5 Free Things To Do With Children In Edinburgh

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has so much going on that is perfect to keep the whole family entertained. With human habitation in the city dating as far back as 8500 BC, it’s clear that this is a city wrapped in a long and rich history.

If you are visiting the city, you can expect to be treated to a fantastic time within a historical and cultural part of Scotland. There is plenty to do that the whole family will love, and best of all, you can find a variety of things to do for free, so you can enjoy this city on a budget.

National Museum of Scotland

The history of Scotland is fascinating and features a number of iconic characters, from William Wallace to Mary Queen of Scots. With such a rich history to discover, the National Museum of Scotland is the perfect place to visit.

You can see everything from the skeleton of a huge Tyrannosaurus Rex, a giant copper accelerating cavity from CERN’s LEP collider and galleries showing how Scotland’s first residents lived.

Gorgie City Farm

Without even leaving the city you can find yourself in what feels like the countryside at Gorgie City Farm where your children can get up close and personal with a whole variety of animals such as pigs, chickens, cows and goats.

There is no charge to visit the farm and it’s open 7 days a week excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The farm does run on donations, however, so you can leave a donation if you wish.

Scottish National Galleries

There are a total of three free galleries within the Scottish National Galleries. There are plenty of ways in which you can get your children interested in art when you visit these galleries as they have a number of resources and activities for kids, such as workshops, family tours and multisensory storytelling.

The galleries are welcoming of all ages and are breastfeeding friendly as well as having plenty of facilities for little ones.

Portobello Beach

While Edinburgh may not be the first place you think of when considering beaches, it does sit on the coast. Portobello Beach is a great example of the Scottish seaside at its best, making it a popular resort during the summer.

The promenade is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and cafés to keep you refreshed, but if you wanted to keep costs low, you could always take a picnic with you.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

If you have children, the thought of visiting a Botanic Garden as a family may not seem like something that will go down particularly well with the kids. However, at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, there are plenty of family-friendly events that can capture the imagination of your child and keep them entertained.  

The garden is filled with flowers and plants from all over the world and is free to visit. You can make a donation if you wish, but you will need to pay if you want admission to the glasshouses.

With so much culture and history, Edinburgh is the perfect city for the whole family. You can visit with children of all ages and still find plenty of things to do for free, especially with their favourite dolls pram or pushchair.