Tried & Tested Family Activities in Glasgow

"My name is Emma from @thebabyandthehound, where I share adventures with my little family - My fiance Liam and two sons Marley (7) and Axel (2)."As a Scottish family, Glasgow has always been one of our favourite cities for a family getaway. We love its mix of culture, attractions, green spaces, and fantastic food, all tucked into a vibrant city centre that's surprisingly family-friendly.

On our most recent visit, we stayed at the Sandman signature Hotel, which made the perfect base for exploring the city. From green spaces and historic sites to family-friendly attractions, we managed to pack such a great mix of activities into our stay. If you're planning a family trip to Glasgow, here are five of our favourite things to do with kids in the city, all tried and tested by Marley and Axel.

Discover Glasgow's Street Art and Hidden Stories

As a family, one thing we always enjoy seeking out when travelling is art in all its forms—whether that's colourful murals, sculptures or unique architecture with a story to tell. Glasgow is the perfect city for this with its blend of contemporary street art, imposing Victorian era architecture.

We spent the first part of our day hunting down as many of the city's famous murals as we could, turning our sightseeing into a fun family adventure. Along the way, we spotted many of the iconic landmarks such as the Duke of Wellington statue with its legendary traffic cone, passed the internationally famous Tennent's Brewery, and explored historic gems including the Necropolis. With its panoramic views across the city, impressive monuments and pathways, it's a great place for children to explore whilst learning about Glasgow's rich past.


 

Find hidden treasures at The Barras market

The Barrowlands Market, known as “the barras”, is definitely a must-visit when you're in Glasgow. Liam had often talked about his fond memories of visiting the Barras as a child, and we wanted to create some of that same magic for Marley. To make things a little more fun, we gave him £10 and challenged him to see what treasures he could find. We spent time exploring the market's unique little corners, with our favourite stop being a vintage shop packed full of clothes, ornaments, toys and jewellery.

Amongst all the hidden gems, Marley spotted a Furby which took me right back to my childhood! It caught his eye straight away and he was instantly attached to the crazy, talkative little guy. As luck would have it, it was exactly £10, so he was absolutely delighted with his find. Watching him carefully choose something all by himself made the experience even more special, and it felt like the perfect way to create some Barras memories of our own.

Enjoy outdoor family fun in Glasgow’s green spaces

Despite being a busy city, Glasgow has plenty of green spaces waiting to be explored. One of our favourites is Glasgow Green. It's the perfect low-cost family activity, with lots of open space for children to run around, enjoy a picnic, play in the park, or, our personal favourite, have a game of frisbee. During our weekend in Glasgow, we also took a stroll through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It's another beautiful green space that's ideal for exploring with children. The glasshouses are well worth a visit, and the gardens regularly host events throughout the year.

When we visited, the Glasgow Science Festival was taking place, with lots of hands-on activities and learning experiences for children to get involved in. It's always worth checking ahead to see what's on during your visit, as you might just discover an extra family-friendly activity to add to your itinerary.

Escape the rain with some indoor family fun

On Sunday, we hopped on a train from Charing Cross station, which is located just five minutes from the hotel. The journey to Partick takes only four minutes, making it a quick and easy trip. From there, we headed to Kelvin Hall, which is packed with activities for children of all ages.

I had booked soft play for Axel and Clip 'n Climb for Marley. The soft play was great fun, with different sections designed for different age groups. The toddler area was particularly good, and there is also a café with plenty of family-friendly options, making it easy to relax while little ones play.Meanwhile, Clip 'n Climb was a fantastic bonding experience for Liam and Marley. It gave Marley the chance to test his limits and challenge himself on climbing walls of varying heights and difficulty levels. It was lovely to see his confidence grow as he tackled each new challenge.After all that excitement, we slowed the pace down with a visit to Kelvingrove Museum, which is conveniently located just across the road. It was the perfect way toround off the afternoon, giving us the chance to explore the fascinating exhibits and enjoy some quieter family time together.

Eat at One of Glasgow's Many Family-Friendly Restaurants

After a busy day of exploring, we headed to St Enoch Centre for dinner at Cosmos. It's the perfect buffet option for families, especially if, like mine, you have children who can be a little fussy when it comes to food. With such a wide variety of dishes to choose from, there was something for everyone, and the dessert selection was a big hit too!

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the staff were fantastic with the children, making it an easy and enjoyable dining experience for the whole family. After filling our plates (and going back for seconds…okay maybe thirds and fourths,), it was the perfect way to end the day before enjoying a leisurely walk back to the hotel to settle our stomachs.

Your Perfect Family City Break

Glasgow always proves to be the perfect destination for a family city break. From exploring hidden treasures at the Barras Market and enjoying the city's beautiful green spaces to indoor adventures, hands-on activities and family-friendly dining, there was plenty to keep both children and adults entertained. What we loved most was how easy Glasgow is to explore as a family especially with The Sandman Signature hotel being our base. So many attractions are within walking distance or a short train journey away, making it simple to fit lots into a weekend without feeling rushed.

Whether you're visiting for a day, a weekend or longer, Glasgow offers something for every family and The Sandman signature hotel offers a home away from home and a great mixture of luxury and comfort at the end of a busy day. We left with happy children, lots of great memories and a list of places we'd love to come back and visit again.

Watch Full Video opens in a new tab
Book Your Stay opens in a new tab