My Top 5 Family Activities In and Around Edinburgh

The I Love Edinburgh Tours family love to get our hearts pumping and some adrenalin flowing when we’re on vacation, so we regularly seek out activities to include on our trips away.  Therefore, after a lot of careful thought, and a fair bit of family research (which was amazing fun!!), I’ve compiled our top 5 favourite family activities that you could include in a day trip from Edinburgh.

Sea Kayaking

With the proper guide, sea kayaking as a family is a safe and fun activity.  It will enable you to explore the coastlines and habitats of Scotland.  Dunedin Sea Kayaking specialise in the Forth estuary which is rich in wildlife.  If you’re lucky, you may encounter seals or even dolphins and porpoises.  There is also a huge variety of coastal birds along the estuary.

Their kayaks are long, stable and easy to control, so whatever your ability, Dunedin Sea Kayaking will provide an unforgettable experience to suit your needs and requirements. Further details at https://www.duneideannseakayaking.com/

Outdoor Adventures

Be blown away with the activities on offer at Foxlake Adventures.  If you fancy putting on a wetsuit and making a splash, then the FoxFall ropes course, Ringos and Wakeboarding are the activities for you.  Or if you prefer to stay dry then you can take to the tree tops with the ZipTrail or explore the surrounding woodland at the edge of the John Muir Way by Segway.  However if you’re more of a spectator, then the Boardside café is a ideal place to kick back and relax whilst the more adventurous members of your group burn off some energy.    https://www.foxlake.co.uk/

Indoor Climbing

Alien Rock was Scotland’s first dedicated indoor climbing centre and is in a really unusual building – a converted church.  Their climbing is suitable for almost all ages and abilities from complete novice to experienced climbers. It has a large area for roped climbing and has recently built a bouldering centre with lower walls where ropes aren’t required.  My son had an absolutely blast here enjoying a taster session with one of their excellent instructors (see photo).  Please note, hanging upside down is not obligatory! http://www.alienrock.co.uk/

Snowsports Centre

Although we don’t tend to get much snow in Edinburgh, you can ski, snowboard and go snow tubing all year round on the special all-weather artificial surface at Hillend.  Britain’s largest artificial ski slope is built on the stunning Pentland Hills and has something for every ability of skier.  And should skiing not be your thing, then why not throw yourself down the hill in one of their snow tubes instead – no skill required but lots of fun to be had!!   https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200281/snowsports_centre

Scottish Seabird Centre

Blow away the cobwebs on a boat trip from the Scottish Seabird Centre.  For those with the need for speed there’s a RIB boat trip, and for those less adventurous, there’s their catamaran.  By either mode, you’ll travel around the island of Craigleith and the Bass Rock, which is home to the largest colony of Northern gannets amongst many other birds and also has puffins in certain seasons.   If you’re lucky you may also see seals and dolphins. https://seabird.org

I Love Edinburgh Tours can incorporate these options into a day trip from Edinburgh, especially on our family-friendly Edinburgh Tours. For some further ideas on what to include, go to https://www.iloveedinburghtours.com/tours/i-love-edinburgh-tour-family-friendly