Things to do in and around South Lanarkshire

blottedcopybook

I live in EK and I've just stopped working for the next few months to spend some quality time with my bambinos. I've got a 7 year old boy, a 31 month old boy and an 18 month old girl and I'm looking for (preferably cheap!) things to do with them.

We have the family pass membership for the leisure facilities but I can't take the babies swimming myself unless I have another adult there plus the Dolan is shut now for the repairs. Eldest goes trampolining once a week and the babies go to a gym class once a week but we don't attend any toddler groups or anything like that. I'm a Glasgow girl and still haven't really found my feet in EK so any hints and tips would be very much appreciated because I think my son is getting sick of going to visit the pinnie gigs doon the Glen!

blottedcopybook

Anyone..? Please?

wolfehouse

in ek itself you have
calderglen(country park) has great facilities for kids that age-
a first class animal corner and glasshouse with fish and marmosets etc.
a museum with 'hidden wonders' cave-like exhibit
and trails.

hunter house- museum has a softplay area for free.

blottedcopybook

Hunter House is just round the corner, I didn't know about the softplay! Thanks for that! I take the kids down to the glasshouse most days but they're getting pretty bored with it now although I don't think I've found the museum yet!

wolfehouse

if you go into the courtyard (where the cafe is) on the left go through the little shop and up the stairs. can't miss it and it's got atmosphere.

also the ranger service runs kids activities from time to time- your eldest will be the right age for the kids nature club soon

wolfehouse

also the libraries run free 'bookstart rhymetime' sessions
http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/EXTERNAL_WEBSITE_DEVELOPMENT/SLC_ONLINE_HOME/SLC_NEWS/NEWS_STORY?content_id=14744

east kilbride arts centre may have activities and classes for kids at reasonable prices but timing is everything- get on their mailing list.

some community centres have music workshops for kids but i couldn't tell you which ones have what.

amanda40

Hi There - I am EK too. My 2 DS enjoy calderglen, the heritage loch ( lovely tea room there although not cheap), but there is a small playparks there and kids enjoy feeding the ducks. The Hunter Museum is good for a wee afternoon - just off Maxwelton Aveneue ( Calderwood - heading down towards Brancumhall). Quite often they do activities for the kids ans they are free. Mine also love the Museum of Scottish Country life - may be worth getting a membership - kids get in free though and get a tractor ride. Will have a wee think about anything else - Do you have transport?

preduk

Have you tried Chatellerault park in Hamilton? It's pretty cool, I used to go there as a kid. Plenty of swing parks, loads of grass and huge bridges to throw stones from into the river below.

Bothwell castle is nice, again big parks to kick a ball about and see the pretty cool castle. Calderglen is good for the animals, parks, and walks.

blottedcopybook

Amanda - yeah I have transport but always need to be back by 3 to pick my eldest up from school. Where is the tea room at the Heritage Loch? Is it in the same block as all the outdoors activity stuff? I walked around that twice a few weeks ago and just couldn't figure out where the tearoom was, I think I'm going blind. I'm in Calderwood so I could easily walk to the Hunter Museum

Preduk - I haven't been to either of those, thanks!

preduk

The tearoom at the heritage loch is on the second floor of the only building on the loch. Basically, go into the entrance of the building on your left there are stairs that go up stairs into the tearoom. It has a balcony which is nice in the summer but freezing in the winter!

Other place to consider, Strathaven have a really nice park with trains that you can ride, they are tiny wee trains but your youngest kids will love them.