As Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow is full of things to see and do, making it the perfect destination for families. Whether you’re taking a day trip or visiting for a longer holiday, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to family activities in Glasgow.
Looking for things to do with kids in Glasgow? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. All you need to do is hop off the train with our guide to the best family activities in Glasgow for a fun-filled trip the whole family will love!
Best family-friendly museums
If you’re wondering what to do with kids in Glasgow, museums are an excellent choice. With Glasgow being in the north, the weather can be a little uncertain so this makes for a great indoor activity! No matter what time of year you’re visiting, museums offer something unique for the whole family.
Here’s our pick of the best museums for a family-friendly experience in Glasgow.
Glasgow Science Centre
For a morning or afternoon of hands-on science fun, you can’t beat the Glasgow Science Centre.
Located on the south bank of the River Clyde, it’s roughly a half-hour stroll from Glasgow Central Station, or you can hop on a bus or connecting train to take you a short walk away.
There are lots of interactive exhibitions, including a planetarium and the Glasgow Tower. The tower holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest fully rotating freestanding structure in the world.
The museum also hosts several throughout the year, so always check what’s on before you visit.
Riverside Museum
The Riverside Museum of Transport is an award-winning transport museum. Its iconic building was purpose-built and designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy the life-sized Glasgow street. Take a walk up and down to experience what the city was like in years gone by.
There are over 3,000 objects at the museum, from skateboards and prams to cars and motorcycles. If your little ones love trains and buses, they’ll have great fun sitting inside the old carriages.
Docked beside the museum is the Tall Ship Glenlee. Here, you can hop aboard and find out more about her voyages all around the world. The Tall Ship and Riverside Museum are both free to visit, making them excellent choices for a family day out in Glasgow.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
In Glasgow’s leafy West End, you’ll find Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This beautiful building houses a huge array of different displays and it’s one of the city’s most popular art galleries.
Look up and you’ll see a Spitfire plane soaring above you. Or get up close and personal with Sir Roger the Asian elephant.
The museum’s displays have kids in mind, so they’re easy to read and understand. They’re also sure to provoke some interesting family discussions from the brightest little minds you have with you.
For a family day out in Glasgow, this one ticks all the boxes.
The children will love the chance to get hands-on with some of the interactive displays. Grown-ups will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in science, art, and nature. Plus, the exhibitions are sure to ignite a spark in everyone’s imagination.
Best parks in Glasgow
Glasgow is also known as the ‘Dear Green Place’, a literal translation of the city’s name from Gaelic. With over 90 parks and green spaces in the city, there’s sure to be one close to wherever you’re staying.
Glasgow’s parks offer a great way to spend a couple of hours, especially if you’re looking for free things to do in Glasgow for families.
Glasgow Green
In the East End of the city, Glasgow Green is an easy walk from Central Station. In less than half an hour, you’ll be in the city’s oldest park. Established in the 15th century, it covers 136 acres right in the heart of Glasgow City Centre.
There’s lots to see and do here too. Spend some time in the play park and explore the People’s Palace, a museum documenting how Glaswegians lived and worked throughout the ages.
Kelvingrove Park
If you’re already visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery, be sure to combine it with a visit to this beautiful park.
If the kids need to let off some steam, there are three play parks within the grounds. For the older ones, make sure they bring a skateboard to enjoy the skatepark here.
Once the kids have burned off their energy, you can grab a refreshment from one of the many cafes surrounding the park.
Pollok Country Park
If highland cows are on the Glasgow bucket list, Pollok Country Park is the place to go. This huge park covers 361 acres and you can easily reach it by taking a train from Glasgow Central to Pollokshaws West.
The park has woodland walks to suit every age, plus a walled garden, play park, wildlife garden and, of course, highland cows roaming free in their field.
There’s also Pollok House and the Burrell Collection within the grounds of Pollok Country Park if the kids are up for more art galleries. If not, both have great restaurants for a quick bite to eat.
Cuningar Loop
On the outskirts of Glasgow, this woodland park on the banks of the Clyde is a great place to let the kids run free.
There are plenty of walking paths for all abilities, as well as three different cycling routes if you’ve brought your bikes with you. You’ll also find Scotland’s first outdoor bouldering park in Cuningar Loops.
Bellahouston Park
If you’re staying in Glasgow’s south side, Bellahouston is well worth a visit. This quiet, open green space has lots of walking trails, play areas, and a pitch and putt, so there’s lots to keep the little ones busy for an hour or so.
The main attraction here is House For An Art Lover, designed by Glasgow’s most famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Children under 10 go free if you want to have a look around the house, and the cafe serves great meals and snacks if you want to relax in between activities.
Fun things to do for the whole family
If you want to have a little fun on your trip, be sure to add these attractions to your itinerary for an action-packed family day out in Glasgow. Big and little kids alike are sure to have a whale of a time!
Hop-on, hop-off bus tour
Guided tours are one of the best ways to orient yourself and become acquainted with the different areas of the city.
Leaving from George Square in Glasgow City Centre, a bus tour gives you a running commentary with fascinating facts about the city. The bus tours will drive you around to 22 different stops.
You can jump off the bus at any point if a location or attraction catches your eye. Whether you want to stretch your legs with a walk along the Clyde or explore one of the museums mentioned above, a hop-on hop-off tour is a perfect choice.
Sharmanka
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre is an experience like no other, and it’s just a few minutes walk from Glasgow City Centre.
A truly unique exhibition, it features kinetic art sculptures called kinemats. They are made from found objects and scrap metal, and each dances to beautifully synchronised music.
There are two shows to choose from, each 45 minutes long. This day out in Glasgow is more suitable for older children, but some of the shows are suitable for younger children.
Be sure to check the Sharmanka website for age recommendations on your selected show before booking.
Xsite at Braehead
Wear the kids out before bedtime with a visit to this entertainment and activity centre. From trampolining to laser tag there’s something for children of every age.
There’s also an Odeon cinema, climbing centre, ten-pin bowling alley, and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. You can make a full day of it here, and it’s the perfect place if the weather isn’t on your side
Climbing
For kids’ climbing activities closer to the city centre, visit The Climbing Academy at The Newsroom. Just hop on the subway to Kinning Park and you’ll find this fantastic climbing centre. You can bring the younger kids too as there’s an area specifically for under eights.
Also close to the city is the Glasgow Climbing Centre, near both Cessnock and Ibrox subway stations. This centre is great for a family day out in Glasgow, with family climbing sessions on offer to help your little one learn the ropes.
R-CADE
Treat video game fans to an hour pass for a session in this retro arcade. You’ll need a pass for all over fives which allows them to play as many different games and consoles as they like.
There are thousands of games to choose from, including all the classics like Donkey Kong and Pacman. In fact, with so many options, an hour might not be long enough.
The Craft Pottery
Let the kids show off their art skills with a visit to The Craft Pottery, one of the city’s most creative attractions.
Pick a piece of pottery and paint it however you like. It’s a seriously fun activity for little kids to hone their artistic side, and for big kids to relax and unwind.
The only downside is that the pieces can take up to a week until they’re ready for collection as they need to be fired and glazed. It’s best if you can get a friend or family member to pick them up and post them back to you.
Otherwise, you may just have to come back to Glasgow for another visit.
Book your tickets to Glasgow
Are you ready to experience all the fun things Scotland’s biggest city has to offer? Whether you’re travelling from London or Liverpool, it couldn’t be easier to reach Glasgow City Centre by train.
Book your train tickets to Glasgow before choosing which family-friendly activity you want to do first. Then you can discover everything this modern, bustling city has to offer.
From free attractions to exciting experiences, you’re spoiled for choice for family days out in Glasgow.
Getting there by train
With so many things to do in Glasgow for families, travelling via train just makes sense. Avanti West Coast can get you there from many locations in the UK, with family tickets to make your journey more cost-efficient too.
Book any train journey through our Journey Planner, even if the stations and services aren’t run by Avanti West Coast.
