From the majestic Edinburgh Castle, cobbled Royal Mile, and illusional Camera Obscura to magical Harry Potter – Edinburgh is a treat for kids of all ages.
Though the city’s brimming with endless things to see and do, in this post, I’m focusing on the attractions that my kids enjoyed and I’m sure your kids will too. Most of these attractions are located along the Royal Mile so you can easily walk from one attraction to another.
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The Very Best Things to do in Edinburgh with Kids
1. Visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is a fascinating must-visit place for kids and adults alike.
Located on the Royal Mile, right next to Edinburgh Castle, it’s a perfect fun spot. Camera Obscura is a Latin word that translates to the dark room.
This not-so-fancy 5-story tall building has stood head high since 1853 treating the visitors with the treasure of innumerable optical illusions, puzzles, and tricks.
Some of the most enjoyable attractions are the spy cameras that treat you to different sights of the city (Shhhh..someone’s watching you!).
The zoom and clarity of the cameras are amazing. Get lost in the Mirror Maze, Light Fantastic where you can see yourself shrinking at one point and growing giant size at the other.
My kids loved the Light Fantastic so much that they were not ready to leave the room. It was the perfect time to become taller than their parents even though for a short duration.
Another favorite is the Bewilderworld where you spin along the Vortex Tunnel or try to stay still.
Plan to spend a minimum of 3 to 4 hours so your kids can enjoy all the exhibits. Start from the top floor and make your way down. Don’t miss the beautiful views from its rooftop.
Check the official website for updated ticket prices and opening hours.
Pro Tip: You can use your Camera Obscura tickets at many restaurants to avail of discounts on food and drinks. Also, Most of the other attractions close by 5 p.m. while Obscura & World of Illusions stay open until 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends, you can use the maximum advantage of the extended timings.
2. Walk the Royal Mile
It won’t be an exaggeration to call the Royal Mile the lifeline of the city with Edinburgh Castle on one end and the Holyroodhouse Palace on the other.
Our kids absolutely loved strolling this street. The charming cobblestone alleyways are dotted with vintage stone buildings, and are alive with vibrant street performances. If you feel tired after all the walking, you can sit and relax at one of the cute cafes lining the street and indulge in people-watching.
Read More: Best Places to Visit in the UK with Kids
3. Join a Scottish Parliament Tour
A tour of the Scottish Parliament is enlightening for the kids as they try and understand the way the government operates.
The building is historically significant as well as architecturally impressive. This modern building, a recipient of major architectural awards, featuring extensive glass panels filtering plenty of natural light, is sure to impress you.
Open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the tour of the parliament is free of cost.
There are guided tours at fixed times that can be booked in advance to explore the debating chambers, committee meetings, and workings of the parliament.
Check the official website to learn about the activities planned for a day and prior booking if required.
4. Take a Harry Potter Tour
Edinburgh is the mecca for Harry Potter fans. With imaginations running wild through the lanes of Hogwarts, there is so much to delve into.
From The Elephant Café, a self-proclaimed birth house of the Harry Potter novel to George Heriot School which draws inspiration from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Diagon Alley, you are transported into the Harry Potter era.
There are multiple Harry Potter themed tours available that you can opt for to indulge in the tales from every nook and corner. The Potter Trail, the Harry Potter Magical Walking Tour, and the Original Harry Potter Locations Tour are some of the highly rated and most loved tours.
The Potter Trail is free to join, however, you need to book a spot through their website. They also offer private tours, which you can book via Viator or directly through their website. And the best part is that you can now experience this tour virtually from anywhere in the world! Isn’t that exciting?
All these tours are great for families, I’d suggest kids be at least 7 to 8 years old to fully enjoy the experience.
Yet, some believe that Harry Potter tourism is ruining Edinburgh. I feel it’s important to remember moderation and respect as tourists to maintain the charm and heritage of the city.
Read Later: Best National Parks in the UK for Families
5. Explore the Edinburgh Castle
A historic fortress that forms the skyline of the city is witness to the innumerable historic tales. As you walk past huge gates, you will see the sentries standing tall in their crisp uniform. Watching the changing of the guard ceremony is an experience in itself.
There are guided tours included in the ticket that begin every 30 minutes in summer and every hour in winter. The meeting point is past the audio booth by the big clock.
Audio guides are also available in multiple languages at an additional charge.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to take the trivia sheet at the entrance for your kids. It’s a great activity to learn some interesting facts about the castle.
The chapel in the castle is famous for wedding ceremonies and while we were lucky to see one, it meant that we couldn’t explore the chapel itself.
We happened to visit the castle on the Queen’s birthday and felt privileged to witness an exclusive ceremony with official bands playing magical tunes and a 21-gun salute in honor of the majesty.
It was an impressive sight to see everyone celebrating their Queen’s birthday with zeal while wishing for her health and long life.
The castle is huge and would take about 2-3 hours to tour it. Depending upon your interest and time you can choose to skip or see the attractions.
- The Great Hall: displays the weapons and armor that depict the power of the military which plays an important part.
- The Royal Palace: the exquisite use of wood and the paintings of former rulers and queens adorn the walls.
- Honors of Scotland: displays sparkling crowns and jewels made of gold and precious stones.
- Mons Meg and One’o’Clock Gun: It is said that the one-o-clock gun was used by maritime sailors to set their clocks since 1861. This is still fired every day at 1 o’clock except on Sunday and Christmas. Apart from this, there are many cannons along the fortress walls.
- Prisons of war: there are vaults and places underground that used to hold prisoners of war. You will get goosebumps hearing and seeing all the conditions that they lived in.
The Opening hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5 or 6 pm depending upon the season. The ticket costs £22.00 per adult (16 to 64 years), £13.20 per child (7 to 15 years), and £17.60 per senior citizen (65 years+).
Please note, If you book in advance online, you’ll get a discount. Refer to the official website for details.
You can also join a guided castle tour that includes skip-the-line tickets.
6. Climb Arthur’s Seat
Climbing Arthur’s Seat is a must-do when in Edinburgh. As you reach the peak of this ancient volcano in Holyrood Park, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city and beyond.
It can take about 3 to 4 hours to hike the hill depending on the path you take and of course, your fitness level. Our kids enjoyed the hike.
If you are traveling with toddlers, I wouldn’t recommend this hike due to uneven dirt and stone trails. But for all you enthusiasts ready for some adventure, it’s worth the effort.
7. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Located at the end of the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse Palace is the Queen’s official Scottish residence. It welcomes visitors throughout the year, except during times when the Queen is in residence.
Check the official website for updated ticket prices and opening hours.
Note: Photography is not allowed inside the palace except on the grounds. Cell phones to be switched off.
8. Watch a Street Performance
Edinburgh is a city full of culture. When here, you won’t want to miss the mesmerizing tunes of a bagpiper from a traditional kilt-clad man or a local artist showing off their unique skills.
We were lucky to witness quite a few cultural performances. We saw a gentleman playing the violin. So what’s special about it? The only difference was that he was using swords, knives, & saws to play the tunes.
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9. Climb the Scott Monument
Located in Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument honors Sir Walter Scott and is remarkable for being one of the tallest monuments dedicated to a writer globally.
You can join a tour to learn more about the writer himself. The star attraction is the third-floor viewing platform that affords the beautiful views of the city. There are 200+ steps to the top.
It’s open every day from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The ticket prices are £8 per adult, £6 per child, and £20 for a family ticket. Check the official website for updated information.
10. Tour a Nuclear Power Plant
Although not exactly in Edinburgh, we highly recommend this tour and feel it’s a worthwhile addition to your itinerary.
Located about 30 miles east of Edinburgh, Torness Nuclear Power Station is a great place to impart first-hand information to the kids and get them interested in Science. And the views en route are breathtaking.
There are free tours available but must be booked 3 weeks in advance to clear the background checks. We missed the tour as we were not aware of this condition, but the visitor center was a knowledge house in itself.
Please note that the minimum age is 7 years and the tour duration is 1.5 hours. Refer to the official website for the list of activities and requirements for the tour.
Have you visited Edinburgh? Do you think we missed something on the list for your kids? Do share your favorites and fun experiences. We are all ears.
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Really amazing blog, has been really informative blog.