Outdoor activities for babies/toddlers near Edinburgh

[OnlyOneBike]

DS is 15months old and wants to go out all the time. The weather is too bad recently. Our local parks are mostly quite exposed so we can't spend too much time there.

Softplays aren't an option for us at the moment. We'll have a long car journey coming up in a week so I'm trying to avoid crowded indoor places just to minimise the chance of him catching a cold or tummy bug before the trip.

Could people suggest some outdoor places near Edinburgh or Livingston that's not too exposed but for DS to drain energy please?

TIA

I used to take DS to the garden centre just for a trip out in the winter. There is usually a decent outdoor space with a roof. Some have fish and the like, most have elaborate displays of Christmas decorations at the moment. Even the outside with no roof is at least hard paved, often animal shaped garden ornaments and the like. Car park, cafe, toilets. It's the dream toddler destination really.

Thanks. That's a good idea! We are close to a Dobbies which has a soft play as well.

The zoo! We've got annual membership-costs less than 3 single visits, and it's great. There are two play park areas, lots picnic tables, and obviously the animals. All safe to run around.

Oh yes Dobbies is good too. Kill some time at the tropical fish as well..