Edinburgh Castle

Standing proudly above the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is chock-full of exciting history and artefacts that will keep the family entertained for hours. Discover the oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel, which survived demolition under the rule of King Robert the Bruce. Visit the cavernous stone vaults that held prisoners of war, including a five year-old boy captured in the Battle of Trafalgar. Or stare down the barrel of Mons Meg, a medieval supergun capable of firing 150kg cannonballs at enemies more than three miles away! With a legacy spanning hundreds of years, this is one castle you definitely haven’t experienced before now and it’s well worth a visit no matter what time of year it is. Even if you don’t venture inside, take the opportunity to observe the stunning views of Edinburgh down below the crag.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK by Kevin Gibbons

Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions

Have your mind boggled by five floors of optical illusions, from amazing scientific marvels to the just-plain-weird-and-wonderful! Swap heads or facial features with your family, or make like Peter Pan and play games with your shadow. Stare into the magical eye pictures and see if you can find hidden images in seemingly random patterns, or make sparks fly and shock your friends in the Electric Room. There are even some sweets lying around if you’re peckish, but you may be a little surprised when you try to pick them up! Before you leave, make sure you head up to the Camera Obscura gallery where you can spy on life in the city down below, learn about the fascinating history of Edinburgh, and pick people up in your hands!

Ah Ha Ha Ha

Wandering down the Grassmarket, you may be surprised to notice a bright orange building complete with oversized Groucho nose, moustache and glasses. But it’s no joke…well, actually it is! Step inside the Ah Ha Ha Ha joke shop and feast your eyes upon its even more colourful and crazy interior. With a hilarious range of classic practical jokes, amateur and professional magic tricks, stage make-up, zany disguises and ready-made costumes, there’s guaranteed to be something that will make you laugh.

Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by Lukas Koster

Gorgie City Farm

Find all your farmyard favourites at Gorgie City Farm, located near Haymarket railway station. This real working farm is open seven days a week and is great for children of all ages. Meet Fudge the Jersey Cow, and Red the pony (who’s just short of being a horse!) There are also plenty of sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks; and, in the Pet Lodge, you’ll find guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, tortoises and even a snake! If you want to learn about the animals, the farmyard staff can tell you all about their feathered, four-legged or scaly friends, including how to care for and feed them. If you’re lucky, you may get to stroke the animals or hold some of the smaller creatures.

Our Dynamic Earth

Ever wondered what dinosaurs would look like today if they hadn’t been wiped out by the meteorite? Or perhaps you’ve wanted to view the galaxy from on board a spaceship? Whatever questions you have about the incredible planet we inhabit, Our Dynamic Earth is the place to find the answers! Experience the sounds, smells and vibrations of an active volcano, brave an icy Polar expedition, step into a sticky tropical rainforest or opt for 4dventure with the 3D & 4D experience that brings you face to face with some of the planet’s most impressive animals. With so many interactive exhibits bringing nature to life around you, this museum is one of the most exhilarating places to learn about the world and is sure to be a hit with all the family!

Edinburgh Zoo

Located only three miles from the city centre, Edinburgh Zoo is bursting with wildlife that will keep the kids fascinated for hours! Meet the UK’s only giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang; get up close and personal with a mischievous capuchin monkey; admire the patterned fur and majestic manner of a beautiful Amur Leopard; or spy on the tiny but powerful leaf cutter ants as they carry slices of foliage back to their nest. There are plenty of daily talks and opportunities to feed certain animals if you’re looking for an interactive and educational experience. And if you’ve never met a penguin with a knighthood – now you can! Sir Nils Olav, the famous King Penguin, is a highly regarded member of the Norwegian Royal Guard and was gifted to the Zoo in 1913! This year Edinburgh Zoo celebrates its 100th birthday, so it’s the perfect time to pay a visit and get involved with all the fun.

Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland, UK by Nigel Swales

Museum of Childhood

Just because museums are educational it doesn’t mean they can’t be fun, and how can anyone resist the Museum of Childhood which is dedicated to the toys and games of our past? Relive those much-loved memories from days gone by as you explore the objects that once kept you entertained and observe the evolution of toys, from spinning tops to computer games – you’ll be surprised by how many are still in popular use today. And the enjoyment doesn’t stop there; there are over 10,000 children’s books, magazines and comics in the collection, including Treasure Island, the Beano, Bunty, and firm favourites from Enid Blyton; over 2,500 items in the clothing displays, from party wear to school uniform, hats and coats to jewellery and parasols; and a ‘home life’ collection containing all manner of objects geared at family life within the household, like rattles, sweets, medicines and photographs.

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Now it would be easy to say for families it is a great idea to come in August when the Festival is on as this has enough entertainment and attractions for the whole country, but you may not be able to come then so instead, here are 6 great attractions that you can visit all year round.

Dynamic Earth

It may look a bit like a beetle of some kind or perhaps like a wonky copy of the O2 Arena in London but this exhibition centre nestled between the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace and Arthur’s Seat, is a great place for a family day out. Dynamic Earth’s main feature is an exhibition on planetary evolution but with tons of other shows and events all year round there is always something new to see.

Edinburgh Castle

While very young kids may or may not appreciate the old walls and suits of armour, if you know your kids will get a thrill from visiting one of the most historic sites in the UK then you have to walk up the cobbled streets to the castle gates. Check out the cannons, the crown jewels and the amazing rooms filled with weapons.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK by Kevin Gibbons

Edinburgh Zoo

Only 10 minutes west of the centre of town Edinburgh Zoo is as family friendly as attractions come. You can teach your child about all kinds of species and enjoy seeing lions and giraffes and even giant pandas at the same time. Who doesn’t love the zoo?

Scottish Seabird Centre

It may be 30 minutes east of Edinburgh on the train but North Berwick is a beautiful town and home to one of the best Seabird attractions on the planet. You can expect great staff and fun and interesting stuff to do too.

Deep Sea World

Hop across the Firth of Forth and plunge into the brilliant world of the sea. This award-winning centre is home to hundreds of species of all manner of sea creatures and even has an underwater walkway that your kids will love.

Edinburgh Butterfly World

Yes it really is a world full of butterflies and only 20 minutes south of the city. You and your kids can walk into their habitat and see and feel them flying all around you. Then you can go through and see the centres amazing collection of weird and wonderful insects and bugs. They may be a bit gross for some but are always fascinating for children.

Edinburgh Butterfly World, Scotland, UK by Silversyrpher

Best thing about all these attractions is that they offer family discounts or cheap tickets for kids.

Agatha Jones helps run a wedding reception venue in Edinburgh. She has found that Edinburgh tend to offer better than expected facilities for kids.

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