Outdoor Family Activities in Edinburgh for Kids

Outdoor Family Activities - The Best Things to do in Edinburgh for Kids Let’s have a look at the best outdoor activities in Edinburgh 1. Edinburgh Zoo What’s better than animals to make you and your children happy? See more than 1000 fantastic animals in the largest wildlife attraction in Scotland. The Zoo offers a range of exciting visitor experiences, from a free Hilltop Safari ride to playgrounds and picnic areas. Of course, you cannot miss UK's only koalas and the two giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang! If you want a memorable experience then prepare for the animal-handling sessions and get really close to some of the more friendly animals! Open every day of the year, even Christmas day! Suitable for all ages Venue type: Outdoor 2. The Mercat Tours If your kids love creepy stories and get goosebumps then the Mercat Tours is perfect for them. This daytime tour for kids will take you to some of the city’s horrible haunts, including a visit to the famous Blair Street Underground Vaults. Your guide will walk you in the old alleys where regular people lived in the Old Edinburgh. You will see how family lived, go inside their home and feel the creepy atmosphere first hand! Suitable for: Young Children (5-8), Older Children (9-12) and Teenagers (13-18) Venue type: Outdoor/Indoor 3. Gorgie Farm A lovely farm in the city with a range of farm animals and pets, as well as a variety of gardens, it's a fun place to visit and learn. If you contact them through the website, your children can take part to the Farmer’s Helpers workshops, Pet Boarding and Cuddle Corner. Shop and get some of the farm’s produce, depending on the season. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Outdoor 4. The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh This is a must visit for you and your kids and it is free. Amazing gardens and fascinating vegetation spread over 70 acres, and it is in the city centre! See tropical palms and arid lands cacti or step into a magical Chinese Garden and walk through the 100 years old Herbaceous Border. Go to the John Hope Gateway to examine plants or many other findings, using microscopes! Pick up a bag of sunflowers seeds from the entrance and have a wander around the park, where you will be greeted by little squirrels wanting a seed or two. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Outdoor, Indoor 5. Arthur's Seat Hiking Arthur's Seat is probably one of the most popular activities for local families and tourists. Seated in the middle of Holyrood park, once a volcano, this piece of beautiful rock will reward you with on of the best views of Edinburgh. If you do not want to walk all the way up, you can still bring your kids for a stroll. Little secret: If you drive up Queen's drive you will find the beautiful Dunsapie Loch. Not too far from there, you can walk with your kids to the Meadowfield Park, where they can have fun at the Play Area! Suitable for all ages Venue type: Outdoor 6. Midlothian Snowsports Centre Midlothian Snowsports Centre is the longest dry ski slope in Europe, ideal for skiing and snowboarding lovers, but of course there is much more for your kids to enjoy! Let them slide down hill using inflatable doughnuts or let them join the Junior Ski School and Junior Snowboard Schools, learning all the necessary skills from absolute beginners upwards. If you plan to go on Saturday or Sundays then look at the Super Sliders, a fun club on for 7-12 year-olds. It provides supervised skiing by qualified experienced instructors. Make sure that you organised everything beforehand especially with some of the activities that have limited places. Remember to gear up and wear wear gloves, long sleeved tops, trousers and outdoor shoes! Suitable for: Adults and Kids (Skiing: age 4-17 / Snowboarding: age 8-17) Venue type: Outdoor 7. Sandemans Edinburgh Free Tour Take a walk in the narrow streets of Edinburgh, where you could meet body-snatchers, witch hunters, firebrand priests and philosophers all living on the side of a dead volcano! This Free 3 hour walking tour covers sights of the Old City of Edinburgh, starting from the popular Royal Mile. See the famous places that inspired Harry Potter’s books, go through old streets, then up hills and finally go to sites of executions. Your little ones might find some stories disturbing (executions and similar things) so be warned. Their unique style of combining history with pure showmanship has made them one of the most popular walking tour companies in all of Europe! Suitable for: Adults and Kids (from 9 up) Venue type: Outdoor