There is Edinburgh, there is Fringe and then there is Edinburgh with kids – my personal favourite. When traveling somewhere first thing we check out, specially when airplanes, trains and loooong drives are involved – are open spaces and playgrounds. Greenery, fresh air and something to get all that boiling energy out of our system. Ok, ‘boys’ system. I am totally cool only with some silence and a tree hug or two.
So, if you are anything like us, and you are looking for a starting point to exploring capital of Scotland look no further – Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park is your best choice. The climb to the top might be a challenge for under 5’s but there are other easier walking routes around with hidden gems and secrets. The legend that gets me all sparkly is the one of the sleeping Dragon. Yes, not only there is a dragon in Holyrood Park – Arthur’s Seat itself is the Dragon!
This post was written before Covid 19, some of the places here mentioned are closed at the moment, some offer online content to explore, but all are worth putting on a ‘to see’ list once that will be possible.
Brave enough for giggles on the back of a sleeping Dragon… When you get both the view and the rainbow all at once
Holyrood Park
As the story goes, Dragon and this brave Irish hero Cuchulainn fought each other for days. Cuchulainn was never defeated before this battle, nor was the Dragon. The battle lasted for days, weeks even, when it finally ended only the Dragon was standing. But he too was exhausted. So, he lay down to rest. On the exact same spot where Arthur’s Seat is today. And he has been sleeping there still. The grass and bushes and flowers covered him, but when I stand still or lay my head on the ground, sometimes, I can hear and feel his soft breath and beating heart. From time to time, when he is reliving that epic battle with Cuchulainn in his dreams, a mystic fog covers the hills and grounds, reaching all the way to the North Sea.
Haar can surround you in a matter of seconds 
On other days you can see all of Arthur’s Seat behind Lilo
A wee note on that cold fog also known as Haar. If you come across it during your journeyings, as it can become very thick in a matter of minutes, avoid climbing up the hills and unknown terrains.
No matter what your preference are – climbing up the dragon, just chilling on the meadow, taking selfies with swans or making a hidden den, this wildlife heaven in the heart of Edinburgh has it all. Plus, it’s super close to many amenities that are on the top list of ‘What to see in Auld Reekie’.
Just behind Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Queen Elizabeth is known to stay during her visits to Scotland, is the Educational Centre where you can find toilets (also the only place you can find them while exploring Holyrood Park) and info on what events are on at the time. Perfect spot for picnics, chilling, just soaking up the green.
Macro and… 
…micro world of Arthur’s Seat
Wee ruin you’ll notice instantly is St Anthony’s Chapel. There are not many data on the Chapels history, most likely it had some links to skin hospice based in Leith around 15th century. From the Chapel there is a direct path to top of Arthur’s Seat. This path is shorter but steep so maybe not the best option for little kids.
St Anthony’s Chapel 
Where imagination can run wild
There is another path that will bring you to the top of this extinct volcano. Start from St Margaret’s Loch and enjoy a stroll either through woodland or following the road to ‘upper’ Dunsapie Loch. Especially with kids, allow yourself some time to wander around. There are loads of hidden dens, tree houses and other ‘treasures’ all around. Also, a great chance to get up close and personal with some of the beautiful birds, rabbits, pheasants, foxes and even deer or two residing here.
Short but steep path to the top of the extinct volcano 
Kids friendly climb to Arthur’s Seat starts from Dunsapie Loch… 
…or you could circle around it, and get some amazing views on the way
If climbing up the hill is not your thing, continue down the path from Dunsapie Loch around the hills. There are a few benches with amazing views you can rest on and let the kids explore. This road will bring you back to Holyrood Palace, Scottish Parliament Building and my kids personal favourite Dynamic Earth.
Scottish Parliament
One thing not known to many is that Scottish Parliament apart from offering exhibitions, guided tours, even watching Parliament business live, offers you to do all this while your children are playing in Parliaments public crèche. If you like making your plans with scent of good coffee, then don’t miss out on the SP Café. Staff is super friendly, coffee and bites yummy and if you’re in luck you might get the chance to try homemade gourmet pop-corns.
Wide open area outside Scottish Parliament is a great place to chill before climb up the Royal Mile 
Our Dynamic Earth offers unforgettable adventures all year round
Crèche is free for all and it takes in children from 6 month to 5 years for up to 4 hours. We used it few times while boys were younger and it’s an understatement to say they enjoyed every minute. More on how to book and plan your visit here.
Dynamic Earth
Now if you’re in Edinburgh with children and they are four and above Dynamic Earth is not to miss. You have time just for one thing to see? This is it! Tickets are going around 14£ per adult and 9£ per child (4-15). Not cheap but from all our friends who visited no one had any regrets. We’ve experienced it a few times in the last couple of years and it was always a whole new adventure.
I will not say much to avoid spoilers only that when planning your trip there is a Café in there with reasonable prices and (if you ask my kids) best-est macaroni cheese ever.
Dynamic Earth is closed at the moment but they offer some cool ideas for little explorers every day.
Holyrood Palace
If you are into Kings and Queens, next logical step in this area of Edi would be Palace of Holyroodhouse. It has that noble atmosphere you would expect from a place where Queen resides while visiting Edinburgh and a charming garden.
There are regular and royal tickets, and they have changed over the years so best to check on the web before coming.
Autumn is our favorite time of the year in and 
around Holyrood Palace gardens…
In my opinion there is loads of interesting things to explore here with older children. Mine were around 2 and 5 when we were last time here. They loved the Kids Workshop that was on at the time, but most of the time I spent hawk eyeing on them not to do what can’t be undone. We did adore the garden, serene and covered in all the colours of autumn leaves.
This area is also the End of Royal Mile. On the top of it is Edinburgh Castle. In between loads of tourist shops but also some historical places that will occupy kids and adults alike. And that is coming from a person whose one child can roam museums for hours and enjoy every second of it, and the other one tents to torpedo through them. The trick with museums here in Scotland is they really want to engage children and make it interesting for them. Best part – most of them are free.
Take a peek into Edinburgh Museums and virtual tour of Edinburgh and Stirling Castle.