Keeping the kids entertained is never easy,
but happily, there are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh that
will stimulate their imagination, fuel their curiosity and tire
them out into the bargain! Kids of all ages (even dad!) will be
amazed and enthralled by what’s on in Edinburgh - whether it’s
horrible histories, close encounters with creepy-crawlies, or
scaling a volcano, Scotland’s capital is home to a wide selection
of family-friendly attractions, and below we’ve come up with a
selection of some of the best to get you started.
Ideas for family days out in Edinburgh:
Active
Climb a Volcano
(view in map)
Give your kids something to brag about in the
school playground and take them to climb a volcano during your
visit to Edinburgh. In fact, if you’re feeling energetic - there
are two you can go up; Arthur’s Seat and Castle Rock. OK, so
neither are spewing out molten lava anymore, but that’s probably a
plus point.
Urban Exploration
Edinburgh’s a city layered upon itself, and
every corner turned reveals more narrow closes, mysterious steps
and secret gardens as you climb or descend through the various
levels, which also hide a centuries-old underground city concealed
beneath the Capital’s streets. Kids will love exploring the city’s
myriad of nooks and crannies and discovering Edinburgh’s hidden
treasures for themelves.
Animals and Nature
Edinburgh
Zoo 
(view in map)
From koalas to chimps and leopards to rhinos,
Edinburgh Zoo has a huge variety of exotic animals – it even has an
emperor penguin that was knighted by Norwegian royalty! And with
two giant pandas on the way too, all the way from China, it makes
for a magical day out for the little ones. And before you set off,
you can get a sneak preview of what the penguins are up to on their
very own webcam.
Butterfly &
Insect World
(view in map)
If they creep and crawl, chances are you’ll
find them here. With snakes and spiders galore, it’s not for the
faint-hearted, but if your kids are inquisitive types, they’ll no
doubt love the chance to get up close and personal with all manner
of bugs and butterflies. Set in its very own re-created rainforest,
there’s even the opportunity to experience a tropical rainstorm
too, so best pack your waterproofs!
Jaw-Dropping
Our Dynamic
Earth 
(view in map)
If your children can’t get enough of the world
around them, then do them a favour and take them around the world!
Here you can journey across the planet, delving into its past,
present and future along the way thanks to a series of
breath-taking interactive exhibits. One moment you’ll be in a warm,
sticky tropical rainforest, the next you’ll be immersed in the
freezing ice age, flying over pre-historic glaciers thanks to the
latest innovative 3D and 4D cinematic technologies.
Camera
Obscura
(view in map)
Amazing illusions, visual trickery and optical
magic prove seeing certainly isn’t believing; you won’t trust your
eyes if you visit this centuries-old Edinburgh institution. The
city’s famous ‘Outlook Tower’ is stuffed full of weird and
wonderful delights, including the Camera Obscura which lends its
name to the attraction, and also boasts stunning rooftop views of
Scotland’s capital.
City History
Edinburgh
Castle 
(view in map)
Standing guard over the city below, Edinburgh
Castle loom large, dominating the capital’s skyline, and has done
so for hundreds of years. It’s not however, as many people expect,
one complete structure but rather a collection of different
buildings that remain from various incarnations, dating from modern
times back to a 12th century chapel. The kids will
love all the secrets and history of the Castle
Greyfriars Bobby
(view in map)
It’s a heart-warming tale that’s been told in
books, cartoons and even a Disney film – the faithful little dog
that guarded his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14
years. Bobby, a Skye terrier, became a local celebrity, even making
a friend of the Lord Provost of the time. His memory is celebrated
by a granite drinking fountain, complete with bronze cast of Bobby
(which is also the smallest listed structure in Edinburgh). Just be
prepared for the inevitable question – ‘can we keep him?’ – when
you visit!
