Need ideas for fun things to do for families in Edinburgh

[katalex]

We are taking the dcs ages 11 and 8 to Edinburgh for a few days and we need some ideas for things to do that we will all enjoy. Dd has done some research online but she said that she couldn't find anything other than the zoo. Does anyone have any suggestions? Dh wanted to do the underground tour but ds (age 8) says it looks too scary so now dh is not happy and I need to come up with some alternatives.

[Groovee]

Camera Obscura with Tesco days out vouchers.

The bus tours are good too.

The museum at Chamber Street is free and lots to do.

The childhood museum and the People's Story are free and fun to do.

Princes Street Gardens for a wander.

The Castle is nice and the views are great.

[katalex]

Thanks Groovee!

[Eigg]

I'm not sure your DD tried terribly hard to find anything...

The Chamber Street museum is really excellent.

Dynamic Earth is great.

Camera Obscura is also good.

Edinburgh castle (good though not as good as Stitling Castle imo)

There are a variety of walking tours around the city - a number are of the 'funny' variety rather than 'scary'

There are also loads of other museums (including a childhood museum) and art galleries.

Take a walk up Arthur's Seat.

Go on a bus tour.

And of course the Zoo

[katalex]

Thanks Eigg. I doubt she spent much time looking

Dynamic Earth looks really good.

[situatedknowledge]

The National Museum is bloody brilliant for kids. Way better than most because it is relatively quiet, and they have a space suit you can stand inside and pretend to be Tim Peake in. They also have robot arms and Dolly the sheep. (Also, museumy stuff, lots of it)

Second vote for Camera Obscura. Don't be put off by the price, the DC absolutely love it, and can spend hours in the attached bonkers bit.

[pippitysqueakity]

When are you going? Just that around the middle of August the Fringe kicks in and there will be loads of street theatre. Silverknowes/Crammond great for beach, totally agree with all other suggestions, plus there are some great parks, and swimming pools. Also Medical Museum if your DCs like that sort of thing. Edinburgh Dungeon quite good, maybe too much for wee one if she doesn't fancy Mary Kings Close, but are loads of other tours. Actually Edinburgh is nice to walk around and Arthur's Seat definitely worth a walk up if you have time. I'd make a plan with the 11 year old, cos once they are on board it definitely helps.

[pippitysqueakity]

Oh, and children usually like Greyfriars Bobby statue, and then it's not far to the Meadows with a great playpark

[katalex]

Great suggestions, thanks. We're going on Sunday pippity so we'll miss the festival.

[Cguk81]

Dynamic earth and the national museum are great. If it's dry just grab a picnic and sit in Princes Street gardens all day, it's really lovely there. And a wander up thr royal mile is a must too. The open top bus tour is also really good and you can hop on and off. If you have a car and it's wet weather then a trip to the climbing arena at Ratho is worth it...perfect for kids at that age.

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

Dynamic Earth is good my kids loved it
Sightseeing bus tour was good as well they have horrible histories commentary for the kids and useful as a hop on and off service to save your legs. The kids loved sitting on the open top deck as well even though it was freezing!!!

[Eigg]

katalex

[WankersHacksandThieves]

Yes to all the above. There is loads to do, maybe your 11 year old just wanted to hit the shops? :o

Harvey Nics have the chocolate cafe? Last time I was in they had an open air cinema in St Andrews square. Will probably already be street theatre up the high street. There is also Brittania, Portobello beach, The Botanic Gardens, Art galleries etc.

Greyfriars bobby is worth a visit while you are doing the chamber street museum and remember to see the flower clock in Princes Street gardens - just at the bottom of the mound on the west side.