Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Edinburgh: Soft Play and More

Edinburgh has plenty to do indoors with children, from big national museums to soft play, climbing walls and multiplex cinemas. Many of the options sit close together in the centre or around Leith, so a wet day does not have to mean a long drive. Here is how the indoor choices break down by type.

Soft play

For younger children who need to burn off energy, there are several soft play centres across the city.

• The Fun Factory - Newhaven Quay has climbing frames, slides and active zones, plus an onsite restaurant and parking. It is rated 3.5 from 2,001 Google reviews.
• Wonder World Soft Play Edinburgh on Easter Road combines soft play equipment with a go-kart track, and serves food and snacks. It is rated 3.9 from 1,703 Google reviews.
• Tumbles at Portobello is wheelchair accessible, with an onsite restaurant and parking. It is rated 4.3 from 621 Google reviews.
• Time Twisters has an Ancient Egyptian theme and multi-level activities for children of all ages, with onsite dining and baby facilities. It is rated 4.2 from 597 Google reviews.

Active and sporty

Older children and families who want something more energetic have a good range of choices.

• Edinburgh International Climbing Arena in Newbridge lets children from age four try the climbing walls, with abseiling and assault courses for older kids. It is rated 4.7 from 2,065 Google reviews.
• Alien Rock is an indoor climbing centre with walls and routes for all abilities and an onsite restaurant. It is rated 4.8 from 391 Google reviews.
• Jump In Trampoline Arena Edinburgh in Musselburgh has accessible facilities, onsite parking and snacks. It is rated 4.4 from 613 Google reviews.
• Murrayfield Ice Rink offers family skating, with onsite parking, refreshments and a restaurant. It is rated 4.3 from 893 Google reviews.
• Royal Commonwealth Pool and Clambers pairs twin swimming pools with the Clambers indoor play zone, and has onsite dining, parking and baby changing.

Creative and puzzle-solving

Doodles Ceramics Workshop is a studio where families decorate ceramic pieces, and snacks are available. For something more competitive, Escape The Past is an escape room with wheelchair and pushchair access and baby changing. It is rated 5.0 from 437 Google reviews.

Museums, galleries and science

Edinburgh's museums are a strong option for a wet day, and several sit along or near the Royal Mile.

• National Galleries Scotland: National is Scotland's premier art museum, with wheelchair hire, baby facilities and pushchair-friendly galleries. It is rated 4.7 from 17,291 Google reviews.
• National Galleries Scotland: Portrait is a fully accessible gallery of Scotland's portrait collection. It is rated 4.7 from 5,866 Google reviews.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored at Leith, and visitors can explore its state rooms, crew quarters and engine spaces. It is rated 4.7 from 14,166 Google reviews.
• Dynamic Earth is a science centre with hands-on exhibits on volcanoes, polar ice caps and prehistoric creatures, and is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. It is rated 4.4 from 2,236 Google reviews.
• Museum of Childhood Edinburgh on the Royal Mile looks at how children played and lived through history, with collections of toys and games. It is rated 4.3 from 2,257 Google reviews.
• The Museum of Edinburgh covers the city's local history in a historic Royal Mile building. It has baby changing, but wheelchair access is limited. It is rated 4.4 from 3,347 Google reviews.
• Museum on the Mound is free to enter, with exhibitions on currency, technology and crime through the ages. It is rated 4.5 from 838 Google reviews.

Cinemas and bowling

When the weather is at its worst, a film or a few frames of bowling is hard to beat.

• Cineworld Edinburgh at Fountain Park has the city's only IMAX screen and regular family showings. It is rated 4.4 from 3,461 Google reviews.
• Vue Edinburgh Omni Centre on Leith Street has weekend children's screenings, snacks and wheelchair-accessible facilities. It is rated 4.3 from 3,203 Google reviews.
• Vue Edinburgh Ocean Terminal is a waterfront cinema in Leith with wheelchair access, onsite parking and snacks. It is rated 4.5 from 2,783 Google reviews.
• ODEON Edinburgh West Luxe on Wester Hailes Road has eight screens, onsite parking, snacks and wheelchair access. It is rated 4.5 from 2,017 Google reviews.
• Tenpin Edinburgh at Fountain Park has multiple lanes, an onsite restaurant and wheelchair access. It is rated 4.2 from 1,347 Google reviews.
• World Of Bowling is an accessible bowling venue with onsite dining, though it has no baby changing facilities. It is rated 4.3 from 649 Google reviews.

Tips for an indoor day out

• Book weekend and school-holiday slots ahead where you can, as indoor venues fill up quickly on wet days.
• Check each venue's own page for opening times before you set off.
• Soft play centres often ask for socks, so pack a spare pair for everyone.
• Pair one active venue with one calmer one, such as climbing in the morning and a museum in the afternoon, so children get a change of pace.