There are loads of things to do in Edinburgh with kids that make this a fantastic destination for family breaks. From discovering the city’s history to enjoying wild days out, there’s something in Edinburgh for everyone.
Explore Edinburgh Castle with kids
Kids who dream of becoming kings and queens, knights and princesses, will love exploring the wonder that is Edinburgh Castle. With over 1000 years of history behind it, this castle is a fascinating place to visit for adults and children alike, and the fact that it’s the top paid for attraction in Scotland just validates this further.
Due its position set above the skyline, Edinburgh Castle can be seen from around the city, so you can have fun pointing it out to your kids before you go there. Once inside, you can choose whether to take an audio guide, which could be ideal for older children, or to take your own tour. Don’t forget to pick up Explorer Quizzes from the audio guide booth, regardless of whether you’re taking the tour or not. These quizzes are full of little challenges and questions which keep kids entertained and engaged as you make you way around the castle.
While you’re exploring Edinburgh Castle, be sure to take a look at the impressive Scottish crown jewels, peer through gun holes down to the scenery below, and check out the weapons and armoury too. At 1pm each day (other than Sundays), a gun is fired to mark the time. This is often a highlight for kids, so remember to prepare yourselves as 1pm draws closer.
We suggest booking your Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance, as this saves you a bit of money and you can avoid potentially having to stand in a long queue. Children under 5 go free, and those above 5 but younger than 16 benefit from a cheaper price than adults.
Discover the National Museum of Scotland
Voted one of the top 10 visitor’s attractions in the UK, and one of the top 20 museums and galleries in the world, the National Museum of Scotland if full of fascinating exhibits and interactive displays that make visiting here one of the best things to do in Edinburgh with kids. With displays themed around art and fashion, the natural world, Scottish culture, and everything in between, this museum is the perfect place to escape to on a rainy day.
With around 8000 items to see, you can easily spend a whole day in the National Museum of Scotland, and your kids are bound to be entertained, regardless of what their interests are. Young children will love the Imagine gallery, which allows them to travel the world from within the museum’s walls. Here, babies and toddlers can safely experiment with a range of exhibits that boast bright colours, different shapes, and the opportunity to use their motor skills.
Older children might prefer the museum’s Energise gallery, where they can help to make scientific discoveries, and come up with new, innovative ideas. Activities that the whole family can enjoy include dressing up in traditional Scottish dress, and seeing which animals you weigh as much as. There’s no need to be nervous about climbing onto these scales, as you can all hop onto them together to see which animal is the same weight as your whole family combined!
Entry into the National Museum of Scotland is free, which is great news if you’re planning your time in Edinburgh on a budget.
Visit Edinburgh Zoo with kids
Animal loving families will have an amazing time at Edinburgh Zoo, and not only because it’s the only zoo in the UK where you can see koalas and giant pandas! Covering 82 acres, and home to over 1000 residents, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll find your favourite animal here, and you’re bound to be impressed by the range of creative enclosures too.
One of Edinburgh Zoo’s highlights is its penguin walk, which sees penguins that fancy a wander taking a walk around a set parade route with their keepers. Visitors can line the route and watch the penguins as they waddle by, which is a hit with both adults and children. You’re also sure to love the zoo’s new tiger enclosure, which gives you the opportunity to see tigers at ground level, and from an aerial viewing platform. In addition to this, Edinburgh Zoo is home to the world’s most innovative and interactive chimp enclosure, so you’ll certainly want to see this too!
There are a number of different animal talks that you can choose to schedule into your day at Edinburgh Zoo. Animals in the spotlight include meerkats, tigers, rhinos, and chimpanzees, and there will be an animal feed talk too – but you won’t know which species has been chosen on your particular day until you arrive! You’ll also have the chance to meet reptiles and insects, and can watch the Animal Antics show, which showcases a range of fascinating natural adaptations and behaviours.
If you’d like to visit Edinburgh Zoo with your kids, you can save money by booking online, and children under 3 go free.
With so many awesome things to do in Edinburgh with kids to choose from, it’s time to book your break and start planning a fun-packed trip! Travelling from Northern Ireland? Cross directly to Scotland from Larne in just 2 hours via our Irish Sea sailing to Cairnryan.
