Family holiday activities

Get ready for a summer packed with traditional fun at Newhailes! Bringing play back to basics across five fantastic zones for children and families to explore. Child tickets cost £5 with under twos for free and adult tickets cost £1 (free for National Trust of Scotland Members). 

• Sport Zone – Run, jump and play classic games 
• Nature Zone – Discover, build and get hands-on with the outdoors 
• Imagination Zone – Get creative and run wild with dress-up and make-believe 
• Beach Zone – Sand, water and seaside vibes 
• Chill Out Zone – Wind down in the hay bale maze and quiet corners 

Tickets include entry to Weehailes playpark between Saturday 28 June and Monday 25 August from 10am to 5pm at 

To book visit the Newhailes Eventbrite website. 

Summer Family Activity Days with Circle and ERA  

Circle and ERA are offering a range of activities throughout the summer holidays for families who are affected by substance use issues in Edinburgh, where there is a child under 18 affected by their parent’s substance use (They do not have to be living in the family home).  

• Family activities at the ERA Cafe - on Wednesdays starting the 1 July to the 5 August from 11.30am to 2pm 

• Aberdour Beach on Tuesday 28 July from 10.30am 

• Big family BBQ on Thursday 30 July from 11am 

• Air thrill inflatable park on Tuesday 4 August from 10.30am 

For more information email Ian.Shield@circle.scot 

Summer at Bridgend Farmhouse 

Bridgend farmhouse are running a range of summer activities throughout the holidays  

• Nature Photography Exhibition – Community photography exhibition for all ages on Wednesday 1 to the 31 July from 11am to 4pm 

• Seeing the Now – Mindful photography workshop for adults and suitable for children aged 8 years and above with an adult. 

• Bridgend Bears Workshop – Make bears from your favourite woolly jumper. For children aged Seven years and above on Saturday 18 July. Bookings are essential. 

• Family Night – Storytelling and sing a long or all ages on Wednesday 5 August from 5.30pm to 6.30pm 

• Food shack and campfire signing - Community food and music evening for all ages on Friday 28 August from 5.30pm to 6.30pm 

Pyramid Drop In 

The Youth Agency are running summer drop in groups for young people throughout the holidays. Young people can enjoy a range of activities including cooking, hall games, consoles, arts and crafts and spaces to relax and socialise. A Consent form is required to be completed to attend the drop ins. this can be requested in person at the club or by phone call.  

• Junior Drop In – For young people aged 8 years to P6 running on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm

• Intermediate Drop In – For young people in P7 to S2 running on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm  

• Senior Drop in – For young people in S3 to 18 years old running on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm 

To find out more visit the Wester Hailes Community Trust website. 

Imagination Station  

Join Gilmerton Community Centre in their Art Room for crafts including pipe cleaner art, resin, tees and jewellery! For children aged four to 11 years old. Lunch is included, the sessions will be running on Fridays throughout the holidays from 12.30pm to 3pm at 

To find out more visit the Gilmerton Community Centre Facebook page.

Free Friday Fives 

SFA’s summer of football are offering free weekly five a side tournament for young people aged 13 to 15 years. six teams play one hour game of five aside weekly with post game food and drinks and winners medals and trophies after the 6 weeks. The tournament will take place at  

For more information and to sign a team up visit Edinburgh South CFC website 

Kids for a Quid on Scotrail 

Up to four children can travel for £1 return with most adult ticket types. Available every day, all year around. 

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 a Quid ticket. Conditions apply.  

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

Edinburgh Zoo – Reduced tickets 

Reduced priced tickets are available to book online for anyone in receipt of benefits. A maximum of 6 tickets per household can be booked. Proof of benefits and ID will be required upon arrival.  

For more information and a list of eligible benefits visit the Edinburgh Zoo website. 

Library Summer Reading Challenge  

The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is called “Read to the beat”. Children will need a library card to take part, register online or at your local library for free all you need is ID. Children are challenged to read books over the summer, they will collect stickers for each book they finish, and when completed they will get a medal and certificate. 

For more information as at your local library or visit the Reading Challenge website  

Dobbie’s Garden Centre Soft Play  

Enjoy a 60-minute soft play session at Dobbie’s Garden Centre. Bookings must be made at least one day in advance. Booking is recommended, though walk ins are welcomed depending on spaces available.  

Adults are free, children cost £4.50 

To book visit the Dobbie’s Garden Centre website 

Free and low cost tennis 

Tennis courts can be booked at Inverleith Park, Leith Links, Victoria Park and St Margarets Park from £1.00 per hour. The courts can be booked up to seven days in advance. Information on free social tennis sessions can be found on the website.  

Please book online at The Lawn Tennis Association website 

Summer family fun 

A free drop in for a range of activities for the whole family. Each week will explore a new theme including Dolly the sheep’s big birthday card, insect week, Space, Egypt explorers and the colourful world of birds. The programme will run on Mondays and Fridays throughout the holidays from 10am to 4pm at 

Summer Family Trail 

Find all eight buckets and spades around the galleries and answer questions about the museum and its collection and collect a summer sticker at the end. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm at  

For more information and to book a free space visit the St Cecilia's Hall Eventbrite webpage.

Monument-al Treasure Hunt 

The Monument-al Treasure Hunt in West Princes Street Gardens will take participants on a cultural and historical exploration for children and ages of all ages to enjoy. Play at your own pace, on your phone or on a printed version. The treasure hunt Is free to play and there is a free audiobook or e-book narrated by the actors of Game of Thrones, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Bravehart and Dr Who.  

To access the hunt and to play visit the Terrible Tales website.  

Forth Bridges Trail   

The five-mile circular trail can be started at any of the 10 stops in and around South Queensferry, be submerged in history, heritage, wildlife, nature and beauty and some pretty impressive views of the bridges. 

To find out more visit the Forth Bridges website. 

Crafternoons at the Scottish Parliament 

Drop in for a range of free activities for all ages. Sessions will be themed, and the duration varies based on activity from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. The sessions are running throughout the summer holidays from 11am to 4pm at 

To find out more visit the Scottish Parliament website. 

National Library of Scotland   

Enjoy a free tour of the Visitor Centre of National Library of Scotland at George IV Bridge, where you'll discover some of the treasures that make The National Library of Scotland a cornerstone of Scotland's cultural heritage. The Guides will introduce you to the story of the library’s building and history, and you will learn about the library's role in preserving the nation's history.  

To book tickets in advance visit the National Library of Scotland's Eventbrite webpage.

Tik Tock Trail 

Time-keeping is at the centre of Calton Hill and the City Observatory’s history. Explore Calton Hill and the histories of time and timekeeping present here. Follow the map around the hill like you are following the hands of a clock. (Please note, this is not connected with the popular video streaming app) 

For more information and to download the map visit the Collective website 

£2.00 Family Films 

Treat the whole family to a visit to the cinema for only £2.00 per ticket. Whether you missed the film in the cinema or wish to experience them all over again.  

For more information on films showing and to book visit the Cineworld website. 

Fun activities to do at home  

Activities do not need to cost a lot of money (or sometimes any money at all) to be meaningful and memorable. Some of the best memories are made by doing simple things at home or around the community. Enjoying the time, you have together is what is most important. Below are some very low-cost or free activities that require no/minimal resources, most of which you will have around the house already. Enjoy!   

Making music  

Household objects like pots, pans, tins, wooden spoons or plastic bottles filled with rice can be the perfect kit for starting a musical rock band.  

Floor is lava  

a great way for children of all ages to stay physically active indoors. Gather up your cushions and pillows and let your child’s imagination go wild as they hop, jump and climb their way around your home.  

Host a talent show  

Choreographing a dance routine to a favourite song, becoming a teddy ventriloquist, performing a magic trick, and hosting a talent show can be a great way to interact as a family, boost children’s confidence and have fun.  

Make use of everyday items  

Children have such rich imaginations- a box of everyday household items can unlock a whole world of play. A kitchen roll tube can become a telescope for gazing at the stars, and a bedsheet can become a tent. Letting children play freely with household objects is a great way to encourage their creativity.  

Potato/sponge Stamping   

Cut designs into potatoes or sponges, dip them in paint and create some exciting potato stamp pictures.  

Scavenger hunts  

From collecting leaves and twigs in a forest, spotting birds, or counting different colour cars in your local area- a family walk can turn into a fun challenge and a great way to motivate children to spend time outdoors.  

Water play  

Water fights, slip ’n slides, running through sprinklers, painting with wet brushes/sponges, making perfumes, outdoor kitchen play and even washing the car, children are drawn to water-based activities that are also great for cooling down on a hot summer’s day.  

Mini Olympics  

Making obstacle courses and having races with friends is a great way to hang out and stay active. You can use play equipment like hula hoops and skipping ropes, or everyday objects like cardboard boxes, brushes or chairs.   

Den building  

Household items such as old blankets, chairs and laundry rails can make the perfect hiding place for play. Supermarkets and hardware shops are also good places to gather up free items such as cardboard boxes for your child to expand their den building. 

Shadow drawing 

Sit beside a light or window, place an item at the side of a piece of paper, a shadow will be cast onto the paper. Trace around the shadow then your imagination can run free. You can create a scene around your item or add in other objects.