We understand how challenging school holidays can be. There are extra mouths to feed and lots of time to fill. Parents can struggle with the costs of extra childcare in the summer months, leaving little budget for extra activities- especially in the current economic climate in which families are already operating under tight budgets. Without the help from free school meals, household costs are often stretched to their limit during school holidays.
But you want your children to have a great time and you want to create lasting memories for them to take back to school. As anyone with children knows, keeping them entertained is vital for everyone’s sanity when it comes to getting through the six weeks! So we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you. Below you’ll find a whole host of free stuff to do in Glasgow and ways to save money this summer. We hope it helps you plan your days and keep your family busy!
- Glasgow Museums are always free, and always fun. They’re a great way to fill a day without relying on the ever erratic Scottish weather for your plans. During the summer, there are a number of free events to engage your kids in learning during the school holidays.
RSPB at Kelvingrove– 29 June–12 August
Wednesdays, 10am-12noon
Fridays, 11am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm
Saturday Art Club at GoMA– 2 July – 13 August
Saturdays, 10.30am-12.30pm
Mini Museum Explorer– all sessions 11am-12 and 1-2pm.
Kelvingrove – 10 July and 7 August
GoMA – 11 July and 8 August
People’s Palace – 22 July and 5 August
The Burrell Collection – 16 June, 14 July, 11 and 18 August
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (booking essential) – Tuesdays 5 July and 2 August
Storytelling for toddlers– The Burrell Collection
30 July and 27 August at 11am
Discover! – The Burrell Collection
Every weekend day, 1.30pm-4pm
- Glasgow Life run Glasgow’s museums, libraries and several sporting venues and every year they put together a whole program of summer programs and events for young people of all age groups, from babies right up to teenagers. We’ve picked a few of our favourites, but do visit their Summer of Fun page to see if there’s anything else that would work for your family.
Bookbug (For babies and toddlers)
- To keep active, you could take advantage of Glasgow Club’s free family swimming sessions.
- Living in the Dear Green Place does come with its advantages. If our current run of lovely weather continues, why not visit some Glasgow Parks and Gardens? Or perhaps you want to be your own tour guide for the day and follow Glasgow’s city centre mural trail? You could also make it your summer mission to work your way through this list of free Glasgow attractions.
- Queen’s Park Arena will be hosting a whole range of free and very low cost events thourghout the summer, with something suitable for all the family. From Big Fun Soft Play and Open Air Cinema to concerts and parties, they are sure to be a real highlight in your summer. Pre-booking is essential, so click here to see the events and secure your place.
- Glasgow City Council invest in ensuring children facing poverty are fed during the school holidays and have implemented The Children’s Holiday Food and Activity project to provide a hot meal and snack to Glasgow’s nursery, primary and secondary school pupils during holiday periods. It is intended to complement existing activities organised by third sector organisations with the majority of the funds going towards the provision of food. You can read an article on the scheme here or click here for participating venues.
No matter what you choose to do with your summer, we hope it’s filled with fun and lasting memories. We are all feeling the pinch at the moment, with many families struggling to make ends meet. We are one of Glasgow’s oldest charities, established in 1874, long before the NHS and Welfare State. Our mission then, as it is now, is to help Glaswegians when they cannot help themselves. Our main goal is to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life in the city. If you have found this list helpful and are able to, please consider donating to Glasgow Care Foundation so that we may continue helping those who have nowhere left to turn. We’re a small charity doing big things for Glasgow, but can only do it with your help. 100% of your donations go directly to those in need and even a small donation can go a long way. You can click here to make a donation now or get in touch with us for a fundraising pack.
Have a great summer!
