The Edinburgh Address & Adore ScotlandIndoor Family Activities - The Best Things to do in Edinburgh for Kids 1. National Museum of Scotland In the heart of the city, the National Museum of Scotland is a great especially for children. If they enjoy learning while playing then the Adventure Planet gallery will be the perfect area for them. From deep sea diving to archaeological digging, your kids will have hours of fun inside this wonderful and magical museum. Fun is guaranteed when you step into the Animal World Gallery. See the giant T-Rex, animals from the past and the present time. They will find creatures from around the world and use interactive learning to engage their senses. Use a free guided tour, themed tours and then have a break and use your packed lunch in the Group Room or go to the cafe. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor 2. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions When you walk in, you don’t really know what to expect. Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze. Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel. Camera Obscura is a unique and amusing way to discover Edinburgh and its history. The 6 floor tower offers plenty of optical illusions, holograms and other interactive exhibits alongside with a 360-degree views from the roof terrace where you and your children can admire the city through telescopes. It is fun, fascinating and often challenging, but you will have such a good time in there, believe us, we thought we were kids again. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor 3. Palace of Holyroodhouse The icon palace is the absolutely a must visit. The dedicated audioguide for children will entertain them as you all walk through centuries of history, learning about well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Discover how today it is used by The Queen as residence when carrying out official engagements in Scotland. Suitable for all ages Venue type:Indoor/Outdoor 4. The Royal Yacht Britannia Take your children to Her Majesty’s floating residence and take a trip to The Royal Yacht Britannia! Before you step aboard, view the 11 foot LEGO replica model of Britannia and learn about the history of Royal Yachts. Your kids will love walking on this stunning ship, listening to their own personalised audio guide, while seeing all fantastic five decks, the State Apartments, Crew’s Quarters and The Engine Room! Visit the Royal Sailing Exhibition and learn about the The Bloodhound, the Royal Racing Yacht. After all the walk around, try some fudge made on board from the NAFFI sweet shop or have a cake from the Royal Deck Tea Room. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor/Outdoor 6. Dynamic Earth Together with your family go through a journey of discovery and learn about the wonderful planet we live in. Have an interactive 4DVENTURE around the world or feel the heat of a bubbling volcano and the chill of the polar ice. If that’s not enough for you, visit the depths of the ocean in a yellow submarine and explore the aquatic world. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor 6. Georgian House Take your kids back in the Georgian era and learn about the architecture and fashion of the time. Learn what kind of life the servants lived, visit the kitchen and see what people used to cook and what ate. Take the special Living History Tours and go back to Hogmanay 1815, when King George III was still on the throne and Mr and Mrs Lamont were preparing to celebrate the New Year in the same Georgian House. Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor 7. Edinburgh International Climbing Arena EICA is ideal for anyone that enjoys fitness, climbing, playing and relaxing! You will find a fitness center, climbing arena, soft play and spa! The centre is perfect for amateurs and experts of all ages that enjoy a simple climb or a thrilling experience. -Soft play- Ideal for the little ones,for the Under 5, who want to have their share of thrills in the safety of the Scrambles Softplay and Rock Tots Play Café -Mobile tower - If your children are not quite ready for arena, they can get started with the the mobile climbing tower. Ideal activity for all the kids older than 4 years old, with the supervision of instructors and an auto belay system. -Abseiling - Test yourself as you descend from a tall platform in the arena. Face your fears and let go! These are just few of the attractions inside the EICA, go with your family and see them all! Suitable for all ages Venue type: Indoor
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Indoor Family Activities in Edinburgh for Kids

Written by Davide Tedesco

Updated October 2020 - Get ready for a memorable family day out in Edinburgh!

Family day out in Edinburgh

We all love a fun and relaxing holiday. When children are entertained and happy, parents can relax. Edinburgh is excellent for families, with a wide range of attractions perfect for kids of all ages.

Let’s have a look at the 6 best indoor attractions to visit together with your children.

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Visit Camera Obscura (© Camera Obscura)
© Camera Obscura

Indoor Family Activities - The Best Things to do in Edinburgh for Kids

1. National Museum of Scotland

In the heart of the city, the National Museum of Scotland is a great especially for children. If they enjoy learning while playing then the Adventure Planet gallery will be the perfect area for them. From deep sea diving to archaeological digging, your kids will have hours of fun inside this wonderful and magical museum.

Fun is guaranteed when you step into the Animal World Gallery. See the giant T-Rex, animals from the past and the present time. They will find creatures from around the world and use interactive learning to engage their senses. 

Use a free guided tour, themed tours and then have a break and use your packed lunch in the Group Room or go to the cafe.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor

2. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

When you walk in, you don’t really know what to expect. Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze. Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel.

Camera Obscura is a unique and amusing way to discover Edinburgh and its history. The 6 floor tower offers plenty of optical illusions, holograms and other interactive exhibits alongside with a 360-degree views from the roof terrace where you and your children can admire the city through telescopes.

It is fun, fascinating and often challenging, but you will have such a good time in there, believe us, we thought we were kids again.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor

3. Palace of Holyroodhouse

The icon palace is the absolutely a must visit. The dedicated audioguide for children will entertain them as you all walk through centuries of history, learning about well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Discover how today it is used by The Queen as residence when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type:Indoor/Outdoor

4. The Royal Yacht Britannia

Take your children to Her Majesty’s floating residence and take a trip to The Royal Yacht Britannia!

Before you step aboard, view the 11 foot LEGO replica model of Britannia and learn about the history of Royal Yachts.

Your kids will love walking on this stunning ship, listening to their own personalised audio guide, while seeing all fantastic five decks, the State Apartments, Crew’s Quarters and The Engine Room!

Visit the Royal Sailing Exhibition and learn about the The Bloodhound, the Royal Racing Yacht. 

After all the walk around, try some fudge made on board from the NAFFI sweet shop or have a cake from the Royal Deck Tea Room.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor/Outdoor

6. Dynamic Earth

Together with your family go through a journey of discovery and learn about the wonderful planet we live in. Have an interactive 4DVENTURE around the world or feel the heat of a bubbling volcano and the chill of the polar ice. If that’s not enough for you, visit the depths of the ocean in a yellow submarine and explore the aquatic world.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor

6. Georgian House

Take your kids back in the Georgian era and learn about the architecture and fashion of the time. 

Learn what kind of life the servants lived, visit the kitchen and see what people used to cook and what ate. 

Take the special Living History Tours and go back to Hogmanay 1815, when King George III was still on the throne and Mr and Mrs Lamont were preparing to celebrate the New Year in the same Georgian House.

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor

7. Edinburgh International Climbing Arena

EICA is ideal for anyone that enjoys fitness, climbing, playing and relaxing! You will find a fitness center, climbing arena, soft play and spa!

The centre is perfect for amateurs and experts of all ages that enjoy a simple climb or a thrilling experience.

-Soft play- Ideal for the little ones,for the Under 5, who want to have their share of thrills in the safety of the Scrambles Softplay and Rock Tots Play Café

-Mobile tower - If your children are not quite ready for arena, they can get started with the  the mobile climbing tower. Ideal activity for all the kids  older than 4 years old, with the supervision of instructors and an auto belay system.

-Abseiling - Test yourself as you descend from a tall platform in the arena. Face your fears and let go!

These are just few of the attractions inside the EICA, go with your family and see them all!

Suitable for all ages

Venue type: Indoor

The Royal Yacht Britannia (© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam)
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Now that you have an idea of the amazing things to do in Edinburgh, why don't you have a look at our hand-picked self-catering homes!

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Holyroodhouse - Royal Mile - Queen residence