Throughout the Holidays
Youth Vision Forest Skills
Discover wonderful and wild nature on your doorstep, play games and learn some bushcraft. Booking is required. The group runs from Monday 30 June to Wednesday 2 July and Monday 7 July to Wednesday 9 July from 10am to 2pm at
Wester Hailes Quarry Park
9 Dumbryden Drive
EH14 2QR
To book, email Info@youthvision.uk
Open Kindergarten South East Edinburgh
A free non-structured group for parents, carers and parents to be. For children under five years of age (older siblings are welcome during the holidays). A chance to connect with others, share experiences, and build friendships. Sessions are shaped around any concerns, interests and ideas brought up in the conversation. Sessions run on Thursdays from 1.15pm to 2.30pm between 26 June and 17 July at
Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre
5 Moredunvale Place
EH17 7LB
For more information and to book a space visit the Open Kindergarten South East Edinburgh Eventbrite webpage or contact ruthdodds@midlohiansurestart.org.uk
Playful Summer at Newhailes
Get ready for a summer packed with traditional fun at Newhailes! Bringing play back to basics across five fantastic zones for children (and grown-ups!) to explore:
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. Sessions run from 10am to 5pm between Saturday 28 June and Monday 25 August at
Newhailes House & Garden
Newhailes Road
Musselburgh
Child tickets cost £4 with under twos for free and adult tickets cost £1 (free for National Trust of Scotland Members).
To book visit the Newhailes Eventbrite webpage
Summer at Craigmillar Castle
Join Craigmillar Castle for a summertime of fun activities. All activities are free and open to everyone.
Woodland Walk - A weekly, friendly and welcoming gentle exercise group on Mondays from 10am to 11am (Booking required)
Nature Walk Grasses - An introduction to the most common kinds of grasses and how to identify them on Friday 11 July from 2pm to 3.30pm
Family Festival - Music making, creative workshops and fun family activities on Saturday 26 July from 1pm to 3pm
Nature Walk Late Summer Flowers - An introduction to identifying the plants flowering in late summer on Friday 22 August from 2pm to 3.30pm at
Craigmillar Castle Park
Old Dalkeith Rd
EH16 4TB
For more information or to book email Elly@elgt.org.uk
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
Entry to the Museum is free and there will be a variety of activities available through the holidays.
Crafternoons – drop-in craft activities for all - every Tuesday in July from 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Bookbug on Wednesdays from 9.30am
Friday Lego Club on Friday 25 July from 2.45pm to 3.45pm
Meet the Fire dogs on Wednesday 6 August from 11am to 3pm
The Gallery
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
1A Dryden Terrace
EH7 4NB
For more information visit the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage website
Queensferry Parish Church Summer cafe and crafts
Drop in to the Connections Café for free summer craft activities, perfect for children and even adults who want to get crafty too! The café will also be open for refreshments and snack during the sessions. No booking required. The event will run from 10am to 2pm on the following dates:
Monday 7 July
Wednesday 9 July
Monday 28
Wednesday 30 July at
Queensferry Parish Church
The Coan
South Queensferry
EH30 9NS
To find out more visit the Dalmeny and Queensferry Parish Church website
Monkey Business
Join for four days of monkeying around with fun, family activities for all ages. Visit the craft tables, get hands-on with fascinating objects and more. Then discover the world of primates in the new exhibition. The sessions are running on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June and Saturday 19 and Saturday 26 July from 10.30am to 4pm at
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers St
EH1 1JF
To find out more visit the National Museum of Scotland website
Dalmeny Kirk Cafe Summer Cafe and Crafts
Drop in to the Connections Café for free summer craft activities, perfect for children and even adults who want to get crafty too! The café will also be open for refreshments and snack during the sessions. No booking required. The event will run from 10am to 2pm on the following dates:
Tuesday 1 July
Friday 4 July
Tuesday 5 August
Friday 8 August at
Dalmeny Hall
Main Street
Dalmeny
EH30 9TT
To find out more visit the Dalmeny and Queensferry Parish Church website
National Museum of Flight’s 50th anniversary
Explore the collections and learn about the historic airfield. To celebrate the National Museum of Flight’s 50th birthday, there will be free entry from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July at
National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield
East Lothian
EH39 5LF
For more information visit the National Museums Scotland Website
Celebrating Carnival: Collective costume making
Help create a Carnival costume from donated and recycled material. Design and decorate a strip of fabric that we will add to the collective costume. Discover some of the history behind the colourful Carnival costumes. The session will run on Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 July from 1.30pm to 4pm at
Grand Gallery
National Muesum of Scotland
Chambers St
EH1 1JF
To find out more visit the National Museum of Scotland website
Edinburgh Festival Carnival
A celebration of costumes, dance and music. A variety of performances are played in the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens on Sunday 13th July from 1pm to 6.30pm.
For more information visit the Edinburgh Festival Carnival webpage on the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival website.
Summer family fun
Get crafty, curious, and up-close with a variety of drop-in activities for the whole family. Every Monday and Friday will explore a new theme - from Scottish stories to around-the-world adventures. Sessions from 14 July until 1 August from 10.30am to 3.30pm at
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers St
EH1 1JF
To find out more visit the National Museum of Scotland website
Family Art Baskets
Sessions will encourage families to explore and create together in the grounds of the gallery and in nature. The activity invites families to collaborate, experiment, and explore their creativity while building a deeper connection to nature and discover new ways to transform the outdoors into their own art studio. The sessions will run every Wednesday to Friday between 2 July and 8 August from 2pm to 4pm at
Modern 1 Gallery
75 Belford Road
EH4 3DR
For more information visit The National Galleries of Scotland website
Butterfly count
The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. Your input will help build the interactive map which provides data for conservation science and research. Register for free from Tuesday 1 July 2025 to take part in the count between Friday 18 July and Sunday 10 August.
For more information on how to take part visit the Big Butterly Count website
How to draw your dragon
Discover a wealth of dragons from around the world with this family workshop. Beginning with some dragon stories to get imaginations firing. Then have fun creating your very own dragon. The event is suitable for families aged six years and over, with all children accompanied by an adult and will run on Saturday 19 July from 11am to 12.30pm at
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EW
This is a ticketed event which costs £5.00 per child with accompanying adults going free.
For more information and to book visit the How to draw your dragon Eventbrite webpage
John Lewis’ baby and toddler café
A monthly gathering where new parents and carers can meet each other and build connections over coffee. Preschool siblings are welcome to come along and play with the sensory toys or enjoy the colouring station. A complimentary hot drink for adults and glass of juice for any preschool sibling is available and you can buy extra food or drinks from the café. The baby and toddler café will run on Tuesday 22 July from 10am to 11am at
John Lewis & Partners Edinburgh
60 Leith Street
EH1 3SP
For more information and to book visit the Baby and Toddler Café Eventbrite webpage.
Balance & play for neurodivergents and pals
Mixed class for children aged seven years and above along with their adults. Balancing the mind through balance and movement games on Saturday 26th July and Saturday 16th August 2025 from 10am at
Salisbury Centre
2 Salisbury Road
EH16 5AB
Ticket cost is donation based and can be purchased on the Balance and play for neurodivergents and Pals Eventbrite webpage
A week in the life
Join The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television for an introduction to sessions which will cover a range of techniques in acting, dance and musical theatre. Participants will work towards a performance for friends and family at the end of the week. The free course is available for young people aged 12 years and above. The sessions will run from Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August from 9am to 5pm at
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television
Almondvale Way
Livingston
EH54 6GA
To book visit the A week in the life Eventbrite
The Wonder Zone Holiday Club
Join in on the wonder with Cornerstone Church for bible stories, games and crafts for primary school aged children. The club is running on Monday 28 July to Wednesday 30 July from 10am to 12pm at
Cornerstone Church
The Hub
6 Ravenscroft Street
EH17 8QL
To register complete the Cornerstone Churches Holiday Club Form
CeilidhKids at the Fringe
Family workshop suitable for children aged three to seven years with parents or carers. Enjoy simple dances that you might find at a ceilidh or Scottish country dance. Children should be accompanied by an adult who is willing to join in; one adult can dance with two children.
Tickets start from £2.50 per person.
The Ceilidh is being held on Thursday 31 July and Tuesday 12 August from 10am at
The Ballroom
The Counting House
Newington
EH8 9DD
For more information visit the Edinburgh Fringe CeilidhKids webpage
Buggy walks
Walks are for parents with babies and wee ones. Babies in buggies, slings, and carriers are all welcome along with toddlers if they wish to join in. All the walks are free to attend, and no block booking is required. Booking can be made via a meetup page.
Contact carole@buggywalks.co.uk for more information.
Kids for a Quid on Scotrail
Up to four children can travel for £1.00 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 2025 Summer Reading Challenge is called “Story Garden – Adventures in nature and the great outdoors”. 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 visit the Reading Challenge website or ask at your local library.
Explore the Museum
Collect a pencil and activity trail from the reception desk and follow the activity trail to explore the museum at St Cecilia’s Hall. Discover the hidden wonders of eight instruments across the galleries and collect a stamp at the end of the trail. Available Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm at
St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum
50 Niddry Street
EH1 1LG
Fore more information visit the St Cecilia's Hall website
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 5pm at
St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum
50 Niddry Street
EH1 1LG
For more information and to book a free space visit the St Cecilia's Hall Eventbrite webpage
Granton Castle Walled Garden
Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, with free entry. The walled garden is open Friday to Sunday between April and October from 2pm to 4pm
23 West Shore Road
EH5 1QB
For more information visit the Walled Garden website.
Dads Rock Free Playgroup
Drop in to Dad’s Rock free indoors and outdoors playgroup which is open to all dads with children aged nought to five years. Have a snack and finish with stories. The groups run weekly on Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 11.30am at
Gorgie Memorial Hall
338 Gorgie Road
EH11 2QU
For more information visit the Dads Rock website
Tik Tok 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
Ocean Terminal – Wee play hub
The Wee Play Hub is a community space offering an area for play with toys for children to play with for free plus board games, Xbox and books. In the Wee Hub Lounge play records, tapes and musical instruments. There's also Leith Goad maps and a Leith jigsaw you can help complete. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm
1st Floor (opposite Superdry)
Ocean Terminal
Ocean Drive
EH6 6JJ
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
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.
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EW
To book tickets in advance visit the National Library of Scotland's Eventbrite webpage
Edinburgh Association of Ukranians of Great Britain (AUGB) - Coffee at the Club
Enjoy meeting others and enjoying a cup of tea at the coffee morning at the Ukranian Cultural Centre. Volunteers will be on hand to support and answer questions. Coffee at the club runs every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm at
Ukranian Community Centre (AUGB Edinburgh)
14 Royal Terrace
EH7 5AB
for more information visit the Association of Ukranian's Edinburgh branch 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.
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 £3.00.
Dobbie’s Garden Centre
Melville Nursery
Lasswade
Midlothian
EH18 1AZ
To book visit the Dobbie’s Garden Centre website
Drop in cafe at Granton Parish Church
Join Granton Parish Church’s Cafe for free tea, coffee, juice, cold filled rolls, crisps, fruit and snacks. Whether looking for a dry space on any rainy days or an outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine, the children can play in the gated gardens while parents/carers have a cuppa and blether. The cafe is open every Friday from 11am to 1pm at
Granton Parish Church
55 Boswall Pkwy
EH5 2DA
Meadows junior park run
Join a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged four to 14 years every Sunday from 9.30am at
The Meadows
Melville Drive
EH9 9EX
To find out more visit The Parkrun 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.