7 fun and educational things to do in Glasgow with kids

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and a bustling cultural hive with world-class galleries, museums and historic sites. Our selection of 7 things to do in Glasgow with kids perfectly blends fun and education to keep both kids and parents happy!

Glasgow Science Centre

The brilliant Glasgow Science Centre is a must-do day out during your holiday. Not only is there loads to see and do for explorers of all ages, learning activities are all Curriculum aligned and can help your children with their homework when they get home! Exhibitions and activities include exploring the night sky, a study into the human anatomy, an IMAX cinema and amazing science images that will alter your view on everyday objects. It costs £9.95 for adults and £7.95 for children. Please note that you will need to pay an additional fee on top of entrance fees to visit The Planetarium and the IMAX cinema.

Amazonia

Amazonia in Strathclyde Country Park in Motherwell is Scotland’s only indoor rainforest.   This giant tropical house is based on the Amazon rainforest in South America and houses all kinds of interesting animals. Parents can let their kids loose in this ever-changing environment to learn and have fun at their own pace. Animals in Amazonia include poison dart frogs, toucans, giant millipedes, monkeys, snakes, bats and tropical birds. Look online to see the attraction’s list of special offers and events. 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove, situated on Argyle Street near the River Kelvin, houses one of Europe’s largest and most important art collections within 22 galleries. These galleries include fine European armour, paintings, natural history objects and even a real Spitfire! Engaging, interactive displays as well as temporary activities make Kelvingrove a great choice for all age groups.

Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift which connects the Forth and Clyde Canals with the Union Canal. This engineering marvel has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions for visitors to Glasgow since the lift opened in 2002, being easily visitable on a day trip from the city. Families can go to the wheel seven days a week throughout the year to hire a boat, go on a tour or cycle around the site. A nearby water play area and playground also keeps younger visitors entertained.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens in the West End are a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The recently restored Kibble Palace sits as a decorative centrepiece in this outdoor paradise, which includes several glasshouses dotted around the site containing fresh and colourful blooms. You can visit this top attraction for free throughout the year. Kids will love seeing the exotic plants and exploring the gardens, you can bring a picnic and relax on the grass afterwards.

Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian, housed within Glasgow’s University, is the oldest museum in Scotland. This massive tourist attraction covers the Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery, the Mackintosh House, the Zoology Museum and the Anatomy Museum within various buildings around the main campus. There is something here for kids of all ages and interests, from gory surgical exhibits to skeletons and even famous art works, and you view it all for free!

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is an impressive museum and glasshouse in Glasgow Green. The venue was first created to provide a cultural lifeline to the people of Glasgow who were living in unhealthy and overcrowded conditions. Today, visitors can relive Glasgow’s past at the People’s Palace through a stunning array of photographs, artefacts, films and prints six days a week – excluding Mondays. Its various events and ever-changing exhibitions are engaging for all ages. Admission is free.

This selection of things to do in Glasgow will have kids enthralled and keep adults entertained. And best of all they will all help with your child’s education – and they won’t even realise it because they will be having so much fun! What more could you ask for?