As Scotland’s largest metropolis, it’s no shock that you just’re spoiled for selection on the subject of issues to do in Glasgow with youngsters.
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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 implausible 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 below are a few of my high picks in case you’re in search of issues to do in Glasgow for teenagers.
Glasgow Science Centre
Considered one of my very own private favourites, the Glasgow Science Centre is so geared in direction of youngsters, it’s onerous 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 reveals, particular actions and exhibits laid on, plus areas that permit youngsters discover the world as they play, with every part 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 youngsters – plus the IMAX subsequent door.
Go to at weekends and through faculty holidays and there are further household occasions going down, together with a reside science demo on the day we visited. Positively one household attraction which tops my listing to go to year-round, although it’s superb in case you’re visiting Glasgow within the rain and in search of some indoor leisure too.
Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery & Museum
No go to to Glasgow is full with out stopping at Kelvingrove museum, irrespective of how previous you’re, 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 whole, 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 thrives to identify – to not point out a working organ, with performances. There’s additionally a raise between flooring in case you’re pushing a buggy.
Try my evaluate of a go to to Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery & Museum with youngsters
Glasgow Cathedral
Relationship again to 1136, Glasgow Cathedral is among the metropolis’s oldest and most well-known buildings, and in case you love historical past, it is a must-visit in Glasgow with youngsters of all ages.
After trying out the medieval church’s vaulted ceilings and superb 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 kids and youths with an curiosity in historical past, the cathedral presents quick free excursions run by its volunteers, superb for studying extra concerning 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 youngsters 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 truly true – there are numerous locations laying declare to having impressed the Harry Potter books, however regardless, it’s onerous to not really feel transported to Hogwarts once you see the grand Gothic-revival-style constructing, with its lovely Cloisters and lots of towering gothic spires.
As you wander by the grounds and courtyards admiring the structure, don’t miss the big tree within the courtyard of the Jap Quadrangle, which many consider might 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 teenagers.
Youngsters can be taught concerning the historical past of Scotland by the museum’s diversified assortment of historic artefacts, with every part from Egyptian mummies and Roman ruins to animal skeletons and dinosaur fossils.
The museum additionally presents loads of academic workshops and occasions for teenagers 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 important function in prepare manufacturing.
Youthful friends will love exploring the museum’s interactive reveals, which embrace an previous cobbled Glasgow road with retailers 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 permit youngsters to be taught concerning the mechanics of transportation and check out their hand at driving a simulated prepare or automotive.
The Tall Ship Glenlee
Situated 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 previous.
You’ll be able to step on board the historic ship and expertise what life at sea was like throughout its heyday by wandering across the restored rooms and exploring the exhibition area.
The Glenlee has loads of enjoyable actions to entertain youthful youngsters too, together with an under-5s smooth play space within the cargo maintain and many household pleasant occasions, corresponding to storytelling periods, 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 among the finest free issues to do in Glasgow with youngsters in case you’re visiting on a finances.
Glasgow Police Museum
The Glasgow Police Museum is a small hidden gem within the metropolis centre with varied reveals and shows showcasing the historical past of policing in Glasgow.
Youngsters can be taught concerning the completely different roles and obligations of law enforcement officials and listen to actual tales of historic crimes handled by the Metropolis of Glasgow Police pressure, the primary metropolis police pressure in Britain. They will even costume up in police uniforms and pose for photos.
When arriving on the museum, ensure that to ask concerning the two youngsters’ competitions to problem youthful guests.
The Lego Manhunt is for teenagers 8 years and under and includes trying to find Lego cops and robbers hidden among the many museum shows. The Museum Quiz is for teenagers 9+ and requires trying to find clues and answering a collection 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.
Situated inside Hampden Park, Scotland’s nationwide stadium, this museum presents a implausible expertise for soccer followers of all ages.
The interactive reveals 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 teenagers.
And for an much more memorable expertise, add on a stadium tour for a behind-the-scenes preview of one in every of Scotland’s largest soccer stadiums.
There are additionally different stadium excursions on provide when you’re visiting Glasgow with youngsters, together with an opportunity to discover Celtic Park
Scotland Road Faculty Museum
[EDIT: TEMPORARILY CLOSED] Scotland Road Faculty Museum is a singular expertise in Glasgow for teenagers 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 reveals that carry to life the historical past of training in Scotland and permit youngsters to expertise what it was wish to be a scholar within the early twentieth century.
Little ones will love dressing up in conventional faculty uniforms and enjoying make-believe within the recreated lecture rooms, full with desks, chalkboards, and dunce hats.
The Botanic Gardens
On a sunny day, anticipate finding Glasgow’s botanic gardens full of households – though it’s unfold out a lot that it by no means felt crowded after we visited.
The kids’s backyard goals to assist educate and encourage youngsters, 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 in case you’ve received older siblings as effectively.
However you may also wander by the rose backyard and arboretum, discover loads of open area to run round and uncover the plant homes, notably with older kids.
Better of all, there’s no entry cost in case you’re in search of free issues to do in Glasgow with toddlers or have an hour to kill when you’re visiting the town.
Try our evaluate of our go to to Glasgow Botanic Gardens with a toddler.
Kelvingrove Park
There are some beautiful 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 anticipate extra actions going down, nevertheless it’s a stunning place for teenagers to stretch their legs regardless – or head additional into the park for a calmer spot in case you want someplace to relax out after a busy day within the metropolis.
Both manner, in case you’re in search of good walks for buggy naps whereas visiting Glasgow with toddlers or to let older youngsters burn off some vitality after wandering round a museum, maintain this on the listing.
Glasgow Inexperienced
Glasgow Inexperienced is a stupendous 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 area for teenagers 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 among the highlights of the park for households, with two implausible play areas to select from. One space is for toddlers and youthful youngsters, whereas the opposite has a collection of climbing frames and slides aimed toward older kids.
The park can be residence to the Folks’s Palace Museum, which is free to enter and supplies an perception into the town’s historical past (higher for older kids/teenagers).
Glasgow Necropolis
Set on a hilltop with some superb views again over the town, this lovely Victorian cemetery is an interesting if uncommon place to probe for guests of all ages.
The Necropolis runs guided excursions, that are excellent for households, with educated, pleasant, and interesting tour guides serving to to make the expertise appropriate for youthful kids.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to obtain this app to be taught extra concerning the cemetery on a self-guided tour and even print out some enjoyable info and puzzles for youngsters from the Necropolis web site, serving to youngsters be taught concerning 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 in search of 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 consists of loads of actions to maintain youngsters entertained, together with woodland walks to a big journey play space, and a small hedge maze, in addition to a number of open inexperienced area. You’ll want to maintain a watch out for the various highland cows roaming across the open grassland.
The park can be residence to Pollok Home, a historic stately residence, and its lovely gardens, for an fascinating perception into upper-class life in Glasgow through the Victorian interval.
The Glasgow Mural Path
The Glasgow Mural Path is a weird and thrilling strategy to discover the town’s vibrant road artwork scene in addition to Glasgow itself with youngsters.
With over 30 murals scattered all through the town, the path is a enjoyable and interactive strategy to uncover Glasgow’s wealthy historical past and tradition. From large portraits of well-known Scots to whimsical cartoon characters, there’s one thing for everybody to take pleasure in alongside the path.
It might take a number of hours to finish the complete mural path, so in case you’re planning on doing it in a single go, that may be a bit an excessive amount of strolling for little legs (and shorter consideration spans). However you’ll be able to all the time simply choose one space of the town to deal with and attempt to see as many as you’ll be able to.
You may also take a road 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 a good way to discover Glasgow with kids – particularly these with little legs who might battle strolling round large 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’ll be able to 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 straightforward strategy to get across the metropolis.
And when you’re transferring across the metropolis, youngsters can even be taught some enjoyable info about Glasgow’s historic landmarks through the onboard audio guides.
Go Quest Journey
For a enjoyable and strange strategy to spend a household time out in Glasgow, set your self the problem of taking over the Go Quest Journey.
The web recreation 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 info and fascinating tales concerning the metropolis’s historical past alongside the best way.
Nice in case your youngsters (otherwise you!) don’t fancy the concept of a conventional strolling tour of Glasgow too. All you should do is buy the Glasgow Quest, obtain the app onto your cellphone, enter all gamers (as much as 5 individuals), and get going.
The quests are appropriate for teenagers of all ages, though kids underneath 10 might discover among the questions and challenges a bit troublesome.
Head to the theatre
There are some nice theatres in Glasgow for teenagers as effectively, together with household exhibits on the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal – try among the newest theatre productions in Glasgow for households right here.
When you’re visiting the town with toddlers and youthful youngsters, 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 in case you’re travelling with barely older kids, it’s value trying out the performances that are going down at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre as effectively.
Glasgow Climbing Centre
One of many first devoted indoor climbing gyms in Scotland, at the moment the Glasgow Climbing Centre is the newest indoor roped climbing centre within the west of the nation.
With choices for all ages and ranges, you don’t must have tried climbing earlier than with periods for novices in addition to household choices. There are sometimes further actions through the holidays as effectively.
Try my information to Glasgow with youngsters for extra tips about visiting the town
Issues to do close to Glasgow with youngsters
Town additionally makes a terrific base to discover among the surrounding countryside, with a string of straightforward day journeys from Glasgow. Listed here are a couple of concepts for household days out.
Loch Lomond Nature Reserve
Round an hour from the town by automotive, lovely 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 chicken galore – together with fishing osprey in case you’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 automotive, Stirling Fortress was constructed within the fashion of a French Renaissance palace to make James V’s French queen really feel at residence – youngsters even get the prospect to satisfy 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 teenagers to comply with. Again inside, an exhibition on the fort, telling its historical past – together with the 50-year interval when the fort modified palms eight occasions through 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 pictures of kings, queens, nobles, Roman emperors and characters from the Bible and Classical mythology.
Edinburgh
You’re definitely not wanting issues to do in Glasgow with youngsters, however with direct trains linking the town to Edinburgh, it’s straightforward to mix the 2.
And there’s tons 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 implausible Edinburgh Zoo, there’s tons 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 youngsters right here
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Glasgow science centre/Botanic backyard copyright MummyTravels, road artwork through Picfair, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
