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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 places to explore. If you’re planning a family trip, don’t miss these two top Edinburgh things to do with kids: Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
Both of these family activities Edinburgh 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.
➤ When was Edinburgh Castle built?
This is one of the first questions curious kids ask as they gaze up at the magnificent fortress perched atop Castle Rock. While the castle’s origins stretch back to at least the 12th century, with some structures dating even earlier, explaining to children that it took hundreds of years to build makes the visit even more magical (and helps to answer the question of how long did it take to build Ediburgh Castle).
As you explore the ancient stone walls with your little ones, they’ll be walking through nearly a thousand years of Scottish history, from medieval battles to royal births. The castle’s long construction period means there’s incredible variety to discover.
From the oldest surviving building, St. Margaret’s Chapel from the 1100s, to the impressive Great Hall built centuries later, young explorers are engaged at every turn.
➤ Edinburgh Castle History for Kids
As soon as you walk inside Edinburgh Castle 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 at Edinburgh Castle
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.
➤ Best Months to Visit Edinburgh Castle
The castle is open year-round, but each season offers its own advantages for families.
Spring and early summer (April through June) bring milder weather and longer daylight hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the sprawling grounds without feeling rushed. These months offer the best weather for Edinburgh Castle visits with comfortable temperatures ideal for children.
The castle tends to be busiest during July and August. This time coincides with the famous Edinburgh Festival and school holidays. That said, expect larger crowds but also a vibrant atmosphere throughout the city. While summer is peak tourist season, the extended opening hours make it easier to plan your visit.
For a quieter experience, consider visiting during autumn (September through November). By now the summer rush has subsided, but the weather remains relatively pleasant. Winter visits have their own charm. There are fewer tourists and the possibility of seeing the castle dusted with snow, though you’ll want to bundle up the kids for Scotland’s chilly winds.
We visited Edinburgh just before Christmas (late November) 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.
➤ Best Time of Day to Visit Edinburgh Castle
Regardless of the season, arriving early in the morning (ideally right when the castle opens at 9:30 AM) gives your family the best chance to explore popular areas like the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny before the crowds arrive. Early morning visits also mean shorter queues and better photo opportunities.
Weekdays are generally less busy than weekends, particularly Tuesday through Thursday. If you’re visiting during school holidays, booking your Edinburgh Castle tickets online in advance is essential, as the castle can reach capacity on peak days.
Buying tickets for Edinburgh Castle in advance allows you to skip the ticket queue. Instead you can head straight in, which is a blessing when travelling with impatient little ones eager to start their castle adventure.
➤ Where is Edinburgh Castle Located?
Edinburgh Castle is located at Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Perched dramatically on Castle Rock, an extinct volcanic crag, the fortress dominates the city’s skyline and can be seen from miles around, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Scotland.
The castle sits at the western end of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s famous historic street that runs downhill toward Holyrood Palace. This prime location in the heart of Edinburgh’s city center means you’re within walking distance of countless other attractions, restaurants, and shops, making it easy to plan a full day of family activities.
➤ Getting to Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is easily accessible by various means of transportation. If you’re using public transport, several bus routes stop nearby, including routes 23, 27, 41, and 42, which stop at the top of the Mound or along the Royal Mile.
From Waverley train station, it’s a scenic 15-20 minute uphill walk through the Old Town, though the steep incline might be challenging for little ones or with strollers.
Taxis and ride-shares can drop you directly at the castle esplanade, which is particularly helpful when travelling with young children or if mobility is a concern. If you’re driving, note that there’s no parking at the castle itself, but several public car parks are available nearby on Castle Terrace and at Grassmarket, both within a 5-10 minute walk.
➤ Navigating the Castle Entrance
The main entrance to Edinburgh Castle is via the esplanade, a large cobbled plaza that often hosts events and provides spectacular views over the city. Be prepared for the uphill walk from the Royal Mile. While it’s not far, the cobblestones and gradient can be tricky with strollers. Once you reach the esplanade, the ticket office and main gates are clearly visible ahead.
Tour Recommendation
Wear comfortable walking shoes! The castle is built on a rocky hill, and you’ll encounter steep pathways, stairs, and uneven cobblestones throughout your visit. While strollers are permitted, a baby carrier is more practical for navigating some of the narrower passages and staircases within the castle walls.
➤ Quick Tips for Planning Your Visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Book tickets online to avoid queues
- Visit on weekdays for smaller crowds
- Arrive at opening time (9:30 AM) for the best experience
- Check the weather forecast and dress in layers
- Allow 2-3 hours minimum for your visit
If you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids, don’t miss Edinburgh Castle. It’s packed with stories, surprises, and immersive moments that will capture everyone’s imagination. It did for us!
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. This is exactly what made it so much fun for the kids (and for us too!).
➤ What is the Camera Obscura Edinburgh?
The museum’s main attraction is the Camera Obscura. This is a Victorian-era optical device that projects a live, 360-degree view of Edinburgh onto a table. As an incredible piece of technology, it has been captivating visitors since 1835, making it one of Edinburgh’s oldest purpose-built tourist attractions and a must-visit experience when exploring the city with children.
➤ Why Kids Love the Camera Obscura Experience
Children are absolutely mesmerized as the rooftop guide manipulates the periscope-like device, bringing Edinburgh’s streets to life on the viewing table below. Kids love zooming in on buildings, following tiny people walking along the Royal Mile, and watching cars navigate the city streets from this unique bird’s-eye perspective.
The interactive nature of the experience means they’re not just passive observers, they can request specific landmarks to view, track moving objects, and even “pick up” unsuspecting tourists with a clever optical illusion that never fails to delight.
When we visited with our three-year-old, he was thrilled when the guide let him “catch” pedestrians on a white disc, making it look like he was holding tiny people in her hand.
➤ Play, Laugh, and Learn at World of Illusions
More 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 again for one last peak. 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.
➤ Best Time to Experience the Camera Obscura
The Camera Obscura works best on bright, sunny days when the light is strong, though it operates year-round regardless of weather. Morning and early afternoon visits typically offer the best lighting conditions.
Sessions run continuously throughout the day with small groups, ensuring an intimate experience where children can ask questions and interact with the guide. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15-20 minutes, making it perfect for younger attention spans.
➤ Where is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions?
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is located at 549 Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The distinctive building with its iconic rooftop dome sits directly across from Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade, making it impossible to miss and incredibly convenient to visit as part of your castle day.
The attraction’s prime location means you can easily walk to Camera Obscura from Edinburgh Castle in less than two minutes… Just exit the castle and cross the plaza. This makes it the perfect next stop when little legs need a break from history lessons, but minds are still eager for adventure.
➤ Getting to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
If you’re coming from elsewhere in Edinburgh, the Royal Mile is well-served by public transportation. Several bus routes stop nearby on the Mound or at the top of the Royal Mile, including routes 23, 27, 41, and 42.
The attraction is also within easy walking distance from Waverley train station (approximately 15 minutes uphill) or a short taxi ride from anywhere in the city center.
**Pro tip:** The Camera Obscura entrance is street-level, but remember you’ll be climbing stairs to reach the rooftop attraction. There is an elevator available for those who need it, though some exhibits on different floors may still require stairs. The staff are helpful and can advise on the best route through the building for families with strollers or accessibility needs.
Pro Tip
The Camera Obscura entrance is street-level, but remember you’ll be climbing stairs to reach the rooftop attraction. There is an elevator available for those who need it, though some exhibits on different floors may still require stairs. The staff are helpful and can advise on the best route through the building for families with strollers or accessibility needs. During our visit, strollers had to stay near the entrance.
Why These Spots Are Our Top Picks for Families
Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura are very different experiences. That said, they both offer something special for families. In our opinion, these are must-see experiences when visiting Edinburgh with kids!
At the castle, your kids get a chance to step into history by 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).
We absolutely loved our day exploring Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura! These two attractions that couldn’t be more different yet perfectly complemented each other. After spending hours wandering through ancient castle walls and then getting lost in a world of optical illusions, our family came away with a newfound appreciation for Scottish history and the fascinating science of light and perception.
The real magic happened after we left. Our little ones couldn’t stop talking about the Crown Jewels, the tiny people they “held” in the Camera Obscura, and the castle’s dramatic views over the city. Days later, they were still trying to recreate their favourite optical illusions at home and asking when we could return to Edinburgh.
As parents, there’s nothing quite like watching your children’s eyes light up as they recount their adventures. It’s these moments that remind us why we travel as a family.
Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura proved to be the perfect combination for a family day out. One is steeped in centuries of history and royal intrigue, while the other bursts with interactive, hands-on fun. Together, they offered something for everyone and created memories that will last far longer than any souvenir we brought home.
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 Edinburgh 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
