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Glasgow Live
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Sophie Buchan

Five ways to keep kids entertained in Glasgow without breaking the bank this February half term

The February half term holidays are coming up soon and with only a few days to go, it can be hard to know what to plan - especially given the weather won't exactly be scorching, as much as we'd like to see the sun right about now.

The February mid term break starts on February 13 (Monday) and lasts three days. This means kids will be off school until February 15 (Wednesday).

However, the last day is an in-service day meaning some staff will be in. People who need to arrange child-care must do so soon with the upcoming Glasgow City holidays fast approaching.

READ MORE: Glasgow chef 'made for telly' as Julie Lin presents BBC Food Fest

So what can you do this month with your time off that won't break the bank? Here's some of Glasgow best options.

1. Glasgow's Climbing Academy Boulder Club

It's always fun to get out and about, so to get your kids doing just that, why not try this?

The Climbing Academy is Glasgow's purpose built bouldering wall and is suitable for people aged 8 and above.

Glasgow is home to 'The Newsroom', a large welcoming bouldering centre close to the centre of Glasgow.

On their website they explain: "Bouldering is low-level climbing over mats. No ropes or harnesses are required and you don’t need to do a course to get started. The Newsroom is a great place for experienced climbers and complete newcomers, with walls of all angles. We have a kids specific climbing area, training walls, gym equipment and a stretching area. We also offer courses and personal coaching."

They also have a large cafe, perfect for sitting back and relaxing in whilst your kids play - and the perfect place for your kids to grab a snack and much-needed drink after.

And if they end up loving it, bonus points.

Prices vary depending on your package and how many people attend with a ticket for one young person and one adult costing £7.50 for the 8-16 option.

You can purchase tickets below:

  • 0-5 years and their parents - tickets
  • Kids between 5 and 8 - tickets
  • Kids and teenagers between 8 and 16 - tickets

2. Bowling

You may have loved bowling growing up as a kid, or perhaps you remember playing on the Wii trying to get that strike. It's a fun activity for everyone of all ages and doesn't have to cost a lot.

To celebrate the start of the school holidays, family and friends can make the most of their time off by heading to the Hollywood Bowl centre in Glasgow.

People looking to put their bowling skills to the test will get to do so at an affordable price throughout February half-term by making the most of the centre’s early bird offer, which guarantees 25 per cent off any game booked and played before 10.30am.

To add to the bowling fun, families who visit the centre will also have the chance to take part in a Beano themed treasure hunt, with the winners awarded a ‘pin-tastic’ lucky dip prize. To get the fun started ahead of their visit to the centre, guests can head to Hollywood Bowl’s website for a chance to win a Family VIP pass by finding the Beano character online.

The centre is open from 9am and guests wishing to redeem the early bird offer can do so by using the code ‘FEB25’.

Guests can wear their own shoes to bowl in and are encouraged to visit the Hollywood Bowl website www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk to pre-book their visit and find out more about their local centre’s offers or sign up to a VIP mailing list.

Tickets will vary in price depending on your option, but for one adult at the Springfield Quay centre, it will cost 'from £13.27' for three games for those ages 16 and over whilst three games for those under 16 will cost 'from £11.29.'

3. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

If you want to watch a movie, why not venture to the cinema to watch the latest Puss in Boots movie.

The movie is a new one having only been released on February 3. With a run-time of 1 hour and 42 minutes as well as being all about the iconic cat who many kids will know from Shrek, kids will love it.

The movie description reads: "This year, everyone’s favourite leche-loving, swashbuckling, fear-defying feline returns. For the first time in more than a decade, DreamWorks Animation presents a new adventure in the Shrek universe as daring outlaw Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll. Puss has burned through eight of his nine lives, though he lost count along the way. Getting those lives back will send Puss in Boots on his grandest quest yet.

Puss in Boots have just released the move this month. (Getty 2023/t.tomsickova@seznam.cz)

"Academy Award® nominee Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the notorious PiB as he embarks on an epic journey into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star and restore his lost lives. But with only one life left, Puss will have to humble himself and ask for help from his former partner and nemesis: the captivating Kitty Soft Paws (Oscar® nominee Salma Hayek). In their quest, Puss and Kitty will be aided—against their better judgment—by a ratty, chatty, relentlessly cheerful mutt, Perro (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows).

"Together, our trio of heroes will have to stay one step ahead of Goldilocks (Oscar® nominee Florence Pugh, Black Widow) and the Three Bears Crime Family, “Big” Jack Horner (Emmy winner John Mulaney, Big Mouth) and terrifying bounty hunter, The Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura, Narcos)."

Ticket prices will vary - but remember you can benefit from discounts depending on your age as well as a student discount.

You can book tickets below:

4. Glasgow City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off Tour

You may live in the city and see it every day - but how much of it do you actually see? And what do you know about the city?

If you want to get out of the house but also want to do something that won't require endless hours of walking, this could be the perfect option for you and your wee ones.

Even The Great British Bake Off Prue Leith came to the city - so who knows, you may even spot a celeb or two along the way and get a selfie with the.

READ MORE: The Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith takes in Glasgow sights on open top bus tour

There are a couple of options to chose from including their 'iconic' and 'essential' tours. At the time of writing, their iconic tour costs £16 whilst the latter costs £30.50.

Highlights for their 'iconic' tour include:

  • Create your own itinerary to explore Glasgow hopping on and off whenever you wish.
  • Access to 1 bus tour route & 22 stops around the city, including all main sights & attractions.
  • Flexible 12-month ticket.
  • One of the best audio guide commentaries in 8 languages.
  • 1-day/2-day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with 360º panoramic views of Glasgow

Highlights for their 'essential' tour include:

  • Flexible 12-month tickets
  • Discover Scotland’s two most important cities with this money-saving deal
  • Enjoy 24 hours to hop on and off the bus in each of the cities

You can find out more and book the iconic tour via their website - or you can also book their essential tour.

5. Reidvale Adventure Play

If you want to get the kids up and off their feet, keeping them active and healthy, then this could be another great option.

Located in Dennistoun, the Reidvale Adventure Play offers a great space for kids to spend time outdoors. There are a number of things that you can do such as an assault course, tent building and outdoor campsite fun, and lots more.

The cost per child or young person is 50p which will give you all day entry.

According to their website, it is a "voluntary organisation with charitable status based in the heart of Dennistoun Community in the East End of Glasgow. Although we provide a direct service to the local and surroundings areas, our service can be accessed by individuals, families, groups and schools from and out with Glasgow. We have provided a quality play service to children and young people for 21 years."

You can find out more through their website and check out their opening hours below.

DAYS AFTERNOON EVENING
MONDAY 2pm-4:30pm 6pm-8pm
TUESDAY 1pm-4:30pm 6pm-8pm
WEDNESDAY 1pm-4:30pm 6pm-8pm
THURSDAY 1pm-4:30pm 6pm-8pm
FRIDAY 1pm-4:30pm

6pm-8pm

SATURDAY 1pm - 4.30pm

7pm-9pm

for young people 10yrs - 15 yrs only

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