Glasgow days out with 8 & 11 year old

[eaglewings]

We are looking forward to going to the Science and Transport museum, do you have any tips about them and other fun places we can take our kids at half term?
I remember Glasgow with fond memories from my childhood and have finally found the time to return

kelvingrove obviously!
edinburgh (snigger)

Science Centre - get there early; whenever it starts to feel busy head up to another floor and find a quieter bit. If your finances can stretch to it, the IMAX is brilliant.

The food there is not great: so take a pack-up.

Keep an eye out for various workshops/demos and things - check online - and book these as soon as you arrive.

My boys (11 and 13 now) went to the Science Centre 4 yrs ago and have been dying to go back ever since. We finally managed it this Christmas.

We also visited the Kelvingrove for the first time, which they enjoyed and the food there is superb (though quite pricey).

They also enjoyed the Scotland Street Museum. We had the People's Palace recommended to us, but they didn't really enjoy that.

Also for us country bumpkins another big hit was Waggamamas!

You can beat the Science Museum. The Kelvingrove is fantastic and the Transport Museum worth a look.

That's more than enough for a day out.

Remember, the Kelvingrove and Transport Museums are free. They are also in the West End. Oh, there is also an Art Gallery (free) at Glasgow uni.

And I love the Burrell Collection which is in the South Side of Glasgow. Again free.

When we go up to Scotland (from London) we always go to the Science Museum with our nieces and nephews. All the children love it - there really is something for everyone.

Last time we were there the children played with massive bubbles and had a run around outside. It was really good. Then we went to the IMAX.

Even though we have a Science Museum in London we all love the Glasgow one.

Um, isn't the transport museum closed at the moment? They're building a new one.
Kelvingrove is fab, and free, though. Science centre brilliant but expensive. There's also the fossil grove (in Victoria park I think).
The Cathedral, Provens Lordship and the Tenement House for historical educational purposes.

Is the transport museum not closed? They were moving but not sure it's opened yet. Check it out.
Agree with Kelvingrove and the Science centre - both good days out.
If the weather isn't too wet you could do the open top bus tour.
I've heard the tall ship at the clydeside is good but I've never been.

Thank you for you replies, your tips about the Science Centre are very useful.
Should have said that we are there for 4 or 5 days so will have time to go to different places.
Is the Kelgrove more than a park?
Will look the other places up on Google

Virtually next to the peoples palace is a play park with huge silver tube slides on enormous frames which might amuse them for a bit. Nearby is the West brewery which does great beer and good food for adults and kids.

Is Go Ape open at Pollock Park? Also Braehead

Ceck the transport museum is open - it's moving isn't it.

Shame about the Transport Museum, my family for many generations worked in the Ship Yards for Cunard etc so was hoping to do that - oh well another time I'll have to go back.

Kelvingrove has a fantastic museum and an art gallery as well. Lots of bits of it are interactive. It is great fun.

The Botanic Gardens are lovely as well - if you walk alongside the river there you can see lots of squirrels.

My SIL loves Extreme but I have never been there - it has snow activities I think.

Hamleys is great fun too but you would have to consider their pester power or give them a budget before they went in maybe.

The restaurants downstairs in Princes Square on Buchanan St are nice for all age groups and it is a lovely place to eat.

The Imax at the Science Centre is pricey but, depending on what is on, a great experience.

We also took the dcs to the Time Capsule at Coatbridge. We didn't like it much but the dcs loved it. (swimming pool with waterfalls etc and ice rink) It has soft play too but I imagine you are beyond that stage!!

The open top city bus tour is interesting too - they get headphones to listen to the commentary. Depends on your dcs though.

There is the Burrell Collection too but it is for serious art lovers so it would depend on your dcs again.

Use Tesco vouchers for Science Centre = makes it good value.
Yes yes to Hamleys. We aren't a happy shopping family, but spent a LONG time in there at Christmas on a very cold day, and didn't spend anything!

Thank you, I can't wait to get to Glasgow now (well I hope I still have time to get my Tesco vouchers sent!)
We normally dash past Glasgow on our way up to the family home near Fort William and each time say - "we must stop there one day"

I was at the Tall Ship this afternoon - maybe worth a visit. The Transport Museum isn't open yet - I think 'early summer' is the latest. they seem to be doing the landscaping at the moment. If you're interested in the shipyards Clydebuilt at Braehead might be worth a visit (I haven't been so don't know if it's any good). Also recommend the People's Palace on Glasgow Green (social history of Glasgow).

If your DC enjoy art, GOMA (behind Buchanan St) is quite good fun.

The Burrell, Kelvingrove etc often arrange activities for children in the holidays (Glasgow hols are Mon 14th and Tues 15th). Check The List (like Time Out for Glasgow & Edinburgh).

Highly recommend the scones at the cafe in Pollok House (also in Pollok Park).

Transport museum is definatly closed

Thank you for your reply, we had a fantastic time in Glasgow
Big hits were
The Science Centre (Tesco vouchers made a big difference)
Kelvingrove Museum and the Little cafe opposite
Time Capsule, rides opened at 3 but were worth the wait
Yo Sushi at Frasers
We ran out of time so will be back to do the Tall Ships, Clydebuilt and the Transport museum
We stayed in a Apartment/hotel near the Central Station, it had parking at £5 a day and with it's own kitchen and 2 bedrooms made it much cheaper than Travelodge as we made our own breakfast and other meals and had a good nights sleep