Best family days out in Glasgow to explore in 2025
Here's some of our favourite Glasgow days out for you and the little ones.
Planning a trip to Scotland? Glasgow is an absolute must.
The port city sits on Scotland's west side just a stone's throw away from some of their most beautiful lochs and national parks.
Both within the city and in its stunning natural surroundings, there is so much to do for families and children.
From aquariums and museum tours to adrenaline-fuelled days out at Go Ape and Loch Lomond, you could easily fill a trip in the school holidays, or a quick weekend visit.
Below, we've assembled our favourite things to do in Glasgow, including a list of free activities to enjoy.
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Best Glasgow family days out at a glance
- Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium, from £14
- The Tenement House, from £10
- Go Ape Aberfoyle, from £69.95
- Glasgow Science Centre, from £12
- Glagow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus tour, from £27.50
- Glasgow Guided City Tour by Ebike, from £79
- The Tall Ship at Riverside Museum, from £5.50
- The Loch Lomond Experience Family Cruise, from £53
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, free entry
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens, free entry
- The Burrell Collection, free entry
- Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve, free entry
Best family days out in Glasgow 2025
Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium
Dive into a magical underwater world, just 20 minutes from Glasgow's centre. This impressive aquarium is part of the national Sea Life chain. Children can say hello to Scotland's largest collection of sharks, watch sleek otters frolic and play, and stroke a starfish or get up-close with a crab at the interactive rockpool – a perennial favourite with little ones.
Visit Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium from £14
Go Ape Aberfoyle
At Go Ape, you can choose from a range of activities such as Treetop Adventure, which is geared towards young explorers aged four to eight, and Treetop Challenge, which is best suited for children aged 10 and over. There's also Forest Segways, Nets Adventure, Zip Trekking, Axe Throwing, an Escape Room, and so much more.
Try Go Ape Aberfoyle from £69.95
Glasgow Science Centre
Birds, planes, superheroes, dinosaurs and so much more can be found at the Glasgow Science Centre. This all-encompassing museum is fun and interactive and very educational for children. Plus you can book onto workshops and activities in the school holidays like DIY Detectives.
Visit Glasgow Science Centre from £12
Take a tour of Glasgow City Centre
If you want to see the sights of Glasgow then simply book a tour! Whether it's a hop-on hop-off bus tour or a bike ride for older children, this is a great way of keeping the whole family entertained while seeing everything the city has to offer.
Visit Loch Lomond
Just an hour from Glasgow is the unbelievable Loch Lomond, which you can see in a range of ways with kids. At Virgin Experience Days, you can book the Loch Lomond Family Cruise which shows you all the secrets and underwater life in the Loch, or, if you want to get even closer, you can take a canoe tour around its deep waters.
The Tall Ship at Riverside Museum
Aye-aye captain – all aboard the Tall Ship! The main attraction at this nautical-but-nice exhibit is the Glenlee, just one of the hundreds of ships once built in Glasgow's historic shipyards. Children can learn about the boat's history, have a go turning the wheel, meet a sailor and explore the numerous decks and creepy cabins tucked below. There's even an under-5's play area in the hold.
Every day, there's extra family fun with Daily Captain's Challenge and Mouse Hunt – a chance to count how many model mice are hiding on board. The Tall Ship is berthed next to the new Riverside Museum – combine both for a brilliant family day out.
Visit The Tall Ship at Riverside Museum from £5.50
The Tenement House
Snoop inside this this old Glasgow tenement flat, owned by the National Trust, to get an atmospheric snapshot of how people lived in the old days, right down to the soft furnishings, ornaments on the shelves and pictures on the wall – there are even working gaslights in operation at this home. Children's quizzes are available all year to keep the kids entertained as they go round, and there are plenty of chances to get hands-on with objects from the past. Living history doesn't get much better.
Visit The Tenement House from £10
Best free family days out in Glasgow 2025
The Burrell Collection
Give your little ones a dose of culture in a lovely woodland setting. Inside this world- famous museum, nestled in the beautiful Pollok Country Park, you'll discover an awe-inspiring collection of works by artists including Rodin and Cezanne, plus exotic examples of Chinese, medieval and Islamic art, and more.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has been a staple of Glasgow since 1901 and is home to 22 lively galleries, featuring everything from art to animals, Ancient Egypt and so much more. Plus, for kids, there's the chance to join in several interactive workshops and crafting classes.
Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens are a beautiful sight found on the West side of the city. They're home to several glass houses and hundreds of plant species that are stunning to behold.
Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve
Get to grips with nature at the stunning Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve, run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which stretches along a gorge in the Clyde Valley. Scramble along the paths by the river and spot a spectacular waterfall or two, then head into the ancient woodlands for some bird-watching – look out for owls, wrens, kingfishers and falcons as well as deer.
Visit Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve