Things to do with Kids in Edinburgh

02 June 2023|Read time 5 mins

As well as the main sightseeing attractions, Edinburgh has plenty to offer for families of all ages.

Read the Reserve Apartments guide of the top activities to do with children during your self-catering break to Edinburgh.

What is there to do in Edinburgh With Children?

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is the largest and most exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland, committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation and environmental education.

Set on 82 acres, the zoo is home to over 1000 different animals including dogs, lions, wolves, anteaters, bears, sea lions, monkeys, deer and giraffes.

The zoo offers some wonderful attractions for you to experience, plus visitors can enjoy masses of events and daily activities throughout the year.

This includes the penguins, which take part in a parade every day at 2.15 pm in which they stroll around the park accompanied by a zoo keeper.

Deep Sea World, North Queensferry

Located just outside Edinburgh, Deep Sea World is a spectacular Underwater Safari that allows you to explore the thousands of species of marine life found at sea.

It has many different areas such as the Amazon area, where you’ll see Piranhas and the Krakatoa area which features different coloured fish including the Yellow Saffin Tang, the Blue Damsel and the Green Chromis.

Other zones such as Lake Malawi, the Rocky Shores and the UK’s longest underwater viewing tunnel allow you to come within inches of the majestic Sand Tiger sharks.

If you’re feeling daring, you can go diving with the sharks and even kids can get in the shark tanks, with the added protection of a metal cage.

There is also the amazing seal sanctuary and amphibians area which guests can visit

Camera Obscura & The World of Illusions

Camera Obscura & World Of Illusions is a fascinating and highly amusing way to see Edinburgh and learn about its history.

This unique experience has delighted and intrigued adults and kids for over 150 years and is a great way to view the city centre of Edinburgh.

From inside this mysterious Victorian rooftop chamber, using a huge mirror and lens, you can see Edinburgh from the top of a tower with live-moving images of the city projected onto a viewing table through a giant periscope.

The friendly guide will entertain you while telling stories of Edinburgh, past and present, in an engaging and informative way.

There’s also the World of Illusions, a separate area with a magic gallery; x-ray your hands, swim in a virtual fish tank, look through giant kaleidoscopes or check out the light fantastic area with holograms, 3D pictures and a science and nature exhibition.

Time Twisters Indoor Adventure Centre, Edinburgh

Time Twisters Play Centre is far more than your average soft play centre.

It has state-of-the-art play facilities, a unique Ancient Egyptian-themed environment, lots of comfortable seating, superb quality tea and coffee and a healthy café that serves a range of tasty, freshly prepared meals and snacks.

Offering a fun day out in a safe environment, the kids can go down slides, jump over crocodile-infested swamps, swing across snake pits, cross rope bridges, crawl through underground tunnels or simply climb over any obstacle that gets in their way.

Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

Our Dynamic Earth takes you on a journey through our planet’s past, present and future, with interactive exhibits and impressive technology.

Beginning with the Big Bang, children and adults alike can witness the creation of the Earth, follow the planet through its evolution and even catch glimpses of its future.

Whether it's coming face to face with an extinct dinosaur, feeling the sticky heat of a tropical rainforest or flying over glaciers in prehistoric Scotland, Our Dynamic Earth presents all aspects of the planet we live in.

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

Refresh your senses and explore the riches of the green kingdom at one of the world’s finest botanic gardens, The Royal Botanic Gardens.

A beautiful park in the centre of Edinburgh visitors can journey through warmer climes in one of the 10 Glasshouses or discover any one of the other features including the Woodland Garden or exhibitions such as the Rhododendron Collection.

Once you’ve discovered all the garden offers you can also pay the café a visit for some refreshments.

At the Royal Botanic Gardens, there is something for everyone!

National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland is a landmark building in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, complete with a beautiful roof terrace.

As well as sharing the story of Scotland, including the land, people and culture, the collections give an overview of human life and the universe.

Visitors can even see Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.

With plenty to do and see for adults and children alike, this free museum is a great place to spend a rainy day with the children.

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Set into the hillside of the stunning Pentland Hills Regional Park, Midlothian Snowsports Centre offers all the fun and adrenaline you would expect from Britain’s biggest artificial slope!

The 2 main slopes, 2 nursery slopes, jump slope and range of freestyle features mean they’ve got something to satisfy every level of ability and because the slopes are artificial you can enjoy the snow sports all year round.

Ocean Terminal Softplay

This is the standard soft play area but situated with the Ocean Terminal shopping mall so you can combine a little retail therapy whilst the kids are happy.

Ocean Terminal also has plenty of places to eat and drink, perfect for after the kids have let off some steam!

Book a family trip to Edinburgh

Reserve Apartments has a range of family self-catering properties available for your trip to Edinburgh.

Browse our portfolio and book now - we look forward to welcoming you!