The UK is a nation of pet lovers with over 20 million dogs and cats in our households. As integral parts of our families they provide enormous joy and support and in return we want to look after them as best we can.
Over the last 20 years advances in veterinary medicine have been vast, but corporatisation of the profession has taken away much of the personal touch. Mackie and Brechin Vets in Kirkliston and Linlithgow are an exception to this. As a long established independent practice with the owners working daily in the surgery, they provide a refreshing antidote to the corporate model, providing exceptional care with the traditional levels of customer service that we would hope for our most beloved companions.
For more information see www.mackieandbrechin.co.uk or call them on 0131 333 3203.
Splash & Glow
Step into glowing, immersive experience where you can splash, spin, and create with vibrant neon paints in a studio full of music, lights, and energy. Perfect for all ages, our paint splash sessions are all about having fun, with no experience needed.
Want to level it up? Join one of our silent disco sessions and paint to your own beat, or grab your friends for our BYOB (18+) sessions where you can sip, splash and vibe.
Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or planning a party, it’s the ultimate way to get messy, get creative and make unforgettable memories. We provide everything you’ll need to create your masterpiece, including PPE. We also have add ons available to make the experience even more unforgettable.
Find us at Ocean Terminal.
Supporting Anxious Minds
Online nurture groups and 1-1 sessions designed and created to provide emotional support to children and teenagers who might be struggling with their mental health and general emotional wellbeing.
Meeting online in small groups of 4, to share our worries, build a toolkit to manage our anxiety and ultimately build resilience in order to cope with life’s ups and downs. Embracing a fully child-centred approach, The Worry Jar is a safe space for young people to be heard and to express themselves without fear of judgement; a place for connection and to make friends. Neurodivergent groups are widely available and 1-1 sessions are also offered if that’s more suitable than a group setting. Let’s shape a healthier future.
To find out more, email info@theworryjar.co.uk or visit www.theworryjar.co.uk
Caledonia Play
Shown here against one of Scotland’s most iconic backdrops, our handcrafted swing frame brings timeless outdoor play to the garden.
Made from beautifully rounded timbers, it offers a natural, understated aesthetic while delivering exceptional strength and stability for years of fun and play.
Thoughtfully engineered, the frame is robust and durable, with well-spaced swing points that ensure a smooth, balanced motion. Available as a single, double or triple configuration, it can be tailored to suit growing families and changing needs.
Seats can be easily interchanged, from baby seats to deluxe rubber options, offering complete flexibility to suit different ages and abilities. With high-quality ropes, durable fittings, and sustainably sourced, pressure-treated timber, it is built to last, encouraging fresh air, freedom and lasting memories in any wellloved garden.
Caledonia Play is based in Milnathort. To discuss your garden project, visit www.caledoniaplay.com or call 01577 840570.
Support your child’s school learning at home
Support your child’s school learning at home, with Leckie’s Primary Success Practice Workbooks.
Each book contains more than 100 pages of colourful, topic-based practice designed to help reinforce the topics taught at primary school.
Questions are split into three levels of increasing difficulty to support every child, and progress tests are included to help parents monitor achievements and identify areas for improvement.
Each book contains clear answers so older children can study independently.
Search for Primary Success at www.leckiescotland.co.uk and save 30% using the code FAMILIESMAG30 at the checkout before 31 August 2026.
Professional pram cleaning and repairs
At The Buggy Repair Centre, professional pram and buggy cleaning is at the heart of what we do. We help families across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Central, and Fife restore tired, well-used prams and buggies, leaving them fresh, hygienic, and ready for everyday adventures.
Based in Stockbridge, we specialise in deep cleaning, servicing, and repairs, helping parents extend the life of their prams and buggies while saving money and reducing waste.
Alongside cleaning services, we also carry out repairs, including wheels, brakes, harnesses, stitching, clips, poppers, and small welds. As options vary depending on the make, model and parts availability, we recommend that customers contact us first so we can advise on the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Whether your buggy needs a professional clean or essential repairs, The Buggy Repair Centre offers a trusted and affordable alternative to replacing it altogether. For added convenience, we also offer a collection and return service for cleaning orders across the regions.
To find out more or book online, visit www.buggyrepaircentre.co.uk
Divorce
doesn’t have to be a snap decision, and that’s a good thing
From Gibson Kerr Family Law Solicitors
If you’ve been lying awake at night wondering if your marriage is over, you’re not alone. It’s a position many people find themselves in, and it can feel overwhelming. One thing I often hear as a family law solicitor is that people think once they start considering divorce, they need to have everything decided straight away. The reality is, you don’t, and you’re not expected to.
The time between separation and divorce is important In Scotland, divorce doesn’t happen overnight. Before you can apply, you need to have been living separately for at least a year if you both agree, or two years if you don’t. That’s not just red tape, it’s also there to give you breathing space.
That time can be really valuable. It allows you to get a clearer picture of your finances, think about what arrangements will work best for your children, and get the right advice before making any big decisions.
You don’t need all the answers yet People sometimes worry that speaking to a solicitor means they’re setting everything in motion. It doesn’t. That first conversation is a chance to talk things through and understand your options.
Whether you’re just starting to question things or you’ve been separated for a while, getting advice early can make a big difference. There’s no ‘right time’ it’s about what feels right for you.
Having a plan makes things feel manageable
One of the biggest benefits of getting proper legal advice is having a clear plan. When you understand what’s ahead, from your home and finances to pensions and arrangements for your children, things can feel a lot less daunting. Instead of feeling
Divorce is tough.
But with the right support, facing it doesn’t have to be.
Sometimes, we all need help to move on in the right direction. At Gibson Kerr, our family law solicitors have been trusted by hundreds of people to provide advice and support. And we understand that each of them has unique needs.
If you’re going through a separation or divorce, we can help navigate you through the process for the best possible outcome. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
Call 0131 202 7516 or email edinburgh@gibsonkerr.co.uk
www.gibsonkerr.co.uk
like everything’s happening to you, you can start to feel more in control.
Getting the help you need
Separation and divorce affect almost every part of your life, your home, your income, your future, and your family. It’s not something to navigate based on guesswork or well-meaning advice from others.
Scottish law aims to divide things fairly, but ‘fair’ doesn’t always mean what people expect. Having an experienced family law solicitor on your side means you’ll understand your rights properly and make informed decisions that protect your longterm interests.
Looking ahead
While it might not feel like it just now, there is life on the other side of separation, and for many people, it’s a positive new chapter. What we often hear from clients is that once they have a plan and the right support in place, things feel much more manageable.
If you’re at that uncertain stage, you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step and have a conversation with someone who understands what you’re going through. We can take it from there, together.
If you’re thinking about separation or divorce and would like a confidential, no-obligation chat with an experienced Edinburgh family law solicitor, we’re here when you’re ready. Call us or get in touch online to arrange a confidential chat at a time that suits you.
Call 0131 202 7516 or email edinburgh@gibsonkerr.co.uk
Your legal rights
by Karen Phillips and Anelia Black, Blackadders
We often hear that making a Will means you’re in control. For many people, that feels reassuring, but under Scots law, there is an important catch, one that regularly comes as a shock to families at the very moment they are least able to deal with it. It’s called legal rights.
Legal rights limit how freely you can leave your estate. They don’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. In fact, they exist to protect close family members. But if they aren’t understood and planned for during your lifetime, they can cause confusion, distress and difficult conversations long after you are gone. What are legal rights?
In Scotland, you cannot completely disinherit your spouse or your children, even if your Will says otherwise. Legal rights give them an entitlement to a fixed share of your net moveable estate, comprising generally money, investments and possessions, after certain debts and expenses are paid. Property usually falls outside legal rights. If someone is entitled under a Will and to legal rights, they must choose one or the other. They cannot have both.
‘I didn’t even know they existed’
Recently, we were instructed by a woman called Shelley who had always believed she was an only child. When her father died, she discovered he had children from a previous relationship, children she had never met and knew nothing about.
Those children were legally entitled to claim part of the estate. As a result, Shelley’s inheritance was reduced significantly.
What troubled her most wasn’t the money. It was the shock: strangers suddenly appearing with enforceable legal claims and the sense that everything she thought she knew about her family had changed overnight.
Children’s entitlement
Children are entitled to legal rights, regardless of the quality of the relationship.
• If there is a surviving spouse, children share one third of the moveable estate
• If there is no surviving spouse, children share one half In blended families, this can radically alter outcomes, especially where a parent assumes everything can safely be left to a new partner.
A practical example
Mike was the only child of his father, Derek. After Mike’s mother died, Derek remarried. Mike and his step mother, Tracey, were never close, but relations were polite.
When Tracey went into care, Mike helped organise the house clearance and prepare it for sale. She died suddenly before the house was even on the market.
Tracey’s Will left the house to her nieces and nephews. Mike was to receive the remaining estate, but after care fees and expenses, there was nothing left. From Mike’s point of view, the outcome felt unfair. With proper planning, it could have looked very different.
Legal rights and separation: what lingers matters
Legal ties don’t disappear just because relationships change. Take another common scenario. A married couple separate. They live separate lives and have little contact.
They have a child together and the wife makes a Will leaving her entire estate to that child, appointing her parents as executors. Years later, she dies suddenly. Her parents, already grieving, are advised that although the Will reflects her wishes, her estranged husband must still be contacted about his legal rights as a surviving spouse.
For families, this often comes as a distressing and deeply uncomfortable shock.
Legal rights aren’t necessarily a bad thing
Legal rights often sound negative, but they can be very useful when planned for properly.mIn the right circumstances, they can:
• Support care costs planning;
• Allow inheritance to be received earlier, rather than tied up for years;
• Sit alongside wider succession planning, trusts and tax advice.
Can you ignore them?
Legal rights are an undischarged debt against the estate. If legal rights are neither claimed nor formally discharged, they don’t just fade away. They can sit there, legally unresolved, for up to 20 years.
That uncertainty can cause problems for executors and beneficiaries long after an estate appears ‘finished’. There may also be inheritance tax implications if legal rights aren’t dealt with within two years of death, depending on the claimant’s circumstances.
What can you do?
If you have a blended family, are separated but still married, or simply want clarity about what would happen if you died tomorrow, a short conversation with your solicitor now (or us if you don’t have one) could save years of difficulty later.
Legal rights aren’t about taking control away. They’re about understanding the rules and using them wisely.
If there are issues you would like us to write about in future editions, please let us know.
Anelia Black Karen Phillips
What Shall We Do Today?
Read on and check out all the wonderful things going on in and around Edinburgh to keep your family busy this summer. Keep your copy of Families Edinburgh close to hand and you’ll never be short of something to do! Whatever our Scottish Summer throws at us we’ve got you covered!
Foxlake
Foxlake is a 5-star award-winning adventure hub offering a wide variety of unique and exhilarating adrenaline filled outdoor activities.
Including the UK’s first ropes course over water in FoxFall, Aqua Park, Wakeboarding, Ringos, Open Water Swimming and our ‘Hot Fox’ Sauna and Cold Plunge!
Located in the heart of East Lothian 25 miles east of Edinburgh, Foxlake is nestled in beautiful woodland on the edge of the John Muir Way. It’s perfect for family fun, to try Wakeboarding at Scotland’s first cable park, brave the course on FoxFall and grab a bite to eat at award-winning Jay Birds Larder.
Have a wild day out this summer at Edinburgh Zoo!
From charming penguins to majestic giraffes and Scotland’s only sloths and koalas, there’s something for the whole pride to explore at Edinburgh Zoo. Waddle your way to the zoo to see the newest arrivals, explore incredible exhibits, see all your favourite animals and make a day of unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to head along to the variety of ROARsome events at the zoo this summer ranging from special Zoo-fari Tours and Wild Discovery Days to Tea and Talk sessions!
Check out the Edinburgh Zoo website for more details and book online to save.
Summer Reading Challenge 2026
This summer, libraries are inviting children to discover the connection between music and storytelling through the Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat. Running from 20 June the challenge has a new partnership with Universal Music Group UK, harnessing the appeal of music to reverse declining reading enjoyment among young people.
Children can sign up at their local library, where they’ll receive a collector’s folder and earn stickers and cards as rewards for each book - including ebooks and audiobookscompleted over the summer. www.readingagency.org.uk
From 7-31 August Edinburgh will be jam packed with joy and jugglers for Edinburgh Fringe! On pages 15 to 23 you’ll find an extraordinary choice of amazing shows for the whole family.
Looking for a FREE family day out?
Then come discover the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, based in Leith, Edinburgh and attached to the McDonald Road Fire Station.
Families can dive into Scotland’s firefighting story through hands-on fun for all ages. Our galleries feature vintage fire engines, digital displays and a chance to dress up as a firefighter in the popular Being a Firefighter gallery. Kids can grab search & explore bags, challenge sheets, or wee ones can relax in our cosy reading and mini play areas. You can even look out over the drill yard and spot real firefighters in action!
There are regular family events, many are FREE or low-costcheck out www.MOSFH.org/whats-on for what’s coming up.
Feel the summer buzz!
With long days and sunny weather (we hope!), summer begins outdoors. At an RSPB nature reserve you can give the kids the room to roam, run free and enjoy the simple pleasures of nature together as a family.
Just half an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, escape the city and delve into a world of wildlife at RSPB Loch Leven. There are self-led activities throughout the holidays, a nature themed shop and a café with views out across the Loch. If you are up for more of a challenge, head up the hill and explore the woodland, but don’t forget to pack your sandwiches and let the kids play as you enjoy the views.
RSPB Loch Leven also has a Changing Places toilet, raised pond dipping areas suitable for wheelchairs and an accessible route out to the Loch Leven Heritage Trail. www.rspb.org.uk/lochleven
Doodles is the perfect place for creative groups to gather!
Pottery painting is a fun activity for all ages and our separate dedicated events room can be booked for exclusive groups of children and family visits. Please get in touch to find out more. www.doodlesscotland.co.uk
Play - here, there, everywhere
Wednesday 5 August is Playday, the national day for play. Celebrated across the UK each year, Playday calls on families, community leaders, play providers, childcare settings and everyone working with children and young people to promote and champion the importance of play. Find out more at playscotland.org/play day-2026
baby clay imprints unique gifts take home kits birthday parties gift vouchers hundreds of items and colours to choose from .
Let your kids run rampant this summer in the bountiful
fields of Border Berries
A family-run PYO farm, Border Beries is full of fresh, juicy Scottish strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, red and blackcurrants. Great for tasting right away, whisking home for baking, puddings or jam – berry picking is one of life’s simple pleasures for little foragers.
A picnic area and café with splitfresh baking, smoothies and homemade ice-cream, serves hungry pickers. No entry charges, just get picking! No pre-booking or entry charges - just turn up and pick in our open-air fields of naturally ripened berries. Find us down in the Scottish Borders, about an hour from Edinburgh bypass.
Open from July until mid-August. To plan your visit and check what’s ripe when, visit www.borderberries.co.uk
Summer Camps and Classes
Take a look through pages 10 to 14 and take your pick from loads of amazing activities. I will never cease to be jealous of what is on offer for our kids!
Family fun at Almond Valley Heritage Centre
Almond Valley Heritage Centre is packed with family fun, adventures and imagination! You can meet amazing new animal friends in the Rare Breed Farm, explore local history, ride on the train or tractor, eat in the cafe or picnic areas and enjoy indoor and
play zones.
Daily experiences on the site include hourly rides on the farm tractor or narrow-gauge train, and animal feeding sessions. In the morning, you can join the cheeky Bagot and Pygmy goats for breakfast or have a late lunch with a gang of energetic alpacas.
From Monday 13-Friday 17 July, the Festival of Myths & Legends will bring the 23-acre site at Almond Valley alive with glorious dragon encounters, inspirational storytelling, baby hatchling sessions, mythical craftivities and legendary quests.
Open 10am-5pm, 7 days a week Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7AR www.almondvalley.co.uk
Discover one of the finest surviving Victorian colliery buildings in Europe in the historic mining village of Newtongrange.
The National Mining Museum offers an unforgettable day out for the whole family, bringing Scotland’s rich mining heritage to life through fascinating exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and guided tours led by former miners who once worked underground themselves.
Visitors can choose to join an expert-led tour or explore the site at their own pace with a self-guided visit. During the summer holidays, the museum hosts a packed programme of familyfriendly events and activities, including craft days, games, dino days and the BIG event of the summer, the annual Family Fun Day – an event not to be missed!
The site also features a café, children’s play area, and picnic facilities. Open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm, the museum offers a memorable and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4QN
Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse this summer to discover history and nature
Take inspiration from Holyrood Abbey with Monday Makes and create your own artwork inspired by stained glass windows. Get hands on with history and explore historic and replica objects every Tuesday.
Throughout July we will be celebrating the Physic garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with a number of special events. On Saturday 18 July join us for the Physic Garden Festival. This FREE event will offer the chance to explore the Physic Garden through crafts, stories and music. On 10 July toddlers can explore the garden in a special Explorer Royal Rhyme Time session. Join us on 24 July for a Family Workshop designing botanical plates or explore nature through yoga in special workshops on 31 July.
Don’t forget, you can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse or The King’s Gallery again for free by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass! (£2 transaction fee will apply to phone bookings).
For full details of events visit www.rct.uk/whatson
Looking for an unforgettable family day out in the Highlands?
Set in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore, Landmark Forest Adventure Park is packed with fun, adventure and excitement for all ages.
Surrounded by beautiful woodland scenery, the park is home to amazing indoor and outdoor attractions and plenty of opportunities to explore, climb, splash and discover together. Families can journey through Dinosaur Kingdom, brave the Wild Water Coasters, bounce high above the forest floor on the UK’s first aerial net challenge, NetworX, tackle the climbing challenges and enjoy a huge variety of interactive play areas and family attractions throughout the park. New for Summer 2026, Landmark will also launch a new activity area featuring Scotland’s first six-lane forest toboggan attraction.
Whether you’re visiting for adrenaline-filled adventures, outdoor play, or simply to make magical family memories in the fresh Highland air, Landmark offers a full day of fun in one of Scotland’s most spectacular settings.
For more information, visit www.landmarkpark.co.uk
And if you want to turn it into part of a longer family break take a look at Great North
Lodges
Coorie Lodge is a spacious and bright holiday home tucked away in a peaceful corner of Aviemore, enjoying fabulous views towards the Cairngorm Mountains with walking and cycling routes right on the doorstep. Sleeping up to six across three comfortable bedrooms, it provides the perfect base.
Whether it’s family adventures, outdoor activities or simply relaxing Coorie Lodge offers the ideal setting for a memorable self-catering stay all year round.
Coorie Lodge is just one of the exceptional properties within the Great North Lodges portfolio of accommodation across the Highlands. From romantic escapes for couples to large family gatherings and celebrations, there is a lodge to suit every occasion. Many properties are perfectly located close to walking and cycling trails, golf courses, ski centres and family attractions, making Great North Lodges the ideal base for discovering the Cairngorms and beyond.
www.greatnorthlodges.co.uk
Summer Camps & Classes
It always makes us very happy hearing how much you and your kids love going through this feature together - let us know which one(s) you choose!
EDA Summer Schools
We know how hard it is to fill each summer!
At EDA we believe the summer holidays are the time to shape children and create special memories. EDA Summer Schools do exactly that. We turn 5 days into a jam packed week where confidence, creativity and friendships flourish. We have workshops in jazz, musical theatre, commercial, acro and contemporary all ending in a fabulous show case of what the children have learned during their time with us. This will be EDA’s 18th Summer School and we are more excited than ever to have lots of dancers us join us for one of the best weeks of the year! All experience welcome! Age P1 (including those starting after the summer) - P7 (groups are split by age).
For more information please email hello@eda.scot or call 0131 3344299.
Whizzkids Summer Weeks
This Summer, Whizzkids will be offering its favourite fun and educational computer courses, running weekly from the w/c 29 June to the w/c 27 July.
Children aged 7 and up can learn useful keyboard skills using a fun and engaging program on the touch-typing course or create keyrings, cards, t-shirts, stickers and gift boxes on the computer art course. For those with an interest in coding, the Scratch course offers a great introduction with its user-friendly format and the Raspberry Pi course offers a more advanced level of coding using the Python programming language. All lessons take place in small and friendly groups with a maximum of 5 children. For further information visit www.whizzkids.uk.com, email gillian@whizzkids.uk.com or call 0131 447 5893.
When you get in touch to book a spot, please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Edinburgh magazine!
Mix Up Theatre Fringe Festival Summer Camp
Mix Up Theatre offers children and young people an unforgettable week immersed in the excitement of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Our weeklong Summer Camp is packed with dynamic drama workshops including clowning, comedy, dance, puppetry, circus skills and acting. Students also meet visiting performers and theatre companies from across the festival, gaining inspiration and hands-on experience. Throughout the week, we head out to several Fringe shows too. Based on the Pleasance, our Fringe Festival Summer Camp runs Monday 3 to Friday 7 August, with Morning, Afternoon or Full-Day options available. Open to ages 5–17. Register now at www.mixuptheatre.com, call 07720861796, or e -mail info@mixuptheatre.com. Places fill fast, so secure your spot and get ready for a fun-packed Fringe adventure with Mix Up Theatre!
Forth School of Music Holiday Club
Forth School of Music are delighted to offer another jam-packed holiday club schedule this summer.
After the success of the circus and escape room themed piano camps in 2024, these will be back again as well as some new additions including Toy Story, Wicked and Lilo & Stich themed workshops. All camps and workshops are open to all ages and abilities; absolutely no musical experience necessary! Come and join us for songs, games, music and crafts - there’s something for everyone. More to be announced soon! www.forthschoolofmusic.co.uk
Kings Camps
Kings Camps now have 5 venues in the city: Clifton Hall School, Fettes College, University of Edinburgh, Merchiston Castle School and Heriot-Watt University!
Operating camps this summer, from 29 June to 7 August, with programmes suitable for 5-17 year olds. Book 3, 4 or 5 days in the week, 8.15am–5.30pm.
Spread the cost of your booking with staged payments and switch your dates at a later time, for free!
• Staff are trained and must be PVG member
• Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award winner for exceptional service.
Kings Camps are part of not-for-profit, Kings Active Foundation who have operated camps across the UK since 1991, and their mission is to get children active, having fun and learning together.
Visit kingscamps.org/made for further details.
Facebook: @KingsCamps
Instagram: @KingsCamps_
TotalRugby Summer Camps
TotalRugby has been running school holiday rugby camps in Edinburgh since 2009. Camps are suitable for all children aged 5 to 16 years old. Whether you are starting out on your rugby journey or want to develop and improve your skills, we offer a fun and safe learning environment to do so.
Our structured programmes are split into four sessions each day, ending in a final game related session where players can put their learning into practice. We absolutely love seeing children return to us each year, enjoying spending the holidays with friends or making new ones.
Don’t just take our word for it though, one mum said “we’ve done lots of summer camps over the years with all the kids and none have impressed like TotalRugby”.
Running 3 to 7 August and 27 to 31 August, 10am-3.30pm at Fettes College Playing Fields, Edinburgh, EH4 1QX (indoor facilities available if very wet). £200 for 5 days.
For more information visit www.totalrugby.org or, email info@ totalrugby.org
rugbytots.co.uk
RUGBYTOTS
Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, email or call: kirsty@rugbytots.co.uk 0345 313 3252
The world’s favourite rugby play programme
FRINGE FESTIVAL SUMMER CAMP
A week of drama workshops & theatre trips
Playbotics Summer Camps
Playbotics run LEGO STEM camps for children aged 5-9 from 9am-3pm. Camps run throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians at £45 per day or £200 for the week.
These camps are perfect for children interested in science, LEGO, coding and learning through play. Each day, camps focus on a different theme, this years are: dinosaurs, sports, animals, art and transport. Each day children will build and code 2 LEGO robots. They will also take part in hands-on science experiments, play lots of games and do some crafts related to that day’s theme.
Book at www.playbotics.co.uk or for direct debit options email office@playbotics.co.uk
Studio 48 Summer Camps
Join us this summer at Studio 48 (Newhaven Road) for three fun-filled weeks designed to inspire young artists and spark creativity.
Perfect for children aged 7 to 14, our camps feature daily art-themed adventures where kids explore galaxies, dive into underwater worlds, create mythical creatures and celebrate animals using clay, acrylics, watercolours, mixed media and digital painting. Each day offers hands-on projects, skill-building activities and collaborative games so participants can express themselves and take home all their creations!
Camps run from Week 1 (July 6 to 9), Week 2 (July 13 to 16) to Week 3 (July 20 to 23). Limited spots ensure small-group attention from experienced instructors. Join us for a summer of creativity, confidence-building and lasting memories - reserve your child’s place today!
You can book individual days or full weeks, and view daily schedules and themes at studio48art.com to find the best fit.
Ages 5-6
Ages 5-16
Ages 5-17
Monday 29th July - Friday 2nd August
Monday 3 to Friday 7 August
Mornings / Afternoons / Full Days
Pleasance – Edinburgh EH8 9TF
Tel: 07720 861796
Email: info@mixuptheatre.com www.mixuptheatre.com
Access EA Summer Holiday Camps
The Edinburgh Academy summer holiday camps are bursting with energy, creativity, and adventure, offering a wide range of engaging activities to keep children active, happy and inspired throughout the holidays.
From multi-activity sessions featuring ball games, arts and crafts, bouncy castle fun, and golf, to specialist camps in surfing, dance, drama, water sports, science, and hockey, there is something for every interest. Children will socialise, develop confidence, and form new friendships while creating unforgettable summer memories. Open throughout the summer for ages 5 and above, our camps are designed with busy families in mind. With extended hours from 8am to 6pm, parents benefit from flexible care while children enjoy a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment that keeps them engaged, active, and happy every day. Book now to avoid missing out!
Rugby Tots Summer Camps
Rugby Tots summer camps for children aged 4–7, are highenergy, fun and fully structured, designed to develop your child’s rugby skills, coordination and confidence. Through games and drills, children will improve their passing, catching and kicking in a safe, supportive environment.
Trinity Scout Hall: 29 June to 3 July, £175
North Merchiston Club, Polwarth: 3 to 6 August, £140 (daily rate also available) 10.00am–3.00pm daily. Drop-off from 9.45am, Pick-up until 3.15pm
Outdoor Summer Term
We are also running a 6-week outdoor summer holiday programme at the following locations with classes for the 2-3½, 3½-5 and 5-7 age groups. Enjoy a fun, high-energy start to their weekend, filled with fresh air and smiles.
Inverleith Park and Colinton Green: 4 July to 8 August
Inverleith Park and Roseburn Park: 5 July to 9 August
Email: Sandra@rugbytots.co.uk or book online at www.rugbytots.co.uk
Edinburgh Leisure Summer Camps & Coaching
Looking for a fun, active summer for your kids? Edinburgh Leisure has you covered! With activities across the city for tots to teens, there’s something for everyone.
Our Summer Camps are packed with excitement, including Aquatics, Climbing, Gymnastics, Tennis and action-filled MultiSport sessions for those who love variety. We offer flexible options to suit your schedule, from full day to shorter sessions.
Want to try something new? Our summer coaching lessons are a great way for kids to explore new skills before joining our main programme in August.
Plus, the whole family can get involved with activities like Soft Play, Clip ‘n Climb and AquaDash.
Make it a summer to remember with Edinburgh Leisure - active, fun and full of adventure!
Find out more or book today at www.edinburghleisure.co.uk
An Exceptional Summer at Loretto
Join us for week-long activity camps this summer - make friends, enhance your skills, and grow in confidence
Sporty Sprouts Summer Activity Club
Based in the heart of Colinton Village, my Sporty Sprouts Summer Activity Club offers children aged 4–9 a fun, active and welcoming place to spend their summer holidays. Each day is packed with a fantastic mix of outdoor adventures, indoor games, multi-sports, creative arts and crafts, team challenges and imaginative play designed to keep children engaged, happy and active.
Our club is all about building confidence, encouraging creativity and helping children make new friendships in a safe and supportive environment. Whether your child loves running around outdoors, getting messy with crafts or simply meeting new friends, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
With experienced, caring staff and a relaxed community feel, our Summer Activity Club gives children the chance to learn, laugh and create lasting memories throughout the holidays.
Join us at Loretto this summer for action-packed holiday camps! Whether your child is creative, sporty, or looking to expand their sense of adventure, there’s a camp to suit a range of interests.
Located just outside Edinburgh, our beautiful and secure campus offers an ideal setting for children to spend their summer. Over the course of our week-long camps, children will gain valuable skills and knowledge from our expert coaches and specialist teachers.
An encouraging and caring environment is cultivated, inspiring participants to take a step outside of their comfort zone and grow in confidence.
Keep your child active and entertained this summer - to book into a Loretto Summer Camp, contact camps@loretto.com or phone 0131 653 4409.
For kids (and all the family!)
Here at Families Edinburgh we LOVE the fringe. We will be squishing ourselves amongst the foolish amount of extra people that will be in the city. We will embrace the fact that it is going to take us much longer to get anywhere than we all know it should. And we won’t so much as entertain the idea of taking a pram or a buggy anywhere near the Royal Mile! And it will be GREAT!
We also love putting this feature together for you - read on for more details of kids and family shows that will be making Edinburgh their home this August.
BLACK BLUES BROTHERS
A twist and rock’n’roll jukebox, a train station and lots of acrobatics!
Fringe favourites the Black Blues Brothers return with their electrifying, family-friendly show. Having wowed over 65,000 Fringe spectators, they are back at McEwan Hall, ready to amaze audiences once again.
Set in a smoky train station and driven by an unforgettable rock ’n’ roll soundtrack, expect jaw-dropping acrobatics, towering human pyramids, and gravity-defying stunts. Featuring iconic music by Glenn Miller, Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin, this is the ultimate all-ages experience. After five smash-hit Fringe seasons and appearances at the Royal Variety Show and the Moulin Rouge, this feel-good phenomenon is truly unmissable.
PRESENTED BY Underbelly and Mosaico Errante 5-31 August, 5pm – McEwan Hall (Bristo Square)
MONSKI MOUSE’S BABY CABARET
Join Monski Mouse and her super talented friends, for a live musical sing-a-long cabaret of nursery classics, song, puppetry and bonkers fun for 0-5s and their parents/carers.
All the big topics covered: elephants, fish, wiggly worms, transport and the existential ways of the toddler.
‘Moments of utter beauty’ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
‘Monski shines bright, inviting us into a world of wonder.’ One4Review 10-28 August
Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens
EASTER FUN FRINGE FOR KIDS
WEEKENDS SING-A-LONG EXTRAVAGANZA FOR 0-5 YEARS
10:00 I 10-28 August
Assembly George Square
10:00 I 8 - 31 August
Assembly George Square
SHOWMEN PRODUCTIONS AT ASSEMBLY GEORGE SQUARE GARDENS
If you’re looking to fill a day at the Fringe with non-stop laughs, wonder and wide-eyed excitement, Showmen Productions has you covered. Returning to Assembly George Square Gardens with three of the biggest children’s hits of the Fringe, this powerhouse team is delivering a back-to-back-to-back full day of high-energy entertainment that promises to delight kids (and their grown-ups) from start to finish!
WEEKENDS FA MILY DANCING FUN FOR 0 -5s
Kicking things off at 10am in The Piccolo is the wildly popular Explosive Science Show, where the brilliantly bonkers Magnus Danger Magnus turns STEM into an electro-magnetic extravaganza! Expect explosive moments, fiery experiments and plenty of laugh-out-loud chaos in a show that’s as educational as it is electrifying. It’s no wonder this award-winning production has been packing out festivals across Australia and the UK.
Next, at 11:45am in the Palais Du Variete, the spotlight shifts to the outrageously fun The Greatest Magic Show. Sam and Justin unleash a rapid-fire mix of jaw-dropping illusions, ridiculous antics and big, belly laughs - with plenty of chances for kids to jump in and steal the spotlight. Expect tricks going hilariously wrong (before going very right) and a whole lot of cheeky chaos that keeps the entire crowd roaring - plus a free magic wand for every child to join in the fun!
Then, rounding out the day at 1:25pm, CIRCUS The Show takes over the Palais Du Variete with a dazzling display of acrobatics, aerial artistry and side-splitting clowning. Bursting with colour, skill and spectacle, this reimagined circus experience has earned rave reviews worldwide - and it’s easy to see why!
Three shows, one location and a full day of unforgettable family fun - why choose just one? Pack your day with wonder, laughter and a little bit of magic, and experience the very best of kids’ entertainment the Fringe has to offer.
GEORGE
BRISTO SQUARE
DON’T WAIT FOR ME
In a world where houses grow legs, wings or sails and travel at night, one morning a house disappears - leaving its child behind. A tender and poetic quest begins to rediscover what “home” truly means. Through delicate glove puppetry and gently animated images, Don’t Wait for Me unfolds as a dreamlike journey about loss, hope and belonging. Objects breathe, drawings come alive, and the visible meets the invisible with quiet sincerity. Deeply human and emotionally resonant, the piece speaks across generations - a touring-ready, flexible, cross-cultural work designed to travel beyond borders. Created by the French company La neige sur les cils (Snow on the eyelashes), this 40-minute performance is presented in English and French for adults and children aged 4+.
The show is a part of France Showcase. Come see it in French Institut of Scotland.
7-23 August. 11am.
GLOB
A land of perpetual wonder. Les Foutoukours return to Edinburgh with Glob, a circus adventure like no other! Without a single word, two lovable characters tumble, glide and soar through the unknown. Join them as they discover a world that is tender, magical and wonderfully absurd. They’ll make you laugh, gasp and cheer - all while tugging at your heart.
For anyone who needs the world to slow down just a little, Glob is a wordless journey where emotion speaks louder than words. Perfect for all ages, it will delight and enchant audiences, young and old.
Don’t miss this unforgettable ride!
PRESENTED BY Underbelly and Les Foutoukours
5-30 August 3pm – McEwan Hall (Bristo Square)
VASTHY & FRIENDS: SING, DANCE, PLAY!
A joyful, interactive family musical led by Broadway performer Vasthy Mompoint.
Join us for singing, movement, bubbles, big laughs and a feel-good dance party where grownups and kiddos get to play together.
Every show includes a multicultural “Beyond Your Backyard” celebration, plus plenty of chances to join in from your seat (or the aisle!).
AGES 0+
Designed to be welcoming for all families, the show is sensoryaware and neurodivergent-friendly, with a warm, inclusive vibe at the heart of everything we do.
Gilded Balloon Patter House (Dram). 10.20am
5-31 August (not 17 & 24)
TWEEDY’S MASSIVE SOLO SHOW:
The hit fringe clown is back with non-stop fun for ages 1-101.
Described by The Guardian as ‘a loveable lark from start to finish’, everyone’s favourite clown returns to Edinburgh from a sell-out UK tour with a brand-new, infectiously fun solo show for all the family.
Join Tweedy as he stumbles (quite literally) through a series of increasingly absurd situations, where mischievous props seem to have minds of their own, and nothing ever goes quite to plan. With plenty of joyful audience participation, he’ll need a few brave volunteers to help him navigate the mayhem.
A guaranteed hour of highly skilled comedy and an explosion of belly laughs.
PRESENTED BY Underbelly and Tweedy the Clown present 6-30 August, 10:15am – Underbelly George Square
THE ULTIMATE BUBBLE SHOW
Ray Bubbles, International Bubbleologist and World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble!
The most booked bubble show by theatres in the UK for the past three years! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays.
Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost, and even a tornado inside a bubble! The show was inspired by Ray’s work with special schools and science centres across Europe and is suitable for children and adults with additional needs.
Just The Tonic at The Caves 7-23 August 2026 (Venue No. 88) 253 Cowgate, EH1 1LG
CHARMING! THE MUSICAL
A Disney parody musical filled with original songs and a Herculean number of jokes!
Disney parody musical! Prince ‘Charming’ is the hero who thinks he’s treated like a zero - now he wants to tell his story. Adventure! Princesses (ugh)! Villains! Sidekicks! Soaring high notes! Will the Prince embrace his destiny and earn his happy-ever-after? Watch the Prince as he faces a Genie, Princesses and his own self-aggrandisement and must come to terms with what it really means to be a Charming Prince. Expect original Disney-style songs, hilarious jokes and (if he does say so himself) an exceptionally Charming Prince!
‘The ultimate feel-good hour of fairytale themed comedy’ Kat Masterson
‘A fun and thoughtful look at a character in search of his own story’ Theatre and Tonic
‘Tom Rolph’s vocal skills are excellent’ The Scotsman
Just the Tonic - The Fancy Room 6-30 August, 4.30pm
EASTER
FoRT
A multi award-winning show inspired by the timeless craft of turning living rooms upside down.
Ever turned a couch into a castle or a blanket into a superhero cape? FoRT brings that childhood magic to life. Watch and be amazed as everyday objects transform into fantastical places to play and explore using ridiculous clowning, spectacular acrobatics and beautiful visual imagery.
An enchanting theatre experience for the whole family.
’My 7-year-old was totally absorbed. A 50-minute gem’ Kiddo Mag
‘Classic physical theatre... smart slapstick and expressive non-verbal storytelling.’ Play and Go
‘Such a great pick for families, with plenty of laughs for the grown-ups too. I’d absolutely recommend it’ Kids in Adelaide
WINNER Best Children’s Show, 2026 Adelaide Fringe Weeklies
MILLY’S MUSICAL ADVENTURE
An Original Interactive Musical for Young Children from 2-6! Original Songs! Free Stickers! Free colouring in sheets! This interactive show based on a children’s picture book is a delight from 0-99!
Join Milly as she encounters feathered, furry and spiky friends who all have a song to share! Milly comes from a world without music, but when she discovers a magical book, she falls into a whole new world. Milly, with the help of her new animal (and kid) friends, must find four songs to bring back home.
Experience magical illustrations and amazing new music as you help guide Milly’s adventure over the course of 40 minutes!
‘Wholesome, creative, with a positive message’ Theatre and Tonic
Just the Tonic The Fancy Room 6-30 August, 3.30pm
ASSEMBLY FESTIVAL
Assembly Festival’s children’s programme has a whole host of children’s and family friendly shows in the ranks this summer. From the hilarious The Greatest Magic Show and Comedy Club 4 Kids, to the stunning acrobatics of Afrique en Cirque and Ten Thousand Hours, the programme is chock full of opportunities to spend with the family.
Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ted Hill creates the world’s silliest science lesson in Ted Hill Teaches You Science, Most of Which Is True and returning favourite The Bubble Show dazzles once more. More highlights include Hello Beach, a sensory show for babies and FoRT, an acrobatic spectacular celebrating the magic of imagination.
If you are a teacher looking for Fringe shows to bring your pupils to, contact engagement@ assemblyfestival.com for more information.
Assembly Festival runs from 7–31 August. Over 200 shows are now on sale at assemblyfestival.com. Select shows including Comedy Club 4 Kids and The Greatest Magic Show will run earlier during the Edinburgh Folk and Food Festival from 24 July–2 August.
THE MYSTERY OF PLEASANCE TWO
An Interactive Murder Mystery Show
Calling all trainee detectives! Join us for an award-winning board-game style theatre show where your skills are needed to solve this thrilling mystery.
From the creators of I Believe in Unicorns comes this new brainteasing interactive adventure. Team up with super sleuth Danyah Miller to navigate secrets and surprises. Can we crack the case together? As with every good game, the ending is not always the same…
Expect intrigue, spontaneity and a sprinkle of magic. Get involved… Get it solved!
WINNER: Best Family Arts Activity, Awards 2025
‘Lots of juicy intrigue... leaves the audience abuzz. A dynamic production.’ The Guardian
‘Better than a good game of Cluedo.’ Orfeus age 9 3/4 Pleasance Courtyard 5-16 August (not 12th), 12pm (65 mins) pleasance.co.uk I 0131 556 6550
AGES
8+
DOKTOR KABOOM AND THE WHEEL OF SCIENCE!
So much science, so little time. Doktor Kaboom wants to show you all his favourite, fun-packed science experiments, but there’s too many for one show. The solution: The Wheel of Science!
Spin the wheel, wherever it stops, that’s what happens next! Will we fly across the stage on a homemade hovercraft, create a gigantic chemical reaction, or catapult bananas across stage?
No two shows are the same, so step right up and let’s spin that wheel!
Back with a limited run for an electrifying fifth year, don’t miss this spectacular hour of ‘perfect family entertainment’ POWShowbiz
‘One of the most fun, educational and hilarious family-friendly shows Edinburgh Fringe has ever seen.’ Theatre Scotland
‘A delight to watch. The children were highly engaged and reveled in taking part in the interactive parts of the show.’ Theatre Weekly
Pleasance Courtyard - Beyond 5-16 August at 1.30pm pleasance.co.uk I 0131 556 6550
PLEASANCE TWO
AN INTERACTIVE MURDER MYSTERY SHOW! “Lots of juicy intrigue... leaves the audience abuzz.” The Guardian 5-16 August 12noon #TheMysteryofShow
HUGO’S RAINBOW SHOW
A drag show for kids about the science of rainbows!
Join Hugo Grrrl (New Zealand) for a musical, magical adventure exploring the skies above. Can you help find Ray The Sun, Misty The Cloud, and Wayne The Rain? Maybe even the fabulous Archie The Rainbow?! Together we’ll make the mysteries of meteorology fun, all while proving the power of glitter, dress-ups and friendship. Expect original songs, colourful stories and, of course, outrageous costumes. Best for 2–10-year-olds and our neurodiverse friends, but even big kids will love this wholesome, goofy, and glamorous experience.
‘Outstanding’ Theatre Review
‘An empowering, inclusive, heart-warming experience for the young and not-so-young.’ Flat City Field Notes
‘A subtle & magical family show, with breathtaking costumes.’ Theatre Review
‘Blends entertainment, education, and imagination… keeps children engaged from start to finish.’ Perth Happenings
Dexter at Underbelly, Bristo Square 5-23 August at midday
AFRONAUTS
The greatest space mission you’ve never heard of.
An all-ages, high-flying collision of circus, theatre and space adventure. 1964: the world’s superpowers are caught in the space race. Enter an unlikely contender... Zambia.
Visionary Edward Mukuka Nkoloso aimed to send Africa’s first astronauts into the cosmos. His crew? A young girl, two cats and a missionary. His rocket? Aluminium, ambition and audacity. Wake The Beast and Circus Zambia bring this extraordinary story to life with breathtaking acrobatics, theatrical spectacle and irresistible heart. A true tale of courage, hope and willpower that can take you to the moon... or make you believe you could.
PRESENTED BY Underbelly, Circus Zambia and Wake the Beast 6-31 August 1:55pm
Underbelly George Square (Udderbelly)
WHO STOLE MY HAMMER?
Who were the vikings? Where were they from? What stories did they like at bedtime?
Explore the wacky and wonderful world of viking legends in this storytelling adventure!
Join Myth-Fits for a mischievous tale and help Thor, the god of thunder, on a quest to retrieve his stolen hammer from a mysterious villain. Will Thor and his friends find it before the hammer can be used for evil? Or will their elaborate plan fail?
This ‘…delightful show…’ (List) introduces norse mythology to children and grown-ups through a blend of narration and incharacter performance. Myth-Fits unique, lighthearted and playful exploration through mythology is “A highlight for younger audiences…” (BroadwayBaby.com).
The Rotunda Theatre (Squeak), George Heriot’s School, Lauriston Place.
From 7-18 and 22-23 August, 10.45am
SEEDHEART
by Indigo Moon Theatre
Meet Grey. Our journey begins as Grey finds themself trapped inside a jar. They try to remember how they got there and how they could be free…
Indigo Moon Theatre’s charming show tells the important tale of human impact on the environment and questions what we can do to restore our once green planet, with interactive chaos in the laboratory along the way! Watch as our story unfolds (literally) from a single suitcase and follow Grey’s journey to a better future with magical pop-ups, puppetry, shadows and interactive scenes. This show is for both adults and children to enjoy.
‘That was amazing, so powerful, made me weep at the end. I’m still very much in it!’
Pleasance Courtyard – Below.
5-31 August (not 12, 19 or 24), 11.10am (45mins)
MONSKI MOUSE'S BABY DISCO DANCE HALL
Why toddle when you can dance? Join DJ Monski Mouse and her dancers for this award-winning, epic session of bopping, bonkers, beautiful fun. Expect high-energy smiling to retro beats and thumping nursery rhymes.
WINNER Best of Kids Weekly Award Adelaide Fringe 2024.
NOMINEE Best of Kids Award Sydney Fringe 2022.
SOLD OUT Season Edinburgh Fringe 2022, 2023, 2024.
SOLD OUT Season Adelaide Fringe 2022, 2023.
‘Best. Time. Ever.’ Families Edinburgh
8-31 August I Assembly George Square Gardens
STARCATCHERS’ FLOAT
by Kerry Cleland and Company
Float is a beautiful, calm, immersive world designed especially for babies from birth to 12 months old and their grown-ups.
Float invites you to relax with your baby and enjoy a gently interactive performance inspired by the healing powers of water. You and your baby are free to explore, engage with the performers or unwind in Float’s tranquil space.
Float is a three-hour durational performance designed to relieve the pressure of time. Your ticket allows you to come and go during this time to suit the needs of you and your baby.
Cromdale Theatre at Pleasance at EICC
Running from 9-22 August (Excluding Mondays) Tue-Sat 1-4pm. Sun 11:30am-2.30pm
PLEASANCE KIDZONE
The Pleasance’s familyfriendly Kidzone is back at the Courtyard (Venue 33) this Fringe, with all the usual arts and crafts activities available in our weather-proof pods.
Stop by to enjoy a designated space for families away from the hustle and bustle of the festival! Plus there’s a buggy park, nappy change and food and drink from the Kidzone Café on The Green.
We’ve also got a whole load of must-see children’s shows this year, including puppetry, opera, musicals and science, making the Pleasance your one-stop-shop for family entertainment in Edinburgh this summer!
Out & About
Your guide to family fun events in Edinburgh
We love putting these listings together for you but please check relevant websites for times/dates/changes as these pages are put together weeks ahead of some events just in case!
Until 14 June
Morningside Umbrella Festival
Morningside Parish Church will be decorated inside and out with over 150 coloured umbrellas. Throughout the festival there will be a variety of concerts, including a family ceilidh on Sun 14 June from 5-8pm. Visitors can purchase a miniature umbrella and fix their umbrella to the parameter railings to help us create a large umbrella rainbow. To confirm daily times and activities contact Kerry Watt WhatsApp 07530 971367.
6 June
Zoo-fari Tour
Come meet some of our very own queer icons and discover how animal relationships can be just as colourful and diverse as humans.
In this 60-minute Penguins and Pride Zoo-fari Tour delivered by one of our discovery rangers, we will take a dive into exciting stories and updates from the rangers themselves. edinburghzoo.org.uk/zoo-fari-tours
10 June
Tea and Talks
Enjoy a morning talk and brew at the zoo! Our tea and talk sessions are small-scale talks from the RZSS team in the stunning setting of our Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo. edinburghzoo.org.uk/tea-and-talks
13-21 June
Memories Week
Step back in time at the zoo and rediscover its most treasured memories. During this special week, we’ll be hosting an exhibition in Lemur Lodge that celebrates the zoo’s rich history through rare photographs and stories that capture generations of wildlife encounters and community moments.
edinburghzoo.org.uk/memoriesweek
18-21 June
Bluey’s Big Play
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli are heading to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 18- 21June in the Olivier award-nominated live stage show, Bluey’s Big Play. Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® awardwinning children’s television series is packed with music, laughter and fun for the whole family. When Dad feels like a little bit of afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Join the Heelers in this live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. Bluey’s Big Play is produced by Andrew Kay and Cuffe & Taylor with Windmill Theatre Co for BBC Studios. Book now at atgtickets.com/edinburgh
20 June
Family Festival: Solstice Celebration 1-4pm. Craigmillar Castle Park Summer crafts, games and nature activities with Wildside Nature and light lab project
20 & 21 June
Wild Discovery Days
Enjoy Hoofed Heroes Wild Discovery Days at Edinburgh Zoo with themed talks, popup engagement activities and crafts! Free with entry or RZSS membership. edinburghzoo.org.uk/wilddiscovery-days
26 June
Nature Walk: learning flowering plants 2pm-3.30pm. Craigmillar Castle Park. Learn about the wonderful flowers of the park.
26 June
Friday LEGO Club 2:45-3:45pm. Free, donations welcome. Whether you’re a LEGO pro or a first-time builder, join the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage for Friday LEGO Club. Open to ages 5+. No booking requiredjust come along and get creative! Adults must stay with their children during the activity. Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, 1A Dryden Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 4NB museumofscottishfireheritage.org
29 June-7 August
Summer Family Fun
10am-4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street
Join us on Mondays and Fridays for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. Each week, we’ll explore a new theme – from Scottish stories to around-the-world-adventures, there will be something new to discover. Free. Drop-in.
3 July
Nature Walk: Summer Trees and Stories
2pm-3.30pm. Craigmillar Castle Park Identify common trees and explore their myths and folk law.
3-30 July
Butterfly Explorer Trail
Join us this summer for our Butterfly Explorer Trail! Available every day 10am- 4pm .You can purchase your trail sheets for £4 online in advance to collect from the Visitor Centre on the day of your visit or you can simply pick up and purchase them on the day. www.rspb.org.uk/lochleven
6 July Monday Makes 11-3pm. Every Monday in July and August. Discover more about Holyrood Abbey. The ruin you see today was once a building full of colour and life. Make your own mini stained glass windows, using tissue paper and card, to take home. Don’t forget you can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse or The King’s Gallery again for free by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass! (A £2 transaction fee will apply to telephone bookings.) Full details of upcoming events online. www.rct.uk/whatson
7 July
Mellow Mornings: Autism Friendly Hour
9am-10am. Free, donations welcome
Join us for Mellow Mornings - a relaxed, sensory-friendly session at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage. These mornings are designed for autistic and neurodivergent visitors and their families, offering a quieter environment to explore, create, and enjoy the gallery at your own pace. Free, donations welcome. www.museumofscottishfire heritage.org/whats-on
7 July Hands on History 11-3pm. Every Tuesday in July and August. Get up close to historic and replica objects in our drop-in handling sessions. From gauntlets to jelly moulds; chamber pots to ink wells can you discover what these objects were once used for? www.rct.uk/whatson
10 July
Explorer Royal Rhyme Time 11-11.45 am. £3 per person
Join us for a special Royal Rhyme Time as we go exploring! Discover the wonder of nature though stories, songs and rhymes as we explore the Physic Garden. This session is suitable for children who are walking up the age of 4 years. Children should be accompanied by parents or carers. Please note that this session takes place outdoors so please dress for the weather. If the weather is particularly bad there will be an indoor alternative but a quick exploration of the garden will still be incorporated into the session.
www.rct.uk/whatson
13-17 July
The Festival of Myths & Legends 10am-5pm
The festival will bring Almond Valley Heritage Centre alive with glorious dragon encounters, inspirational storytelling, baby hatchling sessions, mythical craftivities and legendary quests. Entry to site - Adults £13.50;
Senior (state pension age ) £12.50; Children (aged 2–15) £11.50; Under 2s go free. Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7AR
16 July
Dino Ceramics & Activities 10am. Step into a world of prehistoric creativity at our Dinosaur Ceramic Painting workshop! While your dinos are drying, the adventure continues with our dinosaur walk-through for kids to explore and parents to take photos! £10 per child. Tickets at www.nationalminingmuseum.com/ experience/whats-on
18, 21, 25 & 28 July
Morning Makers – Creative Family Fun
10am-12pm. Free, donations welcome. Join us for a burst of creative energy and hands-on fun for all the family. Each week brings a different firefighting-inspired craft to enjoy, perfect for wee artists, busy hands, and big imaginations alike. Free, donations welcome. Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
18 July
Physic Garden Festival 10am–3pm. No booking required. Come explore and celebrate the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Physic Garden is a free to visit garden space behind the Abbey Strand Centre. Join us for a special day full of activities as we celebrate this special space.
21 July
Mellow Mornings – Autism Friendly Hour 9-10am. Free, donations welcome A relaxed, sensory-friendly session at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage. See 7 July for more info.
23 July
Creepy Crawlies
10.30am & 1.30pm. Head outdoors for a hands-on bug hunt in the museum gardens, with magnifying glasses and activity sheets. Then meet incredible mini-beasts up close with Jacqui & Kev from Brilliant Beasties, including giant millipedes, stick insects and snakes – with a chance for children to hold the snakes. Families can also get creative indoors and design their own shape-inspired insects.
Suitable for ages 3–10. Sessions at 10.30am and 1.30pm. £10 per child
Tickets available at www.nationalminingmuseum.com/ experience/whats-on
24 July
Botanical Plates: Family Workshop 1.30-3pm. £8 per person. Join us for a fun family workshop at The King’s Gallery, Edinburgh. This workshop will include a guided visit to The Edwardians: Age of Elegance to see some beautiful botanical plates. We will then take inspiration from the Physic Garden plants to design our very own botanical plates. Each child will be given a small porcelain plate to decorate using porcelain pens. Suitable for children 7-12 years, old accompanied by a parent or carer.
24 July Workshop: Summer Storytelling and Crafts. 1.30pm. Craigmillar Castle Park. Join Dougie McKay for nature stories and crafts in the woods. Email elly@elgt. org.uk to book (essential).
29 July
Family Sports Day
10am. As we roar on Team Scotland in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, why not have a go at some very special Lauriston Sports. Lauriston Castle and Gardens Call 0131 336 2060 lauristoncastle@edinburgh.gov.uk
31 July Workshop: Woodland Musical Instruments 1-3.30pm. Craigmillar Castle Park. Making simple instruments from natural materials in the woodland please book, email elly@elgt.org.uk
31 July
Friday LEGO Club
2:45pm-3:45pm. Free, donations welcome. Join us at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage for Friday LEGO Club. See page 24 for more details. museumofscottishfireheritage.org
31 July
Family Yoga
Early Years 11am. Mixed age 2pm. £8 per person. Taking inspiration from the Physic Garden, enjoy a fun family yoga session full of movement, music, songs and stories. Enjoy a 45 minute yoga class for children, in the historic Abbey Strand Centre.
31 July-2 August
Edinburgh Folk and Food Fest
Look out for family fun and some early kids fringe shows!
31 July-18 August
Wildlife on the Move Trail
Join us this summer for our Wildlife on the Move Trail! Available every day 10am-4pm. Purchase your trail sheets for £4 online in advance to collect from the Visitor Centre on the day of your visit or, simply pick up and purchase them on the day. www.rspb.org.uk/lochleven
3-20 August
Jacobite Activity Trail
Included in Palace entrance ticket. Who were the Jacobites and why did Bonnie Prince Charlie stay at the Palace? Use this trail to piece together the story of the Jacobites as you visit Palace rooms and view works of art. Don’t forget you can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse or The King’s Gallery again for free by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass! (£2 transaction fee applies to phone bookings).
www.rct.uk/whatson
4 August
Workshop: Natural Pigment and Paints
1-3.30pm. Craigmilar Castle Park. Booking essential. Join local artist Sarah Gittins to create with paints and pigment from nature.
A glowing, UV immersive experience
Splash, spin, and create your own work of art
Perfect for all ages
7-31 August
Edinburgh Fringe
Take a look through pages 15-23 to check out amazing shows for kids and families!
8 August
Family Fun Day
11am-4pm. Enjoy a fantastic day of family entertainment including pony rides, puppet and magic show, crafts, face painting, clown, balloon modeller, Victorian crafts and dressup, baby play area, food trucks, live entertainment and access to the museum’s exhibitions. £8.50 adult, £6.50 child. Tickets available at www.nationalminingmuseum. com/experience/whats-on
10 August
Recitals for Wrigglers Summer Concert
2-3 pm. £8 per person. Booking essential. Join us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre to enjoy a special summer performance by Recitals for Wrigglers. This classical concert has been created especially for babies and toddlers to enjoy with their parents/careers in a relaxed family-friendly setting.
15-30 August
Edinburgh International Book Festival Edinburgh Futures Institute.
