What to do in Edinburgh with child that keeps running off?

[MC846]

My son, just turned 7 has suspected ADHD and over the last few months has taken to running off whenever we go anywhere. It's got so bad we've stopped really going anywhere. We've booked a big family holiday to Edinburgh for Christmas, the whole family is going and a lot of money had been spent.

Once everyone arrives at the lodge we've booked all should be fine. My dilemma is that we arrive in Edinburgh at 9.00am on the 23rd, hours before any of the other family and 6 hours before we can book into our accommodation.

What can I do with him for 6 hours in Edinburgh where he's contained and can't run off? I can probably find a soft play but would only get a couple hours out of that. Any ideas or local knowledge would be greatly welcomed. We would lose a lot of money and the once in a lifetime chance to make amazing memories if we cancel.

We'll be in Musselborough.

I would also recommend a wrist strap OP. I had a runner too and it was really useful. You may get some odd looks but you're keeping him safe.

How are you getting out to Musselburgh from Edinburgh? Someone above mentioned WeeHailes adventure park which is part of Newhailes House and is actually in Musselburgh, so that might be handy.

Open top bus tour?

Just here to recommend shoe insoles which have a cut out to put a tracker in.

I was just going to.suggest the zoo, they can leave their bags at Waverly and get the tram out to the zoo those hills should keep him busy.

Yes I had a bolter and she had a wrist strap till she was 5, I know he is 7 but it doesn't matter just get 1, nobody will actually care.

Have you got a hire car?
if so, you don’t want to be taking it into the city centre. If you go to the museum I’d leave it on a park &
ride car park with your luggage and use the bus or tram into the centre. The zoo would be a good option if the weather is ok and they have parking.
ultimately though I’d buy a set of reigns for your peace and mind.

Another vote for the Commonwealth pool - for swimming and soft play.

National museum of Scotland is large and enclosed but it will be very busy so could be stressful. If weather not awful there's a good play park on the east side of the Meadows (ie near the Commonwealth pool if you go there).

There might be some family friendly film screenings on - check out Filmhouse.

I'd rebook flights tbh - city centre and all attractions will be full on the 23rd, with Christmas Market on etc. National Museum is great but again, lots of space to explore over 3 floors. Too many opportunitues to get lost if running away imo.

Oh are you flying i misread your whole post sorry,

If you’re keen to be close to your accommodation in Musselburgh, I would do WeeHailes as others have recommended, or AirHop trampoline park if weather not good. A little further out is Dalkeith Country Park - great adventure playground on bigger scale than WeeHailes

If you think there is a very high risk that your son will become overwhelmed and bolt, how about booking a day room at a hotel? I can see the Leonardo Murrayfield (with pool) does this. It is just up the road from the Zoo.

6 hours is a long time to kill if you are all tired from an early flight and the weather isn’t great.

There is a huge park and also loads of steps! Get him running up the steps to the castle and then onto the park. The castle itself is pretty good for burning off energy too.

Or climb up Arthur's Seat... I was shattered after doing that!

I’d vote for swim and soft play at commie pool - it’s contained, they need to burn off energy and with the swim plus soft play you can kill several hours. Nat museum will likely be rammed and it’s not a letting off steam kind of place.

This is brilliant thank you, I've looked at trackers but he'd take it off.

I don't think he'd leave the house if I put him in a wrist strap, I have tried in the past but it would drive him crazy, he has sensory issues but thank you.

There are great ideas on here for activities but you have solved the problem. I didn't even know this was a thing but somewhere I can take him to relax before we go out or when I see he's getting overwhelmed is what I need and this is perfect. I knew I'd find the answer here 👍

Weehailes is great for that age and safe, there’s also a trampoline park (airship) in Musselburgh in the newhailes industrial estate as well as the beach to skim stones and the famous Luca’s ice cream parlour

Assuming you don't have a car I would second the suggestion of Tumbles softplay in Portobello. It's upstairs in the council gymnastics centre and there is a maglock gate at the entry desk so kids can't run in and out (or avoid paying!).

The Portobello promenade is busy but car free and very long so even if he sprints off outside he'd be fairly safe.
Newhailes National Trust house & park has a gated (paid for) kids adventure play section - on the inner side of Musselburgh so might work for you travel wise.

Edinburgh zoo is on a steep hill, @MC846

To be honest I wouldn't take him to the National Museum on your own - it's great but loads of rooms & staircases & stuff to hide behind so easy to lose a kid there (happened to me, very stressful but staff were amazing and found them almost immediately).

a lot easier to get a bus which stops outside the zoo than the tram!

I actually meant the bus tbf i don't know why I said tram.

Ooft cardinal sin, those are not gobbles they are Setts. Don’t let some locals hear that blasphemy.