Places to go – Glasgow Science Centre

The Glasgow Science Centre was on our list of places we would like to go.  Our flight out of Glasgow airport was cancelled as the plane had been damaged which left us with six hours to spare.  Instead of hanging around the airport with a 2 1/2 year old, we bought an all day bus ticket and headed to the science centre.  Ideally we would not have chosen to visit during the school holidays but it was a good way to pass the time.
Outside the entrance we were greeted with a staff member making huge and multiple  bubbles.  Luath was immediately captivated.  Inside Luath and I tried out a few easy experiments at a manned area about smell and sound while daddy queued for the tickets – brilliant idea. We then demonstrated these to daddy.

We headed straight to an area called Big Explorers, which is for under 7s only (although there were a few older kids in, who did cause issues pushing and grabbing).  The area is fantastic with so many different elements of play.  It mostly has a sea theme, with a ships front at one end with costumes for role playing.

A large water play area.  Aprons, step stools and hand dryers provided.  Luath loved opening and closing a lock.

There are also areas to climb, a plank to walk over, a crane to move and lift objects.  Some experiments to try.  A puppet theatre.  A small “snoozy land” bubble tube.  There is a gated area within the Big Explorers for  children under 18 months.  We escaped into it for some quiet as nobody was using it.

We played in the Big Explorer area all morning.  Daddy had paid a little extra and booked us into an IMAX 3D short film about the Arctic.  Luath has never been to the cinema and she was excited about seeing the film.  She enjoyed wearing the silly glasses, having her snack and looking at the polar bears in the film, however she was a little scared when the titles came hurtling towards us.  We didn’t stay until the end as Luath had had enough and I don’t think Luath is yet ready for a proper cinema trip.

We had a quick lunch in the cafe, our food was good and reasonably priced.  We then explored more of the centre.  We all had fun with the different toy areas – lego, knex etc.

Tried some experiments, like doing a puzzle with visual changing glasses.

Followed the Neurons Senses Trail (Nina and the Neurons is a CBeebies TV programme made in collaboration with the science centre – the BBC Scotland studios are next door).        
We didn’t make it to the new area called Body Works and skimmed a few other places. We also didn’t attend any of the daily activities.  There is a planetarium that we didn’t visit. Luath loved her visit and we will plan to return but definitely when the kids are at school.  Under 3s and carers. get in free.  Adults  £9.95.  3-15 year olds, over 60s, unemployed £7.95.   You can print a voucher for £1 off per ticket here.  If you travel by virgin rail you can get 2 for 1 entry.  The planetarium and IMAX cost an extra £2.50 each.  There is car parking on site £3. 

We had a pleasant stroll through the festival garden park on the way to the bus stop.  We all returned to the airport in a happy, unstressed mood which is unlikely to have been the case if we had stayed there.
(Luath is 30 months)