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Edinburgh, Scotland’s beautiful capital, stole our hearts the moment we arrived. It’s a place where history and imagination come together, perfect for curious little minds and adventurous families like ours. You won’t regret visiting Edinburgh with kids!
From its cobbled streets to ancient castles and quirky attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do with kids. If you’re planning a family trip, don’t miss these two highlights: Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
Both are packed with excitement, hands-on learning, and plenty of wow-moments. We spent hours at both spots with our kids and had such a great time, we’re confident you and your little ones will love them too.
So pack your bags, gather your crew, and get ready for an Out Roaming Life full of wonder, giggles, and unforgettable memories.
Exploring Edinburgh Castle with Kids
You’ll find Edinburgh Castle perched high on Castle Rock at the start of the Royal Mile. It’s hard to miss and even harder not to be impressed.
➤ Step Back in Time
As soon as you walk through the gates, you’re transported into a world of ancient kings, royal treasures, and legendary battles. Our kids were immediately hooked. We wandered through grand halls and checked out rooms filled with centuries of Scottish history.
The Royal Palace was a favourite. Here, you can show your kids the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the legendary Stone of Destiny. These aren’t just dusty old artifacts, they’re real pieces of history! We loved watching our kids’ eyes widen as they learned about the stories behind them.
We also stepped inside St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. It’s tiny and peaceful, and a great place to imagine what life might’ve been like inside the castle walls hundreds of years ago.
➤ Interactive Fun
What really sets Edinburgh Castle apart for families are the interactive experiences. In the Castle Vaults, kids can try on medieval armour and learn how soldiers prepped for battle.
Then there’s the One O’Clock Gun. Every day at 1:00 PM sharp, a cannon fires across the city. It’s loud, thrilling, and unforgettable. Our little guys jumped about a foot in the air, then burst into giggles.
There are also activity packs designed just for families. These helped us navigate the castle in a fun way, solving puzzles and uncovering secrets around every corner.
Our kids loved every part of visiting the caste, from clanging around in armour to skipping down cobbled walkways. One of their most memorable moments? Discovering the ancient “toilet room.” They’ll be talking about it long after you’ve left.
We happened to visit just before Christmas and were lucky enough to catch the evening light show that lit up the castle’s walls with music and colour. The best part? It was totally free and visible every night from outside the castle walls.
If you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids, don’t miss this castle. It’s packed with stories, surprises, and immersive moments that will capture everyone’s imagination.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Just a short walk down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, is Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. It turned out to be a really fun and educational afternoon for us all!
This place is like stepping into a world where nothing is quite what it seems, and that’s exactly what made it so much fun for the kids (and for us too!).
➤ See Edinburgh Like Never Before
The museum’s main attraction is the Camera Obscura, a Victorian-era optical device that projects a live, 360-degree view of Edinburgh onto a table.
Kids love zooming in on buildings and watching the world come alive from a bird’s-eye view. It’s a fascinating way to see the city and learn a bit of science at the same time.
➤ Play, Laugh, and Learn
The real fun happens across five floors of optical illusions and hands-on exhibits. Our kids walked through walls, floated in mid-air, and laughed hysterically at their distorted reflections in the oversized mirrors.
There were puzzles to solve, buttons to press, shadows to chase, and mirrors to experiment with. We all learned a bit about how light and perspective work, without even realizing we were learning. That’s the beauty of this place, it sneaks the education in with the fun.
The absolute favourite? The rotating vortex tunnel. Walking through it made us all feel like the floor was spinning. It was a weird and wonderful sensory experience that kids won’t stop talking about.
➤ Epic Views from the Rooftop
Before leaving, we headed to the rooftop terrace. From there, we checked out one of the best panoramic views of Edinburgh. The kids pointed out the castle, the streets we’d walked, and all the places we wanted to explore next. It was the perfect way to end the visit.
Whether your kids are into science, magic tricks, or just running wild with curiosity, this place will be a huge hit and a must-do if in Edinburgh with kids! We all laughed, learned, and played together, and we’d go back in a heartbeat.
Why These Spots Are Our Top Picks for Families
Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura are very different experiences, but they both offer something special for families and are, in our opinion, must-see experiences when visiting Edinburgh with kids!
At the castle, your kids get a chance to step into history—climbing towers, exploring dungeons, and discovering the legends of Scotland’s past. It’s rich, immersive, and hands-on in all the right ways.
Camera Obscura is a burst of fun and imagination. It’s quirky, interactive, and packed with illusions that challenge your senses and encourage creativity. You’ll be amazed at how much your kids learn just by playing.
Together, these two stops gave us an unforgettable couple days of discovery, laughs, and learning. You can see both in one day, but we opted to check them out on different days to avoid over-stimulating their little minds.
If you’re trying to plan your family itinerary in Edinburgh, start here. You won’t regret it!
Ready to Take on Edinburgh with Kids?
Edinburgh is full of exciting adventures for families. Between the ancient mysteries of Edinburgh Castle and the educational, yet fun, illusions at Camera Obscura, you’ll find something to spark joy in kids of all ages—and plenty of fun for the adults too.
So grab your little adventurers and get ready to roam. Whether you’re walking in the footsteps of kings or bending reality with mirrors and light, these two attractions offer the kind of memorable, joy-filled moments that make travel with kids so rewarding.
Happy exploring!
Ready to plan your next adventure? Head over to our Travel Resources page—it’s packed with the booking tools and travel essentials we swear by to make every trip amazing!
There’s no leaving Edinburgh, No shifting it around: it stays with you, always.
Robert Louis Stevenson
