10 Great Things To Do in Edinburgh with Kids

So, you’ve booked a trip to Scotland’s capital city, and now you’re worried that the kids might get bored. Well, you can relax because there are tons of incredibly cool outdoor and indoor activities for kids in Edinburgh. After all, it’s the hometown of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who based the books’ fictional settings on real places in Edinburgh.

And the best part? Visiting family-friendly attractions in Edinburgh is relatively cheap and far from what you would spend on a holiday in London. The jewel of Scotland truly gives you little to no excuse not to travel there.

Make fantastic travel memories with the kids by including these top 10 things to do when visiting this enchanting city.

1. Edinburgh Castle
No family day out in Edinburgh is complete without a trip to this majestic 11th-century castle or fortress. Go on an exhilarating fact-finding mission with the entire family by tackling the Explorer Quiz about the castle. As you search together for answers (with a little help from guides who offer clues), discover the castle’s best-kept secrets and dazzling features. Travel Tip: Avoid visiting at noon or early afternoons, and buy your admission tickets ahead of time (online) to skip the line.

2. National Museum of Scotland
Explore the Natural World galleries and meet massive collection of monsters and meteors that are sure to delight kids. Children marvel at the Giant T-rex and the dramatic yet realistic portrayal of animals from the Arctic to Australia. The earth space is also an unmissable spot for all budding astronomers. Browse collections at World Cultures, and introduce your kids to people and treasures found around the globe. For a museum this awesome, it’s amazing how Edinburgh has kept it free for all.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Are you visiting this grand garden during the winter holidays? Tons of spectacular events await you and the children. Join their signature Garden Walk tour with one of the experienced guides. Check if your flight coincides with this program, which is available only from April to October. Delve deep into botanics, and visit stunning glasshouses containing a range of plants, including palms, ferns, etc. This trip could inspire kids to care about conserving rare plants and the rainforest for a sustainable planet.

4. (HMY) Royal Yacht Britannia
There’s something about ships that no kid can resist. Unleash the ambitious sailor in your child as you explore the ship where Queen Elizabeth II and her family journeyed for more than 1,000,000 miles. An 11-foot replica (made of Lego) of this floating palace welcomes kids as they enter the visitor center and learn about the history of this royal yacht. There’s a free audio tour provided, so you can listen and learn about the history of every spot you visit. Some highlights you can’t miss include the state apartments, the royal bedrooms, the sun lounge, the engine room, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom V.

5. Edinburgh Zoo
This 82-acre wonderland of wildlife creatures is a special spot for children who love Giant Pandas and koalas. It’s the only zoo in the UK with these lovely creatures. Tell your kids to watch out for photogenic penguins waddling around. For the more adventurous, try the Hilltop Safari ride for free! Plan your visit so you can check out as many as you can out of more than 1000 rare and endangered creatures living in this zoo. With animal-handling sessions available, this is the closest encounter your kids can ever have with wildlife. Most kids love the experience.

6. Museum of Childhood
It’s free to be a kid again in Edinburgh if you know where to go. If you’re visiting after January, chances are you will find the newly refurbished version of the Museum of Childhood located in Old Town. If you are staying near the area, simply pop in, and keep your eyes peeled for vintage dolls, books, and children’s furniture. Displayed here are toys of yesteryears, which offer a nostalgic trip for adults missing their childhood days. Fun interactive exhibits are also available to keep your kids happy and busy.

7. Harry Potter Inspired destinations
Take the kids shopping to the famous Victoria Street, and let them relive the scenes from the Harry Potter books written by Edinburgh local, J.K. Rowling. The inspiration of Rowling’s world-renowned books comes from real places in Edinburgh. For hardcore fans of the books, you might recognize streets and buildings that resemble the descriptions in the books. Hungry from finding clues from the Harry Potter books? Head over to The Elephant or the Spoon for a quick bite, and imagine Rowling writing the stories there. Ask the wait staff where she used to sit.

8. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Edinburgh
Ask any Edinburgh tourist to name one of the most intriguing attractions in Old Town, and you’ll hear them say, ‘Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.’ Watch as your kids play around with various optical instruments and fascinating telescopes. You can’t come all to the way to this place without climbing to the rooftop and soaking up the panoramic view of the city, including the Edinburgh Castle. It’s a great spot to take the perfect family portrait for a holiday to remember.

9. Our Dynamic Earth
Raining during your family vacation? Don’t let it ruin your trip. Bring the kids to Our Dynamic Earth. Visitors swear by the excellent educational exhibits and tons of fun activities for kids inside this modern science center and museum. Some even recommend spending more than a day in this 5-star visitor attraction. Children are mesmerized by how Earth tells an exciting story, beginning with its formation, followed by its evolution, diverse inhabitants, and everything in between.

10. The Chocolate Tree
Kids and adults love all things chocolatey, don’t they? This cafe narrows the generation gap between you and your children as you’re united with the divine love for handmade and organic chocolates. Whether you like chocolate drinks or simply enjoy devouring blocks of it, have a guilt-free eating spree at the Chocolate Tree.

Edinburgh is a great place to bring your kids for a fun, educational, and budget-friendly vacation the whole family can enjoy. Have you booked your flights to Edinburgh yet? Be sure to check out these spots when you visit.