Summer has snuck up on us yet again and we’re left wondering what activities we should involve ourselves in. Thankfully, no matter what the weather in Edinburgh is, there are a number of summer activities to do in the UK’s most beautiful city. Think of Edinburgh as one massive playground that is waiting to be utilised.
Edinburgh’s hilly landscape, hidden parks and haunted places give a tremendous amount of depth and material for kids to play with in their imagination. Understandably, museums might not be on the top of every child’s list of fun things to do, but there is so much more to this city than pretty buildings and historical sites to visit. The amount of summer leisure activities to be involved in matches the number of museums that Edinburgh has to offer, so read on and pick from our list!
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth truly is a remarkable museum that maximises the creative potential of conveying the prehistoric age to young children. The building itself immediately sparks a child’s imagination through its mysterious spaceship-like shape. Through the use of advanced technology, interactive exhibits, and a 4D experience, guests are given a very vivid tour that will live long in the memory. Expect your children to come out with a buzz of excitement due to what they seem to think was a very real and close encounter with dinosaurs. Having Dynamic Earth placed next to the wide green spaces of Arthur Seat offers the opportunity for the kids to socialise and release the excitement that has been bottled up inside of them from the interactive tours.
Have a picnic
Arguably one of the best things to do in Edinburgh is to go for a picnic in the variety of different spots to choose from. So pack your sandwiches and juices, bring your picnic rug and go for an adventure with the family. Edinburgh’s most famous hill, Arthur’s Seat, is a common favourite since it offers a lovely walk with fantastic views of the city from different vantage points, a tranquil environment that is accompanied by wildlife, not to mention the interesting volcanic geology. An alternative to Arthur Seat would be Blackford Hill, which offers arguably a better view of Edinburgh since it is located in the south instead of the centre of the city.
A visit to the Meadows is always high up on the summer activities list when the weather is warm since this wide green park since gives people the freedom to be involved in any leisure activity that pleases them. For families with restless children, the Meadows is an excellent choice since it will provide them with the freedom of running around to their hearts’ content. Below are some ideal spots to go for a picnic:
- Arthur’s Seat
- Blackford Hill
- Inverleith Park
- The Meadows
- Calton Hill
Georgie City Farm
Do your kids love wildlife? Have they shown an appreciation of what wildlife can offer them at an early age? If so, a visit to Gorgie City Farm is one of the most enjoyable activities for family members during the summer in Edinburgh. You may have already realised a unique quality that Edinburgh has is the number of green parks that it has so close to the centre, so much so that it has a farm that isn’t out in the countryside.
Visitors to Gorgie Farm are given a hands-on experience of taking care of the farm animals, and also the opportunity to pet and even cuddle some of the farm animals. This is a very intimate experience that will really help your children to learn more about animals. The farm also has a lovely café where family members can relax and socialise with some nibbles, whilst the children can set themselves free in the play park outside.
Berry Picking at Craigie’s Farm
Situated just north-west of the city, Craigie’s Farm offers an excellent family activity for both the parents and the kids in the summer. A family outing provides a unique learning experience for children about where food comes from and an early idea of the importance of hard work, by having to invest a lot of time picking the berries before eating them.
The farm itself has a serene setting where children are also given the freedom of wide open fields that will guarantee to burn out even the most restless of kids. An ideal summer activity if it isn’t raining and an unmissable one if it is sunny.
Edinburgh Zoo
A guaranteed fun day out with the family is to take a trip to Edinburgh Zoo, especially if the sun is shining. For family occasions, this should be high up on your list of things to do in Edinburgh during the summer. Edinburgh Zoo is packed full of wildlife that not many other zoos in the UK can match. The famous pandas in their new leafy home have a wide appeal to many visitors, and let’s not forget the zoo’s infamous battalion of penguins. As though they are mimicking, the penguins parade up and down a special route where visitors can get a perfect view from a special vantage point. Edinburgh Zoo also offers special grassy green areas for groups to sit and socialise, which are perfect to stop and unwind for a while in the sun. A fantastic summer activity for family and friends.
Or pop in and see us at our Edinburgh removal office based in the centre of the capital. We love visitors and we always provide tea, coffee and of-course biscuits.
