Right, the Christmas chaos is finally done and we need a proper family day out! This first weekend of January (Jan 3rd/4th) is brilliant for grabbing those last chance festive bits before they vanish, like The Little Mermaid panto. But for something new, check out Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore at Tramway – it’s totally hands-on and free, perfect for shaking off the New Year slump.
Quick Picks
Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore
Tramway
A genuinely free, interactive art exhibition where kids are encouraged to touch, build, and play!
Scottish Ballet - The Snow Queen
Theatre Royal
Escape the January dreich with a magical ballet performance – this one’s only on for a short run!
Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor
Grosvenor Cafe
Free, informal fun down Ashton Lane every Sunday, great for younger ones to potter about.
Cold War Scotland
Okay, this one is actually in Edinburgh, but it’s a *last chance* to see it and it's FREE! It looks at Scotland's part in the Cold War, which could be fascinating for older kids interested in spy stuff.
Why we picked it: It’s the final day of this exhibition, and it’s a free, meaty topic for curious teens.
Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore
This is an ace interactive art exhibition where you can actually build things, take photos, and generally mess about with the art – they *want* you to play! It’s a genius way to spend a grey Saturday afternoon without spending a tenner.
Why we picked it: It is genuinely FREE and encourages full interaction with the art installations, which is rare.
Scottish Ballet - The Snow Queen
If the kids are still buzzing from *Frozen*, this Scottish Ballet version of *The Snow Queen* is stunning and on right now. It’s got that wintry fairytale vibe we need to see out January.
Why we picked it: It's a stunning, short-run, high-quality ballet production that captures the post-New Year atmosphere perfectly.
Surrealism | Picturing the Strange
This new exhibition at the Modern Art gallery looks seriously weird and wonderful – think Dali and Magritte vibes. It’s a good way to stretch older kids' imaginations and it costs absolutely zero pounds.
Why we picked it: It's a brand new exhibition opening for the New Year that looks visually arresting for teens.
Curious About Glasgow - Quirky Heritage Walks
Grab one of their self-guided walks – it’s like a treasure hunt through the city centre, which keeps even the most bored teen interested. Great for getting some fresh air that isn't just in a park.
Why we picked it: It turns a city walk into a fun, self-paced game, perfect for a crisp January morning.
A Christmas Escape: The Elf Trials
This is a Christmas-themed escape room where you compete to be the top elf—super competitive fun for competitive siblings! It’s a great way to burn off that post-holiday energy with some puzzle-solving.
Why we picked it: It’s an escape room with a very short post-Christmas run, making it timely and exciting.
Sing-a-Long-a Matilda
Get ready to shout at the telly, but on stage! You get props and lyrics, so you can join in with your best singing voice for Matilda. Loads of fun if your little one is a proper chatterbox.
Why we picked it: It’s an interactive theatre event that requires audience participation, which is way more engaging than just sitting still.
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland
The festive village is still open this weekend, so it's one last chance for some proper wintery fairground fun before they pack it all away. Grab a last hot chocolate under the lights.
Why we picked it: This is likely one of the final days for the Christmas village before it closes for the year.
The Little Mermaid (Pantomime)
It’s your absolute last day to catch the big Christmas panto – expect singing, silliness, and Elaine C. Smith. Proper festive hangover cure for the family before things get *too* normal again.
Why we picked it: This is the very last day for the big Christmas panto run in the city centre.
Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor
If you're up the West End and need a chill spot, Ashton Lane's Grosvenor does free family fun on Sundays. Just rock up, grab a coffee, and let the wee ones do their thing.
Why we picked it: A super low-key, genuinely free option that’s always a local favourite for a Sunday afternoon.
Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor
If you're up the West End and need a chill spot, Ashton Lane's Grosvenor does free family fun on Sundays. Just rock up, grab a coffee, and let the wee ones do their thing.
Why we picked it: A super low-key, genuinely free option that’s always a local favourite for a Sunday afternoon.
Celtic Park Stadium Tour
If your kids are into the hoops, a stadium tour is always a winner and a bit different from standard museums. They get to see behind the scenes where the magic happens.
Why we picked it: A non-stuffy, active tour that appeals strongly to football-mad kids and teens.
Carmunnock Heritage Trail
Fancy visiting Glasgow’s last village? This is a free, self-guided multimedia tour showing off the history of Carmunnock. It feels miles away from the city centre chaos.
Why we picked it: It's a genuine local secret tour that is completely free and gives you a proper walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Glasgow this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04) there are genuinely free options like Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore at Tramway, which is all about hands-on art, and the regular Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor in Ashton Lane.
Are there any last-chance festive events for the kids?
Yes! Sunday, January 4th is the very last day for the The Little Mermaid (Pantomime) at the King's Theatre, and you can also catch the Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green one last time.
What’s good for a rainy Saturday with primary schoolers?
Head to Tramway for Leap then Look: Play Interact Explore (Event ID: glasgow-3). It’s completely interactive and indoors, so the weather won't matter, plus it's totally free!