8 Baby-Friendly Things to Do in Edinburgh
Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh with a baby or toddler? Well, you’re in for a treat, because Edinburgh is a surprisingly baby-friendly city, with lots of activities and places to explore as a family. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to escape the rain, let your wee one crawl or toddle around safely, or just enjoy a peaceful pram walk, this list has you covered. Here are 8 baby-friendly things to do in Edinburgh, including indoor and outdoor spots, free and paid options – all personally tested by our family!
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1. National Museum of Scotland – A Fantastic Free Indoor Option for Families
Location: Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Opening Hours: Daily from 10.00 - 17.00; 26 December and 01 January from 12.00 - 17.00; Closed on 25 December
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
If you’re visiting Edinburgh with a baby or toddler, the National Museum of Scotland is a must-visit destination, especially on one of Edinburgh’s famously rainy days. Located in the Old Town, this spacious and beautifully designed museum is both family-friendly and completely free to enter.
The Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
Why it’s great with a baby:
It’s pram-friendly with wide walkways, ramps, and lifts between floors. There is even a Buggy Park on Level 1 at the Kingdom of the Scots gallery if you don’t want to take the pram with you during your visit.
There are interactive exhibits throughout – even if your wee one is too young to understand everything, the lights, colours and sounds usually fascinate babies and toddlers.
Lots of quiet corners and benches make it a great place for naps on the go or some calm time.
There are baby-changing facilities on multiple levels, and three cafes with high chairs – or you can bring your own food for a picnic in the Lunch Space on Level 0.
The Animal World gallery at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
The museum is also a great spot if you’re travelling with other family members or older siblings – there’s everything from dinosaurs and natural history to Scottish history, fashion and technology. Truly something for everyone!
Getting there:
By bus: Several Lothian Buses stop near the museum on Chambers Street, George IV Bridge or South Bridge. Visit the Lothian Buses website for route and fare information. The CitySightseeing Tour hop-on, hop-off bus also stops here.
By tram: The nearest tram stop is on Princes Street. From there, it’s about a 10-15 minute uphill walk via The Mound.
By train: The museum is about a 10-15 minute walk from Waverley Station, Edinburgh’s main train station. From the station, exit onto Market Street and walk along North and South Bridges before turning right onto Chambers Street.
By car: There is no on-site parking, but several paid options (like NCP Edinburgh Holyrood Road or Q-Park Quartermile) are within walking distance. Note that Chambers Street can be very busy, especially at weekends.
💡 Local tip: The museum can get busy during school holidays and rainy weekends. Visiting in the morning, just after opening time, usually means quieter galleries and more space to wander at your own pace.
2. Princes Street Gardens & The Meadows – Lovely Green Spaces in the City Centre
Location & Info
Princes Street Gardens
Location: Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HG
Opening Hours: Daily from 07.00 until dusk (varies throughout the year, and gates are locked overnight)
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
The Meadows
Location: Melville Drive, Edinburgh EH9 1ND
Opening Hours: Open 24/7 (no gates)
📍 View on Google Maps
Two of Edinburgh’s most popular green spaces, Princes Street Gardens and The Meadows, are fantastic baby-friendly spots for outdoor time, pram walks and relaxed picnics. Each has its own vibe, and both are centrally located and easy to reach on foot or by public transport.
Princes Street Gardens
Situated right in the heart of the city beneath Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens is a definite go-to when travelling with little ones. The paths are pram-friendly and there’s a great playpark at the west end of West Princes Street Gardens – ideal for toddlers who want to stretch their legs. It’s also easy to find a patch of grass or a bench to relax on, and you’re close to shops, cafes, and toilets.
Playpark in West Princes Street Gardens
The Meadows
Located just south of Old Town, The Meadows is a much larger park with wide open grassy areas, long tree-lined paths perfect for pram walks, and a few playparks. It’s frequented more by locals so it is great if you want a peaceful spot to rest or have a picnic. The playparks are suitable for toddlers, although even babies will love people-watching while wriggling on a blanket!
Playpark at The Meadows
Getting there:
By bus: Numerous Lothian Buses stop along Princes Street and Lauriston Place, which is close to The Meadows. Use their journey planner to find the best route from your accommodation.
By tram: The Princes Street pram stop is right in front of the entrance to West Princes Street Gardens. The tram doesn’t run straight to The Meadows, but is a 20-minute walk from Princes Street.
By train: Princes Street Gardens is just a few minutes’ walk from Waverley Station. The Meadows is about a 20-minute walk after exiting the station at Market Street and heading south.
By car: We don’t recommend driving to either park as on-street parking is extremely limited in both areas. If driving, you can park in a paid car park like the NCP Castle Terrace or Q-Park Quartermile and walk to the parks.
💡 Local tip: If you’re visiting Edinburgh in the spring, be sure to see the cherry blossoms in The Meadows – the tree-lined paths turn a beautiful pink for a few weeks, usually around the middle to end of April, which make for some lovely pram walks and photo opportunities.
3. Saughton Park & Gardens – A Beautiful, Off-the-Beaten-Track Option
Location: Balgreen Road, Edinburgh EH11 3BQ
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.00 until dusk (varies throughout the year)
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
A bit off the beaten track but well worth the trip, Saughton Park & Gardens offers a peaceful and spacious environment perfect for families with babies and toddlers.
Garden at Saughton Park & Gardens
Why it’s great with a baby:
Saughton Park is baby-friendly thanks to its flat, wide paths that make it ideal for prams and making it easy to explore the well-maintained gardens without any hassle.
There is a large, well-equipped play area as well as plenty of grassy space for babies to enjoy tummy time or some crawling in the fresh air.
The on-site cafe offers a convenient spot for parents to take a break, and the relatively quiet setting makes it more peaceful than city centre parks.
Getting there:
Saughton Park has three entrances for pedestrians and cyclists only and two entrances for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
Pedestrian and cyclist only entrances:
Gorgie Road gate, at Gorgie Road and Balgreen Road
Balgreen Road, at Balgreen Road and Stevenson Drive
Stevenson Drive, opposite Whitson Crescent
Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle entrances:
Ford’s Road gate, west end of the park (EH11 3HP)
Winter Gardens gate, east end of the park (EH11 2SP)
By bus: Several Lothian Buses serve Saughton Park. Their website has a handy journey planner to help you find the best route.
By tram: The nearest tram stop is Balgreen. From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the Balgreen Road entrance.
By car: As above, there are two entrances where vehicles can enter, and free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
💡 Local tip: If you’re visiting Saughton Park in the summer, don’t miss the walled garden. It’s full of colourful flowers and is a peaceful spot to stroll with a baby or let toddlers explore safely.
4. Bookbug Sessions at Libraries – Songs and Rhymes for the Whole Family
Location: Held at libraries across Edinburgh (and Scotland)
Admission: Free (no booking required at most locations)
Session Times: Vary by location
🔗 Find a Session with the Bookbug App
If your trip happens to line up, we’d definitely recommend checking out a Bookbug Session at one of Edinburgh’s libraries.
Not familiar with Bookbug? It’s a wonderful Scottish programme that gifts free bags of books to children throughout their early years – and one part of that programme is Bookbug Sessions, which are free story, song and rhyme sessions for babies and young children aged 0-5. Each session is led by a trained Bookbug leader and lasts around 30 minutes.
They’re relaxed, friendly and ideal for visiting families too – you don’t need to book in advance at most libraries, and it’s a great way to build a bit of routine, especially if you’ll be staying longer.
Why it’s great with a baby:
Designed for ages 0-5, so perfect for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Held in warm, quiet library spaces that are pram-accessible.
Babies and toddlers alike love the rhythm and repetition of the songs and rhymes.
A great way for parents to meet other families, especially if you’re in town for more than a few days.
Many libraries also have comfy children’s areas where you can feed, play or read after the session.
💡 Nice to know: At the end of each Bookbug session, every child gets a cute Bookbug sticker – a small reward that toddlers love to collect and show off!
You can use the free Bookbug app to find a session near your accommodation – just type in your postcode under “Find a Bookbug Session”.
5. Royal Botanic Garden & Inverleith Park – An Easy Outdoor Adventure for Families
Location & Info
Royal Botanic Garden
Location: 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Opening Hours: February to October from 10.00 - 17.00; November to January from 10.00 - 16.00; closed on 25 December and 01 January
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
Inverleith Park
Location: Arboretum Road, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ
Opening Hours: Open 24/7 (no gates)
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, known as The Botanics by locals, is a peaceful and beautiful place to explore with your wee one. The gardens are vast, filled with stunning plants and trees, and have smooth, pram-friendly paths – perfect for a gentle stroll. Next door is Inverleith Park, a large green space with plenty of room for babies to crawl about and toddlers to toddle around.
Rock Garden at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Why it’s great with a baby:
Flat, pram-friendly paths throughout the Botanics, making for easy walks or naps on the move.
Calm and spacious, ideal for babies who enjoy gentle sensory experiences, such as leaves rustling and birds chirping.
Lots of benches and grassy spots for breaks, feeds and letting your wee one stretch out.
Inverleith Park’s playpark is great if you have a toddler or older sibling in tow.
Cafes on-site at the Botanics and nearby, so you’re never far from a caffeine top-up or snack.
Getting there:
The Botanics has two entrances:
The West Gate at Arboretum Place (EH3 5NZ)
The East Gate at Inverleith Row (EH3 5LP)
By bus: Several Lothian Buses serve both entrances to the Botanics. Check their website’s journey planner for details. The Regal Tour hop-on, hop-off bus also stops outside the West Gate.
By car: There is limited on-street paid parking near the West Gate at Arboretum Place.
💡 Local tip: The West Gate of the Botanics (off Arboretum Place) is the better entrance to use with a baby – there are toilets with baby-changing facilities right at the entrance and it’s directly across the road from Inverleith Park if you want to visit both in one go.
6. Soft Play Centres – A Rainy Day Favourite for Energetic Babies and Toddlers
Edinburgh has several soft play centres that are perfect for little ones, especially when the weather isn’t so great. Not from the UK? Soft play refers to indoor play spaces designed for babies and young children, featuring padded climbing frames, slides, ball pits, and other safe, cushioned areas for active play. They’re especially popular in the UK as a rainy day activity, providing a fun and secure environment for kids to burn off energy while parents relax.
Here are three of our favourite soft play spots in Edinburgh that we’ve visited and can highly recommend:
Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool (Southside, close to city centre)
Location: Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5BB
Admission: Prices vary by age, session length (60 or 90 minutes), and whether you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend. As a general guide:
From £1.10 for 6-12 months
From £5.50 for 1-2 years
From £8.50 for 3 years+
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.00 - 18.00
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
Clambers soft play
Why it’s great with a baby:
Designated baby, toddler, and junior play areas, so even the littlest visitors can play safely without being overwhelmed by bigger kids.
On-site cafe with coffee, cake and light lunches – perfect for a little break while your baby or toddler plays nearby.
Registered as a breastfeeding-friendly venue, so you can feed comfortably and without worry.
Getting there:
By bus: Several Lothian Buses serve the area. Get off at stops on Dalkeith Road or Newington Road, depending on where you’ll be coming from.
By car: There is free on-site parking at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, with additional street parking in the surrounding area (watch for time restrictions).
💡 Local tip: Make the most of your booked time by letting your child play for the full 60 or 90 minutes first, then enjoy a snack or lunch in the cafe after the session. It’s a great way to maximise the value – and avoid cutting playtime short for a mid-session snack break!
Tumbles at Portobello (East Edinburgh)
Location: 20 Westbank Street, Edinburgh EH15 1DR
Admission: Prices vary by age, session length (60 or 90 minutes), and whether you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend. As a general guide:
From £1.05 for 6-12 months
From £5.25 for 1-2 years
From £7.99 for 3 years+
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.15 - 17.00
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
Tumbles soft play
Why it’s great with a baby:
Recently refurbished with a brand new, modern play frame, offering a clean and engaging space for kids of all ages.
Separate play zones for babies, toddlers and older children, so your little one can explore at their own pace in a safe environment.
There is an on-site cafe, perfect for grabbing a coffee or snack while your child plays.
Located just steps from Portobello Beach, so you can combine your visit with a seaside walk along the promenade.
Getting there:
By bus: Several Lothian Buses routes stop at Portobello High Street, just a 5-minute walk from Tumbles. Check their website for the best route from your location.
By car: Free on-site parking is available, but spaces can fill up quickly later in the day and during warm, sunny weather.
💡 Local tip: To make the most of your visit, order your food from the cafe upstairs before leaving the soft play area, then head downstairs to enjoy your snack or lunch comfortably in the waiting room.
Turtledove Play Cafe (Northwest Edinburgh)
Location: 31 Corbiehill Road, Edinburgh EH4 5BQ
Admission: Free for under 6 months, £5 for 7 months to 2 years, and £7 for 3 years and older, for unlimited play time
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.00 - 15.30
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
Why it’s great with a baby:
More than just a soft play centre – there’s a soft play frame for older kids, a dedicated baby area for crawlers, and a calming sensory space for even younger wee ones.
A cosy reading corner encourages quiet time and is perfect for those who want to get away from the chaos.
For toddlers fascinated by wheels, there’s a play zone with cars and trains, plus a mini kitchen to spark imaginative play.
Enjoy refreshments and a bite from the on-site cafe, with a welcoming atmosphere for families.
Flexible visiting options: walk-ins are welcome, but you can also book a table to secure your spot and make the most of your visit.
Getting there:
By bus: Lothian Buses has several routes that serve the area. Check their website for the most convenient route from your location.
By car: There is no on-site parking. Limited street parking is available on surrounding streets, such as Corbiehill Crescent and Vivian Terrace.
💡 Local tip: Maximise your visit by booking a table in advance, especially for rainy days and weekends, as it can get busy. Grab your food and drinks early from the cafe before settling in so your wee ones can play freely without interruptions.
7. MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place – Where Little Imaginations Come to Life
Location: 3 Drumsheugh Place, Edinburgh EH3 7PT
Admission: From £9.60 for 1 child
Opening Hours: Daily from 09.00 - 16.00
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
MakeBelieve is a creative indoor play space right in the centre of Edinburgh, offering a fun and stimulating environment for children up to age 12. It’s not a traditional soft play centre, but rather thoughtfully designed play rooms filled with imaginative play areas, sensory toys, and hands-on activities.
Main floor of MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place
Why it’s great with a baby:
Purpose-built for babies and toddlers, so everything is designed with little ones in mind.
The space is cosy and calm compared to larger soft play centres, making it a lovely option for babies and toddlers who might feel overwhelmed elsewhere.
Parents and carers can relax with a cuppa and a snack from the retail shop while keeping a close eye on their wee ones and making some new friends.
Features imaginative role-play zones like a mini cafe, construction section and dressing-up area – great for encouraging early social interaction and social play.
Gentle sensory elements and open-ended toys that appeal to crawlers and pre-walkers.
Getting there:
By bus: Several Lothian Buses stop nearby. Visit their website for route and fare information.
By tram: The nearest tram stop is West End. From there, it’s a 6-minute walk.
By car: There is no on-site parking, but limited paid on-street parking is available on surrounding streets. Be sure to check signs carefully, as restrictions vary by street and time of day.
💡 Local tip: Pram and buggy parking is limited at MakeBelieve and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you can, consider babywearing or bringing a compact, foldable stroller to make things easier.
8. Edinburgh Zoo – A Wild Day Out
Location: 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
Admission: Free for under 3s, from £17.50 per child (3-15), from £27.50 per adult (16+), from £24.50 per concession (full-time student with ID and 65+); book online for discounted rates
Opening Hours: April to September from 10.00 - 16.00; March & October from 10.00 - 17.00; November to February from 10.00 - 16.00; closed on 25 December
📍 View on Google Maps
🔗 Official Website
Edinburgh Zoo is a very popular family attraction, home to 2,500 animals from around the world including penguins, big cats, monkeys and koalas. Set across a sprawling hillside in the west of the city, it offers both engaging animal encounters and stunning views across Edinburgh. It’s a great family day out that appeals to all ages.
Pygma hippos Haggis and Gloria at Edinburgh Zoo
Why it’s great with a baby:
Wide, open paths are great for prams – although some parts are hilly, most are pram-accessible with well-maintained walkways.
Three playparks scattered across the zoo – perfect for quick breaks between animal exhibits:
One by the Budongo Trail near the chimpanzees
Another next to Penguin Rocks
A third up near the dinosaur exhibition
Indoor and outdoor viewing areas make it easier to see some animals (such as penguins, otters and meerkats) without lifting your child.
Two restaurants, a cafe and multiple kiosks for ice cream and light bites, so you’re never far away from somewhere to satisfy hungry tummies.
Getting there:
By bus: Lothian Buses routes 12, 26 and 31 all stop on Corstorphine Road near the main entrance. Journey time from the city centre is approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
By car: There is a paid on-site car park. As you enter, you will need to take a ticket and have it validated to exit the car park. The cost is £4 for visitors.
Helpful tip:
Before you visit, download the Edinburgh Zoo app to help you plan your day. The app includes an interactive map, daily animal talk times, and helpful information about facilities like toilets and baby-changing spots – making it easier to navigate with a little one in tow.
💡 Local tip: Head to the top of the hill early in your visit while everyone still has energy – it’s the steepest part of the zoo and can be tough with a pram. But it’s worth it! You’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of Edinburgh near the giraffe enclosure, making the climb feel totally justified. Then you can make your way back down at a more relaxed pace, stopping to see animals and play areas as you go.
These are just a few of our favourite baby-friendly things to do in Edinburgh – and we’ve loved trying them out ourselves! If you want to see what these places look like in action, check out our video linked above. And if you’ve got any baby-friendly Edinburgh favourites of your own, we would love to hear them – leave us a comment below!
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