Rainy Day Ideas in Edinburgh for Families with Babies and Toddlers
Edinburgh’s weather is famously unpredictable – blue skies one moment, pouring rain the next. For families visiting with a baby or toddler, that can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to spoil your trip. The city is full of cosy corners, big indoor attractions and pram-friendly spaces where wee ones can stay warm and entertained. In this blog post, we round up the best options for rainy days, including practical tips like buggy access and changing facilities so you can plan stress-free.
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Big Indoor Adventures
When the rain is pouring and you need somewhere to spend a good chunk of the day, these are Edinburgh’s best big indoor options. They’re engaging for adults, stimulating for wee ones and well set up for visiting families.
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is Edinburgh’s go-to rainy day attraction. Babies and toddlers won’t understand the exhibits, but they will love the sheer scale of it – from the giant T. rex skeleton to colourful science displays to the dramatic glass atrium. For parents, there’s enough variety to keep everyone interested, whether you’re interested in history, design or technology.
A favourite spot for families: the animal gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
Practical perks: Free entry, lift access for prams, a buggy park, baby changing facilities and cafes with high chairs. The cloakroom is handy for leaving wet coats.
Local tip: The museum is busiest on weekends and school holidays. If you’d prefer more space to roam with a pram, aim for weekday mornings.
Nearby bonus: If the weather clears, you can head straight to The Meadows for some fresh air and a short walk or to the Grassmarket for a beautiful view to Edinburgh Castle.
National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One & Two
These twin galleries, Modern One and Modern Two, are just outside of the city centre but are about a 30-minute walk from Princes Street. The airy, open spaces make them perfect for pushing a pram and the colourful art and large sculptures can be quite engaging for toddlers. Parents get to enjoy a world-class collection, from Surrealists to contemporary Scottish works.
Practical perks: Free entry, pram-friendly spaces, baby changing facilities and on-site cafes.
Local tip: The cafe at Modern One is quieter than city centre options and great for a rainy-day coffee stop.
Nearby bonus: If the rain lifts, the sculpture park outside Modern One has plenty of space to let toddlers stretch their legs.
Scottish National Gallery
Right in the heart of the city centre, the Scottish National Gallery is an easy stop if you’re already out and about on a rainy day. It’s smaller and calmer than the National Museum, which makes it ideal for a shorter visit between naps or mealtimes. Babies and toddlers might not be captivated by the art itself, but the big, light-filled rooms give them space to look around while you enjoy all the masterpieces.
Practical perks: Free entry, lift access for prams, baby changing facilities and an on-site cafe and restaurant.
Local tip: Because of its central location, this gallery can make a great “Plan B” if the rain starts suddenly while you’re walking along Princes Street.
Nearby bonus: After a short visit, if the rain eases, you can pop out to Princes Street Gardens for a wee stretch or wander along The Mound towards the Royal Mile for a stroll past shops and historic buildings.
St James Quarter (Shopping & Wandering Space)
While St James Quarter isn’t an attraction in itself for little ones, it can be a lifesaver on a very wet day. It’s fully indoors, spacious and pram-friendly, with plenty of lifts, wide walkways and family facilities. Parents will appreciate the variety of food options and easy access to shops.
Practical perks: Baby changing facilities, high chairs in many restaurants and easy buggy access throughout.
Local tip: If you need a calm spot for feeds or nappy changes, the Parent Room in John Lewis (5th floor, accessible directly from St James Quarter) is well-equipped and quiet.
Nearby bonus: If the rain eases, you can enjoy a stroll along Princes Street or George Street, or have a seat in nearby St Andrew Square and take in some of the New Town’s elegant architecture.
Cosy Corners for Short Escapes
Sometimes a rainy day needs one reliable and calm spot where wee ones can explore safely while you stay dry. For families visiting Edinburgh with a baby or toddler, our top pick is the Central Children’s Library.
Edinburgh Central Children's Library
A welcome space right in the heart of Edinburgh, the Children’s Library is perfect for a rainy morning or afternoon. Toddlers can browse books, enjoy the cosy treehouse cubby corner and settle in for storytime, while parents can relax knowing the environment has been designed with families in mind.
Practical perks: Free entry, lift access, accessible toilets and no library card required for casual browsing.
Local tip: Check the schedule for Bookbug sessions – these short, interactive sessions are ideal for engaging babies and toddlers, and give parents a chance to sit and enjoy the calm atmosphere.
Nearby bonus: If the rain stops, you can pop over for a stroll along the Royal Mile. If the rain doesn’t stop, you’re not far from the National Museum of Scotland, another great rainy day attraction.
Energy-Burning Indoors
If you’re travelling with a toddler, you know they need to move! This is why soft play centres, or indoor play places, are a lifesaver on a rainy day. These indoor spaces are central, easy to access and give wee ones plenty of room to crawl, climb and explore safely.
Clambers Soft Play
A big indoor play centre with separate areas for babies, toddlers and older children, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool is perfect for letting your little one burn off energy. Soft climbing frames and slides keep toddlers entertained while parents can relax nearby.
Clambers soft play: dedicated spaces for little ones to explore safely.
Practical perks: Pram-friendly entrance, baby changing facilities and on-site cafe with seating.
Local tip: Visit in the morning if possible – it’s usually quieter and easier to navigate with small kids and a pram.
Nearby bonus: Step outside afterwards into Holyrood Park, where you can enjoy a breath of fresh air if the weather eases up.
MakeBelieve – The Baby Play Place
Located in Edinburgh’s West End, MakeBelieve is a friendly indoor play space designed for babies and toddlers. It has themed play areas, role play corners and climbing structures suitable for little legs.
A rainy-day favourite: MakeBelieve’s baby- and toddler-friendly play area.
Practical perks: Pram-friendly entrance, baby changing facilities and drinks and snacks available for purchase.
Local tip: Sessions can get busy around lunchtime – mid-morning visits are usually quieter.
Nearby bonus: The West End has quiet streets for a short walk if the rain stops, or you can combine a visit with a stop at nearby attractions like Dean Village.
Rainy Day Logistics
Even the best-planned day can unravel if you’re not ready for the soggy side of Edinburgh. These tips will help you stay (mostly) sane when the weather turns.
Transport Tips
Avoid buses if you can – Rain slows traffic to a crawl, windows steam up and squeezing on with a pram is a headache, if you can even get on! If your plans are central, walking is often faster (and surprisingly refreshing if you’re bundled up).
Trams win – The tram runs between Edinburgh Airport, New Town and Newhaven in the north of Edinburgh and offers much smoother boarding with prams and predictable timings.
Taxi as a backup – Not the cheapest, but sometimes sanity-saving when you’ve got a soaked toddler and a day bag full of soggy snacks.
Food + Snack Stops
Big indoor hubs like St James Quarter, the National Museum and the Royal Commonwealth Pool all have food options with high chairs and space for prams – perfect for when little tummies can’t wait. Even a quick supermarket dash can save the day – you’ll find many Tesco Expresses and Sainsbury’s Locals dotted throughout the city.
Gear That Makes a Difference
Pram rain cover – Not just for downpours. It’s great for both Edinburgh’s sideways rain and on blustery days when you want to keep the chill off your wee one.
Quick-dry layers – For grown-ups and little ones alike – you’ll dry off faster when the showers pass.
Fold-up waterproof picnic mat – Handy for indoors or out for emergency snack breaks.
Rain doesn’t need to ruin a trip to Edinburgh – in fact, it often makes indoor attractions cosier! With a baby or toddler, you’ll find plenty of ways to keep them entertained and comfortable, whether you want a full day of exploring at the National Museum or just a short escape into a gallery or library.
Do you have a favourite rainy day spot in Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to add more places to our collection.
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