Things to do in Edinburgh for free
Whether you are coming to Edinburgh on holiday or you live here, the summer holidays can be an expensive time. The Edinburgh Festival has just started and there are still a few weeks of the school holidays left so here are my TOP FREE ACTIVITIES TO DO IN EDINBURGH WITH KIDS.
1 The National Museum of Scotland has always been a huge hit with my own sons since they were tiny. There are so many diverse collections and lots of them are interactive. You can easily spend a whole day exploring. Great for rainy day entertainement too.
2 Go for a walk in Holyrood Park. Just beside Holyrood Palace is this beautiful 640 acre park. The highest point is Arthurs' Seat, an extinct volcano that sits 251m above sea level. You can climb to the top to get excellent views of the city.
3 The Scottish National Gallery is home to one of the best collections of fine art in the world. It is open daily and they have a year round family programme of activities and a family, friendly cafe.
4 The Royal Botanic Gardens is only a 15 minute walk from the city centre. Not only does it contain of the of the world's largest plant collections, it also gives you panoramic views of Edinburgh. You are able to explore the gardens, enjoy the visitor centre or participate in the regular family events that they run.
5 The Water of Leith Visitor Centre at Slateford is a real hidden gem! You can walk along the Water of Leith and then pop into the centre for a cuppa and enjoy their interactive display. The route is suitable for cycling and some parts are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies.
6 The Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre is also worth a visit. You can do a self guided tour of the Parliament, enjoy their new exhibition which explores the Parliament's history or participate in a guided tour.
7 The People's Story Museum is located on The Royal Mile. Here you can learn what life was like in Edinburgh from the 18th century to the 20th century for working class people. This place is really rich in historical narrative and has some wonderful artifacts from Edinburghs' Past.
8 Wander through Princes Street Gardens. This public park is right in the centre of Edinburgh and all the action. There is always so much going on. There is a play area with ramp access, toilets, a cafe and lots of seating for you to sit and relax whilst your kids run off some steam.
No matter where you go in Edinburgh, I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. A personalised keepsake of your time here is a super way to keep those memories alive. My Highland Cow was designed here in Edinburgh and I have a lovely tartan and stag range of gifts that can be personalised just the way you want!