Things that Glasgow kids can do for FREE this summer

From sport to reading, volunteering to exploring, we've compiled a list of fun activities suitable for children of different ages and all of them are free!

Reading

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Pre-schoolers, toddlers, babies and their families can meet Bookbug for a 30 minute session of stories and songs at their local library.

Four free Bookbug bags are provided to all children in Scotland up to the age of five, containing books and other activities.

This summer, tots can also take up the Bookbug’s Library Challenge via their local library and receive a certificate on completion.

Further information on the sessions can be found here.

A list of participating libraries can be found here.

For older children, there’s the Wild World Heroes reading challenge.

This year, the challenge is being run in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund along a nature theme.

Sign-up at your local library and come back for stickers as you progress, plus a certificate on completion.

Alternatively, there is an online version too, switching out stickers for badges and unlocking new activities as you read.

The challenge is aimed at children aged 4-11 and further details can be found here.

Sport 

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For children studying in Castlemilk or living in the G45 postcode, Castlemilk Community Football are running the Barlia Soccer Camp (and lunch is provided!).

It’s free, but booking is required for the limited places available.

Running weekdays up until August 6, there are timeslots for different ages from 5 upwards.

Booking information here.

Similarly, AR26 are running a series of summer football camps suitable for 6-16 year olds, with time slots for different age groups and lunch included.

The camp in north Glasgow will be based at the Firhill Complex on Hopehill Road, running five days a week up until August 6.

In the south of the city, another camp will be running up until July 30 at Gowanbank Primary School, Nitshill.

Benefitting from free coaching, places need to be reserved in advance and the booking form can be found here.

Outside of football, Glasgow Go-Ride are running free BMX riding sessions at the Cathkin Braes Pumptrack and Skills Park.

Two coaches will manage the sessions, with bikes and helmets provided.

Aimed at older children and teenagers, the sessions are open to confident riders aged 11-18 and spaces can be booked here.

Food and Fun

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Under the Castlemilk Together: Food and Fun for Summer series of events, there are workshops and fun packs for kids, plus free lunches supported by the Glasgow City Council’s food programme.

Spanning multiple locations, different lunches and activities will be offered at each site.

Cassiltoun Housing Association is holding events to “pick up a picnic pack” every Thursday at 1 Tormusk Road, 59 Machrie Road (Castlemilk Stables) and 2 Hoddam Terrace.

At each location, there will be food, plus art activities, play equipment, games, sports, and music from 1-3pm up until August 5.

Follow Cassiltoun Housing Association for the latest updates.

On Fridays, Castlemilk Parish Church is providing brunches from 10-12pm, up until July 30.

Similarly, Ardenglen Housing Association is running lunches from 11-1pm up until August 13 on their premises at 355 Tormusk Road.

Both will also be supplying free activity packs for children.

See further details and photos from past Fridays on their Facebook pages. 

Part of the same scheme, Youth Complex is also offering food events aimed at 12-18-year-olds.

From 3-5pm every week up until August 13, there will be free wraps and baps on Wednesdays and fresh pizza on Fridays.

In addition to their food events, Youth Complex is holding their own summer programme, including drop-in sessions on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 6-8pm.

Expect arts and crafts plus games, including on PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

A full map of the organisations participating in the food programme is available and you can find your nearest one here.

Music

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Interested in learning more about hip hop?

Sunny G Radio is running a series of tutorials this summer, released as pre-recordings on their website from next week for you to view at your leisure.

Aimed at 15-25-year-olds, check out their website next week to see the videos.

Castlemilk Youth Complex is hosting a free music club from 4-8pm on Tuesdays, aimed at 12-18-year-olds.

All musical backgrounds are welcome, with no prior experience necessary, with sessions varying between music in general and looking into playing specific instruments.

More details are available here.

Volunteering

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Interested in becoming more involved with the Cop26 events?

The Young Scot Climate Co-design Group are looking for volunteers aged 11-25 to help develop the Cop26 Scottish Youth Climate Programme.

Recruiting young people from across Scotland, the project will be run online through small group workshops every few weeks.

No prior experience is needed and the deadline for applying is July 28.

Find out more here.

Indoors

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Combining classical music with contemporary dance and puppetry, Swan Loch tells the story of Elsa’s quest to help her brothers change back after they are transformed into swans.

Clarsach players The Willow Trio are performing two shows on August 10, at 11am and 2pm.

The participatory sessions will also feature contemporary dance and Scottish waulking songs, with the show aimed at children aged 5-10.

The performances will take place at Partickhill Bowling Club and information on how to book can be found here.

Across the city, Glasgow Life is running Summer Fun, providing activities and challenges for families.

Free museums, such as the Gallery of Modern Art, Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, plus the Riverside Museum and Tall Ship have re-opened.

The majority of events are free and more information can be found here.

Outdoors

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Over in Easterhouse, Platform Glasgow are holding Fun Fridays in the car park of The Bridge.

Different events and giveaways are happening every week of the summer holidays. For 5-11-year-olds there are art activities running from 10.30-11.30am, with kits put together by artist Alice Dansey-Wright and signing up in advance is essential.

Booking details are available here.

Other upcoming events include The Swings on July 23: a giant installation, starting off with a performance by aerialists before opening for anyone to enjoy!

There will be different time slots running from 12-3.30pm.

It’s open to all ages and free but tickets are required.

Booking details are available here.

The following week you can expect glitter and sparkles at the Unicorn Dance Party on July 30.

Suitable for ages five and over the interactive show is led by unicorns Luna and Melody.

Again, booking is essential and further details can be found here.

Baltic Street Adventure Playground in Dalmarnock is welcoming children up to 12 years old, but under-fives must be accompanied by an adult.

More information on the holiday programme can be found here.

Adults wishing to attend can book tickets here.

In Mount Vernon, a woodland trail behind the community hall has plenty to explore, including playgrounds and carvings of characters from the popular children’s book, The Gruffalo.

Located at Mount Vernon Park, further information can be found on the Mount Vernon Community Hall website.

The Cuningar Loop, near Parkhead, has ample outdoor activities, from woodland walks and adventure play to cycling and boulder climbing.

The car park will be open from 9am-8pm over the summer and there are picnic areas, but no toilet facilities.

More information on what to expect can be found here.

To the north west of the city, Dawsholm Park has play areas, as well as woodland walks and large areas left to nature. Besides footpaths and cycle routes, there is also seating for you to stop and relax and maybe spot some wildlife.

The site is always open and more details are available here.