Edinburgh for kids?

[LoveCakes]

We've booked to go to Scotland for a week or so to visit family at the end of April and were going to spend a few days in Edinburgh. I've been a few times but hubby hasn't so we'll do the castle but anything good for a then 20 month old?

I'll be nearly 6 months pregnant by then so might give Arthur's Seat a miss this time!

 

[JaneyScot]

How about edinburgh zoo or deep sea world in north Queensferry. The national museum in chambers street is good for kids too and it's free!.

 

[AP]

I'd go with Deep Sea World too, Edinburgh Zoo can be a bit hilly but there is a vehicle thing that can take you up.
There's a few soft plays that aren't too bad.

 

[MindUtopia]

The National Museum of Scotland was great. Your LO might be a bit too young to appreciate some of it, but there is a great hands on area for kids with lots of activities, musical instruments, fossils to dig, etc. Also, the cafe is lovely and family friendly. Plus, it's free. And then have a coat check where you can leave your pushchair if you wish. We spent a whole morning there when we went and our daughter loved it (she was about 32 months at the time).

Edinburgh Zoo is also good. It is hilly, but doable if you are relatively fit even when 6 months pregnant.

 

[Kitters]

As you've been to Edinburgh before, you'll know what a hilly, cobbley city we have probably wise you're doing it whilst your little one is still at buggy age!

As others have said, the museum on Chambers St is great, with plenty of interactive stuff and an AWESOME animal gallery with life size sculptures.

I would personally never recommend Edinburgh Zoo, sorry to PPs. It's common opinion locally that it's very cruelly led, and it is just heartbreaking to see some of the animals in there. The enclosures are quite small and the psychological damage is pretty evident in most cases.

Gorgie City Farm is great, though. There are pigs, goats, sheep, a cow, chickens and various smaller animals and reptiles (I think), it's great for little ones and DS had an absolutely great time there for his 1st birthday. It's free, and the animals are clearly very well looked after.

There's quite a few soft plays around Edinburgh if you get a rainy day or your little one needs to run off some energy. If you don't fancy one of the really big ones there's a few smaller more boutiquey ones with really nice cafes etc, two in particular that spring to mind are in Barnton and Morningside if you Google that.

If you get a nice day there's some good parks with playgrounds, and The Botanics. I've not been to the Commonwealth Pool in ages, but it's had a massive refurb in the last few years and I gather the family changing facilities are really good, and there is baby pool, soft play, creche etc.

If there is anything more specific that you want to know or want any help with accommodation (I run a holiday let company), feel free to drop me a pm

 

[JessyG]

I used to live there for 27 years and as lovely as the zoo is, I wouldn't think its great if you are heavily pregnant and the animals are so often out of sight a young toddler might not see much.

Gorgie farm is great as are a couple of other places slightly out of Edinburgh. Do you have a car with you. If so Almond valley farm is great its in west Lothian. As is the five sisters zoo in west Lothian.

If you can't get there, deep sea world us ok, if slightly overpriced and small!

The butterfly world is in dalkeith, its pretty cool although admittedly I haven't taken my DD. We have a botanical garden which is again pretty good.

Plenty soft plays around, I think there is one in Leith (where the old water world is!) although i am not sure about that.

The national museum is good too.

Arthur seat may be out but there is a big pond at the bottom which is good for feeding the ducks if you get a decent day.

 

[tallybee]

I'm going to echo some ideas already given, the national museum on chambers street is brill and free, the botanic gardens are beautiful and free, the butterfly and insect world is great, gorgie city farm is fab! There's also the museum of childhood on the Royal mile which is also free!

 

[Natasha2605]

I think Deep Sea World is awful for the price you pay!

Gorgie Farm, we went last summer and it was also awful. There wasn't even a horse. My kids were disappointed.

The national museum is a favourite with my kiddies and is good for little toddlers too. Lots to look at, touch etc.

Almond Valley, I agree is also excellent if you can get to it!