Free things to do in Glasgow with kids

Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow

Glasgow

Free public talks, exhibitions, film screenings and theatre at a university building in Glasgow's West End, with a proper cafe for afterwards.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBottle warmingCafé+4 more

Airdrie Skatepark

Airdrie

A free outdoor concrete park with a 6 foot halfpipe, a 3/4 pool and a minibowl for anyone who can already ride a board or bike.

Anniesland Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions and shelves of books to browse, with no ticket and no car park to fight for.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyDog friendly+3 more

artpistol Gallery

Glasgow

A free contemporary art gallery with paintings, prints and photography, open by appointment on weekday afternoons.

Auld Kirk Museum

Kirkintilloch

Free local museum in Kirkintilloch where kids can wander round objects of local and international significance.

Parking

Bag o' Nails

Glasgow

Sunday brunch with an all day breakfast and a proper kids menu, in a bar that stays open late for the grown-ups after.

Kids menu

Baillieston Library

Glasgow · ages 0+

Free Bookbug songs and stories for babies and toddlers, plus a whole library of books to dig into.

ParkingToiletsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi

Balloch Castle Country Park

Alexandria

Free loch-side park with two play areas, a fairy trail, a walled garden and orienteering courses to try.

Blue badge parkingFood on siteOutdoor playParking+2 more

Barmulloch Community Centre

Glasgow

A free local library with Bookbug sessions for babies and a role-playing games club for older kids.

Baby changeBlue badge parkingBreastfeeding friendlyDog friendly+4 more

Bearsden Library and Community Hub

Glasgow

A free library and community hub where kids can borrow books, DVDs and games, and get online on the library laptops.

Quiet / SEN sessionsToiletsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi

Bloc+

Glasgow

A live music and club venue with DJ nights and karaoke, more of a grown-up night out than a family day trip.

Bridgeton Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions and a quiet corner of books for babies and toddlers, with proper evening opening twice a week.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyIndoor seating+1 more

Chatelherault Country Park

Hamilton

Free adventure playground, woodland trails and a hunting lodge to explore in Hamilton, with a café to fall back on.

CaféGift shopOutdoor playPicnic area+1 more

Colzium House

Kilsyth

A free wander round a ruined 15th-century tower house, a museum and an adventure playground on the edge of Kilsyth.

Blue badge parkingCaféFree parkingWheelchair accessible

Couper Institute - Library

Glasgow · ages 0+

Free drop-in sessions for babies and toddlers, plus Lego Fun for the older ones, in a library with no fixed session times to rush for.

Dog friendlyIndoor seatingToiletsWi-Fi

Cuningar Loop

Glasgow

Free woodland park by the Clyde with bouldering rocks, bike trails and a meadow big enough for a proper picnic.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingChanging PlacesPushchair friendly+1 more

Dean Castle Country Park

Kilmarnock

Free castle rooms to poke about in and a country park to wander, with a 400m walk from car to courtyard to soften you up first.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+8 more

Dennistoun Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions, songs and a stack of picture books, with no booking and no charge to walk in.

Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyStep-free access+2 more

Drumchapel Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions and shelves of books to browse, no ticket needed and no car park either.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+1 more

Drumpellier Country Park

Coatbridge

Free country park with an adventure playground, trails for walking and cycling, and wildlife to spot along the way.

CaféFree parkingOutdoor playPushchair friendly+1 more

Duncan Family Farms

Glasgow

A working farm day of sheep dog demos, shearing displays and tractor trailer rides out to see the animals in their fields.

Booking required

Elder Park Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug singing sessions and Saturday Lego drop-ins, with no car park to bank on so leave time for a space on the street.

Accessible toiletBaby changeToiletsWheelchair accessible+1 more

Forest Wood

Cumbernauld

Free woodland walks with a pond to poke about in and birds to spot, though the paths get properly muddy come winter.

Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum

Glasgow

Free museum tracing the history of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and its medical breakthroughs, with a small medicinal garden next door.

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

Glasgow

Free Glasgow modern art gallery on Royal Exchange Square - rainy-day contemporary shows.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+1 more

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow

Free Glasgow Botanic Gardens with glasshouses and West End lawns - Soft Play N.

Picnic areaDog friendly

Glasgow Police Museum

Glasgow

A free look at Glasgow's police history, packed into a small museum with a proper city centre location.

Glasgow Women's Library

Glasgow

A free library and archive of women's history and writing, with comfy chairs, events and a genuinely open door.

Accessible toiletGroup bookingsQuiet / SEN sessionsSensory friendly+3 more

Glasgow Zine Library

Glasgow

A free reference library where kids can try zine-making workshops, poetry readings and a DIY animation club.

Wheelchair accessible

Glasshouses

Glasgow

Free glasshouses and gardens by the Kelvin to wander, with trails that turn a walk into a minibeast hunt for younger kids.

Blue badge parkingCaféPublic transport nearbyToilets

GoMA Library

Glasgow

A free, quiet library above the gallery with Bookbug sessions for under-fives and step-free access to every floor.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyDog friendly+4 more

Gorbals Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions of songs and rhymes for under-fives, plus weekly classes, in a library open till 8pm twice a week.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+2 more

Govanhill Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions and shelves of books for little ones, with digital help on hand for the grown-ups too.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyIndoor seating+3 more

Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR

Glasgow

A free wooded nature reserve for wildlife spotting and quiet walks, with parking on site.

Free parking

Ibrox Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug rhymes for under-5s and Lego Fun sessions for school-age kids, no booking needed.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyDog friendly+4 more

Kelburn Castle and Estate

Largs

A woodland glen estate near Largs with a secret forest, a playbarn and animal fields to explore.

CaféDog friendlyGift shopIndoor play+2 more

Kelvin Hall

Glasgow · ages 0-12

Circus-themed soft play, a Clip 'n' Climb wall and a free-entry building that's open long hours most days.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBirthday parties+13 more

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Glasgow

Free West End museum with art, animals and daily organ - Soft Play N never.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+10 more

Kibble Palace

Glasgow

A free glasshouse full of odd plants to spot, plus waymarked trails through the gardens outside for younger explorers.

Blue badge parkingPublic transport nearby

Lang Craigs Woodland Trust Woods

Dumbarton

Free woodland walks above Dumbarton, from an easy buggy-friendly loop to a proper climb up Overtoun Glen.

Free parkingPushchair friendly

Largs Bay Beach

Largs

A free sandy beach with a boating lake close by, open round the clock for a wander, a paddle or a sandcastle session.

CaféToilets

Library at The Bridge

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions for under-fives and shelves of books to dig into, with a café and free parking round the back.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyCafé+6 more

M&D's Scotland's Theme Park

Motherwell

Free to walk in, then pay by wristband or Fun Points for the rides, bowling, soft play and Amazonia's tropical animals.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesBlue badge parking+10 more

Maryhill Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug rhymes for babies and toddlers, plus arts and crafts drop-ins for the school-age crowd, with no ticket needed.

Accessible toiletBaby changeToiletsWheelchair accessible+1 more

Milsey Bay Beach

North Berwick

A quiet stretch of sand with rock pools to poke about in, paddling, and even the odd toy boat set sailing.

Dog friendlyFree parkingToilets

Milton Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug songs and stories for under-fives, with weekly classes and a quiet spot to browse in Milton.

Baby changeBreastfeeding friendlyFree parkingToilets+1 more

Moodiesburn Library

Glasgow

Free rhyme-time sessions and a full shelf of picture books, with free internet if you need to print or search for homework.

Wheelchair accessibleWi-Fi

Muiravonside Country Park

Whitecross

Free country park with a flying fox, farm-themed play tower, animals to spot and a river trail to walk.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+4 more

North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre

Motherwell

Free museum with a climbing tower and an outdoor play area with a water table, five minutes' walk from Motherwell station.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingFree parkingOutdoor play+2 more

Parkhead Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug rhymes and books to borrow, with a changing places toilet that a lot of libraries simply don't have.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyChanging Places+2 more

Partick Library

Glasgow · ages 0-5

Free Bookbug sessions and baby groups for under-fives, with a quiet corner for feeding and no ticket to sort beforehand.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+2 more

Plean Country Park

Stirling

Free woodland park with a play area, an exercise trail and three themed walking routes to work through.

Free parkingOutdoor playPicnic areaPicnics allowed+2 more

Pollok Country Park

Glasgow

Free Pollok Country Park with woodland trails, highland cattle and the Burrell on site - Soft Play N.

ParkingToiletsPicnic areaCafé+2 more

Pollok Library (Inside Health Centre)

Glasgow · ages 0+

Free Bookbug sessions and shelves of picture books for under-fives, tucked inside a health centre with parking on site.

Baby changeBreastfeeding friendlyCaféParking+3 more

Pollokshaws Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug singing sessions for babies, Lego Fun for the school-age crowd, and no fee to just browse the shelves.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+2 more

Pollokshields Library

Glasgow

A free, quiet library with Bookbug sessions for babies and under-fives, plus books to browse on a wet afternoon.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+2 more

Possil Marsh

Glasgow

A free nature reserve on the edge of Glasgow where you walk the perimeter path spotting birds and wildflowers.

Possilpark Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions for the under-fives and a craft club for older kids, with step-free access and no booking needed.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyStep-free access+2 more

Provan Hall

Glasgow

Free entry to a medieval house and walled garden, with weekend crafts and a nature trail to keep kids busy outdoors.

Gift shopFood on sitePicnics allowed

Provand's Lordship

Glasgow

Free Provand's Lordship - Glasgow's oldest house Soft Play N.

Baby changeParkingWheelchair accessible

Queens Park Skatepark & Vert Ramp

Glasgow

A free, always-open outdoor skatepark with a vert ramp, rails, a spine and a giant kicker, though several features have seen better days.

Public transport nearby

Ravenscraig Park Playarea

Motherwell

Free outdoor play park with climbing walls, a zip slide and ground-level trampolines to bounce off before you've even had a coffee.

Accessible toiletCaféToiletsWheelchair accessible

Riverside Museum

Glasgow

Free Glasgow transport museum on the Clyde - cars, trams and the Tall Ship.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+2 more

Royal Highland Fusiliers Regimental Museum

Glasgow

Free museum where kids can design their own medal and pore over real uniforms and memorabilia.

Accessible toiletPublic transport nearbyToiletsWheelchair accessible

Rumpus Room HQ

Glasgow

Free art, garden and play sessions for different age groups, from under-fives to teens, with no cost to join in.

Scotland Street School Museum

Glasgow

Mackintosh school museum in Glasgow - Soft Play N free.

ToiletsWheelchair accessible

Seven Lochs Wetland Park

Glasgow

Free wetland park with trails, bug hunts and nature crafts across the Glasgow and North Lanarkshire border.

Food on site

Shettleston Library

Glasgow

Free rhymes and stories for the under-fives, plus shelves of books to browse, in a Glasgow library open six days a week.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyDog friendly+3 more

Skelmorlie Secret Bunker

Skelmorlie

A tiny original Cold War monitoring post where veterans talk you through how a nuclear strike would have been tracked.

Booking required

Springburn Library

Glasgow

Free Bookbug sessions of songs and rhymes for babies and toddlers, no booking needed, just turn up.

Baby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToiletsWheelchair accessible+1 more

St Margarets Cave

Dunfermline

A free guided tour down into the underground cave where legend says Margaret used to pray, on fixed slots across the summer.

Booking requiredCaféParking

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

Glasgow

Free St Mungo Museum Glasgow - Soft Play N.

Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyEV charging+8 more

Street Level Photoworks

Glasgow

Free gallery of photography and lens-based art in the Merchant City, open Tuesday to Sunday with no ticket to book.

Gift shopWheelchair accessible

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Coatbridge

Free wander through recreated miners' rows and industrial machinery, plus an adventure park for climbing and sliding.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféParking+2 more

The Childrens Wood and North Kelvin Meadow

Glasgow

A free, open-access wood and meadow where under-5s can climb trees and potter about, plus a regular under-5s play session.

The Govan Stones Museum

Glasgow

Free entry to see early medieval carved stones in a Govan church, with guided tours if you time it right.

Toilets

The Hunterian

Glasgow

Glasgow University museum - anatomy, science and art without Soft Play.

Accessible toiletToiletsWheelchair accessible

The Lemond Gallery / Gailearaidh Lemond

Glasgow

Free contemporary Scottish art exhibitions in a small Glasgow gallery, open 11 to 5 during show periods.

Toonspeak Young People's Theatre

Glasgow · ages 0-25

Drama workshops that run from early years right up to age 25, with no charge to take part.

Whiteinch Library

Glasgow · ages 0-5

Free Bookbug songs and stories for babies and under-5s, plus a family book group, in a small local library.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyToilets+1 more