Looking for things to do in Glasgow with toddlers? Look no further!
Scotland’s largest city has a whole wealth of entertainment and activities for the under 5s, whether you want indoor soft plays, outdoor fun in nature or educational museum trips.
We’ve chosen a bunch of our favourite toddler days out in Glasgow that we think will appeal to all families with young kids.
Make sure to let us know if we’ve missed out your top Glaswegian day out!
Fun Things To Do In Glasgow With Toddlers
Botanic Gardens
If you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to take the whole family, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens should be top of your list.
Located in the West End of the city, the gardens are home to some glorious grounds, a number of glasshouses, a herb garden, world rose garden and the UK’s national collection of tree ferns. There are several trails to explore, including the Minibeasts, Birds and Trees of the Botanics which little ones and toddlers will love.
There is a tearoom on site that’s open in Spring and Summer, and street parking is readily available nearby.
Flip Out Glasgow
For some indoor fun that’s ideal for rainy days, head to Flip Out Glasgow, found in the Rutherglen area. It’s a massive indoor trampoline centre — 63,000 square feet to be exact!
Toddlers absolutely love the Mini Flippers sessions which are held every weekday from 10am to 4pm — and your combined adult and toddler ticket entitles you to stay for the entirety of that time. There’s also a kid’s soft play area to explore once you’ve finished bouncing.
There’s also a great onsite café inside so you can refuel after your energetic session.
The Tall Ship
Budding historians and maritime buffs will love visiting the Tall Ship Glenlee on the banks of the River Clyde in the centre of the city.
It’s a completely restored Victorian tall ship which is home to various exhibitions, a mini cinema and plenty of fun events and activities all year round. Glenlee was built in 1896 and has a storied history, including being an ‘Italian ship of mystery’, part of the Spanish navy and sailing around the world numerous times.
If you’ve got little ones, make sure to take them along to Toddler Tuesdays and Thursdays — morning play sessions and classes that really unleash fun and creativity in your kids.
There are baby changing facilities onboard as well as a café, although be aware that due to the ship’s age, it’s not the most accessible attraction for pushchairs.
Reidvale Adventure Play Area
For something less like a tourist attraction, we’d definitely recommend the Reidvale Adventure Play Area in Dennistoun.
It’s a big outdoor and indoor play area that’s fully integrated, fun and safe to use for families and young children that’s open Monday to Saturday in the afternoons and evenings. Entry is just 50p all day and children under 8 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
There’s a huge amount of play equipment to explore, a floodlit multi-use games area, an assault course, activities like camping and tent building, and even trampolines.
Wonder World
Wonder World is the biggest soft play centre in Scotland, located close to Kinning Park station.
The soft play itself is split into a number of themed areas over multiple storeys and has all the features of a fantastic experience, including huge frames, ball pools, slides, trampolines, swings, crawl spaces and more. There’s also a go karts track, large baby and toddler area, and an astro-turf football pitch. Your little ones can also take an unlimited number of rides on the Wonderworld Express train!
There’s a large seating area and well stocked café for parents and carers to keep watch over the children as they play.
Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre can be found on the Clyde Waterfront in the heart of the city, and is a great option for an educational day out with the kids.
Toddlers and young kids will find a lot to do here — the Space Zone is always a big hit with any future astronauts, but be also sure to check out the Explore! and Question of Perception exhibits, and Bodyworks, which is dedicated to looking at how our bodies work. All the exhibits are incredibly interactive and hands-on.
The Science Centre is very accessible with plenty of parking, a café, and lots of toilets and baby changing facilities. It’s also a breastfeeding friendly establishment.
Pollok Country Park
If you’re looking for a day outdoors with the family, Pollok Country Park is a great option.
It’s the only country park within the city and is also its largest park — it’s even won the title of Best Park in Europe before! There’s plenty to see and explore here but toddlers will especially enjoy the play park, wildlife garden and spotting all the Highland cattle on the lovely woodland and riverside walks. There are a couple of cafés to refuel at as well.
The park is open all the time, all year round although some of the facilities are subject to their own opening hours.
Inflata Nation
Inflata Nation is one of the most loved indoor play franchises across the UK. It’s a huge inflatable park that’s located nearby Wonder World in the Kinning Park industrial estate.
There’s a huge amount to do here for older kids including an inflatable obstacle course, climbing wall, and Inflata Balls and Bubbles, but toddlers will also enjoy themselves in the Inflata Tots section that’s specifically for the under 3s. They also host Adventure Tots sessions for pre-schoolers which allows them to explore the entire arena without older kids and adults.
These sessions take place three times a week and are very well priced — one parent or carer is able to attend for free with each ticket.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove is a great option if you’re looking to introduce your toddler to a bit of local Scottish culture. It’s located in Kelvingrove Park and has been open since 1901!
There are 22 galleries to explore, including Scotland’s Wildlife, Ancient Egypt, Creatures of the Past, and the History Discovery Centre. Take a look at their website before you go for some ideas of games and activities you can play with your kids in the museum to really get them engaged.
Entry is free although donations are appreciated, and there is wheelchair and pram access throughout. There is also a restaurant and shops.
Jurassic Jungle
Jurassic Jungle is a great local soft play centre found on Saracen Street. As you might guess from its name, it boasts a dinosaur theme!
The whole centre caters for children from infancy all the way up to 12 years old. There’s a large play frame for the over 3s and a dedicated baby and toddler area for the little ones. They even have specific toddler-only sessions twice a week called Dino Toddlers, which let them burn off some energy and socialise with other kids their age.
There’s also a café on site serving up healthy food and snacks alongside teas and coffees for the grown-ups.
Free Wheel North Cycle Centre
The Free Wheel North Cycle Centre is located at Glasgow Green, providing a safe training space for new, vulnerable, and young riders — it’s a great place to take young kids as they learn how to ride a bike!
They’ve got plenty of rides to choose from including bikes, trikes, tandems and go-karts — there’s something for everyone regardless of your ability level. It’s open 6 days a week and is staffed by highly experienced tutors who really know their stuff.
You can simply turn up to the centre and have a go, or you can book a space or lessons in advance on their website.
Dumbrek Outdoor Playbarn
Within the Pollok Country Park is the brilliant Dumbrek Outdoor Playbarn — a large interactive play area specifically for toddlers aged 5 and under and their carers.
It’s a real sensory experience here with plenty of things to play with, including role playing toys, crafts, nature experiences, a mud kitchen, sandpit, trampoline, balance boards, music station and even a campfire during the winter. Sessions are 2 hours long and need to be booked in advance on their website.
Looking for another location? Check out our Days Out section for more ideas.
