Edinburgh is a great travel destination to visit for a family vacation. For those traveling with children, the little ones will find castles to discover, nature sanctuaries to explore, museums to visit, fun festivals to attend, plus many other things to do and see. If you are wondering where to start with your itinerary plans, fret not. Here are some of the top kid-friendly places to visit and things to do in Scotland’s capital.
Edinburgh Attractions
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Nature and Science:
If your little ones love nature, head down to Gorgie City Farm, where fun activities for kids involving exciting farm animals abound. Edinburgh Zoo is a great place to get up close and personal with a wide range of mammals and birds. The Butterfly & Insect World located just outside the city is also another great pick for kids. In addition, the World of Illusions at the Camera Obscura show and interactive displays at Dynamic Earth will fascinate children that have a liking for science.
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Outdoor Fun:
Edinburgh has plenty of outdoor parks where families can have a fun day out. For instance, you can visit Princess Street during the summers to host a family picnic. For a little bit of adventure, Holyrood Park is one of the must-visit spots. The young ones will get a chance to see the iconic Holyrood Palace and climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat where they will get a prime view of Edinburgh.
On the outskirts of the city, the Royal Botanic Gardens offer plenty of fun activities for people of all ages. In addition, there are nature trails to discover that wind along the Union Canal, River Almond, and Water of Leith.
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Indoor fun:
A visit to the Alien Rock play center will be well worth it when looking for fun indoor activities to do with kids in Edinburgh. Rock climbing is available here for children of all ages. If you have toddlers, the Clown Around Indoor Play Centre for ages 0 to 3 would be a fun place to visit. Slides, trampolines and much more await the young ones.
Older kids will find it thrilling to visit Edinburgh Dungeons, where they get a chance to take a journey through the city’s murky past while being entertained with live shows. What’s more, plenty of fun games and toys await kids at the Museum of Childhood. Other interesting indoor attractions that are good for children include the Royal Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Storytelling Centre, and Brass Rubbing Center.
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Festivals and Theatres:
Edinburgh turns into a ‘festival city’ duringthesummer months, starting from August to mid-September. Among the many festivals that take place in Edinburgh, the Fringe and Edinburgh International Festivals are the best for children thanks to numerous comedy shows. There is also the Science Festival and Children’s Theatre Festival that always delight the young ones.
Santa Weekend is a great time to visit Edinburgh with kids during the Christmas festivities. Children get to visit the Ice Rink, Pantomime, Carousels, and Fair Ground.
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Sporting activities:
There are numerous sporting activities for kids in Edinburgh. For instance, the Mildothian Snowsports Center offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and race training for everyone in a family friendly environment. For some splash and fun, there are diving pools for children at the Royal Commonwealth, Jamboree Adventures Soft Play, and Beacon Leisure play centers.
Best Family Accommodations in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers a wide range of accommodation options for all kinds of travelers. Families visiting with children will find self-catered apartments to be the best for them. Some apartments have all the comforts of home. What’s more, you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen that will allow you to cook for your kids.
Although this post has not exhausted all the child-friendly attractions that Edinburgh has to offer, it can give you an idea of where to start.
Maisy Young is a blogger and travel enthusiast that hails from Edinburgh. She loves to share useful information with other travelers that choose to visit her hometown. To find the best holiday apartments, Massy recommends http://www.edinburghpearlapartments.co.uk/.
