Sarah Connolly

The area south of the Clyde features variety of places to visit and things to do. Here are five family-friendly reasons you definitely need to be jumping on a train or bus to the Southside. Whole Foods Market, Giffnock <img id="d551ffcc-ec57-9dc1-cff3-f7d09495da33" data-caption="" data-credit="Glasgow Mummy" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="1447209" loaded="1447209" image_id="102830607" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102830607/image.jpg" alt="Whole Foods Market Glasgow" class="photo lazy inline"> Whole Foods MarketGlasgow Mummy   The first - and so far only - Whole Foods Market in Scotland opened in Giffnock a few years ago. An upmarket American supermarket chain offering healthy, organic produce including impressive hot food counters, fresh sushi made in-store and the most amazing bread and cakes (gorgeous cupcakes to suit most little ones!); it's expensive, but oh so worth it. As you'd expect from an American business, the staff are super helpful and the store also host lots of events throughout the year such as sushi making classes, wine tasting and even boot camps on the rooftop car park.  Greenbank Garden, Clarkston <img id="fe7ada95-f008-8f92-dec5-be250f2f9482" data-caption="Greenbank Garden" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="2737188" loaded="2737188" image_id="102829087" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102829087/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Greenbank G

It's the start of the new school year, and it won't be long before birthday invitations start appearing in school bags. Fed up with soft play parties? Here’s a list of five unique ideas for children's birthday parties in Glasgow. The Tall Ship at RiversideInvite guests to attend the (pirate) ship as a Peter Pan character such as Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Tiger Lily - there’s plenty of choice. Hire charge is £100 (including VAT), which includes hire of the space (a section of the lower deck), tables and chairs for up to 35 children and 10% off in the café for the guests. Hosts are welcome to provide their own entertainment and food or let the ship's staff take the strain by taking advantage of the pirate lunch box or goody bag deal for just £5 per child. <img id="35ba01e0-1d08-a9f4-c6d4-95d9eff128c7" data-caption="The Tall Ship" data-credit="Glasgow Mummy" data-width-class="50" type="image/jpeg" total="4103831" loaded="4103831" image_id="102823016" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102823016/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> The Tall ShipGlasgow Mummy   Pony Party at Busby Equitation Centre Pony parties last for an hour and the children will be given some basic riding instruction as well as the chance to play games with the ponies. Hosts are welcome to bring a snack and/or cake for the guests and have this afterwards in the gallery or training room. The birthday boy or girl will be presented with a rosette and the centre can provide pony t

For parents, eating out can sometimes be a chore rather than a treat, especially with menus that don't cater for youngsters, the stress of keeping kids occupied while waiting for food to arrive or simply there not being enough space for a buggy or lack of proper baby changing facilities. Thankfully, that's not the case everywhere - turn your rushed mealtimes into relaxed ones with these family-friendly cafés in Glasgow's South Side. The Glad Café Glad CafeGlasgow Mummy From the street, The Glad Café doesn't look like much of a venue, but it's deceptively big. If you're on the hunt for a café to meet up with a few parents for coffee and a chit chat, then The Glad Café ticks all the boxes. There's plenty of space for manoeuvring buggies around and the long wooden tables are ideal for larger groups. The cake selection is immense with plenty of options for gluten-free diets too. With its location across the street from Queen's Park, it's an ideal spot for lunch after exploring the park with the kids. During the summer months, Glad in the Park (The Glad Café Pop-Up) serves tea, coffee, filled rolls, cakes and ice cream at the Queen's Park Arena.1006A Pollokshaws Road. Gusto & Relish Gusto & Relish   A perfect spot for a family breakfast, Gusto & Relish serve up Nutella on toast which is sure to delight many a child! The deli cook their own homemade sausages, black pudding and potato scones; they even smoke their own bacon. Similarly to The Glad Cafe, Gusto & Relish is a short