Family Fun in Edinburgh: 10 Must-Visit Spots for Rain or Shine
- Laura Vida, Feature Writer
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Looking for a day out? Under 12s to entertain? Here’s our pick of the indoor and outdoor options. We’ve tried to include some free or super affordable options too. Plus some insider tips for foodies!
1.National Museum of Scotland
What we like ......
Imagine Gallery (Level 1) features interactive play, including mirrors, a big comfy story corner, and musical instruments.
Wild animals (elephants, crocodiles, etc.) can also be found on Level 1!
For older kids, there’s the interactive Explore Gallery (Level 1) and Adventure Planet (Level 5).
The rooftop terrace offers excellent views.
Cafés, facilities, and a buggy parking zone are available on the ground floor via the side entrance.
The nearest green space with playgrounds is The Meadows.
Cost: Free (Donations welcome!)
Address: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
2.Saughton Park & Gardens
What we like ......
Arguably Edinburgh’s biggest and best playground
For toddlers, sand, a long train and everything else
Plenty for older, agile kids
A big skate park, which is even also used by Under 5s with scooters!
Pretty gardens overlooking the Pentland hills with sheltered areas
For coffee and good ice cream, head to the café in the gardens
Parking on site
Facilities at nearby café and by the car park
Cost: Free
Address: Balgreen Road, EH11 3BQ
Website:www.thebearandthefox.com
3.Weehailes Playpark
What we like ......
Themed, spacious and scenic in an walled garden area
Turrets, slides, climbing and high-level walkways
Sand play and flying foxes for young and old
Café in the stables, plus secondhand bookshop and facilities
Ice cream shed during high season
AirHop Trampoline park just up the road if it rains
Car park
Cost: £0-£4
Address: Musselburgh, EH21 6RY
4.Edinburgh Zoo
What we like ......
Over 2500 animals
Giraffes, big cats, rhinos, monkeys, penguins and much more…
Views across Edinburgh
Café and facilities on site
Cost: £0, £17.50 & £27.50
Address: 134 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6TS
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
5.Portobello Beach
What we like ......
Long sandy beach
Straiton Place & Towerbank Playparks just behind the beach
Cafés and ice cream along the promenade including The Beach House with its cafe by the sea and bakery on the High Street
The Portobello Bookshop and Tills & Company are two child-friendly bookshops with a good kids area
Portobello Library for facilities, toys for preschools and books
By Victorian swimming pool with Turkish baths and plunge pool
Soft play at Tumbles if it rains!
Cost: Free (ish)
Address: 1 Promenade, EH15 2DX
Website: www.thebeachhousecafe.co.uk
6.The Royal Botanic Gardens
What we like ......
Perfect for younger children or nature lovers
Woodland and open areas to explore
Views of the Edinburgh skyline
Birds, squirrels, pond life etc.
Dog-free area—perfectly safe for rolling on the grass
3 cafés incl. at East & West Gates
Facilities throughout the grounds
Cost: Free (Donations welcome!)
Address: Inverleith Row. Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Website: www.rbge.org.uk
7.Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
What we like ......
All ages welcome. But, arguably, best for age 7+
The terrace of this 5-floor townhouse boasts sweeping views over Edinburgh
Over 100 interactive exhibits incl. a camera obscura in the roof
A magic gallery plus light exhibits
Conifox Kids Adventure Park
Cost: Free - £29.95
Address: 549 Castlehill, EH1 2ND
Website: camera-obscura.co.uk
8.Conifox Kids Adventure Park
What we like ......
Extensive indoor and outdoor play areas
A 4-level play frame housing 4 slides, sports court, rope bridges, obstacle courses, aerial runways, cannon court, plus lots more
Toddler Town with 14 shops for kids to let their imagination run wild
Dedicated parenting room, café, restaurant and facilities
Gated soft play area for under 3s
Cost: Free - £9.50
Address: Kirkliston, EH29 9ER
Website: conifox.co.uk
9.Leith Links Outdoor Play Areas
What we like ......
Big sand pit for little ones
Swings, climbing, balancing and slides for all ages
An interactive pirate ship plus a smaller boat that moves
Hingabootery Café at Leith Community Croft on Leith Links for excellent baby changing facilities. (Ask a local for directions.) Shady wooded seating area here where kids can roam. Plus a nearby choice of eateries on Constitution Street and The Shore
Lots of paths for biking, scooting etc.
Shaded areas for picnics
Cost: Free
Address: Leith, EH6 8HR
Website: thebearandthefox.com
10.Victoria Park, Trinity
What we like ......
Varied, creative and attractive main play area
Separate (quiet/small) play area with more basic equipment for under 2s
Views over to Arthur’s Seat and plenty of shady areas
JAC’s Coffee Van (most days weather permitting) + small Sainsbury’s nearby
Plenty of picnic benches
Tennis, basketball and football areas
Connects to leafy cycle paths
Free on-street parking nearby or number 7/11 buses
Best coffee at La Cime, 210b Newhaven Rd.
Nearest toilets at Leith Library on Ferry Road
Cost: Free
Address: Newhaven Rd, EH6 4QA
Website: thebearandthefox.com
PS..........
A membership for Dynamic Earth
What we like ......
A family day out that's not weather dependent
Educational but immersive 360 degree interactive galleries suit all ages 0 - adult
A real ice-berg, ground-shaking earthquake, a sense tingling 4d flight
A stunning full-dome 6k planetarium,
A tropical monsoon in a real rainforest
Edinburgh parents get so much value from an annual membership
A cafe here or at Holyrood Palace next door
Ocean Commotion Soft Play (0-6yrs) included
Next to Holyroood Park & Arthurs Seat for a walk or picnic after
So much to see you can go back again and again.
Cost: Free: under 4's, 4-15yrs: £13.50 & Adults £21.50 entry for a year!!
Address: Holyrood Rd, EH8 8AS
Website: dynamicearth.org.uk
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