What's on in the school holidays
Free or low-cost activities and support for families during the holidays. If you know of any other running activities, please let us know.
Crafternoons
A free drop in afternoon of crafts on Saturdays from 11am to 4pm at
For more information email
Easter Bunny flower trail
Help the Easter Bunny fill his easter bouquet basket. Explore the store and discover a variety of spring flowers and collect the missing letters along the way. Complete the trail and hand in your sheet at the checkouts for a chance to win an Easter prize. This activity is free and is running from Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April at
For more information visit the
Easter Egg Hunt
Find all six giant eggs hidden around the centre, collect the letters, and unscramble them to reveal the Easter phrase. This activity is running from Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April from 11am to 13pm at
To find out more email
Family Film showing at the Wee Filmhouse
Join the Wee Filmhouse for a family film each morning of the Easter holidays! The screenings are aimed at children and their families, but everyone is welcome. On Tuesdays and Thursdays after the films, stay and get creative with craft workshops for wee ones! Spaces are limited so please make sure you book ahead. Tickets cost £6.00 for both children and adults. The screenings are on Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April from 11am at
Vogrie Park Activities
Follow a series of free, self guided trails around Vogrie Country Park to spot signs of wildlife and identifying spring growth. From listening for birdsong to searching for woodland textures, each stop offers a moment of curiosity and connecting with the outdoors.
- Miniature Railway - The miniature railway runs from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays starting from Sunday 5 April weather permitting. The train costs £1.00 per child and £2.00 per adult.
- Eggventure trail - Start in the main car park for a gentle one mile loop around the North field with interactive activity stations throughout to take part in nature-based activities.
- Mini spring challenge trail - Pick up a map and instructions from the main entrance hall at Vogrie house and enjoy spring based challenges at each stop.
Spring at Museum on the Mound
Join Museum on the Mound for fun, free, family鈥慺riendly activities throughout the Spring holidays! Explore their popular family trails and get hands鈥憃n and design your own banknote. Families can discover the secret world of banknotes using microscopes and UV lights. Drop in, get curious, and enjoy learning together! The sessions are on Tuesday 7 to Saturday 18 April from 2pm to 4pm at
To find out more visit the
Board game fika!
Enjoy an afternoon with array of board games and laughter on Thursday 9 and Monday 20 April from 2pm to 5pm at
Tech Decoded
Join Edinburgh Science for a pop up Science Festival extravaganza as they explore technology from AI to coding. Get hands on discovering how the internet works and create your own electrical circuits while exploring the science behind machine learning. Suitable for all ages. The free drop in is running on Monday 13 to Sunday 19 April from 10am to 5pm at
Glowing Egg-venture
Drop into The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage during the holidays for a glowing Easter egg venture! Pick up a UV torch and explore the gallery to find the hidden eggs. Solve the question and earn yourself a wee treat! This is a free activity, a suggested donation of £1.00 per trail sheet is appreciated. The session is running on Saturday 18 April from 10am to 4pm at
To find out more visit the
Kirkaldy Funfair Model Show
Enjoy the fun of the fair in miniature form. Celebrate all things Links Market and some of the greatest fairground models from all over the country. Including photo displays, working models, fairground drawings, artifacts and refreshments. This event is free, with donations appreciated. The session is on Saturday 18 April from 10am to 4pm at
For more information visit
World of Wonder
Take part in hands-on activities and explore the incredible diversity of plants from around the world and those in the Living Collection. Learn fascinating facts about our Palm House renovation progress through crafting and immersive VR headsets. Enjoy family friendly experiences that bring the wonders of nature to life. Perfect for all ages, come curious and leave inspired! The free drop in is on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April from 12pm to 4pm at
Plant Passport
Get ready for your journey around our planet with scientists from the Botanics and discover the surprising variety of crop plants from around the world. The Botanics’ Herbarium contains 3 million plants in its collection, learn about some unusual ones you may never have heard of and be amazed at how they are used. The session is for children aged 5 years and older. The free drop in is on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April from 12pm to 4pm at
Musselbrugh toy, train and sci-fi fair
Enjoy a selection of vintage, retro and new toys, models and collectables. The event is cash only and costs £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for under 16s. The event will run on Sunday 19 April from 10.30am to 3pm at
For more information visit
Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged 4 to 14 years old and is free for all. The aim is to have fun, come along and join in at your own pace! Adults need to register their child before coming along. On Sunday 19 April from 9.30am at:
Hailes Quarry Park
Dumbryden Drive
EH14 2QR
To find out more visit
The Meadows Junior Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged 4 to 14 years old and is free for all. The aim is to have fun, come along and join in at your own pace! Adults need to register their child before coming along. On Sunday 19 April from 9.30am at
To find out more visit the .
Spring Garden Party
All are welcome to attend Gracemount Mansion Development Trusts free spring garden party at the top of gracemount house drive for free hot food, family fun activities, crafts, music, dance and relaxation. The party is on Saturday 25 April from 11am to 2pm at
To find out more visit the
Murder Mystery Trails at the Hermitage and The Meadows
Everyone is welcome to participate in these self-guided outdoor detective games designed for exploration in Edinburgh's Hermitage of Braid and The Meadows. The trails are free and available every day. You can download them for personal use, along with answer sheets, maps, and certificates. Donations are appreciated if you enjoy the trails.
Please visit and webpages to download trail materials.
Fun activities to do at home
Activities do not need to cost a lot of money (or sometimes any money at all) to be meaningful and memorable. Some of the best memories are made by doing simple things at home or around the community. Enjoying the time, you have together is what is most important. Below are some very low-cost or free activities that require no/minimal resources, most of which you will have around the house already. Enjoy!
Egg rolling
Boil up some eggs and either keep them plain and simple or decorate with paint, stickers, pens whatever you have in the art box. Find the best hill in the local park and have an egg rolling race. Which egg makes it to the bottom first? How many rolls can the egg do before it cracks? Endless fun on the hill!
Decorating chalk eggs
Decorate the garden path with chalk easter eggs. Turn it into a competition if you like, who can make the best design? Who can do the biggest egg design?
Potato/sponge Stamping
Cut designs into potatoes or sponges, dip in paint and create some exciting potato stamps pictures!
Outdoor treasure hunt
Wherever you decide to go (beach, park, your own garden) pick a base. It can be a particular tree, or it can be a bench. Have a leader who calls out what the group needs to find for example, 3 green leaves, 2 large stones, 4 sticks. This can be turned into a race, the first person back to base with the correct items is the new leader.
Balloon tennis
Can you keep up with the balloon? Your hand is the bat, and you need to bat the balloon back and forth. Don’t let it hit the ground!
Spring walk
Get a ‘spring’ in your step and enjoy a walk around one of Edinburgh’s well-known spots. Arthur’s Seat, Portobello Promenade, Colinton Tunnel, Water of Leith, Calton Hill, Dalkeith Country Park, Figgate Park, The Meadows or Cramond Beach. Remember you can apply for a free travel card (bus and tram) for children. Pop into your local library for help to apply.