Our city guide to Glasgow’s most-loved local classes, activities, parks, farms, businesses and services for babies, toddlers and parents
A Bit About Glasgow
The second largest city in the UK with a population of a whopping 600,000 people, Glasgow is home to significantly more people than Scotland’s capital. There’s some great facts that have come out of Glasgow… Want to hear a few? Here’s three that surprised us!
- It’s officially where the Chicken Tikka Masala was invented
- It is home to fossilised trees that are older than the dinosaurs
- The city chambers contain more marble than Vatican City!
It’s not difficult to understand why so many people are choosing Glasgow to raise their families. We wanted to know some of the best picks of things to do in the area, and reached out to the young families of Glasgow. After receiving many many many recommendations, we gathered together a list of t activities, destinations and services for you and your little ones.
We firmly believe that nobody knows their community better than the parents and carers pounding the pavements every day, so if there’s anywhere on here we’ve missed, let us know – we’re always keen to hear about great classes, activities and businesses for babies and toddlers. Better still, if you’re a class provider, we would love to feature you in our listings – you can sign up below.
Glasgow’s best… Soft Play & Roleplay Centres
When in doubt, go for a play centre! Little ones can keep entertained for hours at these colourful venues, and all of the below have all the proper facilities you’ll need, including a cafe nearby for when you need your that well-needed tea break.
Bouncy, colourful, inflatable fun! Inflata Nation is an enormous amount of joy for both you and your little ones. They have multiple areas to leap around safely and carefully, and a brilliant under-4’s only “Inflata Tots” that’s perfect for your little one’s.
134 Portman St, Glasgow, G41 1EJ
This charity run playhub is a great addition to our list, and a great affordable place to regularly play. They have three large rooms that are all catered to under 5’s. Whilst not free, they keep charges low with £3 per session (and £1 for each additional child) or £15 for a year’s membership.
Metropolitan Area, 2 Manresa Pl, Glasgow, G4 9SZ
Whether you’re looking for soft play, roleplay or even a puppet show -you’ll find it down on Fun Street. They have multiple interactive areas, and there’s lots of entertainment to pick from. Not to mention that the food at this venue looks so delish!
Silverburn Shopping Centre, Barrhead Rd, Glasgow G53 6AG
“Make play a priority!” Catered specifically for the under 5’s, this soft play is a perfect pick for our list. Everything that you might need from a soft play is available here, and it’s a great pick for a last-minute decision to go out as bookings aren’t a requirement. They’re happy to let you walk-in.
Unit 1-3, 1201 Duke St, Parkhead, Glasgow, G31 5NZ
Glasgow’s best… Museum’s and Galleries
Happity are definitely big fans of museums. They’re the perfect place to allow your little one’s curiosity run wild. And they’re ideal for those families with older kids too!
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
We probably wouldn’t recommend this one for really little ones, but it is a perfect place to introduce bigger kids to art and culture when you think they are ready, and it is completely free.
Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG
Another fantastic museum, and with even more available for your kids. This one has a great “Mini Museum Explorers” session that offers interactivity and allows your 2-5 year old to explore the museum in a unique and engaging way.
100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Glasgow’s best… Baby and Toddler Classes
Do you fancy sampling a class that will help your little one develop a new skill? Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere to relax and find your tribe? Try some of these!
Picks for babies and toddlers:
Tappy Toes offer movement classes for little ones. Get your kids twirling and galloping to action songs, then enjoy a special imagination section of the class when you pretend you’re a princess, a dinosaur or even a scary monster. These classes are designed to develop coordination and motor skills amongst other things.
Multiple Venues
Bright colours, bright lights, bright babies! This is a great independent sensory class for your little one. They have a variety of different sessions, giving you plenty of choice as to what’s best suited to you and your child.
60 Mollinsburn St, Springburn, Glasgow G21 4SF
Helping your little one to build on their co-ordination through repetitive routines, the preschool ballet, tap and modern classes are a great pathway into dance lessons. They are well structured, and very cute too!
Multiple venues
Limitless Playtime – Glasgow Elim
This church-run activity offers multiple forms of playtime, as well as a chance for you as a parent to get the chance to chat with other families. They have an exciting play area with themed equipment, a bouncy castle and soft play. AND sensory activities led from the front including singing, music and imaginative play.
42 Inglefield Street, Glasgow G42 7AT
Picks for parents and carers
Toddle In is a beautiful venue in Glasgow South that runs both classes and is the home of “Bonnie Bear clothing”, where you can shop for adorable baby items. In this space, they run classes, offer parent meet ups, birthday parties and run play sessions for children aged 0-5 years.
179 Clarkston Road Glasgow, Scotland, G44, United Kingdom
A great fitness class for young and expecting mums: Baby Fit specialise in pre and postnatal health and wellbeing programmes from pregnancy fitness, postnatal recovery & strength sessions. They have a few locations around Scotland, and are only growing more and more every day!
Multiple Venues
An independent activity that has received multiple recommendations from the people of Glasgow. Whether you’re looking for baby massage, yoga, or even baby first aid: there’s a variety of sessions that are more than perfect for you and your little one.
4 Victoria Circus, Dowanhill, Glasgow G12 9LD
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes. We’re expanding in Glasgow and are keen to hear about more classes and activities for little ones – get in touch if you can help! We’re always open to recommendations!
Glasgow’s best… Parks
Happity are definitely big fans of outdoor spaces so here’s a couple of recommendations to get your little ones out and about in the fresh air:
3 different play areas, and 3 different cafes across the grounds, this park is well worth a visit. They have highly recommended river-side walks, and plenty to do. Plus, it’s a gorgeous green space where you can clear your lungs and take in the fresh air.
6 Professors’ Square, Glasgow, G3 6BQ
Events all year round, and plenty of weekly running activities to get stuck in. They have a “junior parkrun”, which is held weekly and a great way to get those legs moving (and it’s completely free).
Victoria Park Drive North, Glasgow West End G14
Full of rich history, and with breath-taking grounds, Pollok Country park offers a wide range of activities. Explore the gardens, venture through the maze, or take curious woodland walks.
2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow, G43 1AT
There’s lots to explore within this park. There’s a large green space, and plenty of perfect picnic locations. There’s also a beautiful walled garden to explore too, if you want to let an inquisitive mind have the chance to find more. And from early March to mid October on weekends, they even have a bouncy castle.
Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 7UG
Would you consider yourself a local expert?
Happity is the UK’s biggest platform dedicated exclusively to baby & toddler classes.
We’re expanding in Glasgow and are keen to hear about more classes and activities for little ones – get in touch if you can help!
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