These are great places to stop for a break while shopping downtown in Glasgow. Your child will get a chance to play and explore, and you might get a much-needed chance to rest yourself.
A note to breastfeeding mums: Remember that the Breastfeeding (Scotland) Bill ensures your right to breastfeed your baby or feed your toddler in places like bars, buses and shopping centres. Businesses that break the law by trying to stop you from breastfeeding risk a fine of up to £2,500. The law covers breastfeeding women and mothers feeding milk to toddlers in licensed premises where children are allowed to enter. Write to us if you've had a problem!
The Lighthouse
Scotland's centre for architecture and design doesn't sound like an obvious place to take toddlers and babies, but it's actually a great environment for kids, filled with light and space. Its six floors house many exhibits and private meeting rooms, but also a safe viewing platform (6th floor), a child-friendly cafe (the Doocot, 5th floor), and the best baby-changing room downtown (4th floor). The mirror-filled lift and the many staircases are popular with adventurous toddlers.
The Lighthouse website
Merchant Square
If you find yourself in the Merchant City with a restless toddler, head to Merchant Square. You can grab a coffee at the Coffee Merchant and your child can toddle across the cobblestones in the wide covered courtyard. There's a fun glass elevator to ride to the baby changing room too.
Merchant Square website
Princes Square
The circular mosaic floor on the courtyard level of Princes Square is a dragged-along-shopping baby and toddler's paradise. Kids aged 6 months to 6 years old, freed at last from their parents' errands, happily run, shriek, chase, spin, and climb the three steps of the surrounding wooden amphitheatre. Two small, unclimbable water fountains provide additional entertainment. Weary mums and dads can grab a takeaway coffee at Starbucks and rest on the steps (or just sit, for free). Or families can eat in one of the many courtyard-level cafes and restaurants, within view of the playing children. All of the restaurants have high chairs, for those kids who can be coaxed away from the scene to eat. The glass elevators and winding staircases are popular with toddlers too.
Princes Square website