Child friendly Glasgow

[Gumps]

I'm taking my two ds (5&7) to Glasgow for the rugby 7s at the Commonwealth Games which is at Ibrox. We are staying in Grifnok (sp?) and travelling by train.
We have a spare day on the Friday for sightseeing so I'm looking for child friendly ideas for that and also things to do/places to eat near Ibrox to break up the day.

Was in centre of glasgow today shopping and there was a real buzz. I think everyone is on their best behaviour at the moment

Careful with taking food etc to Ibrox. The info online seems to suggest that bags arent allowed and no food or drink, only sealed water less than 500ml!

Following with interest as we are coming for 3 days

Came on to say transport museum, but everyone's already said it. There's a reason for that - it's really good!

Second Mrs C's suggestion of Rouken Glen Park on a sunny day if you're staying in Giffnock. Children's play park has just been upgraded and is fab. My DCs love it. Have to drag them away. Also lovely new cafe/restaurant at the boating pond. You're also really close to Pollok Park. Have fun!

Giffnock,south side,east ren.rouken glen is lovely park.giffnock has nice places eat etc

Just 2 short subway stops from Ibrox is this
The largest, maddest aircraft hanger of a soft play I have ever been to. It seriously has to be seen to be believed. It has a vertical death slide ffs, and go karts, and a claustrophobic cage full of giant rubber balls!!
There is no kid on earth that doesn't love it. and no adult who wouldn't bite through their own arm to escape Great standby in case of rain

That looks wild

It is Scottishmummy

This is why I bloody love mumsnet. Real people on the street. IF they get through the first game on the second day, it's a 6 hour gap to the second game. I will be the best mum in the world if I take the boys here.

Yay!! Go for it. Wonderworld is the best!

Ok so I'm a little confused by the tube map. It looks tiny! Is Giffnock on the tube line? Do I need to get a train into Glasgow and then go back out? It looks like there is a bus but I'm concerned about traffic and timings.
Tickets say it's free transport which is ace.

Giffnock isn't on the tube line. The tube line goes round in a circle.

You'd be using the Neilston or East Kilbride line and these will get you to Central Station. The nearest underground station is a 5-10 min walk from there. (Buchanan St entrance or St Enoch Square)

There is buses that come to Giffnock from town. I don't use them much but memory says 'number 56'. There's also the 6 service which goes to Clarkston which is an adjoining suburb of Giffnock.

The train is a 20 min journey compared to the bus at about 40 mins (can be terrible in traffic). So I know which id prefer ;)

Local taxi company is Eastwood Mearns. They'll come and pick you up in Glasgow if you're stuck. Tends to be £20 ish from city centre to Giffnock. Might be more during the games but I hope not!

Ok great. This solves my dilemma about whether to come back between sessions but looks like once we are out we are out for the day.

Hi again Gumps,

It is teeny tiny! It's known as the Clockwork Orange. Just does a big loop of the City Centre, West End and a bit of the SouthSide. I wish it did go a bit further out. Would be fab.

Giffnock isn't on the underground line as the subway doesn't come as far out as that. Depending on where you are in GIffnock you could either use Giffnock train station (Central Giffnock) or Williamwood station (nearer Clarkston) Both these train lines take you to Glasgow Central Station and run roughly every 30 mins.
Plenty of buses run along Fenwick Road in GIffnock that will take you straight into town too.

From Central Station it's a five minute walk in either direction to either St.Enoch or Buchanan St underground stations where you can hop on the subway to Ibrox.

You should be able to do it all for free on the days of your events! HTH

Oops X post

Spent too long correcting auto text.

Id say so, otherwise you'd be run ragged.

If you need a pit stop- or just somewhere to park your bum for a bit and have a picnic remember there's lots of lovely parks in Glasgow. Don't just stay near the masses because they don't know where they're going ;)

The tube station is tiny. And quick. You can be in Kelvingrove park from the city centre within 10 mins (Hillhead station get off for Kelvingrove).

The live zone at Glasgow Green will host free events during the games. It's an easy walk from the city centre.

www.glasgow2014.com/news/features/glasgow-green-live-zone

24 July–3 August 2014

Home is where the heart is, and Glasgow Green Live Zone is at the heart of the Games Time experience. This beautiful city park will be transformed into Glasgow’s biggest home, and everyone is invited to this spectacular FREE house party.

You’ll find a traditional warm Glasgow welcome with family activities, great music, comedy, dance, craft and ceilidhs. The Living Room will host the main stage with an international programme of bands, orchestras, choirs, films and even medal ceremonies. Highlights include a programme from Glasgow’s fantastic Celtic Connections Festival, a celebration of Emancipation Day and performances from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Lloyd Cole, Admiral Fallow and Edwyn Collins.

Some of Scotland’s leading food producers will showcase the best Scottish Ingredients in the giant food village in “The Kitchen” with come and try sports sessions being held in the “Back Garden”. Or step inside the Playhouse – this beautiful spiegeltent will be a magical backdrop for laughter and dancing.

Children will find plenty of exciting and enchanting performances and activities in the Wee House. Over in the Back Garden you can test your strength against your friends or try out a sporty science experiment. Step inside the Playhouse – this beautiful spiegeltent will be a magical backdrop for laughter and dancing.

Live sport comes to the park on three days as the Marathon, Cycling Time Trial and Cycling Road Race start and finish at the Glasgow Green Live Zone.

There will be surprises around every corner, including the museum at the People’s Palace and the glasshouse at the Winter Gardens, so come down and make yourself at home in Glasgow Green Live Zone.

Entry is free and unticketed at all times, aside from our Opening and Closing Ceremony Parties.

Buy your tickets for the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremony Parties at Glasgow Green Live Zone here.

Security

There will be a security check as you enter Glasgow Green Live Zone. Please do not bring the following items with you to the venue as you will not be able to bring them in: Frisbees, balls or inflatables; bottles with a capacity of more than 500ml; cans, glass or alcohol; golf umbrellas; skateboards, scooters, or cycles.

You may bring: one folding chair per person; soft sided bags up to 25l capacity; food for personal consumption; one bottle per person (capacity 500ml or less); small umbrellas.

I'm really excited to be going somewhere new and exploring. Just hope the ds' share my enthusiasm. Must remember not to run them ragged. Hoping to head up to the athletes village on Fri night to have dinner with DH which should be fun.
He says there has been lots of rain but I'm keeping everything crossed for a dry few days.

Ok so plan so far;

Thursday - eat out just myself and the kids in Gifnock. Any family friendly recommendations would be most welcome.
Fri - Glasgow green, transport museum/open bus tour/athletes village
Sat - ibrox and surrounding parks if nice/if not head back into Glasgow centre for food
Sun- ibrox and wonder world
Mon - home

Does this sound doable? Anything else I really must do?
Page bookmarked so I will not just be one of the wandering crowd!

Andiamo in Giffnock is lovely as is Orchard Park. A wee bit further down the road is TriBeCa (still walking distance) which kids seem to go mad for. The food is great- particularly breakfast!

Your itinery sounds pretty fair. Weather has been v.wet but forecast for this week is very humid but dry.

If it is rainy while you're here you could possibly get a bus along from Ibrox to Braehead if you're looking for activities close to the venue. Only about 10 mins away.
Formerly known as Xscape and now called Soar Braehead it's an indoor leisure complex with loads of the usual eating places - pizza express, TGI, Nandos etc. Also had a ski slope, arcades, bowling alley, cinema, climbing facility.
Otherwise plenty of free rainy weather activities in Glasgow mentioned unthread, transport museum, Kelvingrove etc.
Fingers crossed for a sunny fortnight though!!

On the Saturday, I'd say don't waste time in Ibrox trying to find somewhere nice as a) there isn't much b) what there is will be overrun with tourists.

Hope on the subway back to town and either do the Glasgow Green stuff- kids will like it and there's a great museum called the People's Palace (free) or stay on the subway and go to Kelvingrove which is larger and has Kelvingrove Museum/Art Gallery (also free!)

The science centre is great for that age. You could be there all day. There's a pedestrian bridge that takes you from the science centre across the river to the Riverside museum, which has lots of vehicles and as mentioned before, a mock beach in the summer. From here you can walk to Kelvingrove park for a picnic, or visit Kelvingrove museum and gallery, which has a lot to look at and a few hands-on things for children.