.
The net sport includes the entire household fixing clues and puzzles, and finishing challenges, as you head out exploring Glasgow’s iconic landmarks and extra hidden websites. You’ll additionally uncover a number of enjoyable information and fascinating tales in regards to the metropolis’s historical past alongside the way in which.
Nice in case your children (otherwise you!) don’t fancy the thought of a conventional strolling tour of Glasgow too. All it’s worthwhile to do is buy the Glasgow Quest, obtain the app onto your cellphone, enter all gamers (as much as 5 folks), and get going.
The quests are appropriate for youths of all ages, though youngsters underneath 10 might discover a number of the questions and challenges a bit tough.
Head to the theatre
There are some nice theatres in Glasgow for youths as properly, together with household exhibits on the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal – try a number of the newest theatre productions in Glasgow for households right here.
When you’re visiting the town with toddlers and youthful children, there are different choices focused on the youngest guests. The Tron Theatre has performances focused on the underneath fives, together with Tiny And Tall Tales
Or if you happen to’re travelling with barely older youngsters, it’s value testing the performances that are going down at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre as properly.
Glasgow Climbing Centre
One of many first devoted indoor climbing gyms in Scotland, immediately the Glasgow Climbing Centre is the most recent indoor roped climbing centre within the west of the nation.
With choices for all ages and ranges, you don’t should have tried climbing earlier than with classes for novices in addition to household choices. There are sometimes additional actions throughout the holidays as properly.
Try my information to Glasgow with children for extra recommendations on visiting the town
Issues to do close to Glasgow with children
The town additionally makes an amazing base to discover a number of the surrounding countryside, with a string of straightforward day journeys from Glasgow. Listed below are just a few concepts for household days out.
Loch Lomond Nature Reserve
Round an hour from the town by automobile, stunning Loch Lomond provides you a style of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, because it stretches throughout each landscapes.
Head to the RSPB Loch Lomond Nature Reserve on the banks of the loch, the place you’ll be able to spot deer in addition to chook galore – together with fishing osprey if you happen to’re fortunate.
Go to in spring and also you’ll see a carpet of bluebells, or watch buzzards hovering overhead in summer time, plus the attractive altering colors of the woodland in autumn. There are sometimes household actions going down throughout holidays in addition to pushchair-friendly trails.
Stirling Fortress, Stirling
Lower than an hour from Glasgow by prepare or automobile, Stirling Fortress was constructed within the type of a French Renaissance palace to make James V’s French queen really feel at residence – children even get the prospect to fulfill Marie of Guise, mom to Mary Queen of Scots, alongside the king throughout visits.
In addition to encountering royalty and seeing the lavish Royal Palace, you’ll be able to head into the Nice Kitchens and down into the palace vaults with their interactive exhibitions on music and artwork, in addition to jesters and tailors.
There’s additionally a household path within the unicorn backyard for youths to observe. Again inside, an exhibition on the fortress, telling its historical past – together with the 50-year interval when the fortress modified palms eight occasions throughout the Wars of Independence.
Plus the Nice Corridor, peaceable Queen Anne Backyard, the Chapel Royal and the fascinating Stirling Heads, big Sixteenth-century oak medallions carved with photos of kings, queens, nobles, Roman emperors and characters from the Bible and Classical mythology.
Edinburgh
You’re actually not in need of issues to do in Glasgow with children, however with direct trains linking the town to Edinburgh, it’s straightforward to mix the 2.
And there’s heaps extra household enjoyable to be discovered within the Scottish capital, from museums and historical past to quirky excursions and child-friendly sights.
Together with the incredible Edinburgh Zoo, there’s heaps to find for Harry Potter followers, ghoulishly ghostly enjoyable for teenagers and even some chocolate as an added temptation.
Try my choose of the highest issues to do in Edinburgh with children right here
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Glasgow science centre/Botanic backyard copyright MummyTravels, avenue artwork by way of Picfair, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
