What makes the perfect plan for all the family to enjoy? Well, it really depends on who you ask. Adults may say one thing, and kids will probably turn around and say something completely different. Us older folk maybe more partial to a bit of educational fun on a budget, whereas the younger ones will only be satisfied with action-packed adventures accompanied with lots and lots of pizza and ice cream. And let’s face it, youngsters aren’t always the easiest to please. Many have the attention span of a goldfish, which makes finding fun things to do with kids in Glasgow sometimes feels like a battle not worth fighting.
To help you get the best of both worlds, we’ve compiled a list of fun-filled activities in the city that will keep both the little ones and the grown-ups happy for hours on end. Museums, castles, animal farms, mini golf courses…there are tons of things to do with the kids in Glasgow, and here are our favourites!
1. Go on a scavenger hunt
Lace up your shoes and get ready to race against the clock at Epic Letās Roamās Scavenger Hunt Glasgow. As you roam through the city, you’ll have to put your navigation skills to the ultimate test while cracking codes and solving riddles along the way. The kids will go nuts for the thrill of it all, and it’s a great way to see Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks including Glasgow Cathedral, Trades Hall of Glasgow and more.
Get your tickets to Epic Letās Roamās Scavenger Hunt Glasgow here.
š55 George Square, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9JU
2. Enjoy a bit of healthy competition with a game of mini golf
Not much gets the kids as excited or competitive like a game of mini golf. And with the fun-filled courses that Jungle Rumble Mini Golf have on offer, the little ones are in for endless hours of fun. Go all exotic with the 16-hole Surfers Paradise course kitted out with palm trees, tiki huts totems and more, or push the boat out a little more at the 18-hole Indian Ocean course that’s a neon extravaganza. Pick up your putters and play the day away!
š15 Bath St, Glasgow G2 1HY
3. Take a trip to Bellahouston Park
Tucked in between Mosspark, Ibrox and Pollokshields lies Bellahouston Park, a 71-acre green oasis offering a welcome respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. Looking for things to do with kids in Glasgow on a budget? The park is jam-packed with impressive sculptures that you can see without paying a penny, and the collection of colourful jelly statues is always a big hit with the kids. There’s a great playground equipped with swings, a zipline, slides and more, and you can get lost in theirĀ triangularĀ maze of shrubbery that’s perfect for a quick game of hide and seek.
šBellahouston, Glasgow G52 1HH
4. Experience the magic of the movies
You’re never too young to be a film buff, and thanks to these amazing ticket deals at ODEON and Vue, the kiddos can spend hours watching the latest blockbusters and animated classics in front of the big screen. Taking a trip to the cinema never gets old, and it always makes for an unforgettable experience that’s fun for all the family. When the trailers roll, legs excitedly swing over the edge of the seat while the youngsters eagerly wait in anticipation for Hollywood’s latest offering to start.
Get your tickets to ODEON and Vue cinemas in Glasgow here.
šVarious locations
5. Escape to one of Glasgow’s enchanting castles
Glasgow’s castles are some of the oldest in the world. Take Dumbarton Castle for instance. This historic landmark has guarded the point where the River Leven joins the River Clyde for over 1500 years. From the depths of the dungeons to the tips of the turrets, Glasgow’s castles hold enough secrets, mysteries and untold stories to spark the imaginations of young minds up and down the country. Tales of kings, queens, grand banquets, bloody battles and spooky happenings line the walls of these ancient relics, and kids love spending hours and hours exploring them.
šVarious locations
6. Have a blast on the water at a Water park
Along the Forth and Clyde Canal you’ll find Pinkston Watersports – a fabulous sports complex offering super fun activities on or under the water. Activities on offer include canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and more. Children aged 12 and over can even channel their inner daredevil at Scotland’s only artificial whitewater course, too. So, if you and the kids are seeking a super thrill or just something to get the heart racing a little faster, then this water wonderland is the place for you.
š75 N Canal Bank St, Glasgow G4 9XP
7. Feed curiosity at Glasgow’s top-notch museums
Some of Glasgow’s most famous museums host an array of workshops, exhibitions and hands-on activities that all the family will love. The little ones can have the time of their lives and adults get to be kids again, even if only for a few hours. If the youngsters are feeling the footy fever, then be sure to head to The Scottish Football Museum. You can tour The World of Football exhibition, wander around the iconic Hampden Park stadium and try your luck from the penalty spot.
The Glasgow Science Centre gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of science via one of their many interactive exhibitions. At their cutting-edge Explore! installation, you can try and avoid detection by a thermal camera and strike a pose with colourful shadows while learning all about space, atoms and more.
Get tickets to Hampden Park Stadium and Museum Tour here.
šVarious locations
8. Get up close and personal with wildlife
Kids and animals are the perfect mix for a guaranteed day of fun, and Lamont Farm Project is one of our favourite animal-friendly spots to visit. From reptiles and donkeys to geese and sheep, their huge selection of animals is big enough to give Noah’s ark a run for its money.
Located in Erskine, the farm’s a little out of the way from central Glasgow, but their fun family-friendly events and activities make this place worth the short drive out of the city. At this animal sanctuary, visitors can watch pot-bellied pigs rolling in the mud before feeding the rabbits, hamsters and other furry friends on site (just be careful not to get too close to the spitting llamas).
šBarrhill Rd, Erskine PA8 6EZ
9. Go off the grid on a wild camping adventure
Pack a picnic, explore the wilderness and hike through the highlands before camping down for the night at one of these magnificent wild camping spots. Duncolm, Kilpatrick Hills and Three Lochs Forest Drive are some of our favourite areas to spend a night or two under the stars. You can make the outdoor experience extra special for the youngsters by roasting marshmallows over the fire, singing campfire songs and playing games all night long.
šVarious locations
10. That’s a strike! Enjoy some bowling fun with the whole family
At Hollywood Bowl Glasgow Springfield Quay, visitors can enjoy all sorts of entertainment all under one roof – food, drinks, arcade games, pool and of course, some good old bowling. If one of the weans are about to turn a year older, then this is a great spot to host a birthday bash without having to worry about the big cleanup the next day. Their birthday party package starts at Ā£12 per child and includes an hour of bowling, a kids meal, a free game voucher and party invites to send off in the post before the big day.
šĀ Springfield Quay, Glasgow G5 8NP