Central Edinburgh with an almost three year old (and 13 yr old)

[purplepandas]

Hi,

Any ideas of what to do in central Edinburgh for a morning with an almost three year old please (and a 13 year old but they will fit in!)? My friend likes outside ideally (covid worries) so I am hoping for decent weather.

Also any ideas welcome for inside or outside stuff to do with a 13 year DD (mine) in central Edinburgh. Any HP stuff is welcomed, she loves it! The castle is one thing she wants to do.

Thanks

Hi OP. Off the top of my head (ex Edinburgh resident, although that was before kids):

Edinburgh Zoo - not central but you can get there in about 20 mins by bus/tram from Prince’s Street.

Museum Of Childhood on the Royal Mile

More of an afternoon thing but tea at Clarinda’s Tea Room

Holyrood Palace (bottom of Royal Mile)

Greyfriars Bobby statue

Museum Of Scotland has a lot aimed at kids

There are things aimed at older kids like the Harry Potter walking tour, but prob won’t be right for your toddler!

Also if DD is a HP fan, the Elephant House cafe on George 4th bridge (near Greyfriars Bobby) is supposedly where JK Rowling wrote the first book, it’s a nice spot for lunch too although does get rammed

Camera obscura was brilliant- would appeal to all ages. (This is very close to the castle so could do both in a day)

We loved the zoo. Take a picnic.

We did the Royal Yacht Britannia - had to catch a bus from the centre and took about 20 mins. It was so much better than I was expecting. (Accessed through a shopping mall that had places to eat in)

Edinburgh Zoo is fab but a little outside the city as PP says. We also (me and DC) loved the World of Illusions (a building full of interactive visual games and effects, perfect for kids of all ages) and next time we go we want to try Dynamic Earth - a science-based (but apparently super engaging) visitor centre.

Is your toddler still in a buggy op? The walking is miles and miles!! Are you fit to push it uphill at times? Recently been with a friend. Can't imagine dragging a small dc... We did the zoo as a family but that alone - no into Edinburgh itself.

Elephant house is shut I’m afraid, following a fire.

Camera obscura is good, and right by the castle.

If you only have a morning I’d say castle and HP shop will fill it.

We love dynamic earth with our little ones. Sadly elephant cafe closed after a fire a few months back.

What about Our Dynamic Earth. My DSs have enjoyed multiple trips there over the years?

Edi is a very small city. There is an abstin of stuff to do in a really small space and the public transport is excellent (albeit busy at this time of year) it's perfect for small dc!

The Zoo if you have time. But the Museum of Scotland is fantastic for all ages, and has a great cafe.

Thanks all. Sorry, I was unclear. My friend is local ( near city) and we are meeting her with her almost three year old so luckily no buggy for me. Most of time just DD13 and me, will look at HP walking tour and shame re Elephant Cafe.

Will look into other suggestions for my DD too, lots of walking is ok. The few hours with my friend and her DD ( almost three) were trickier as she does not want to do indoor spaces due to COVID worries ( I am not COVID worried!).

So helpful, thank you 🙂🙂

if it's nice day you could meet at Portobello beach? There's an amusement arcade and ice cream / pizza etc and a couple of little play areas for the 3yr old. Aside from walking that's about your only option for a morning outdoors other than wandering the streets or Princes Street gardens. Or the botanic gardens but there's nothing for the kids to really "do" other than looking at plants! I wouldn't take a 3yr old to the castle, it's full of scottish military history and pretty boring IMO. I'd go for Camera Obscura for that mix of age groups but it's indoors.
Victoria Street is where you need to be for Harry Potter shops, it's rumoured to be the street that inspired Draigon Alley.

Lunch at Ting Thai Caravan!

Can I come??

Treasure Trails are a brilliant way to explore places

Thanks all! Really appreciate the help.