Looking for a great day out that’ll entertain the kids and the adults equally? Helix Park and The Kelpies offer just that! Located near Grangemouth, roughly half an hour from Glasgow, this unique spot combines outdoor fun with jaw-dropping art.

Whether you’re strolling around the park, exploring the trails, or getting up close to the gigantic horse-head sculptures, there’s something for everyone in the family. So, grab the kids, pack a snack, and get ready for a day of exploring, learning, and some serious wow moments!

The Kelpies

Those 30 metre tall massive metal beasts are a sight to behold, particularly when they’re glistening in the sunlight, standing tall against the sky. Their sheer size is just incredible, especially when you’re right next to them.

They represent the mythological water horses from Scottish folklore, and they’re a stunning blend of art and engineering. Whether you’re up close or admiring them from afar, they’re guaranteed to leave you in awe. I get that “wow” feeling every time I see them.

The kids might not appreciate the feat of engineering that the Kelpies are, but they will love hearing stories about the magical water horses. They will love walking along the walls and playing on the grass and walking across the locks and looking in the water and trying to make echoes by shouting as loud as they possibly can between the metal panels of the Kelpies. And scooting about the place.

The Cafe

Beside the Kelpies you’ll find the visitor centre which has an exhibition about the building of and engineering behind the kelpies. It also has a little shop and a cafe which serves up regular cafe fayre like baked potatoes, mac & cheese, pies, soups, a selection of sandwiches and salads, plus some kids boxes.

Outside, next to the kelpies are a few food and drink huts. It depends on the day and time of year which are open, but they serve food from the grill, hot and cold drinks, and really delicious ice cream.

There is also quite often a food and ice cream van next to the play area, down the other end of Helix Park away from the kelpies sculptures themselves.

Helix Park

Helix Park is a beautiful green space that’s perfect for a family day out, offering a variety of walking trails to explore. The park spans over 350 acres, with scenic routes winding around lakes, wetlands, and woodlands.

There are trails for all abilities. A couple of trails go ‘off-road’ but almost all of the park is completely paved (or wooden walkway) and it’s all flat. The paths are well-maintained, making the whole thing very wheel friendly and accessible for bikes, buggies and wheelchairs too. It’s a great spot to enjoy beautiful views, spot wildlife, get active and just unwind.

It’s roughly a 10 minute walk to get between the Kelpies and the play area at Helix Park. Because it’s so flat and wheel friendly it’s a great spot to bring scooters or bikes and let the kids zoom while you walk.

There are walkways alongside the canal and through a little bit of wetland area. There are some bridges (all new and very modern) through the wetland area, past the pond where you’ll see swans, duck and various other wetland birds.

The Playpark

This play area at Helix Park is fantastic. There are a couple of parts to it. For the babies and little ones there are a couple of swings, some springy sit-on animals, a wooden music box with big pedals to jump on and a couple of tunnels to clamber through. There’s also a few roundabouts and spinny things.

This area also has a little adventure course. The platforms between the rope bridges and wobbly bridges and step ladders are around my head height so it’s pretty high for the tiny ones, though it won’t stop them having a good crack at it!

The big wooden play frame has some wobbly bridges and lots of ladders to get to the top of the pyramids where the tunnel slides begin. It gets pretty high. I was up it with the little lady last summer and it is a little bit tight getting up there. Not for the kids – only for the mums or dads who might want a go!

Next to this area is a massive messy log run, with a little slide right at the end of it. This is definitely for the bigger kids. It’s not really high off the ground, but it is pretty tough and takes a lot of balance and climbing to get along it.

Although it does have some great equipment for little kids, I would say that this is a proper adventure playpark so it’s great for older kids too.

Just behind the play area is a big rectangle full of water squirters coming up out of the ground. Great for running around on a sunny day! It isn’t on in winter, but is a warmer weather feature.

The Logistics

  • Car parking. There are two car parks when you get into the Kelpies Park. The first one you come to, on your left, is free to park in. The one right next to the Kelpies has a charge (of £6.50 at time of writing) in peak season.
  • Wheel friendly. Helix Park is one of the most wheel friendly parks you’ll find. Great for buggies, wheelchairs, scooters, bikes, rollerskates… All the wheeled things!
  • Dog friendly. Helix Park is dog friendly. Dogs need to be on lead at some points.
  • Water safety. There is a lot of water around. There are canals, water features, ponds and a loch. So, you know, definitely take heed of water safety.

The Cost

The Kelpies & the playpark are free to visit. The only cost is parking if you use the car park closest to the Kelpies.

The Verdict

I really enjoy a trip to the Kelpies, and the kids do too. For me it’s because it’s outdoors, it’s free, and because the Kelpies themselves are just beautiful. For the kids it’s because they get to play in a fantastic, well-maintained playpark and have the freedom to scoot about and play somewhere a little bit different.

The Kelpies are located within The Helix park in Grangemouth, Falkirk.