In many ways Edinburgh, with its history, its architecture, its arts festival and its numerous museums, doesn’t come across as a particularly family-oriented place for a holiday. But that’s no reason for those with younger children to pass it by – for those in the know it’s full of places to keep the kids, no matter how young, amused.
Animal Madness at Edinburgh Zoo
Children of all ages – and adults too – can hardly fail to be enchanted by Scotland’s best-known and most-visited zoo. On a hillside in the western suburb of Corstorphine Edinburgh Zoo is easily reached by bus or car from the city centre – and is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
There are plenty of highlights, including Scotland’s only koalas and a newly-developed chimpanzee house, the Budongo Trail. A favourite among visitors is the penguin parade: daily at 2.30, if they’re in the mood, some of the birds leave their enclosure and take a short walk around the zoo, to the delight of the crowd.
There are plenty of places to eat, and the animals are complemented by a series of daily talks and animal antic displays. And parents will enjoy the way the children’s play area is situated right next to that belonging to the chimpanzees, allowing plenty of opportunity for amusing comparisons!
Rainy Days: Things to do Indoors in Edinburgh
Many of the city’s museums aren’t really geared to children, but one triumphant exception is the Museum of Childhood, on the Royal Mile in the centre of the city. The museum is crowded with fascinating displays of historic – and more modern – toys, some of which might be unfamiliar to the children but will raise memories with their parents - perfect for a rainy day.
The Royal Museum of Scotland, whose animal displays have been popular with generations of locals, and visitors, is currently closed for a major refurbishment, but the adjacent Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street boasts the child-oriented Discovery Centre where the youngsters can dress up or join in with a range of games and other activities,
For the scientifically-minded, Our Dynamic Earth, set on Holyrood Park Road against the background of the long-extinct Arthur's Seat volcano, is a fascinating introduction to eh complicated story of geology. Interactive displays cover volcanoes, earthquakes and the compxity of the earth's many different ecosystems.
Edinburgh is a festival city and so there are usually plenty of shows or other activities going on. In May, the Imaginate festival is a theatre festival specifically aimed at children. In April, the Science Festival has plenty of activities for children, many of them operating on a drop-in basis at a range of venues; while the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Book Festival, running concurrently in August, provide theatre shows and talks by well-known children’s authors.
Edinburgh Outdoors: Parks and Play Areas
When the sun shines, it’s time to take to the park. Edinburgh is blessed with green open spaces, with excellent play areas readily available – there are good play parks,for example, at either end of the Meadows and even in Princes Street Gardens. There are plenty of places to indulge in the ever-popular activity of feeding the ducks, too; good locations include Inverleith Park in the north of the city and Dunsapie and St Margarets lochs, in Holyrood Park.
The Botanical Gardens at Inverleith are also popular with families. Squirrels and pigeons entertain all generations (food can be bought in the shop) and there are ducks and moorhens to be fed here too. Admission is free although there is a charge to visit the glass houses. Regular events are run here, both independently and as part of the city’s many festivals. The Terrace Café is a family-friendly place to eat.
Literary Links – Harry Potter and Greyfriars Bobby
The Harry Potter phenomenon is a worldwide one, and Edinburgh claims to be the teenage wizard’s spiritual home. JK Rowling is said to have written Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in a number of different Edinburgh cafes, but perhaps the most famous of these is the Elephant House on George IV Bridge. Close to the Royal Mile, Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars Churchyard, its an atmospheric place to stop, with wonderful views from the back.
Nearby is the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the terrier who sat faithfully beside his master’s grave for many years. The graves of both Bobby and his master can be seen in Greyfriars Churchyard. And if you peek through the gate at the back of the churchyard you can see George Heriot’s School which, many locals claim, is the model for Hogwarts – although no-one but Hogwart’s creator knows for certain.
Join the Conversation