Is your family moving to Edinburgh? Looking to meet other local parents? Or maybe join a French, Spanish or German parent group in Edinburgh? If so, this list will help your family enjoy Scotland’s capital city!
1. National Museum of Scotland
Age 0+
10am-5pm
Free (Donations welcome)
Imagine gallery (Level 1) has play opportunities galore. Plus mirrors, a big comfy story corner and lots of musical instruments. You’ll also find lots of wild animals (elephants, crocodiles etc.) on this floor! Older kids will enjoy Explore gallery (level 1) and Adventure Planet (Level 5).
2. Leith Library
Age 0+
Monday to Saturday (Opening hours online)
Free
Roaming space aplenty! Toddler kitchen. Mega Bloks. Vehicles to ride. A rocking horse. Colouring area. Loads of children’s books for every age. Friendly staff. Free 30-minute drop-in story and nursery rhyme sessions (See Bookbug for info.). You will meet other parents! A good sofa. Even a mini sofa for toddlers. Quiet if your baby or toddler needs to nap. 10-minute walk to Relish, a parent- baby- and toddler-friendly café with excellent coffee, toddler-friendly soup and clean baby changing. NB: Relish has a mini outdoor playground next door.
3. The Wee Hub, Ocean Terminal
Ideal Age 1+
11am-4pm
Free (Donations welcome)
The Living Memory Association (a charity) runs two toddler zones in Ocean Terminal. The biggest is on 1st floor. (Take the lift opposite Waterstones book shop.) Toddler race track, trikes, prams, lots of toys, children’s books. (Supervision a must though!) Plus musical instruments and painting resources for older children. On Floor 2 (next to Ocean Play Soft Play- also good for active babies and children) there is a sofa and lots of old-fashioned toys, prams, dolls etc. Plus a drawing and colouring area. My toddler learnt to walk here on the old wooden stroller. NB: A good place to sit while your child is sleeping! It's almost always quiet.
4. Joytots
Age 0+
11am-4pm Monday to Friday
Free (NB: You need to buy a drink. Food & great cake also available.)
Super friendly. I went a lot with my baby and prewalker! But walking toddlers are also welcome.There’s a big safe pen and lots of good toys. So your little one can play and meet other toddlers. Drop-in classes are generally in the morning. And you will meet other parents. My baby enjoyed this so much that I often had time for cake and coffee! A big win. Good baby changing too. NB: The seating and buggy space is limited. So try to book first or get there early on. Drop-ins usually ok.
5. Babies and Toddlers at P & G’s
Age 0+
10am & 2pm on Thursdays (term time only) Duration: 1.5 hours
Small donation by card (ideally) on entry
At St Paul’s & St George’s Church, near John Lewis. A huge indoor space with lots of different play areas. A huge zone for toddlers to push prams or ride in cars, tractors etc. Plus a baby area with friendly staff and other adults for good chat. Coffee, tea and snack zone too. Plus a nursery rhyme singing session at the end. Why not learn some new ones?Turn up when you feel like it. No pre-booking or payment online required. But you need to register at: psandgs.org.uk
6. Leith Links Outdoor Play Area
Age 0+
Amazing clean sand for little ones. Shaded areas. Plus lots of swings for all ages. We love the pirate ship that moves. And the open spaces! There’s also the NEW & AMAZING Hingabootery Café (9am-3pm) run by Earth in Common at Leith Community Croft on Leith Links. (Ask a local!) It’s beautiful inside, has fab coffee and excellent brand new baby changing facilities. Restless toddlers can explore the garden area outdoors and there are picnic benches. Why not top up on fruit and veg while you're there? NB There are usually plenty of bananas!
7. Gorgy Dalry Toy Library
Age 0+
10am-11.30am on Mondays From 4th September 2023
£5 joining fee for 12 months
www.gdtoylibrary.org.uk (Please check for updated timings!)
A great place for babies and toddlers to play and make new friends. Parents or carers can have coffee and chat while children play. There is a small additional charge (30p or 50p) if you wish to borrow one or two toys for up to two weeks.
8. Leith Baptist Church Toddler Group
Age 0+
Wednesday 10am-12am
Small charge on the day.
Ideal for toddlers. Can get busy though & warm in winter! Really friendly. Lots of toys and play opportunities. Coffee, tea, biscuits. Singing at the end. You’ll meet other parents! Drop-ins fine. No need to book.
9. Modern One, National Galleries of Scotland
Free. Donations welcome.
Ideal for preschoolers. Not babies. Take the lift to the top floor. There’s a special room where your child can get creative. And you’ll meet other families. There are also big foam building blocks here which my toddler likes. Ask for more up-to-date info. on interactive displays elsewhere in the building. There’s a big baby changing room next to the children’s space on the top floor. And a buggy parking space and large café (plus outdoor garden area) at ground level. Why not enjoy the artwork or have coffee while your baby or toddler is sleeping?! NB: There’s a bus stop opposite the gallery.
10. Starbank Park
Always open.
NB: No sheltered area, so for sunny days!
A stunning volunteer-run garden with toys, books, imaginative toddler trails and vehicles to ride. It's a 15-minute walk to Victoria Park for excellent toddler play areas.
Mr Eion Coffee Roaster is around the corner on East Trinity Rd.
Why not make a day of it?!
For a list of *Toddler & Baby Groups* BY AREA, click here!
Why not follow us on Facebook? We'd also love to hear your suggestions.
You’ll find lots of parent groups & recommendations on Facebook pages, such as Edinburgh for Under 5s. Plus German, French & Spanish (etc.) parent groups.