Things to do with kids in Glasgow this Christmas


Looking for things to do with the kids in Glasgow? Take a look at some of the exciting things going on at Silverburn this Christmas.

Silverburn on Ice

This Christmas, head to Silverburn’s first outdoor, fully covered ice rink to experience Silverburn on Ice! Located in the red car park, the ice rink will be open until 5th January 2025. The whole family can skate under the twinkling lights in the canopy and make magical memories this Christmas.

Book your tickets now! Skates are included in your ticket price, and sessions last for 45 minutes. If you’re a beginner or have children with you, penguin skating aids are available to make the experience fun and safe.

If that’s not enough, Silverburn on Ice ticket holders can enjoy exclusive discounts at selected retailers here at Silverburn. Find out more over on our discounts page.

Please note, the rink will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Visit Santa

Visit the man in red, courtesy of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity! They’ll be hosting meet and greet sessions with Santa and his elves from 30th November until 24th December.

Santa can be found outside Next. Slots run from 11am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 6pm daily, finishing up at 2pm on Christmas Eve. There is a suggested donation of £3 which goes towards helping seriously ill children and their families this Christmas. There’s no need to book a slot, but queuing may be required at busy times.

Santa will also be hosting a quiet session every Sunday between 10am and 11am for children with autism or other sensory needs.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity Christmas pop-up 

From 22nd November until Christmas Eve, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity will have a pop-up kiosk outside Victoria’s Secret. Pick up Christmas gifts including personalised decorations, soft toys, festive candles, and much more. Check the kiosk opening times here

Spend the day at a soft play 

If you need to stay out of the rain, head to Fun Street soft play for more indoor fun. Suitable for children up to the age of 12, Fun Street is packed full of activities to keep the whole family amused for hours. Featuring a soft play, toddler play for the little ones, a climbing wall, puppet shows and a virtual iZone, Fun Street is a creative and exciting place for kids of all ages.

And don’t miss out on the exciting Ocean Adventures soft play, located outside Marks & Spencer. The free soft play features a crawl-through submarine, whale hump slide, and built-in activity panels so you can continue the beach fun, rain or shine.

Children playing in a submarine at Silverburn's Ocean Adventures.

Check out what’s on the big screen 

Cineworld has everything to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays. Don’t miss out on Cineworld’s new family ticket, where one adult and one child under the age of 14 can both pay kids’ prices so you can enjoy more films for less.

With £5 Christmas film screenings scheduled throughout December, enjoy classics such as The Grinch, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Home Alone with the whole family. See the full list of showings here

Cineworld at Silverburn.
Activities on a budget 

If you’re looking for budget-friendly things to do in Glasgow with kids, pay a visit to Pollok Park. Spending time in the fresh air is a great choice, and the beautiful green space is right on our doorstep. Wrap up warm, chuck on a pair of wellies and enjoy the great Scottish weather! 

For a little bit of culture (or to avoid the rain!), you can visit the Burrell Collection, a museum full of interactive exhibits and sculptures. Once you’ve exhausted the kids and are all cultured-out, pop along to Silverburn to grab some much-needed refreshments.

Grab a bite to eat 

Silverburn has plenty of family-friendly dining options. Head to TGI Fridays to get that Friday feeling any day of the week, transport yourself to Italy with a fresh pizza from Zizzi, or start your day right with delicious brunch dishes at Stàilinn Scottish Kitchen. From savoury eggs to sweet pancake stacks, the options are endless.

A family browsing the menu at The Real Greek.  Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

For some fast, delicious Asian inspired meals, head to Chopstix at Silverburn. Enjoy veggie, vegan, and meat options including curries, rice, and noodle dishes – the tasty, nutritious portions will satisfy any cravings. Or check out the amazing Bread Meats Bread for a burger you won’t forget – with vegan options too!

For a family meal on a budget, take advantage of the kids eat free deals at Silverburn this Christmas. Stripes Rewards members can enjoy a free kid’s meal when you order an adult’s main at TGI Fridays, while The Real Greek offers a free kid’s meal every Sunday when you spend £10 on any adult’s meal.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for more things to do with kids in Glasgow.