Family Life
in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Edinburgh’s Top 5 Spots for tired parents! When kids are too young to self-regulate, it’s important to incorporate rest into their day. And it helps to have a few sanctuaries up your sleeve. Here's where we like to relax in Edinburgh, with or without friends.

How much over the Home Report should you offer for an Edinburgh home?

The Baby Show Edinburgh is a free, relaxed community event for parents and parents-to-be. Meet local experts, discover baby services, and connect with other families. Sunday 13th September at LifeCare Centre, Stockbridge. Book your free tickets now.

Our 5-star review of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. 100+ interactive exhibits, 4 floors of fun, rooftop views. Tips for families with young kids.

Read our honest 5-star parent review of Bungydome Edinburgh in West Princes Street Gardens. Perfect for kids who love trampolines — safe, shaded, and just £8 per bounce.

Top 9 Fringe shows for kids aged 3–7 in August 2026 | Music, puppetry, acrobatics & interactive theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe — handpicked for little ones.

Facing divorce or separation? Gibson Kerr's experienced family law solicitors help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Expert guidance on child contact plans, fair financial agreements & the family home – without going to court. Contact Gibson Kerr for a confidential chat today.

Join The Mum Club Edinburgh for a relaxed meet-up with other mums with babies or expecting. Connecting mums locally in Edinburgh. Real-life meet-ups that put you first.

This interactive show stars a prosecco-loving group of friends who dive into the chaos of motherhood with hilarious honesty & celebrate friendship & life in all its messy glory.

Join CeilidhKids for fun family dance sessions! Learn rhythm, movement, and social skills to music, all within a comfortable, supportive env

Edinburgh Montisorri Arts School is delighted to offer Ceramics Workshops this summer at EMAS, led by resident artist James Chincharo. The workshops are suitable for adults or for parents and older children. Age range: 8+ years to adult. Price: £90 per person for a 3-hour workshop. They run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–12:30 or 1:30–4:30. Dates: Tuesday 7 July; Thursday 9 July; Tuesday 21 July; Thursday 23 July; Tuesday 4 August; Thursday 6 August. Booking: office@emascho

By Anelia Black and Karen Philips: Discover liferent trusts—protecting blended families, optimising taxes, and securing future care and your estate wishes. If you’d like shorter or platform-specific variants, I can tailor them.

Foster a love of reading by following your child’s curiosity—turn interests like dinosaurs, space, or animals into stories, and use audiobooks to boost vocabulary and imagination.

We spoke with Janet Robinson from 2stepsaheadtutoring.co.uk about how pupils can prepare for the upcoming academic year to navigate the exam years with ease, and support children sitting entrance exams at the end of this year. "Exams are finished and holidays are in sight, but the real work for students has only just begun. As pupils move into Higher and Advanced Higher courses—and younger students start Nat 5s or enter a second year of Nat 5—the June timetable shift and the

A FREE Brazil mini-session for Early Years combines football and samba in safe indoor activities for parents, nurseries and schools; optional full World Cup pack available.

The Anchor Practice - Professional counselling, therapy, and mental health support for children and teenagers. Find stability and healing with compassionate practitioners

5th - 7th June 2026 Tullibole Castle, Perthshire WILDHOOD is Scotland’s multi-award-winning children’s festival — a magical weekend-long outdoor adventure created especially for families with children aged 12 and under. Set within the beautiful grounds of Tullibole Castle near Kinross, WILDHOOD combines music, theatre, storytelling, circus, arts & crafts, nature play and immersive hands-on experiences in a relaxed and welcoming family environment. Designed to encourage creati

Barnton’s Cloudberry Gifts, a gift shop with a cosy cafe, has become a community favourite, says founder Julie. Visitors can enjoy a fresh breakfast and lunch menu alongside delicious homemade cakes, traybake and scones. The carefully curated gift selection showcases Scottish designers, including Just Slate Company, Hairy Coo, and Skye Candle Company, alongside firm family favourites such as Jellycat and Blade & Rose, as well as an abundance of other gift & card companies. Wh

Studio 48 in Edinburgh is a vibrant creative hub offering art classes for children and adults alike. Led by experienced artists, the studio provides a welcoming environment where participants can explore their artistic potential across a range of disciplines. What They Offer Studio 48 specialises in: 🎨 Painting – from watercolours to acrylics 🗿 Sculpture – working with various materials 🖼️ Mixed Media – combining different artistic techniques 🖥️ Digital Art – exploring mo

These “ready for school” activities can be done in your everyday routine When it’s time for a child to go to school, there are lots of practical things to think about, like uniform, the school run and after-school care. You can also help your child build important skills for school readiness, helping them adjust to the new environment more easily. Children learn best when they are interested and motivated. Stop the activity when your child loses interest. You want your child

Facing separation or divorce? Gibson Kerr's Edinburgh family law solicitors offer compassionate guidance on child arrangements, finances, and avoiding court.

Edinburgh Relocation Consultants offer expert move coordination in Edinburgh, from storage and decluttering to school visits, with Caroline Lindsay guiding every step.

Creative family fun at Doodles Ceramics Studio in Edinburgh. Paint hundreds of shapes with vibrant glazes—perfect for gifts, baby footprints, and workshops.

The Mum Club hosts the TMC Edinburgh Brunch Club, a social gathering designed for mums in Edinburgh who want to connect with others in a warm, relaxed setting. This brunch event is part of The Mum Club’s broader Edinburgh events lineup, which is aimed at helping local women who happen to be mums build friendships.

Join World Afro Day Growing Together: kids and communities grow tea plants, watch Seed to Sip films, and celebrate with tea activities in September.

Parents are urged to seek early support for their children’s emotional well‑being as evidence grows that many mental health difficulties begin in primary school. Anchor Practice has launched Holding Parents in Mind, an online workshop for parents of primary‑age children to understand behaviour, emotional regulation and anxiety. Guided by Fanny Lena and Renata Bakker, the five‑session group uses psychodynamic, reflective parenting to build attunement and reduce isolation.

Professional and concise: SwimEasy offers premium, small-class swimming lessons from a family-run team. Expert coaching, faster progress, and lasting safety for your child.

Practical, clock-based sleep tips from The Sleep Lady for parents of 9‑month‑olds who wake early. Learn to set nap times, regulate routines, and ease early wakeups.

Memories by Maria, Family Photography offers Nursery & School Guide Readers a Free 8x12 Print. Maria is the photographer behind 'Memories by Maria', a family photography with her studio at Riverside House, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh. She specialises in capturing beautiful moments for families and their little ones. The studio offers sessions, including maternity, newborn, baby, birthday, family, and couples photoshoots, as well as outdoor sessions. Maria is also happy to accommod

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival is back with an exciting line-up of performances for children aged 0 to 15 years and their families, from Saturday 30 May to Sunday 7 June 2026. The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, marking its 35th anniversary this year, showcases exceptional Scottish and international theatre and dance for young audiences, with a focus on performances that are deeply engaging, innovative and inspiring. They have created a quick run

Discover Edinburgh's Easter and Summer holiday camps—from multi-sport programs to tennis, golf, rugby, netball and outdoor adventures—with options at independent schools for 2026 in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

With You Every Step of the Way: Stepping Stones Swimming provides a safe, encouraging environment where children develop skills to become confident, lifelong swimmers.

Three top active parties for little ones in Edinburgh: outdoor Water of Leith birthday (4–11 yrs), CeilidhKids dancing party, and Edinburgh Leisure bouncy castle party (3–8 yrs) at city venues.

Scottish child psychotherapist Paul Bell backs the UK consultation, urging targeted action to address social media’s risks to young people’s mental health.

Home education: why are so many parents choosing it over mainstream school? We explore the rise of home education in the UK, the lack of a national register, routes (full-time, flexi-schooling, motivations, and policy implications (including Edinburgh’s consent process).

Gibson Kerr: Scotland's family law solicitors offers expert, compassionate guidance through divorce—covering children, finances, and the family home. Get support today.

ESPC offers an exclusive, verified School Catchment search tool that lets families find and browse homes exactly within the catchment of their chosen school, making property hunting and school planning easier and less stressful.

Experience the magic of Matilda! This Broadway Junior adaptation, featuring Classes 3-11, brings Roald Dahl's story to life. Performances at 7:30 PM (evening) and 2:30 PM (matinee). Rated U - suitable for ages 4+. Join the revolt! Edinburgh Steiner School

Tired of the usual soft play? Discover 6 classy indoor play venues in Edinburgh perfect for kids! Find family-friendly spaces with great atmosphere, delicious food & party options.

Looking for kid-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh? Discover the top 10+ places to eat with kids, offering delicious food, a relaxed atmosphere, and fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. From pizza to brunch spots, find your perfect family meal!

Winter in Edinburgh may be cold and wet but we all know how important it is for young children to spend time outdoors. Now all early years setting spend part of the day outside and forest nurseries spend a large part of the day is outside. Research tells us playing outside, even in the cold, offers children huge benefits, boosting their immune systems, improving physical skills (balance, strength, coordination) through varied terrain. It enhances cognitive growth via unique s

An Edinburgh schoolgirl is turning her own experience of change into inspiration for others. Eight-year-old Isabel Hinova has just self-published her first children’s book, Ruby and the new school, on Amazon, after writing the story at the age of seven. The story, influenced by Isabel’s own move to a new school in Primary 2, follows Ruby as she navigates the worries and hopes that come with starting somewhere new. With warmth and optimism, Isabel’s tale reminds children that

Spring 2026 will see the launch of a NEW ANNUAL Nursery and School Guide magazine. The publication will be the unparalleled 'one-stop shop' for discerning parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians. This glossy, hybrid edition will be the definitive, high-quality resource for local parents and carers. And its target readership will be those with children aged 0-16 for whom childcare & education truly matter. Expect a glossy, perfect-bound publication with top-tier production val

Join Alisa Dutch and Heather Duque, along with their mum friends, on The Edinburgh Society of Unapologetically Imperfect Mothers podcast. Experience hilarious, no-filter conversations about modern motherhood, from adult friendships to "choreplay" and guilty pleasures. Ranked #2 in the UK!

Celebrate 15 years of gifting with Cloudberry Gifts in Barnton! Discover a treasure trove of unique gifts, supporting Scottish brands and artists. Find the perfect present and enjoy delicious homemade treats and coffee.

Navigating separation and divorce in Scotland? Understand your options for resolving disputes, from direct negotiation and mediation to collaborative processes, arbitration, and court proceedings. Learn about the advantages of each approach and when to seek legal advice. Gibson Kerr can help you find the best path forward for your family.

YourGP, Edinburgh's leading independent medical practice, now offers a membership scheme! Enjoy fast access to experienced GPs, same-day appointments, and rapid test results. Choose from four tiers, starting at £149/year, with benefits like discounted consultations and free prescriptions. Prioritize your health with YourGP. Call 0131 225 5656 or email reception@your.gp to learn more.

Stretching 22 miles from the Pentland Hills to the Firth of Forth, the Water of Leith oozes history and teems with creatures great and...

Discover the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh! From the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Zoo to free parks, beaches, and playgrounds, explore the top indoor and outdoor activities, plus affordable options and foodie tips—all designed for a fun family day out.

Discover a curated list of free parks and playgrounds recommended by parents. Organised by location, each entry highlights key features to e