All Edinburgh Kids Things to do

Surgeons’ Hall Museums was developed as a teaching museum for students of medicine, its fascinating collections, including bone and tissue specimens, artefacts and works of art, have also been open to the public since 1832, making it Scotland’s oldest museum. Age: 10+  

Lovely walk with waterfalls, wildlife, beaches and maybe ice-cream!

Visit our working farm in the city! See and feed a variety of farm animals, from cows, sheep, goats and pigs to chickens and ducks. Explore our gardens and watch our volunteers in action keeping the stock clean and happy, and the weeds down. Search out the small animals- can Read more [...]

Almond Valley Heritage Centre, is an award winning farm, museum and discovery centre. Almond Valley is home to all sorts of traditional farm animals, ranging in size from a Clydesdale Horse to a tiny, newly hatched chick. The residents of the farm change throughout the year, but you’ll normally find Read more [...]

Great park, with an adventure playground. Often runs activities for kids. Has a soft play area, fun miniature railway, Café, an adventure play area and a toddlers play park. Picnic areas and open lawns for running around. Often run pond dipping sessions for kids to look at wildlife.

Woodland and riverside walks with great views of Roslin Chapel. Picnic areas. You can extend the walk onto the Penicuik to Dalkeith Walkway. Special events and activities organised the Ranger Service. Check website for details

Ice Cream, sand and sea.. Edinburgh’s beach promenade.

A day at the races. Watch horse-racing at the nearest Racecourse to Edinburgh. Run regular family race days with many special events.

Cuthill Park is in Prestonpans. Close to the John Muir Walk , this is a great stopping off point for a play. Has a children’s play area and an unusual free-to-view telescope.

The Scottish National Gallery is in the heart of Edinburgh and houses one of the best collections of fine art in the world. Admission is free. A charge may be made for special exhibitions. Stimulate young minds and hands with our exciting programme of free, regular drop-in sessions, special one-off Read more [...]

Walk through a tropical rainforest with thousands of beautiful butterflies. Then see and touch creepy crawlies, snakes, lizards and frogs. It’s Creepy…It’s Crawly… It’s a Jungle in here! Regular events include: Butterfly Talk Fish & Quail Feeding Animal Handling Animal Feeding Demo

Scotlands’ Number one tourist attraction. A trip to Scotland’s capital isn’t complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Part of The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site and standing majestically on top of a 340 million year-old extinct volcanic rock, the castle is a powerful national symbol. Read more [...]

Friendly and welcoming pottery painting and craft studio and shop in a courtyard steading. Drop in anytime or come along to one of our workshops or join our craft clubs. Suitable for all ages, with both adult and children’s activities available. Free tea, coffee and drinks while you are doing Read more [...]

The Palace of Holyroodhouse offers a great day out for children. Here are some ideas to help you plan your visit. Learn more about the Palace and its most famous residents with our interactive audio tour designed for families to enjoy together. Look out for unusual furniture, sparkling jewels and Read more [...]

Arts and crafts studio for all ages! Friendly staff are available to help you whatever your project. You can drop in anytime to paint ceramics, make soap, jewellery, bathbombs, glass fusing or trying your hand at the potters wheel. Be amazed at what you can do!

Haunted Closes, hidden secrets, the Real Mary King’s Close is a warren of underground streets and spaces. Tour underground and see how life was 400 years ago in the Old Town of Edinburgh. All tours have guides to explain the history and maybe some of the scary past! The tour Read more [...]

Explore our haunted underground vaults dating back to 1700s, where the poor and destitute once lived alongside the criminal underworld, thieves, and witches who practiced there. A journey into the dark side of old Edinburgh’s history. You will feel and sense the terrible slum conditions where the poor and destitute Read more [...]

Great base for a longer Pentlands walk. Flat walk available from the visitor centre around the reservoirs.