- Kids days out
- Scotland
- Posted: 27/10/2025
Things to do in Edinburgh: Family Edition
Lucy Starrs
Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the most visited cities in the UK – and rightly so. But it’s not just for history buffs or festival-goers. The Scottish capital is bursting with family-friendly attractions, free museums, and green spaces, making it an ideal destination for a city break – whether you’re travelling as a couple or with the kids.
Whether you’re visiting for a day, a weekend, or a longer family holiday, here’s a round-up of the best things to do in Edinburgh with kids – with prices included to help you plan your trip.
1. Visit Edinburgh Castle
You can’t miss Edinburgh Castle, perched dramatically on Castle Rock. It’s one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, sitting proudly at the top of the famous Royal Mile. Children will love the booming cannon fire, exploring ancient dungeons, and hearing tales of battles and royalty. Don’t miss the Crown Jewels or the chance to climb the castle walls for incredible panoramic views over Edinburgh.
If you’re not keen on going inside, you can still walk up to the castle walls free of charge and enjoy stunning views over Princes Street Gardens.
2. National Museum of Scotland
This is easily one of the best free attractions in Edinburgh for families. The museum features dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, space and science galleries, and even a hands-on learning zone for kids. It’s fun, educational, and big enough to fill a whole day. Inside there are multiple cafe spots, a picnic area and buggy park making it a family friendly stop on your list.
Don’t forget to visit the rooftop terrace for impressive views over the Old Town.
3. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Situated at the top of the Royal Mile, just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle, this attraction is packed with mind-bending fun for all ages. Explore five floors of interactive exhibits including mirror mazes, shrinking rooms, vortex tunnels, and more.
At the top, you’ll find the historic camera obscura, which projects real-time images of the city. Plus, the rooftop terrace offers some of the best views in Edinburgh.
4. The Real Mary King’s Close
If you are travelling to Edinburgh with older kids a visit to The Real Mary King’s Close is a great stop. Step back in time on this underground guided tour, which takes you beneath the Royal Mile to explore perfectly preserved 17th-century streets. Discover what life was like in Edinburgh during the plague years through dramatic storytelling and immersive sets. It’s spooky, but not too scary – ideal for curious older kids.
These are among the top-selling tours in Edinburgh, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
5. Edinburgh Zoo
Famous for its daily penguin parade, Edinburgh Zoo is the perfect day out for animal-loving families. You’ll find lions, monkeys, giant pandas, and more, along with beautifully landscaped gardens, play parks, and family-friendly walking trails.
There are two restaurants, a café, several kiosks, and picnic areas – making it a full-day experience.
6. Dynamic Earth
Located at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth is an award-winning science centre and planetarium. Take a journey through time, from the Big Bang to the present day, exploring volcanoes, glaciers, rainforests, and even outer space through interactive exhibits. Don’t miss the incredible 360° planetarium show – it’s educational and exciting for all ages.
7. The Edinburgh Dungeon
Perfect for thrill-seeking families, The Edinburgh Dungeon uses theatrical sets, live actors, and special effects to bring Scottish history to life. This 70-minute interactive tour ends with the Drop Ride to Doom, making it an unforgettable experience.
Recommended age: 8+
8. Harry Potter Trail
If you’ve got a Harry Potter fan in the family, Edinburgh is a must-visit. Explore Greyfriars Kirkyard, said to have inspired several character names, and wander Victoria Street, widely believed to be the real-life inspiration for Diagon Alley.
You can either join a guided walking tour or use a free map to explore at your own pace. There are also several Harry Potter-themed shops around the city to keep the magic going.
Things to do in Edinburgh – Conclusion
That’s our top things to do in the city of Edinburgh for families! With such a mix of activities, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular destination for families. We hope you’ve found somewhere new and exciting to explore on your next visit.
You an find great hotel deals at hotels.com and can find more things to do in Edinburgh at Get Your Guide
Check out our page Scotland for more local content and holiday deals.
Some links in this post are affiliate links
Written by: Lucy Starrs
Hi, I am Lucy and I am the mum to a 5-year old boy, as a family we love travelling DIY and exploring multiple locations at a time. I am based in Scotland so understand the frustration of not finding the same deals as other places down south but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a deal to be had. Travelling doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming and I am here to help you plan that dream trip.
Visit the Scotland page for up-to-date deals from all Scottish airports and explore my blog posts for inspiration.
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So stubborn I built a business that would not only make it possible for us, but would help thousand of other mommas too 🫡❤️
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You don’t often see all inclusive August prices like this.
The benefit of an all inclusive holiday is that most of your holiday spends are covered, meaning budgeting is a lot easier. We love a buffet with our picky eaters. It makes meal time so much easier.
I’ve put the link to this deal in my link tree, or comment AUGUST and I’ll send it you in a DM 💛
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#allinclusiveresort #thetravelmum #familytravel #traveldeals
Mar 13
You don’t often see all inclusive August prices like this.
The benefit of an all inclusive holiday is that most of your holiday spends are covered, meaning budgeting is a lot easier. We love a buffet with our picky eaters. It makes meal time so much easier.
I’ve put the link to this deal in my link tree, or comment AUGUST and I’ll send it you in a DM 💛
Affiliate links
#allinclusiveresort #thetravelmum #familytravel #traveldeals
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Mar 13
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
Mar 10
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
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