Under 5s Guide
Edinburgh & the Lothians
The Essential Guide for Parents and Carers with Babies and Toddlers Living In and Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh Leisure
3 Fantastic soft plays at EICA Ratho, the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Tumbles at Portobello are all open along with their cafes. Unlimited soft play at all 3 venues with the Young Explorer soft play membership.
Edinburgh, Ratho & Portobello
Joy Tots
Offer great coffee, delicious food, a safe clean play area and wonderful drop in craft opportunities.
117 Ferry Rd, Leith, EH6 4ET
Jungle Tumble Play Cafe
Soft play with a cafe and party venue.
85 High St, Musselburgh, EH21 7DA
King’s Table Sundays Play Cafe
King’s Table is a Christian play café for the under 5’s and their parents on a Sunday morning run by Edinburgh Vineyard. Inch Park Community Sports Centre, Inch Park Community Sports Centre, 227 Gilmerton Rd, EH16 5UD
Little Seedlings Soft Play
Walk-in spaces may be available however we recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment. Dedicated baby area.
Dobbies, Lasswade EH18 1AZ
Dobbies, Beughburn, Houstoun Mains, Livingston, EH52 6PA
Tribe by Nurture the Play
Calm play sessions, a range of toys including puzzles, loose parts, and wooden toys that you won't find elsewhere from £5 per adult and up to 3 children and includes a hot drink for adults.
46 Granton Road Edinburgh EH5 3QS
Time Twisters Play Centre
Soft play centre and party venue with cafe. Toddler Morning sessions are available for every child aged 4 and under.
Catalyst Trade Park, Unit 5 Bankhead Drive. Sighthill, EH11 4EJ
Tots Spot Play Cafe
Tots Spot is uniquely child-focused with imaginative and creative play for children aged 5 and under. Classes, events and a tasty menu.
200 Main St, East Calder, Livingston, EH53 0EJ
Turtle Dove Play Cafe
Cafe and party venue, dedicated play areas for babies, toddlers and older children including a series of 'play scenes’ and reading nooks.
31 Corbiehill Rd, Davidson’s Main, EH4 5BQ
PLAY CAFES
Cafes with dedicated play areas for babies, toddlers and older children. Some also host baby and child classes, workshops, monthly memberships and party hire.
PARTY SPECIALISTS
Venues and party services which help to create a perfect children's birthday party.
Bumble Bee Sports
Sports Coaching for children aged 2 years +. Parties are available at the weekends and they take care of the kids for the duration (different packages available). They cater for up to 30 kids.
We will come to your chosen venue Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian
Ceilidh Kids
Scottish dancing for children. Suitable for families with children aged 3-9 years old, but everyone welcome.
Events venues across Edinburgh
It’s In The Bag
50 mins of story telling for little people. Interactive stories are told using puppets and props. (Suitable for max. 20-30 children)
We will come to your chosen venue in Edinburgh & Lothians
Juniper Bakes
Bespoke celebration cakes for all ages and occasions
Delivered to Edinburgh & Lothians
LCDC - Fitness & Dance Studio Venue Hire
You can hire our studio for all events, clubs, meetings, parties and more for only £50 per hour.
Unit 9 Newhailes Business Park, Musselburgh EH21 6RH
Magic Gareth
Magic, ballon twisting and excitement for your wee one’s most special day of the year. Magic Gareth has options to suit all from 3 years +
Gareth will come to your chosen venue in Edinburgh & Lothians
Pure Brilliant Events
Bex and her team can organise and run events for up to 30 children. Face painting, balloon modeling, bouncy castles, glitter tattoos, mascots, popcorn.
We will come to your chosen venue in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Splat Messy Play
Will come to your chosen venue at an arranged time and create the most magical special party for your little one. The best part is whilst you enjoy tucking into the party food, we will clean up the mess!
We will come to your chosen venue in Edinburgh & Lothians
The Little Pastel Castle Co.
Scotland’s first pastel Castles, modern luxe bounce house rentals for indoor & outdoor use.
Deliver to Edinburgh & Lothians
Tots Toun Softplay Hire
Soft play bronze, silver & gold party packages available for home or hall bookings.
Deliver to Edinburgh & Lothians
Blessing & Blossoms Children's Boutique
Suppliers of christening wear, christening gowns, dresses and outfits.
132 St John's Rd, Corstorphine, EH12 8AX
Blackwells
Edinburgh’s oldest independent bookshop with a lower ground floor dedicated to children’s books. Free delivery for online orders within the UK.
53-62 South Bridge, EH1 1YS
Cloudberry Gifts & Coffee Shop
Coffee shop selling cards, gifts, jewellery, homewares plus toys, clothes, and books. Nestling in the back of the gift shops you will find a place to enjoy some of Edinburgh's finest day-time delicacies.
193 Whitehouse Road, Barnton,
EH4 6BU 0131 538 0168
1 Craigcrook Place, Blackhall,
EH4 3NG 0131 467 2878
Ginger and Pickles Children's Bookshop
Ginger and Pickles is an independent bookshop for children. The shop is both cosy and quaint, designed especially with young readers in mind.
51 St Stephen St, Stockbridge, EH3 5AH
Gulliver's Toys and Gifts
Family owned shop with a great selection of traditional toys and gifts from birth to ten
165B Bruntsfield Place, Bruntsfield EH10 4DG
Maddie and Mark's Shoes
Specialise in first shoes with experts fitting crucial to the growth and development of your child.
205 Bruntsfield Place, Bruntsfield EH10 4DH
Mulberry Bush Shop
A good range of children’s books, toys, artisan gifts, craft materials, candles and cards. Specialise in works by Rudolf Steiner and educational wooden toys.
77 Morningside Road, EH10 4AY
Pippin Gifts
Selling cards, gifts, jewellery, homewares plus toys, clothes and books.
30 Haymarket Terrace, West End, EH12 5JZ
The Edinburgh Baby Company
Baby and children’s shop in Edinburgh offering organic clothing, wooden toys, prams, nursery furniture. Specialising in organic fair trade products.
28-30 Marchmont Cres, Edinburgh EH9 1HG NB The shop is moving online only.
The Edinburgh Bookshop
Cosy store, shelves piled high with books for adults and children. Signed copies and readings. Under Fives Story-time is free, every Thursday and Friday from 9.3o am
219 Bruntsfield Pl, Bruntsfield EH10 4DH
The Treasure Trove
Everything is handmade and makers are members of a unique charity using traditional skills for dressmaking and special knitwear.
23A Castle Street, EH2 3HT
The Write Stuff
Independently owned and operated stationery shop. Contemporary stationery products and children's craft materials are just a few of the items stocked.
43 Raeburn Pl, Stockbridge, EH4 1HX
Treehouse Childrenswear
Treehouse Childrenswear is a family-run independent shop that kits a young baby/toddler out from head to toe. Quality shoes, toys, clothing and gifts.
10-12 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, EH3 5AU
Wooden Toys Edinburgh
Plastic free shopping for under 5s - they have a good range of toys, jigsaws and books. Stock can also be viewed and bought online.
Ferry Rd, EH6 4NW
Worn In Wardrobe
You can buy and sell preemie to preschool preloved children’s clothing directly.
Buy and Sell Online
BABY & CHILDREN SHOPS
Shops in Edinburgh offering quality shoes, toys, clothing and gifts for babies and children.
BABY & ME FITNESS CLASSES
Exercise after you've had a baby is not easy. So we have selected classes which both of you can attend!
Fit and Happy Mamas
A buggy boot camp catering for all fitness levels. Helps women become fitter, stronger and more confident.
Colinton & Murrayfield
Sweaty Mama
A unique and effective way to exercise with your child. A fun workout to upbeat music to rehabilitate your body after having a child.
Currie & Corstorphine
Turtle Tums Aqua-Natal Yoga Classes
Mums-to-be from 14 weeks of pregnancy onwards regardless of fitness level, yoga experience and swimming ability.
Various pools across Edinburgh
123 Come Dance With Me
Fun, friendly dance classes for babies and the under 5s.
Classes at Time Twister, Broxburn Sports Clubs & Party Place EH14.
Angela Watson School of Dance
Creative, fun nursery ballet class for children from 3 years +.
Colinton, Fairmilehead, Firrhill
Babyballet
Ballet for 'tots' aged 6-18 months, 'tinies' 18 months-3 years and 'Movers, Tappers and Groovers' aged 3-5 years.
Venues across South Edinburgh
BW Dance Works
'Moving with my mini' - for toddlers who are walking and until they are 3 years old. Dance classes for 3+ years featuring ballet, tap, modern, cheer and Acro.
Cramond Kirk 16 Cramond Glebe Rd, Cramond, EH4 6NS
Oriam, Heriot-Watt, Currie EH14 4AS
Ceilidh Kids Events
Scottish dancing for children suitable for families with children aged 3-9 years old, but everyone welcome.
Events venues across Edinburgh
Dance Pointe Academy - Mini Movers
Different styles of dance for all ages from 18 months to adults.
Dance studios in Penicuik and Peebles
Dance@Studio 21
Different styles of dance for girls and boys from 3.5 years and up.
Edinburgh and West Linton
DN Dance Babies
Dance Classes for mums and babies/toddlers aged 1-3 years plus classes for kids aged 3 years +.
Classes in 7 venues across Edinburgh
Dunedin Dance Academy
Tinies ballet 18 months - 3 years, Nursery ballet 3 - 5 years. 'Tots Tap' 3 - 5yrs.
Carrickvale Community Centre Saughton Mains St, EH11 3HH
LCDC Dance and Fitness
Bambino Ballet 18 months - 3 years. Dance classes from 3 years +
Unit 9 Newhailes Business Park, Musselburgh EH21 6RH
Morag Alexander School of Dance
Parent and Toddler Ballet Classes 18 months - 3 years.
Stage Door Studios, 8a Bridge Street EH21 6AG Musselburgh
Trinity Centre, 5 Church St, Haddington EH41 3EX
The Little Dance Company
A fun new class introducing your little ones to the world of dance. Aimed at 2-3 year olds accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Morningside Dance Academy, 9B Grange Rd, Newington, EH9 1UQ
Phelan School of Dance
Pupils commence training aged 2yrs+. Tap, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, highland/national and line dance.
Leith Community Centre 12A Newkirkgate Leith Edinburgh EH6 6AD
Revolution Dance
Starts at age 2. For those who just want to dance!
St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Haymarket EH11 2DZ
RMB Dance
Modern Ballet and Street Steppers classes are open to boys and girls aged 3 up.
The Crags Centre 10 Bowmont Place,EH8 9RY
Waterfront Dance - Tutu Tots & Twinkles
Tutu Tots for 2yrs +. Twinkles is the next class up for children aged 3yrs+ who are ready to dance without parental support.
75A Main Street ,Davidsons Mains,EH4 5AT
Zayna Dance Academy
Classes for children aged 2.5 + . Free trials available.
60-62 Newhaven Road, Granton EH6 5QG
DANCE FOR UNDER 5s
Dance classes for children from the age of 18 months require parental to attend. Classes for children from the age of 3 will usually require parents to sit outside the classroom.
SPORTS FOR UNDER 5s
Classes at this age offer a fantastic opportunity for you and your child to spend quality time together. Activities such as these help with socialisation and sleep.
Bumble Bee Sports
Sports Coaching for children. Walking-10 years
Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian
CEK (Chris Ewing Karate)
Practise the style of karate known as 'Wado kai'. Kids aged 3-5 years old.
Musselburgh
Edinburgh Leisure
Swimming from 3 months+, Gymnastics from 18 months+. Classes from 3 years+ include 'Mini Kickers', 'Tots Tennis', Trampolines, Ballet, and Diving
Various venues across Edinburgh.
Super Strikers
Fun, weekly play sessions, 30-minute classes for boys and girls from 2 yrs+
10 New Market Road, Slateford, EH14 1RJ
Tumble Tots
Designed to develop a child's agility, balance, co-ordination and climbing through the use of brightly coloured Tumble Tots equipment. Age groups: 6 mths – Walking, Walking – 2 Years, 2 – 3 Years, 3 Years – School Age.
Cramond, Murrayfield, Corstorphine and Stockbridge
Tutti Footy FC
Fun football classes for 2 years +.
Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian
Turtle Tots
Swimming classes 0 - 14 mths, 14mths - 3 yrs, 3-4 yrs
Various Pools Across Edinburgh & Lothians
Racquet Buddies
Baby and Toddler classes from birth to 3 years. Saturdays 12.15pm
College, Milton Rd E, Portobello, EH15 2PP
Rugby Tots
Fun-packed football classes for children aged 18 months - 5 years
Edinburgh & Lothians
Water Babies
30-minute swimming classes (max. 10 little ones). 0-1yrs, 1-2yrs, 2-3yrs, 3-4yrs & 4-5yrs.
Boogie Beat Music & Movement
Singing, dancing, story telling, classical fairy tales, traditional nursery rhymes and more! Suitable for children from 6 months to 6 years.
Venues across Edinburgh
Doodles Ceramics
Edinburgh's longest established "paint your own" pottery studio. They specialise in helping you design pots featuring your baby's hand and footprints.
27-29 Marchmont Crescent, Marchmont, EH9 1HQ
Edinburgh Young Musicians
A Saturday morning music school.. Helping all ages from 3+ to enjoy music and to realise their individual potential.
George Watson's College Junior School, 69 Colinton Rd, EH10 5EG.
From Acorn to Oak
Baby and child massage, baby yoga, baby sign and parties.
Various locations Across Edinburgh
Jack and Jill Music
Jack and Jill's music classes in Edinburgh are live, interactive music classes for babies, toddlers, and pre-school children with accompanying adults. Fantastic large hall and a lovely enclosed external quadrangle for toddlers to run around. Possibility for outdoor classes too!
07809 154415
The Reid Memorial Church W Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Jo Jingles
Baby, toddler & preschool music classes & children's parties in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Mid Lothian and the Borders. Suitable for children from 3 months.
Venues across Edinburgh and Stirling
Le Petit Jardin d'enfants
The French Institute in central Edinburgh offers gentle, fun immersion classes for children from 3 to 5 years old. Children have the opportunity to learn French through song and games. All classes are taught by a qualified native French speaker.
The French Institute, West Parliament Square,EH1 1RF
Little Learners
From 5 months to 5 years. We learn how to write through messy play, painting, playdough, scribbling, dance and more.
Venues in: Currie, Dalkeith, Dalmahoy and East Calder
Music Bugs
Nursery rhymes, counting songs, finger-play rhymes, knee bouncers and action songs. For babies and toddlers.
Various locations Across Edinburgh
Nurture the Play
Classes for 0 - 6 year olds. Includes messy play, yoga, drama and sensory play.
5a Portland Gardens, Leith, EH6 6NA
Portobello Music School
Baby and toddler music classes from birth to 3 years. Saturdays at 12.15pm
College, Milton Rd E, Portobello, EH15 2PP
Tots Play
Fun, interactive developmental play classes and resources for children from birth to 4 years. Available classes: Birth - 6 mths, 8 wks - Crawling, 8 mths - 2.5 years.
Edinburgh North West - Carrick Knowe, Murrayfield
Sing and Sign
For babies from 2 months - 6 months, 6 months to 18 months, 14 months to 2 years +. Featuring lots of music, fun, interaction and, of course, signs! Marchmont, Portobello, Stockbridge, Leith
Song Circle
Song Circle is an independently-run music group for 0-5s hosted by Scottish folk singer, Gill Bowman and exclusive to Stockbridge, Edinburgh.
Skylark Cafe. 40 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge EH3
21, Pilrig Street , Leith
Splat Messy Play
Classes are 1 hour long. Babies and toddlers are given the freedom to move around at their own pace and explore the structured activities prepared. They will clean up the mess!
Various Venues across Edinburgh
CLASSES FOR UNDER 5s
A good class for a toddler or preschooler should foster their love of music, communication, listening, creativity and the arts.
DAYS OUT
WITH UNDER 5s
Ideas for days out with the family in and around Edinburgh. Look out for cost-effective annual memberships!
Blair Drummond Safari Adventure Park
Home to over 350 animals. Drive and walk around 160 acres of parkland. Raised viewing platforms mean exciting eye-to-eye views of the giraffes, lions, free-roaming lemurs. (Under 2s: free; 3 -15yrs: £13.50; Adult: £16.50)
Outside the city of Stirling, FK9 4UR.
Conifox Adventure Park
Indoor soft play, outdoor off-road pedal tractors, 9-hole footgolf course, giant jump pillow, trampolines, supersized sand pit.
Foxhall, Kirkliston, Edinburgh, EH29 9ER
East Links Family Park
Family-friendly park with animal enclosures, train rides, go-karts, bouncy castle and trampolines.
Dunbar EH42 1XF
Fort Douglas
Open 7 days a week . Two play zones: one that’s perfect for toddler play with Mini Maze and another for children aged five plus. (0 - 24 Months: FREE; Adult- 13+: £3.00; 2 - 4 Years: £6.50)
Dalkeith Country Park, Edinburgh
Vogrie Country Park
Adventure play area and toddlers' play park. Picnic areas and open lawns in the Victorian Policy areas.The Tree Top Café within Vogrie House has a Soft Play area.
Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4NU
BABY & CHILD HEALTH
Expert services and advice to ensure healthy development.
Cameron Optometry
Provides comprehensive eyecare. Specialist Myopia Management programme which aims to reduce the progression of short-sightedness in children.
5 St. Vincent Street, Stockbridge, EH3 6SW
0131 225 2235
Chatterbox™ Speech Therapy
Chatterbox™ has a range of services to help you children with speech and language development difficulties. Assessments via a range of standardised tests. Will take children from 18 months +.
Edinburgh
Meadows Dental Clinic
Specialist children’s dentistry. For children aged 6 months +.
18 Thirlestane Road, Marchmont, EH9 1AN
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