As soon as upon a time, I spent a big chunk of my life visiting Edinburgh, due to my then boyfriend who grew up there – and whereas I wasn’t contemplating issues to do in Edinburgh with children on the time (!), it shortly turned one among my favorite cities.
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A lot so, that I’m decided to introduce my daughter to all its many highlights, particularly given how a lot there’s for teenagers in Edinburgh – and after whetting her urge for food on an ideal metropolis break in Glasgow as a toddler.
I’ve acquired fond recollections of visiting Edinburgh Zoo and the fort, but in addition wandering the streets of the Royal Mile and absorbing a few of the Scottish capital’s historical past – so right here’s what’s on my family-friendly Edinburgh record.
Edinburgh Fort
Towering on its rock above the town, the fort is among the first stuff you see – and there was a royal fortress right here for the reason that eleventh century.
For those who in some way don’t see it, you’ll hear it because the One O’Clock gun fires virtually each day of the 12 months: as a time sign somewhat than a present of navy drive although, ships within the close by Firth of Forth as soon as used it to set their clocks.
For a flavour of the fort’s martial historical past, you need the Royal Edinburgh Navy Tattoo which takes place on the Esplanade in August, with the totally different Scottish regiments parading to the accompaniment of pipes and drums.
However everytime you go to, you possibly can see the Honours of Scotland – because the Scottish Crown Jewels are recognized – alongside the Stone of Future. Exterior the Crown room, there’s the massive Mons Meg cannon, the large Nice Corridor and the Royal fort to probe for starters.
You may take a tour of stroll at your individual tempo, with highlights picked out on the fort’s web site and itineraries relying how lengthy you’ve acquired to discover. For those who’re on the lookout for a guided tour of Edinburgh Fort, this selection additionally permits you to skip the road.
There’s a reduction should you purchase your tickets upfront with this Royal Edinburgh go, which additionally permits you to skip the road
Edinburgh Zoo
Well-known for its every day penguin parade, that’s solely the beginning of what there’s to see on the 82-acre zoo. Set simply exterior the centre of Edinburgh in Corstorphine, the zoo is someplace I used to go to each time I used to be within the metropolis.
Open and ethereal, it’s a really inexperienced zoo with tigers, koalas and penguins as effectively, which come out to parade from Europe’s largest outside penguin pool each day at 2.15pm, plus new capybaras since 2025.
In whole there are over 1,000 uncommon and endangered animals – keeper talks run in the course of the day, and hold an eye fixed out for the animals being fed, though official feeding instances are usually not presently happening. Nonetheless, the large pandas have now left, should you had your coronary heart set on seeing them.
There are common family-friendly actions on the zoo, together with a short lived dinosaur exhibit. It’s free for teenagers underneath three and tickets should be prebooked until you’re a member – numbers are restricted so plan forward for varsity holidays.
Hold an eye fixed out for discounted tickets on websites like Get Your Information, whereas it’s also possible to stand up to 32% off with Youngsters Cross – a 30-day trial of Youngsters Cross prices simply £1
Digital camera Obscura and World of Illusions
There’s nowhere fairly just like the World of Illusions and the vary of optical illusions you’ll discover over the 5 flooring right here – to not point out the implausible views of Edinburgh from the rooftop.
The 166-year-old Digital camera Obscura continues to be the spotlight – I keep in mind being wowed once I visited.
There’s a 15-minute present with a information telling tales of Edinburgh historical past, whereas exhibiting off the entire metropolis from the rooftop tower utilizing the Victorian contraption, the place pictures of what’s exterior are displayed within the room.
There are greater than 100 interactive displays to boggle your mind, from the mirror Maze and Vortex tunnel to confuse your senses in Bewilderworld to holograms and a color shadow wall, surprising mirrors and extra sensory surprises.
The Potter Path
Potterheads gained’t be the one ones who love The Potter Path tour, but it surely’s heaven in case your children are followers – in spite of everything, Edinburgh is the town the place JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novels, famously beginning in a café and ending within the Balmoral Lodge.
The tour takes you to a few of the places which impressed characters and scenes, together with the café the place all of it started, the place which impressed Diagon Alley (Victoria Road is reputed to be one among them, not less than) and the prospect to be sorted exterior the varsity which impressed Hogwarts.
You may even see the place Lord Voldemort is buried, practise a couple of spells and discover out which horrible poet gave his title to a Hogwarts trainer.
Better of all, it doesn’t value a penny (even for Muggles) should you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Edinburgh with children – though they do go the sorting hat round on the finish for donations, so it’s value bringing a couple of galleons in case you had been spellbound.
For extra concepts of days out within the UK for Harry Potter followers, try my high picks
Nationwide Museum of Scotland
This nice museum has some implausible methods to get arms on, so it’s value a go to at any time of 12 months – though it’s a very good choice should you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Edinburgh within the rain with children.
The totally different galleries have totally different themes – creativity in Think about for instance, plus science and expertise, in addition to Journey.
You could possibly climb right into a human hamster wheel, or dig for dinosaur bones within the Journey Planet gallery in case your children fancy themselves as mini archaeologists.
Animal lovers can attempt to outrace a cheetah or discover out in the event that they’re heavier than a polar bear (most likely not!) in addition to looking for bugs, dressing up in historic garments or designing their very own style masterpieces.
Or observe one of many themed trails, impressed by Area, coffins, wildlife or good previous I Spy, in addition to marvelling at a T Rex skeleton solid.
There’s no cost for entry to this household pleasant attraction, so it’s one other nice choice without cost issues to do with children in Edinburgh.
Dynamic Earth
Uncover the story of Planet Earth, from the Massive Bang by means of the coolness of Ice Ages to the devastating energy of volcanic eruptions, watch the Northern Lights dance and listen to the sounds and sights of the rainforest at Dynamic Earth.
Or plunge to the depths of the ocean to find life beneath the ocean (from the consolation of a yellow submarine), in addition to looking for whales and watching a 30 foot wall of waves.
If solely geography had been fairly as thrilling once I was in school – the 360 diploma ShowDome cinema brings the entire dramatic story to life when you’ll additionally discover Mission Earth augmented actuality expertise.
There are additionally further themed occasions happening throughout faculty holidays – a journey to house, for instance, if Earth isn’t fairly sufficient. Simply one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Edinburgh with children.
The Museum of Childhood
This little Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile comprises a group of youngsters’s toys, garments, books and extra, all serving to guests uncover the historical past of childhood from the mid-Nineteenth century till the current day.
There’s a small dressing-up space for one thing a bit extra interactive, and lashings of nostalgia for adults too. Nice should you’re visiting with youthful children.
There’s no cost for entry both should you’re on the lookout for free days out in Edinburgh with children, or someplace to flee inside on a wet day.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Nonetheless the monarch’s official residence in Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse may not have the lengthy historical past of Edinburgh fort however a few of Scotland’s greatest recognized royal figures have truly lived throughout the partitions.
Mary Queen of Scots is probably the most well-known, as she lived within the oldest a part of the royal palace in the course of the sixteenth century – the place her secretary was murdered in entrance of the pregnant Queen’s eyes.
Supposedly you possibly can nonetheless see the bloodstains…
There are additionally hyperlinks to Bonnie Prince Charlie, who lived right here for a wonderful six weeks, the prospect to view the throne room and state residences, and wander previous the treasures of the Nice Gallery, together with a portrait of Macbeth and sword marks within the partitions.
In addition to momentary displays, it’s fascinating to see how royal life continues throughout the partitions: the late Queen held dinners and different occasions right here.
Youngsters can observe the household trails and costume up, whereas there’s additionally an interactive multimedia information – which beats the usual commentary on audio guides as they’re inspired to reply questions resembling the place the Queen sat at official dinners, in addition to visualising double-decker buses contained in the Nice Gallery.
Purchase your tickets upfront right here
The Actual Mary King’s Shut
As of late, Edinburgh’s picturesque Previous City is among the largest attracts for guests – however again within the day, the image was so much darker (and smellier).
So for teenagers who love historical past, or just the extra ugly elements of it, head to The Actual Mary King’s Shut, a medieval avenue that’s preserved underneath the Royal Mile.
Virtually the whole slim avenue stays, with properties that had been initially as excessive as 10 storeys, hugging the steep hill right down to the present-day Princes Road Gardens, then the Nor Loch, a defensive moat which regularly stank to excessive heaven.
Over the centuries, extra buildings had been constructed over the previous properties: finally rediscovered and reopened as a museum the place you possibly can take a tour.
In accordance with the tales, you may discover ghosts – and it’s not shocking when one home’s inhabitants virtually all died of plague, whereas one other features a cell the place the doomed Mary Queen of Scots as soon as spent an evening. Even seeing one small residence which might have been filled with a big household is haunting.
The Actual Mary King Shut is healthier for older children than simply scared or upset little ones, but it surely’s an introduction to Edinburgh’s previous actuality that’s arduous to beat.
E-book your ticket upfront right here – personal excursions and flexi tickets are additionally obtainable, whereas it’s also possible to discover discounted tickets on the Tiqets web site – click on right here
Edinburgh’s Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour
In case your kids love all issues ugly, gory and ghoulish, there’s one other thrilling choice to your record of greatest issues to do in Edinburgh with children, with a ghost tour that takes you underground to the Edinburgh Vaults.
Appropriate for ages 5+ solely, a cloaked information shares tales of the town’s darkish previous as you journey alongside the Royal Mile earlier than venturing into the Blair Road Underground Vaults (often known as the South Bridge Vaults).
These previous storage areas had been changed into properties, shortly changing into slums and a haven for crime. Count on tales of witches and bodysnatchers alongside the best way, and loads of actual life spine-chilling tales.
Discover reserve now pay later choices (in addition to free cancellation) should you e-book the Underground Vaults tour on Get Your Information
The Edinburgh Dungeon
Like the opposite Dungeons across the UK, resembling London and York, this one is just for older children – you possibly can’t go to with underneath fives and the Edinburgh Dungeon is really useful for over eights solely.
Having had actors bounce out at me from darkened passageways with unexpectedly real looking make-up, I’d say that’s a great bar – my very own daughter wouldn’t have loved this within the slightest aged seven.
However as soon as they’re previous the purpose of shrieking at surprising scares and are prepared to absorb extra bloodsoaked and ugly historical past, from torture to witchcraft, it’s excellent for bringing Edinburgh’s darker previous to life.
In spite of everything, the town’s most well-known queen was beheaded by her cousin, plague stalked the slim streets and two notorious inhabitants went about killing individuals for the dissection payment they’d accumulate – only for starters!
Throw in a few rides, together with one for these over 1.4m solely, and also you’re assured to go away along with your coronary heart racing. One other good choice for wet days in Edinburgh too.
Click on right here to purchase tickets and verify the most recent particular occasions
Discover Greyfriars Bobby
You may’t go to Edinburgh with out wandering alongside the Royal Mile – from Holyroodhouse at one finish to Edinburgh Fort on the different, previous a thousand shortbread and memento outlets.
However as you stroll, discuss a small detour in direction of the Greyfriars Kirkyard to listen to the story of Greyfriars Bobby, the canine so well-known for his loyalty that there’s a statue to commemorate him.
As the story goes, he would stroll the streets of the town together with his proprietor, evening watchman John – or Auld Jock – till John died and was buried within the churchyard.
Bobby refused to go away the graveside besides as soon as a day, when the One O’Clock gun fired from the fort when he’d eat, till his personal dying 14 years later when he was buried close to his grasp.
True? Who can say… but it surely makes a candy story to entertain (and somewhat extra child-friendly than tales of Burke and Hare… until you’re visiting with teenagers, that’s!).
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Take a break between exploring with a relaxation and a story on the Scottish Storytelling Centre. The humanities centre has a string of occasions year-round, however there’s additionally an interactive Storywall within the Storytelling Court docket.
You will discover out extra about Greyfriars Bobby, but in addition another well-known Scottish characters, from Nessie to Wee Willie Winkie, in addition to listening to snatches of Robert Louis Stevenson’s well-known tales.
For those who’re impressed to choose up a e-book and take it residence, there’s a store within the medieval John Knox Home – be careful for the dragon’s nest tucked away.
Lower than 10 minutes away, try the residing monument at Makars’ Court docket, the place well-known phrases of nice Scottish writers are inscribed within the flagstones.
Take the hop on hop off bus
If it’s a wet day in Edinburgh otherwise you’re trying to see the sights with out carrying out small legs, the hop-on hop-off bus tour is all the time on my record of issues to do with children.
You get the standard commentary and it’s all the time a great way to get your bearings, however this specific metropolis sightseeing tour appears particularly effectively designed for getting you between a few of the metropolis’s largest points of interest too, together with the fort, Holyrood Palace and Dynamic Earth.
You too can discover tickets for 3 totally different Edinburgh bus excursions, together with the Metropolis Sightseeing route.
Courageous the ghost bus tour
For those who’re on the lookout for a bus tour of Edinburgh with a distinction, older children will love the Comedy Horror Present ghost tour of Edinburgh, a 75-minute journey on a classic double-decker telling darker tales of the town.
From executions and homicide to hauntings, the eerie bus conductor tells takes of the notorious Burke and Hare as you journey the streets of Europe’s most haunted metropolis within the black double-decker.
There’s a big serving to of comedy, in addition to the prospect to see a few of the key sights in Edinburgh’s Previous City and New City, between terrifying tales of dreadful deeds throughout the centuries.
The bus itself has its personal chilling historical past too. As soon as belonging to the Necropolis Bus Firm, it’s the one survivor of a fireplace which destroyed the whole fleet in 1967…
Try my overview of its sister tour, the Ghost Bus Tour of London to get a spine-chilling flavour of the expertise
Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
When the solar is shining in Edinburgh, there are many locations to get outdoor with children, together with the 70 acres of the town’s Botanical gardens.
Set on a hill above the town, there’s 350 years of historical past within the gardens but it surely’s additionally a stunning inexperienced spot to amble with children – and should you simply desire a stroll, there’s no cost to enter should you’re on the lookout for free actions in Edinburgh.
The royal botanic gardens are additionally residence to 10 glasshouses, together with a temperate and tropical palmhouse, which home over 3,000 unique vegetation between them – there an extra payment for tickets for adults, though kids aged 15 and underneath go free.
Princes Road Gardens
For those who don’t need to enterprise too far out of the town, children may play in Prince’s Road Gardens within the shadow of the Scott Monument – which you’ll pay to climb climb, though with its 287 typically slim and twisty steps, you may need to keep on with the views from the Digital camera Obscura as an alternative.
In December, the gardens flip right into a Winter Wonderland together with Christmas market, ice rink and ferris wheel, dubbed the Edinburgh Eye – excellent should you’re spending Christmas in Edinburgh with children.
The Chocolatarium Tour
Fancy some haggis-inspired chocolate? It’s only one spotlight of this enjoyable tasting and chocolate-making expertise at Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium Tour.
The interactive tour permits you to study all of the steps of the method reworking the cacao from its pod to eventual chocolate bar, plus a historical past of chocolate proper by means of to the latest innovations.
Alongside the best way you possibly can style varied flavours, together with camel milk chocolate, in addition to making your individual, personalised along with your favorite flavours.
The entire expertise lasts for 90 minutes, appropriate for teenagers aged six and above. Beats your common metropolis information tour!
Searching for one other sweet-toothed expertise in Edinburgh? This Royal Mile donut tour of Edinburgh features a string of candy treats – try what we considered the London donut tour
Arthur’s Seat
Enterprise out of Edinburgh metropolis centre to climb this historical extinct volcano, a implausible Edinburgh viewpoint – Arthur’s Seat itself, 251m above sea degree, is a part of Holyrood Park.
House to an historical hill fort, in addition to the fifteenth century St Anthony’s Chapel, you possibly can climb up in underneath an hour from Holyrood Palace (should you handle choose good climate for any outside actions like this).
Legend tells that underneath the rock is a dragon which terrorised the realm, consuming a lot that it fell right into a deep sleep and by no means woke.
Generally reality is stranger than fable although, as miniature wood coffins had been found right here, containing wood figures, all carrying totally different garments…
One thing to ponder as you drink in Salisbury Crags and the views again down.
Calton Hill
Begin on the finish of Princes Road and climb the staircase up the hill for a few of the greatest views over the town – from right here you possibly can see out to the fort and over to Arthur’s Seat.
House to the Nationwide Monument, meant to be a reproduction of the Parthenon in Athens however by no means completed, it’s additionally the place you’ll discover the massive Nelson monument.
At 1pm, the time ball right here drops – designed to be seen by ships far our at sea, the fort’s One O’Clock gun was added as unhealthy climate meant the ball couldn’t all the time be seen.
Cruise the Firth of Forth
Spot seals and scoff scones, in addition to looking for the three bridges throughout the Forth, on a ship journey aboard the Maid of the Forth or Forth Boat Excursions
The 90-minute three bridges sightseeing tour is among the hottest, however there are additionally excursions stopping at Inchcolm Island (operating from April by means of the summer season months) amongst different choices.
Departing from South Queensferry, it’s round a half hour drive (or prepare journey and quick stroll) to Hawes Pier. Save a while to discover the beautiful city (technically a part of the town of Edinburgh). Seize an ice cream and wander alongside the waterfront, go to the free Queensferry Museum or go to the stately Hopetoun Home.
Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World, included in an earlier model of this publish, has since closed
*First revealed 2020, final up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN EDINBURGH WITH KIDS
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Photographs courtesy Depositphotos
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