Support for families

Free or low-cost activities and support for families during the holidays. If you know of any other activities that are running, please let us know.  

wholefamilywellbeing@edinburgh.gov.uk   

Keep an eye out for new activities as we get closer to the October holidays!

Dobbie’s garden centre soft play

Enjoy a 60-minute soft play session at Dobbie’s Garden Centre. Bookings must be made at least 1 day in advance. Booking is recommended on Dobbie's website, though walk-ins are welcomed depending on the space available. Adults are free, children cost £3.00.  

Kids for a quid on Scotrail 

Up to four children can travel for £1.00 return with most adult ticket types. Available everyday all year round. 

For more information visit the ScotRail website.

Save on family days out with Scotrail

Get one free child entry when you purchase a full price, standard entry adult ticket to an attraction when you travel on with a Kids for Quid ticket. Conditions apply.

For more information and a list of available attractions, visit the Scotrail website.

Activities throughout the October holidays 

Active schools ASN holiday activities

Free cycling, swimming, tennis and free play sessions available to children with autism or an intellectual disability.

Various locations and dates across the city, booking required.

For more information visit the Edinburgh Active Website

Water of Leith visitor centre

Visit the interactive zone and cause a flood, try to stop the giant waterwheel turning, control the sluices as you splash around and much more. Visit the heritage and tall panel zones to learn more about the walkway, bridges and the wildlife.

The centre is free to visit and is open daily from 10am to 4pm at

For more information, visit the Water of Leith visitor centre website.

Museum on the mound

The Museum has lots of hands-on activities for families and children - including cracking a safe, coin rubbing and building a model of the bank! The Money Trail, a children's activity book is also available free at the reception desk along with crayons and paper for the coin-rubbing activities. Admission is free.

Open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday’s at

Junior park run

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for children aged four to 14 years of age. Free to join but register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in whatever your pace. Junior park run is held every Sunday at 9.30am at

and

For more information or to register visit the Parkrun website or emailthemeadowsjuniors@parkrun.com 

Museum of Edinburgh activity area

The activity area is packed full of art materials and worksheets and amazing objects relating to the history of Edinburgh. The Museum offers a warm and welcoming space for family groups to work creatively together. The activity area is a free drop in.

The activity area is open daily from 10am to 5pm at

For more information visit the Museum of Edinburgh website

Nature crafts family workshop

To celebrate Green Libraries Week the National Library of Scotland is hosting a morning of nature crafts for families. Drop-in and make a bird feeder, a bug hotel for the garden or choose from other nature-themed crafts suitable for all ages.

Saturday 12th October from 10am to 12pm at

For more information or to book, visit the Eventbrite website.

Wester Hailes harvest festival

Join the Wester Hailes Community Trust for an afternoon of seasonal activities. With a delicious community meal, Activities for children aged nought to five years and their parents, art activities, face painting, a swap shop, Community information, wellbeing discussions, live music and the soft launch of the Wester Hailes mobility hub.

The harvest festival is on Saturday 12th October from 12pm to 3pm at

For more information see the Westerhailes harvest festival poster or email info@westerhailesct.org.uk

Dalkeith Country Park – curiously creepy pumpkin patch

Enjoying pumpkin picking and explore the creepy rarely opened under croft of the orangery. Pumpkins cost between £2.00 and £10.00 depending on size. The price of a paid ticket can be redeemed against a pumpkin. Tickets are free for children aged 12 years and under and £3.00 for those aged 12 years and above (including adults). ASN sessions are available on Monday 14th October and Thursday 16th October from 3pm to 4pm.

Open from Saturday 12th October to Monday 21st October from 10am to 4pm at

For more information and to book visit the Dalkeith Country Park website

The big draw at Lauriston Castle

Go along to the free drop in at Castle courtyard just past Mimi’s and collect a drawing board, paper and pencil from the Castle courtyard, and immerse yourself in nature, try the Japanese Garden, or Rose Garden where you are not only surrounded by the beautiful sights of the flowers and plants around you, but take time to notice the smells and sounds of the insects buzzing and the breeze rustling through the leaves With Lauriston Castle Staff.

Open from the 14th to 18th October from 10am at

Care2Connect graffiti workshop

The Fostering Network welcome all care experienced children and young people to join our free Care2Connect events. Spectrum Arts will facilitate a hands-on graffiti workshop. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete newbie, this event is perfect for anyone looking to get creative and learn some new skills.

The free event takes place on Wednesday 16th October from 2pm to 4pm at

For more information or to book, visit the Care2Connect Graffiti Workshop Eventbrite Page

Creating comic book characters family event

Award-winning comic creators, John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs share their tips and secrets for character design and storytelling. Learn the process and see examples of work. A chance to design your own character.

This free session is designed for children aged seven to 12 years of age, but siblings younger and older are also welcome. The session will run on Wednesday 16th October from 11am to 12pm at

For more information and to book visit the Eventbrite website.

How to train your dinosaur

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey back in time as Edinburgh Zoo hosts How to Train your Dinosaur show. The 30 minute interactive and educational shows uses real animal training techniques to train the dinosaurs and are perfect for dinosaur wranglers of all ages! Ticket cost £6 per adult and £5 per child. Please note tickets do not provide entry to the Zoo experience.

The show is located in Budongo Lecture theatre on Saturday 19th October at 12.00pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm at

For more information and to book your tickets visit the How to train your dinosaur Eventbrite webpage.

Ikea Edinburgh Woodland wanderings

The forest is a place where animals come to frolic and play. But keep count of how many mushrooms you see along the way…. Learn all about the wanders of the woods, And be in with the chance of winning some IKEA goodies Embark on a magical adventure at IKEA Edinburgh —can you find all the hidden mushrooms?

From Friday 11th October to Thursday 31st October

For more information visit IKEA Edinburgh Woodland Wanderings page.

Pets at Home my pet pals

My Pet Pals workshops help to teach children how rewarding pets can be and how to care for them, making sure you and your children are all clued up on pet welfare and responsible pet ownership – you'll get a truly hands-on approach to pet care.

Children will receive activity sheets, a My Pet Pals certificate, and there is a chance to meet some of the amazing animals…all for FREE on

• Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October
• Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October
• Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November

To book your nearest store visit the Pets at Home: My Pet Pals – Autumn Workshops Website.

AR26charity free football for all sessions

Scotland and Liverpool footballer Andy Robertson's charity, AR26, will host free football sessions for children aged six to nine years of age. The sessions include fun drills and fun football tournaments. It takes place from 5 pm to 6 pm on Fridays, starting the 27th of September until Friday 22nd November at

For more information, visit the AR26charity’s website.

Green explorers

The Green Team will be providing a free explorer’s session in Redford woods for children aged eight to twelve years. Learn woodland survival skills, fire lighting and outdoor cooking. Have fun and adventures in wild places playing stealth games, learning tracking, using camouflage, and discovering more about the wildlife around you. Equipment and refreshments will be provided. Lunch and a water bottle must be provided. Places are limited for this event, so booking is essential.

For more information and to book visit the The Green Team Website and use code NEWEXPLORER at checkout for your free place.