Things to do with kids in Glasgow

The Kelvingrove Park is site of three great International Exhibitions, in 1888, 1901 and 1911, which proudly proclaimed Glasgow’s contribution to the British Empire. The entrance to Kelvingrove Park is guarded by a spectacular statue of Field Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar (1832-1914) surrounded by the bas-relief trappings of his Indian campaigns. The park itself is a fine example of an ornamental pleasure garden, with winding paths and wide boulevards. Kids will love having a potter around this pretty green space.

The imposing architecture of George Square reflects the confidence of Glasgow’s Victorian age. At the centre of the wide-open plaza rises an 80ft column topped by a statue of Sir Walter Scott. Arranged around the great writer, at the edge of the square, are statues of assorted luminaries, ranging from Queen Victoria to Scots heroes such as James Watt and Rabbie Burns. There are plenty of grassy spots to chill out here and to while away a few hours. In the surrounding areas there are plenty of high street fashion shops to enjoy a shopping spree, older kids will love this!

Football is one of Glasgow’s great passions - and one of its great blights. The most decorated teams in Scottish football, Rangers and Celtic, call Glasgow home. With weekly crowds regularly topping 50,000, they form the ‘Old Firm’ rivalry that is among the most impassioned of any seen in Britain. They have dominated Scottish football for a century and often play internationally. The teams are divided along sectarian lines. Celtic, who play at Celtic Park in the eastern district of Parkhead, attract the city’s immigrant Irish and Catholic population, while Rangers, based at Ibrox Stadium in Govan on the Southside, have traditionally drawn support from the Protestant community. But Glasgow has three other professional teams that should not be overlooked. The Paisley team St Mirren, complete the trio of current Glaswegian Scottish Premiership teams, while both Partick Thistle, who play at Firhill Stadium in the West End, and Queen’s Park, residents of Hampden, plod along in the lower reaches of the Scottish league system. Try and catch one of these teams play, it’s one of the best fun things to do with kids in Glasgow.

Often described as the Highlands in miniature, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park boasts a magnificent diversity of scenery, with distinctive peaks, silvery lochs and mysterious, forest-covered slopes. The area covers over seven hundred square miles of scenic territory. The centrepiece is undoubtedly Loch Lomond, and the most popular gateway is Balloch, the town at the loch’s southern tip, where the VisitScotland tourist information centre is located. Outdoors enthusiasts come to the Trossachs in droves for hiking, tours, mountain-bike excursions, horse riding, fishing and boat trips on the lochs.

Established in 1976, the Scottish Youth Theatre (Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street) organises an eclectic programme of classes and performances dedicated to young people, up to 25 years old. Productions are staged in the Brian Cox Studio and theatres around the country. This is one of the best places to take kids in Glasgow, if they are interested in drama and the performing arts.