The Skinny's Kids Guide to Glasgow

Indoors 

Something never gets old about climbing into a 20th century bus, plonking yourself down in the drivers’ seat, and pressing all the buttons at once. The Riverside Museum (100 Pointhouse Rd) allows you (and the kids) this unbridled joy. This transport museum is home to numerous historic vehicles and the much-loved old Glasgow street scene. The Zaha Hadid-designed building itself is something of an architectural wonder, and will have the kids asking all the questions you can’t quite answer – such as, 'how did they get all those bikes up there?'

Speaking of big questions, the Glasgow Science Centre (50 Pacific Quay) does a pretty good job of answering them. Games, illusions, interactive exhibitions – it’s educational, of course, but also really fun, easy to explore, and makes for great photos. 

For rainy days (of which there are plenty) the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) (12 Rose St) is obviously a must. Specifically, at the weekly Take 2 family films, tickets are free for every child under the age of 14 and one accompanying adult. There’s also Take 2 Access, the GFT’s monthly neurodivergent-friendly family film. 

Another classic is The Time Capsule (100 Buchanan St, Coatbridge), quite frankly something of a Glaswegian legend for kids. There’s flumes, riptides, a wave pool, and, not forgetting, a huge tipping bucket that pours over swimmers every now and then. It’s also ideal for a range of ages, with areas for younger kids that are a little less heavy on the waves. 

To let loose even further, Flip Out (89A Southcroft Rd) is the trampoline park of the moment. There’s also Ryze (120 Portman St) and Gravity over at Xsite (King’s Inch Rd), so there’s plenty of parks to choose from. 

For a slightly chiller vibe, Roller Stop (139 Middlesex St), Glasgow’s only roller skating rink, seems just about the coolest place for any kid to spend a Saturday afternoon. There’s good tunes, disco lights, and elbow and knee pads are always on offer. The rink also has an accessible roller disco with calmer lights, quieter music, and a few less skaters. 

Glasgow by Eric, aged 7

Outdoors

If the kids are more interested in skating outdoors, there’s lots of areas in the city’s West End that are especially ideal for this. Skaters – whether roller or board – can usually be found on Kelvin Walkway and just out the front of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Argyle Street). With no cars but plenty of people around, both spots make for a day’s safe skate. Kelvingrove Park itself has its own skatepark, right next to the playpark, so it’s an ideal afternoon for kids of different ages and interests. 

Of course, in terms of parks, the kids are spoiled for choice in Glasgow. For all things fossilised tree stumps, Fossil Grove in Victoria Park is the go-to. For all things highland cows, Pollok Country Park is the obvious (and probably only) choice. Queen’s Park boasts a nice pond, football pitches, and glasshouses, but in the summer, it’s the Queen’s Park Arena that has all the buzz. With live music and an open air cinema, it feels like a very cool place to be, for children and adults alike. 

Keeping things Southside, Rumpus Room (Landside Lane), an arts project and studio working with young people, children and families, is the kind of place you want to get involved with. Their yard is where it’s at: pottery, painting, woodwork, and a pizza oven – the list goes on. With a strong focus on social action, it’s a great space to get kids thinking a bit more about the world around them and have fun while doing so. 

Over in the West End, the Anti-Racist Community Library (Millenium Park, Ashley St) has a range of books for children, young people and adults. The stall is held fortnightly on Sundays from 11am to 1pm. It’s a great way to engage kids with anti-racism early on and the outdoor setting makes for a more relaxed library. 

Similarly, tucked away in the West End, The Children’s Wood (76 Kelbourne St) is the last wild space in the area. Maintained by the local community, the wood is free to use for just about whatever. There’s great play materials for the kids – tyres, a treehouse, old pots and pans – and some more open grassy areas perfect for community gatherings. It’s truly a space to be cherished. 

To eat

For something a little sweet, Mrs Mitchell’s Sweetie Shop (117 Trongate) is ever so nostalgic and has all the strawberry sherbets a kid could dream of. Alternatively, ice cream parlour Minted (262 Byres Rd) has all the classic flavours, as well as the more over-the-top ones sought after by ten year olds. The staff are lovely, the booths are comfy, and the ice cream doubles up as a perfect hangover cure for adults too. 

If you’re wanting lunch and then ice cream, The Brooklyn Cafe (21-23 Minard Rd) is ideal for families. The Shawlands-based cafe has been there for decades, continuously serving up good paninis and some of the city’s best vanilla ice cream. For something a little more filling, you can’t go wrong with Paesano Pizza (94 Miller St, 471 Great Western Rd). You’ve heard it all before, but it’s popular for a reason. The atmosphere is always lively and the Neapolitan pizzas are served quickly so there’s no long waits for the kids. It simply never misses.