Edinburgh

Family-friendly Activities

Our most recommended Edinburgh Family-friendly Activities

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  1. Edinburgh: Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Ticket

  As you weave your way through the World of Illusions, remember nothing is as it seems. Venture through 5 floors jam-packed with over 100 illusions. Start at the rooftop terrace and enjoy 360-degree views of Edinburgh. Get closer to the sights using the range of telescopes and binoculars. Then join your guide inside the Victorian rooftop chamber to see Edinburgh as never before. Discover the Camera Obscura, a live moving image of Edinburgh projected through a periscope, while listening to a fascinating account of the city’s history. Make your way down through 5 floors of interactive displays and clever illusions. Discover a swirling light vortex, a maze of mirrors, get the chance to swap noses with a friend, see yourself grow, shrink and stretch, and mess with your mind with brilliant visual effects. 

  My partner and I have never been to a place like this so it was really interesting! There’s different mirrors, tools and illusions to explore. The only negative for us was that the staff didn’t stagger people coming in, which made every room feel very busy and made you feel as though you had to rush to allow the next people to look, which I would have thought during covid times would be more so! However, the overall experience was good and a great way to have a bit of fun and kill time. The view at the top is amazing!

  Reviewed by Jasmine, 26/09/2021
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  2. Edinburgh: Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making

  Embark on an interactive chocolate experience, from chocolate tree to Scottish chocolate bar with an expert guide. Smell the roasting chocolate and see how chocolate is transformed from bitter beans to sweet, smooth chocolate. See real chocolate fruit and taste chocolate samples at different stages of the production process. In the Chocolate Kitchen, choose your own bar design, select your favorite flavors and create your own personalized bar, ready to collect at the end of your tour. While you are waiting for your chocolate bar to cool, take a seat in the Tasting Room. Here, learn about Scottish chocolate makers, sample fine single-origin chocolate, have a cup of hot cacao tea and choose your favorite chocolates to try from rows of chocolate tasting jars.

  Such a great time. I learned a lot and it was really cool to see the different origins of chocolate

  Reviewed by Nicole, 22/09/2021
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  3. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

  Enjoy a Harry Potter themed walking tour across Edinburgh. See the city where JK Rowling found inspiration for Hogwarts, her famous characters, and discover the place where she wrote the books. Have your Harry Potter trivia tested with an audio-visual quiz, and earn points for your house. Find out which Hogwarts House you’re in, and whether you’re a pure blood, a muggle, or a squib. Visit the Grave of Tom Riddle in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and pass JK Rowling’s golden handprints outside City Chambers. See all this and more on a magical 2-hour guided tour. Best of all, choose from either a small-group or private guided experience.

  My daughters had a lovely time exploring Edinburgh city along with gaining knowledge about the Harry Potter tour . The guide Kieran was very interactive and made the trip worth looking forward to. Thank you.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 28/09/2021
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  4. The Scotch Whisky Experience: Guided Tour and Whisky Tasting

  This guided whisky tour tells the story of Scotland’s most famous product. A highlight of these tours is the Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection, which is the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky, encompassing almost 3,500 individual bottles. This tour starts with the Whisky barrel car ride, which takes guests through the production and maturation process of Scotch whisky. This is followed by a sensory journey of Scotland including an introduction to Scotch whisky aromas. Next, enjoy a tutored appreciation of Scotch whisky along with a viewing of the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whisky (guests under 18 years of age will be given Irn Bru, a Scottish soft drink). The gift of a crystal tasting glass is included with this tour. If you select the gold tour option, after enjoying a full guided tour, you'll compare and contrast 4 regional single malts whilst relaxing ...

  An amazing learning and tasting experience. Highly recommend upgrading to the gold to experience all the regions of Whisky production.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 28/09/2021
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  5. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

  Experience a little magic on a 2-hour walking tour of Edinburgh that is perfect for all fans of Harry Potter. Learn all the stories and secrets behind the best selling books by J.K. Rowling in the city where she wrote them. Visit the original sites that provided the inspiration for Hogwarts and the characters who dwelled within its magical walls. Stroll along the High Street to see where Diagon Alley came to life and where Lord Voldemort is buried. See the original Hogwarts School, and look at a virtual school assembly of its characters! Learn how Edinburgh’s own dark history of witches and wizards played a role in inspiring J.K. Rowling along the way. 

  A wonderful tour by the lovely (and very knowledgeable Jenn). I booked this tour as a surprise for my daughters 9th birthday and she absolutely loved it! Would recommend - 10 out of 10!

  Reviewed by Geraldine, 28/09/2021
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  6. Firth of Forth: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

  The Firth of Forth is simply overflowing with myths, turbulent history, and fascinating marine wildlife. Join this boat tour on a 90-minute cruise onboard a superb vessel. Depart from South Queensferry, which is only a short distance from Scotland's bustling capital city of Edinburgh. Take in views of Blackness Castle, the ship that never sails and featured in Outlander and the Outlaw King. There are also views of Limekilns village, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped'. It was from Limekilns that David Balfour and Alan Breck were carried across the Forth in a rowing boat. You will also see the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before including the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge. For your comfort relax onboard with friends and family in the observation lounge or on the outside decks and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy your complimentary cream tea...

  We didn't have the greatest of starts, due to us arriving late, but thankfully the boat waiting for us. All of the crew were very friendly, the service for the cream tea was excellent. It was great to hear about the local history and facts of the area as we sailed around. A very enjoyable 90 minutes, well worth the money.

  Reviewed by Jayne, 24/09/2021
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  7. Edinburgh Private Tour: The Castle to the Arthur's Seat

  Book this tour and your hosts will contact you within 24 hours and ask you questions about your preferences and interests, so they can match you with the right profile and assign a like-minded local Edinburgher. He or she who will become your guide. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Keeping in mind your personal answers they will put together a bespoke itinerary, just for you. Please note that this will be outlined but flexible. They will arrange a meeting with your guide in the most convenient place for you. If during the tour you feel like changing direction, or your guide believes that you'd enjoy a sight or different experience, they will suggest and discuss with you changes to the itinerary. Enjoy discovering amazing spots in Edinburgh that ...

  We wanted something different and Doug allowed us to have that. We saw some great sites, learnt a lot about the area and were able to do what we wanted to do. Doug was extremely accommodating, knowledgable and a joy to be with.

  Reviewed by Karin, 04/08/2021
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  8. Old Edinburgh's Gory Stories: Kids Underground Tour

  Hear tales of stinking streets, terrible tortures and ghostly goings-on.  A daytime tour that will take you to some of the city’s most horrible haunts, including a visit to the famous Blair Street Underground Vaults. You’ll hear all about the creepy characters lurking in the past, and the hideous history of how people lived in 19th century Edinburgh. As you walk this city built on witch trials, body snatching and a gruesome past of torture, your expert guide will take you to the places where history lives. You will visit the winding closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Learn the meaning of "gardyloo" and hope you never hear it, grimace at the tales of Scottish witches and find out what treasure could be found buried in a 19th century graveyard (clue: it’s not gold and shiny). You’ll even hear what school children commonly packed in their school bags, other than their books. This was a time ...

  Naomi (or Rose which she joked about) was very knowledgable about the vaults and had the kids really interested in the story’s especially Jack the little boy and the cobbler. Well worth the money!! Sam, Izzy and Olly from Hull, England

  Reviewed by Samantha, 26/08/2021
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  9. Edinburgh: Guided Harry Potter Tour in French

  The success of Harry Potter put Edinburgh on the map. Indeed JK Rowling moved to Edinburgh in the 90s with a few chapters of Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone in hand, but it is in Edinburgh that her novels evolved. Discover the city that saw the wizarding world of Harry Potter come to light, as you follow the footsteps of JK Rowling during a guided tour of Edinburgh in French. You will not only learn anecdotes about Harry Potter, but also the life of the author whilst visiting little hidden corners of Edinburgh that strongly resemble the world imagined by JK Rowling. With your passionate French tour guide, the tour will take you to the Old Town where the author spent a lot of time in cafes, walking in the local graveyard, and traversing the narrow winding cobbled streets to seek inspiration from objects and the surrounding atmosphere. You will find out the origins and symbolism o...

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  10. Edinburgh: Pirate Treasure Hunt City Discovery Game

  Discover Edinburgh's history and main locations from a pirate's perspective on this treasure hunt. Meet your guide at Calton Island, where your game will begin. After a short introduction, get kitted out with all the tools you will need to complete the game. The kit comes in a bag that has all the clues and tools you need to work through and a treasure map with a route to follow. Once the game begins, use the tools provided along with elements of the city to crack codes, open padlocks, and move forward in the pirate-themed game. Wander around Calton Island and Regent River to solve clues and discover landmarks such as the Royal Observatory, Nelson Monument, Burns Monument, and some other off-the-beaten-track locations. At the top of the hill, enjoy panoramic views of the entire city.

  The Pirate Treasure Hunt was an absolutely AMAZING way to spend an afternoon in Edinburgh! We met our fantastic game master, Sabi, at the start who walked us through the activity and then she was on hand via text to offer clues if need be. The treasure hunt clues are well thought out and you end up seeing bits of Edinburgh you would never see otherwise. If you like solving puzzles and thinking outside of the box, this activity is for you and you learn some history along the way. Can’t wait to do another one soon!!

  Reviewed by Tracy, 08/07/2021