These activities for kids are free and available all year round. For the latest activities for kids in Glasgow click here.

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• Peoples Palace and Winter Gardens
• Tollcross Children’s Farm
• The Burrell Collection
• Victoria Park
• Glasgow Police Museum
• Gallery of Modern Art
• Riverside Museum
• Botanic Gardens
• Queen’s Park Glass House
• The Hidden Gardens
• Rouken Glen Park

Vote for your favourite

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow’s West End, and is home to a number of exhibitions and events.

Highlights:
- Mini-museum for under 5′s
- Interactive, touch-screen displays
- A real Spitfire fighter plane!

Mum’s view on Kelvingrove for kids
“Beautiful inside and out. An impressive museum with so much to see on the ground floor alone! Plenty of space for wheeling even a double buggy around. Toddler will love cruising the open hall and the cafe is ideal for a pit stop. There is a pipe organ recital at 1pm which is fun. Toddler time every Friday at 11.30am to 12.00. A great venue when it’s raining outside. Explore the park too as there is a great swing park with choo choo train for toddlers.”

Opening times:
Monday – Thursday 10am to 5pm
Friday – Sunday 11am to 5pm

Contact:
Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AG
0141 276 9599
Kelvingrove Website

The People’s Palace

First opened in 1898, the People’s Palace is a museum which is dedicated to the people of Glasgow. It has lots of information about local life, Glasgow, and its famous citizens. It even has Billy Connelly’s famous banana feet shoes!

Highlights:
- Free activities for children every Saturday until September 30th
- Part of Glasgow Green with lots of flat space to run around in or practice cycling

Mum’s view on the People’s Palace for kids
“A super building which is always warm even in winter! It’s in Glasgow Green and away from the bustle of the city centre. My youngest girl loves wheeling her ride-on fire engine through the park so it’s a good spot for a picnic if the weather is good. There is a cafe (not cheap) and paths to take you through the plants in the green house. We always stop and look for the bananas growing at the back of the green house. As my children are small we don’t tend to go into the museum section but we do really enjoy the green house and park.”

Opening times:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Contact:
Glasgow Green
Glasgow
G40 1AT
0141 276 0788
People’s Palace Website

Tollcross Children’s Farm

The Tollcross Children’s Farm, located in the East End of Glasgow, allows kids of all ages to get up close and personal to all their favourite farmyard animals, like horses, pigs, sheep, birds, ponies, rabbits and cattle.

Highlights:
- Ideal for inner-city kids who want to get in touch with nature
- Soft-play area

Mum’s view on Tollcross Farm for kids
“The animals are a plus point. My youngest boy wants to go back. Check that the glasshouse and cafe are going to be open before you go to avoid disappointment. The park is great to explore and there are picnic benches.”

Opening times:
The park is opened daily from dawn until dusk, though specific events may vary

Contact:
Tollcross Park
254b Wellshot Road
Glasgow
G32 7Ax
0141 276 0931
Tollcross Children’s Park

The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection is a museum which houses sculptures and artefacts from ancient civilisations, as well asEuropean arms and armour and Chinese, Gothic and Islamic art.

Highlights:
- Temporary exhibitions
- Play park
- Large, family-friendly café

Mum’s view on the The Burrell for Kids
“Ok, so start with the park to tire them out. They have an enclosed play park in the car park which has swings, slides and a zip slide. The ice-cream van sells good ice-cream and coffee in the summer. If you have time, check out the paths in the woodland. The Burrell is a treasure trove and even if your children are little you can easily get a buggy round the exhibits without disturbing or touching anything. It’s an amazing building and I love the stained glass windows when the sun shines through. Good friendly staff in the cafe.”

Opening times:
Monday – Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Contact:
2060 Pollokshaws Rd
Glasgow
G43 1AT
0141 287 2550
>Burrell Website

Victoria Park and Fossil Grove

Constructed in 1886 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, Victoria Park has proved popular for kids for years!

Highlights:
- Maze
- Model yachting course
- A putting course
- Gardens
- Fossil grove

Dads’s view on the Victoria Park
“I live round the corner and love taking the kids to this park. It’s been done up recently which is good, has toilet facilities and a playground. Big thumbs up in my book. Wandering around the lake, trees and fossil grove are my favourite things to do on a Sunday when taking kids out.”

Opening times:
7am until dusk every day
The fossil grove is open from 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week

Contact:
Victoria Park North Drive
Glasgow
G14
0141 276 0811
Victoria Park Website

Glasgow Police Museum

The Glasgow Police Museum contains artefacts from the first police force in the United Kingdom, the City of Glasgow Police.

Highlights:
- Contains the largest collection of International Police uniforms and insignia in Europe!
- Great guides who were real policemen!

Granda’s view on Glasgow Police Museum
“A small, old-school museum with great guides who will share their experiences. Only takes about 45 minutes to be taken through 145 years history of Glasgow police! Perhaps best for older primary school children. There are lots of notes but I enjoyed talking to the guides who share their experiences. The history of the police force in Glasgow is fascinating.”

Opening times:
Monday – Saturday 10am to 4:30pm
Sunday 12pm to 4:30pm

Contact:
(First floor) 30 Bell Street
Glasgow
G1 1LG
0141 522 1818
Glasgow Police Museum Website

Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art is located in the heart of the city centre. It is Scotland’s most popular contemporary art gallery, containing several temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Highlights:
- Frequent workshops and talks
- Saturday art class for children and parents

Auntie’s view on Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
“You can’t miss the statue of the Duke of Wellington (or Duke Tumbler as we like to call him) with the police cone on top of his head. The exhibitions change a lot so it’s difficult to know if they are going to be child friendly. You will be told to stay clear of them so watch for those little hands grabbing things. There is a lift and shop but couldn’t get in with double buggy as too busy. They have a child’s section so call and check to see if they have anything special on for kids. I love modern art, so will go back again and again with my nephews.”

Opening times:
Monday – Wednesday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 8pm
Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Contact:
Royal Exchange Square
Glasgow
G1 3AH
0141 287 3050
Gallery of Modern Art Website

Riverside Museum

The Riverside Museum contains artefacts and objects from The Glasgow Museum Of Transport, such as reconstructed Glasgow streets from times past, cars, vans, ships, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

Highlights:
- The museum is home to the Glenlee, a ship built on the Clyde in 1896, commonly known as The Tall Ship.
- Exclusive, temporary exhibitions, such as the AC/DC exhibition.
- Award winning architect Zaha Hadid (Think Aquatic Centre for Olympics and Maggie’s building in Kirkcaldy)

Mums view on Riverside Museum (Transport Museum Glasgow)
“Where do you start? This museum is fantastic, I can’t believe it’s free! It’s worth visiting the building for the unusual architecture alone. Inside the exhibits have been displayed on the walls in such a creative way. They cover everything from Shank’s pony to horses, bicycles, old fire engines and trains for Thomas the Tank Engine fans. Highlights for my toddlers are ‘the street’ for wandering back in time (especially the underground train) and the modern train where they can sit in the driver’s seat. There’s a posh restuarant (with high chairs) downstairs and a cafe upstairs. Great baby changing facilities and a lift. Oh, I almost forgot, there is a big sandpit outside. Only downside for me is the parking can get very busy.”

Opening times:
Monday – Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Contact:
100 Pointhouse Place
Glasgow
G3 8RS
0141 287 2720
Riverside Museum Website

Botanic Gardens

Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens contain glasshouses which specialise in different types of plants and flowers, such as arid land plants, orchids, and plants from tropical rainforests.

Highlights:
- The grounds cover 42 acres and include natural wooded walkways, providing lots of opportunity for adventure!
- Hundreds of different kinds of plants and flowers to learn about

Mums view on Botanic Gardens
“Lovely park in the West End, just off Byres Road. I love the open green space and trees during the summer. The park is always busy so it’s great for people-watching if your small baby will sleep and let you chill with a coffee. Inside the glass houses, it is toasty and a good place to go in Winter. Love wandering around the flowers.”

Opening times:
The grounds are open from 7am to dusk
The glasshouses are open from 10am t0 6pm (10am to 4:15pm in winter)

Contact:
730 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G12 OUE
0141 276 1614
Botanic Gardens Website

Queen’s Park Glass House

Situated in the South Side of the city, Queen’s Park was constructed to commemorate the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Highlights:
- Views of Glasgow, tens of miles in all directions
- Steep hills are great for sledging in the snow!
- Small soft play area for kids in the Glass House
- Two play parks (one near the glass house) and near the pond

Dads view on Queen’s Park Glass House
“So on a Sunday, my partner gets an extra hour or two in bed and I take the kids out and about. I’m a fan of the glass house because they serve good strong coffee, have sofas and old magazines, for reading while the boys jump about in soft play. The boys love the pond with the huge goldfish, and there is also a creepy crawly area they like to sneak into now and again. I love Queen’s Park for walks and watching the leaves change colour, and it’s open all day long. I do get annoyed when the staff chuck you out of the Glass House facilities at 3pm on a sunny Friday afternoon though!”

Opening times:
Monday – Thursday 10am to 4:00pm
Friday 10am to 3:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm (10am to 4pm in winter)

Contact:
520 Langside Road
Glasgow
G42
0141 287 5108
Queen’s Park Website

The Hidden Gardens

Unveiled in 2003, The Hidden Gardens is located in Pollokshields, south east of the city centre, and was designed to promote understanding and acceptance of all cultures and faiths.

Highlights:
- Parent and toddler group meetings / yoga / classes
- Cookery groups (with a free crèche for your little ones!)
- Open, flat space, perfect for running about and learning to ride bicycles on balance bikes!

Mum’s view on Hidden Gardens
“When my first child was 6 weeks I attended a yoga class run by Veronica and I felt that it saved my sanity. Tucked away in the ‘boiler room’ we could focus on stretching and pulling our bodies back together with baby sleeping in the room beside us. It didn’t matter if the babies cried all the new mothers were in the same boat. Afterwards, we would sit and have coffee and lunch with the babies and ask questions about routines, breastfeeding and weaning. If sunny we would go outside and enjoy the tranquility of the gardens.”
Opening times:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 8pm (or dusk if earlier, 10am to 5pm in winter (4pm on Saturdays)
Sunday – 12pm to 6pm (or dusk if earlier, 12pm to 4pm in winter)

Contact:
25 Albert Drive
Glasgow
G41 2PE
0141 433 2722
The Hidden Gardens Website

Rouken Glen Park

Originally belonging to the Scottish Crown, Rouken Glen Park is located south west of Glasgow city centre, and boasts a waterfall surrounded by bountiful woodland.

Highlights:
- Expansive boating pond
- Waterfall
- The park was featured in the BBC series Rab C. Nesbitt and Sea of Souls!
- Skate and bike park (great to watch)
- Cafe

Nana’s view on Rouken Glen
“Rouken Glen park is close to my house and I love taking the grandchildren there. It is very clean and has two main attractions for my grandsons, the duck pond where we spotted frogs in April and the play park. Its the perfect place for the boys to run around and use up all their toddler energy.”
Opening times:
The park is open year round during daylight hours.

Contact:
Rouken Glen Road
Glasgow
G46 7JL
0141 577 7411
Rouken Glen Park Website

What have we missed?

Where is your favourite place to take children in Glasgow and why? Have your say in the quick poll or comment below.

Vote here!

Graphic: Ana Starhan