🌍 International

Things to Do with Kids in Edinburgh

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Edinburgh — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🎡

Edinburgh Castle

Half DayAges 312+

Book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. Cobblestone paths are challenging for strollers — a carrier is reco...

🏛️

Dynamic Earth

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Excellent for young children — immersive sensory environments throughout. Stroller-friendly with lifts available. Café o...

🏛️

National Museum of Scotland

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Completely free and totally stroller-friendly with wide aisles and lifts. The Grand Gallery atrium is spectacular. Kids ...

🎡

Edinburgh Zoo

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

The giant pandas and koalas are hugely popular — visit early to beat crowds. The site is hilly so be prepared for a work...

🌳

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Garden grounds are free; glasshouses charge a small fee. Wide flat paths are perfect for strollers. Children love the ro...

📌

Holyrood Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Completely free royal park. St Margaret's Loch is perfect for toddlers and stroller walks. Arthur's Seat summit hike is ...

🥾

Arthur's Seat Summit Hike

2–4 hoursAges 512+

Best for children aged 5+ who are confident walkers. Not stroller-accessible — use a hiking carrier for toddlers. Wear s...

📌

Scottish National Gallery

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Free entry and very stroller-friendly with lifts between floors. Family activity trails are available at the information...

🏛️

Museum of Childhood

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free entry and perfectly geared for children. Vintage toys and games captivate kids of all ages. Stroller-friendly with ...

🎡

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

2–4 hoursAges 312+

Kids absolutely love the 5 floors of hands-on optical illusions. Rooftop views of the city are stunning. Book online to ...

📌

Royal Mile Walk

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat walk suitable for strollers from the Castle to Holyrood Palace. Keep children close as it can get very busy. Many f...

📌

Palace of Holyroodhouse

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Audio guide included in ticket price — children's version available. Stroller-accessible in most areas. The palace garde...

📌

Leith Waterfront & Shore

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat waterside promenade is excellent for strollers and scooters. Lots of family-friendly restaurants along The Shore. C...

🎡

Royal Yacht Britannia

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Audio guide included; children's audio guide available. Most areas are stroller-accessible with lifts. Kids love the eng...

🏛️

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free entry. The outdoor sculpture garden is wonderful for children to explore. Wide lawns perfect for a picnic. Stroller...

📌

Cramond Beach & Village

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Sandy beach great for young children to play on. Stroller-friendly promenade along the seafront. At low tide you can wal...

📌

Portobello Beach

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Edinburgh's most popular beach just 3 miles from the city centre. Wide sandy beach perfect for toddlers. Flat promenade ...

🎡

Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Warm tropical environment — perfect on a cold Edinburgh day. Children can hold insects during guided sessions. Stroller-...

📌

Dean Village & Water of Leith Walkway

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Charming historic village with riverside paths. Mostly stroller-friendly along the walkway. The path to Stockbridge is b...

🌳

Inverleith Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Large free park adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden. Excellent children's playground, pond with ducks, and open spaces....

🌳

Victoria Park Playground

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Popular local playground in Newhaven area. Modern climbing frames, swings and slides suitable for toddlers and older chi...

📌

Tollcross International Swimming Centre

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Features a leisure pool with wave machine and water slides perfect for kids. Changing facilities include family changing...

📌

Scottish Storytelling Centre

1–2 hoursAges 210+Stroller OK

Regular storytelling and theatre sessions specifically for young children. Check the events calendar for family shows an...

🌳

Princes Street Gardens

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful free gardens at the foot of Edinburgh Castle. The Ross Bandstand has free performances in summer. Children's p...

🎡

Craigmillar Castle

1–2 hoursAges 312+

Far less crowded than Edinburgh Castle and great fun for children to explore. Older kids can climb the towers for panora...

📌

The Edinburgh Dungeon

1–2 hoursAges 812+

Best for children aged 8 and over — contains frightening content and jump scares. Not recommended for younger children o...

📌

Dovecot Studios

under_1hAges 312+Stroller OK

Fascinating working tapestry studio and gallery in a former Victorian swimming pool. Children are captivated by the weav...

🏛️

Scottish National War Museum

1–2 hoursAges 612+

Located within Edinburgh Castle — included in the castle admission price. Excellent interactive displays that engage old...

📌

Gilmerton Cove

1–2 hoursAges 712+

Mysterious hand-carved underground cave system with fascinating history. Guided tours only — book in advance. Not stroll...

🍕

Stockbridge Sunday Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Lively local market with excellent street food, fresh produce and artisan goods. Very stroller-friendly open-air layout....

🍕

The Pantry Stockbridge

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Hugely popular family-friendly brunch spot in Stockbridge. Excellent children's menu and high chairs available. Often ha...

🍕

The Engine Shed Café

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Social enterprise café with a great ethos and excellent food. Spacious and stroller-friendly. Healthy children's options...

🍕

Favorit Café

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Open late, very popular with families. High chairs available and kids' menu. Spacious layout works well with strollers. ...

🏛️

Surgeons' Hall Museums

1–2 hoursAges 1012+Stroller OK

Fascinating medical history museum best for older children (10+) due to some graphic anatomical specimens. Stroller-frie...

📌

Corstorphine Hill Nature Reserve

1–2 hoursAges 012+

Lovely woodland hill walk with red squirrels frequently spotted — kids love looking for them. Some paths are stroller-ac...

🥾

Pentland Hills Regional Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Excellent range of trails from easy reservoir walks for families with strollers to longer hillwalks for older children. ...

📌

Go Ape Treetop Adventure Dalkeith Country Park

2–4 hoursAges 612+

High ropes and zip wire course in stunning woodland setting. Minimum age/height requirements apply — check before bookin...

🌳

Dalkeith Country Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Outstanding family park with Fort Douglas adventure playground — one of the best in Scotland. Fort Kinnaird Café serves ...

📌

Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Family Shows)

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

World's largest arts festival with hundreds of child-friendly shows each August. Free street performances throughout the...

📌

Greyfriars Kirkyard

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Famous historic graveyard with the Greyfriars Bobby statue right outside — children love it. Touch the dog's nose for go...

This Week's Weather
Loading forecast...
Packing Tips for Edinburgh
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
🌳
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🎡
Edinburgh Castle
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
🎡
Edinburgh Zoo
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh?

Top family activities include Edinburgh Castle, Dynamic Earth, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Edinburgh good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Edinburgh are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Edinburgh?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

Explore More Destinations

DenaliAlbuquerqueAnchorageHoustonHonoluluZionSan FranciscoProvincetownAspenLas VegasPalm SpringsSan Diego