Whether you're local or just visiting, Edinburgh isn't short of things to do keep you entertained and busy.
During the summer, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival kicks off in August along with the Edinburgh International Film Festival and there is an abundance of shows suitable for the little ones from plays, to magic and music. Although the city centre gets busy, it's fun just to walk up the Royal Mile to see the acts performing on the street.
In April the Edinburgh Science Festival returns and if you can't wait till then their Summer of Science offers educational but fun activities for the whole family.
But the city doesn't stop after summer, throughout the year there are plenty of things to do with kids and we've gathered a list of the 10 best activities for everyone to enjoy.
Dynamic Earth
Off the Royal Mile on Holyrood Road, Dynamic Earth tells the story of the Earth in a fun and interactive way. Starting off with jumping into a time machine, the kids are taken back to witness the Big Bang and learn about prehistoric earth, the polar caps and more.
Dynamic Earth is open Thursday to Friday 10am-5.30pm.
Ticket prices: Adult: £15.95 per ticket
Child (4-15): £9.95 per ticket
Student/Senior: £13.95 per ticket
Camera Obscura
On Castle Hill, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions offers five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room.
Tickets are £12.15 for children and £15.75 for adults.
Edinburgh Dungeons
Edinburgh is rich in spooky history and the Edinburgh Dungeons is a fun interactive tour that starts off on a boat and into the dungeons.
You're greeted by actors who put on a frightfully good show and can go on interactive rides that various historical events from Scottish history in a scary fun style.
Audience interaction is very much encouraged so it's not one for the faint hearted.
Tickets for a general admission is £19.75.
Because it is jumpy, the advised age is children 8 and over. Kids 5-25 must be accompanied by an adult.
Love Gorgie Farm
If your little one loves animals, LOVE Gorgie Farm is a friendly urban farm that offers hands-on educational and learning opportunities for all our visitors.
They also hold private functions for birthdays, school trips and farm tours.
The best part is that it's free! But visitors are encouraged to make a donation.
It is open 9.30am-4pm and you can find it on 51 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Zoo
Following on with the animal theme, if you want to see some more exotic animals, Edinburgh Zoo is the one for you and the kids.
The zoo certainly isn't short of animals featuring lions, binturong, multiple breeds of apes, pandas, exotic birds and giraffes.
Customers can also get up close to tigers with their Tiger Tracks exhibitions. Other attractions also include the giant panda exhibition, Penguin Rock, Budongo Trail and Koala Territory .
The Real Mary Queens Close
Here's another spooky tour for the history buffs, take a trip down the alley with one of its former residence. Like the Edinburgh Dungeons, you are greeted by actors who tell the story of the famous close and you can even meet the plague doctor.
The tour lasts an hour long and it's open Monday-Sunday 9am-9pm. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance.
The ticket prices for The Real Mary Queens Close: Adults: 18.95
Children (5-15) 12.45
Family Ticket (two adults and two children): £54
Harry Potter Tour
Edinburgh is famous for being the spot where JK Rowling penned parts of the book, starting at William Chambers Monument, 45 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Take a magical 2-hour walking tour of Edinburgh and discover the city where the world of Harry Potter was conceived. Test your knowledge with an audio-visual quiz, find out your Hogwarts House, and visit Tom Riddle’s grave.
Children tickets: £12 and adults: 14.50
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street offers a range of galleries including an impressive art gallery, Sciene and technology a Scottish history gallery. In the natural world section, get up close to a dinosaur skeleton and the kids will love to have their photo taken next to the lions.
Admissions are free but customers should book to a slot.
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena
In Newbridge, Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is great, especially when the Scottish weather brings rain down and the kids still want to do something active.
It is one of Europe's largest climbing indoor climbing area.
It's open 8am-10pm.
Climb Arthur's Seat
A money-free option, Arthur's Seat is a dormant volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh, Scotland, which form most of Holyrood Park with an elevation of 251 metres.
The walk is slightly jaggy but it can take around two to three hours to climb Arthur's Seat but since it's the highest point among the hills in Edinburgh, the view is spectacular.
Some even run up it, but maybe that's one for the kids to decide.
