If you're strapped for cash and can't think of how to keep the kids occupied, don't worry. In today's guide on How to Survive the Summer holidays, THOMAS ALEXANDER and CHRIS COPE look at family fun days out in and around Glasgow that are 100% FREE!

Bring the past alive at Glasgow's Museum of Transport with the magnificent motors, buses and trains that used to parade round the city's streets.

Stroll down Kelvin Street, re-created from the 1930s and watch historic footage in the old-fashioned picture hall.

See Edie McCredie's yellow bus from the kids' TV show Balamory and discover the history of the bicycle.

Free drawing workshops every Sunday from 2pm to 3.30pm. Children aged eight and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Toy cars can be borrowed by 3-6 year olds every day. Also gift shop and cafe.

Open: Mon-Thur 10am to 5pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 5pm.

How to get there?

By car: Located across from Kelvingrove Art Gallery on Bunhouse Road. Limited parking.

By Bus: First Bus No 62 to just outside the Museum and then walk approximately two minutes.

Subway: It is a five-minute walk from Kelvinhall Subway station. Service runs every 10 minutes.

More info: www.glasgowmuseums.com or tel (0141) 287 2720

Scotland's most-visited free attraction. From Sir Roger the Elephant to medieval tapestries, from the Spitfire suspended from the ceiling to Dali's famous Christ of St John of the Cross, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is Glasgow's jewel in the crown.

Kids can dress up in costumes, find their house on the giant Google floor-map, get hands-on with some of the exhibits and go on free guided tours showcasing ancient Egyptian mummies.

Parents will love the Harry Benson exhibition, showing classic pictures of the people of Glasgow. There is also a gift shop and cafe.

Open: Mon-Sat, 10am to 5pm; Fri-Sun 11am to 5pm.

How to get there: By subway: It is a five-minute walk from Kelvinhall Subway station. Service runs every 10 minutes.

By bus: First Bus Nos 9, 16, 18/A, 42A and 62 stop right outside.

Sporty Kids Fun in the Park 2008 has bouncy castles, a falconry display, live music, a giant slide, arts and crafts, storytelling and face painting. More than 6500 people went to the event last year, which aims to encourage healthy living.

Where and when: Springburn Park, July 19, noon to 4pm.

How to get there?

By car: Take the A803 along Springburn Road. Then take a right into Atlas Road and follow the signs.

By bus: First Bus Nos 12, 56 and 57 will take you to Springburn Park.

By train: Glasgow Queen Street to Springburn Station. From here, it is a 10-minute walk to the park.

More info: go onto www.healthynorthglasgow.co.uk or call (0141) 336 7000w

Freestyle jet-ski stunts and races and beach volleyball will thrill the crowds on the Clyde at the River Festival.

Kids activities include boat rides, and craft workshops at the Tall Ship. Get on board an impressive fleet of visiting ships, including the Loth Lorien schooner, two Royal Navy minesweepers and a trawler.

The Puffer from Inverary - known as The Vital Spark of Glasgow - will be there along with the Spartan, the last Clyde-built puffer.

Seaforce, the powerboat training school, will be offering daredevils short rides.

For a more leisurely trip, Clyde Marine Cruises will be offering tours allowing visitors a closer view of the city's famous shipyards.

Visitors to the BBC Scotland marquee will get the chance to read the news with Reporting Scotland presenters.

CBBC's Raven and Nina from the Neurons will also be making appearances.

STV is opening its doors for a look inside its new studios. Free guided tours are available but must be booked in advance.

When: July 19-20.

How to get there?

By bus: SPT will be providing a free service to the event from Buchanan Bus Station and the city centre.

By train: From Glasgow Central (Lower Level) get a train from Platform 15 to the SECC. From here it is a 10-minute walk.

More info: log on to www.glasgowriverfestival.co.uk or call (0141) 222 2266

Linn Park Community Fun Day has live music, bouncy castles, horse rides and fun football activities. There is also a dog and duck display team and a dog show as well as food stalls When: August 31, noon to 5pm How to get there?

By train: Glasgow Central to Muirend Rail Station, walk on to Muirend Road and follow signs. The walk takes 30 minutes.

By bus: First Bus No 66 from city centre to Clarkston Road. From here it is a short walk away.

By car: Take the A77 out of Glasgow city centre and turn left on to the B762 along Merrylee Road. Turn right on to the B757 along Clarkston Road and follow signs.

More info: visit www.s1play.com

Tollcross Children's Farm, in the heart of the East End, lets kids get close to farm animals such as pigs, sheep and chickens as well as more unusual residents such as the llama.

Kids can pet some animals, see a 3-D show of the Cock Robin story and learn about nature in the visitor centre.

Open: Sat-Thur, 10am to 3.30pm, Friday 10am to 3pm How to get there?

By bus: First Bus Nos 61, 255, 240 and Coakley service 241. Services stop outside Tollcross Park, head to the end of the road turn left and continue towards park entrance until you reach the zoo.

By car: Access from Wellshot Road.

Spanning six floors, the Lighthouse is packed with exhibitions, craft workshops, classes and demon-strations that aim to examine the way we live today.

The My Sustainable House exhibit demonstrates a range of sustainable building materials from energy saving insulation and renewable energy systems to green' products and offers a hands-on opportunity for people of all ages to learn about both cutting-edge and traditional approaches to energy saving.

Older kids will love the design game that challenges you to build a sustainable new-build house from scratch and to a specified budget! There is also a giftshop.

Details: Free entry every Saturday throughout the summer for kids as well as parents.

How to get there?

Located in Mitchell Lane in the city centre near Borders Book Shop any bus or train to the city centre will take you near the Lighthouse.

More info: log on to www.thelighthouse.co.uk or call (0141) 221 6362

Tramway presents new work by Glasgow artist Kenny Hunter from sculptures to text-based graphic work.

If older kids are up for a bit of artistic-based learning, this show will do the trick.

The diversity of art work on display is impressive and will have younger audiences thinking about art in a different way.

Kids can also enjoy the Hidden Gardens.

When: From July 13 to August 23.

How to get there?

By car: Exit the M8 at Junction 20 on to Cook Street and turn right at the main road into Eglinton Street. Continue up Eglinton Street which becomes Pollokshaws Road for approximately a mile and turn right into Albert Drive at St Ninian's Church.

By bus: From Jamaica Street take First Bus Nos 22, 23, 29, 38, 38A, 47A, 45 and 57 to Pollokshaws Road at the junction with Albert Drive.

By train: From Glasgow Central Station take a train to Pollokshields Rail Station. It is a 10-minute walk away.

More info: Log on to www.tramway.org or call (0141) 276 0950

The International Family Day celebrates Greater Pollok's cultural diversity.

Activities include face painting, a fashion show and varied music acts from Gospel to African drumming and break dancing.

There will also be a mini-Commonwealth Games featuring local primary schools competing against each other.

In addition, there will be a bouncy castle and a climbing wall in the play area for younger kids.

Where and when: King George V Park, Boydstone Road, Kennishead G46. Thursday July 3, 11am to 3pm. How to get there?

By car: Six miles from city centre. Head for M77 towards Kilmarnock. At junction two, take the B762 exit to Pollokshaws. Turn left at B762. Turn right at Turretbank Drive Continue on Boydstone Road. Turn left at Kiloran Street.

By bus: First Bus Nos 45 and 45C, and McKindless Group 75 go to Kennishead from the city centre.

More info: Log on to www.s1play.com or call (0141) 882 8050.

The excellent Glasgow Police Museum shows how the force has changed over the years, from the uniforms to the weaponry used by gangs.

Displays include medals, old photographs and artefacts.

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm; Sun noon-4.30pm.

How to get there?

By car: It is located just off the Gallowgate at St Andrew's Square. Head into the city centre, take a left at Glasgow Cross on to the Saltmarket and then take the first right into St Andrew's Street.

By bus: First Bus Nos 40, 43, 61, 62, 255 and 240 and other services to the city centre.

More info: Log on to www.policemuseum.org.uk or call (0141) 552 1818.

The Coati Chow Challenge gives kids the chance to follow clues around the Calderglen Children's Zoo to find the animals' food which has been hidden. Enter your quiz sheet and you might win a star prize.

When: July 7-13, 10.00am to 8.00pm.

Informal event, no need to book in advance.

How to get there?

By car: Take the A77 out of Glasgow and take a left on to Gourock Street before turning on to Victoria Road. Turn left on to Butterbiggins Road and then join Cathcart Road. Turn on to the A728 and continue on to the B766. Turn on to the A726 and follow signs.

By bus: Take First Bus No 20 to East Kilbride. From here there is a 10-minute walk to the Calderglen Country Park.

More info: Call 01355236644.

The Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park showcases all things nature as the rangers host summer programme Nature Notes.

When: Every Tuesday from July 8 to August 12, 1pm.

How to get there?

By car: Take the M8 west out of Glasgow and exit on to the A737. Take the exit towards the B787. Through the roundabouts head towards Easwald Bank. Drive through Kilbarchan and take a left onto Forehouse Road. Follow the signs.

By bus: Take the Arriva 36 from city centre to Kilbarchan and walk.

More info: Call 01505 842803.

Mugdock Country Park in Milngavie opens its doors to furry friends as a ranger leads a walk around the park to try and meet animals, including voles, moles and shrews .

When: July 19, 9am to 10.30am.

How to get there?

By car: Take the A879 road out of the north of Glasgow city centre. At the roundabout take the exit on to Auchenhowie Road along the A807. Continue on to Strathblane Road and follow the signs.

By bus: Take the First Bus No 10 from Buchanan Street Bus Station to Strathblane. There is a 40-minute walk to the park.

More info: Call 0141 540505.