What's On in Edinburgh & The Lothians

Giants

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive,...

Matilda The Musical

Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Matilda The Musical, the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company is inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl. Buy one and get one under 16s half price on selected seats at Tue...

Great Big School Clean

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.keepbritaintidy.org

Keep Britain Tidy believe that teaching children and young people about litter is a crucial part of their environmental education journey. Join the Great Big School Clean this spring, and help your...

Birthday Parties at Dynamic Earth

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk/whats-on/birthday-parties

Birthday Party Packages starts with a guided tour through the interactive galleries, led by a dedicated Birthday Guide who will bring science to life. After the excitement, guests can enjoy a delicious...

Crafternoons

Venue: Main Hall of the Scottish Parliament

Website: www.parliament.scot

Looking for something fun to do with the kids on the weekend? Crafternoons offer a range of activities for all ages. There's no need to book, just walk in and join the sessions taking place between 11am...

Edinburgh Bus Tours

Venue: Edinburgh City Centre

Website: https://edinburghtour.com

All three hop on, hop off tours provide multi language audio or live guide commentary. Tours are wheelchair accessible, and ticket holders can enjoy various discounts at attractions across Edinburgh. Start...

Family Robotics Play

Venue: Little Plaza

Website: www.littleplaza.co.uk/kidsrobotics

Introduce your child to the world of robotics through hands-on exploration of robotics parts. It's a chance for them to engage in creative learning while allowing the expert instructor to assess if they...

Find Out Fridays

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Explore a different theme each week on Friday afternoons with the Learning team. Find out fascinating facts and hear surprising stories about the collections and get hands on with some of our favourite...

George Heriot’s School

Venue: George Heriot’s School

Address: Lauriston Place

Website: www.george-heriots.com

Welcoming children aged 4-18 to flourish in a caring and stimulating environment, pupils learn side by side, with both Junior and Senior School on one historic campus. Families are welcome to arrange individual...

Get creative at Doodles

Venue: 27-29 Marchmont Cres

Website: www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

Fancy doing something fun and creative with the kids? Head along to Doodles for some pottery painting fun. They have all different shapes of pottery, from mugs and bowls, to figurines and plant pots. Dozens...

LS Tuition

Venue: 11 Harewood Road

Website: https://lydias-tuition.co.uk/

Is your child struggling with their learning? Do you feel they would benefit from, and maybe even grow to enjoy, their school environment more if they felt more supported in their educational journey?...

Lyceum Youth Theatre

Venue: The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh

Website: www.lyceum.org.uk/take-part/young-people/lyt

Lyceum Youth Theatre offer classes a range of classes; Play (ages 5-7), Mini's (ages 8-10), Juniors (ages 11-13) and Seniors (ages 14-18). Each session challenges members to become strong performers whilst...

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Venue: Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Address: Biggar Road

Website: www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200281/snowsports_centre

Set into the hillside of the stunning Pentland Hills Regional Park offering all the fun and adrenaline you'd expect from Britain's biggest artificial slop. They have 2 main slopes, 3 nursery slopes, fun...

PQA Edinburgh East Lothian

Venue: Wallyford Learning Campus

Website: www.pqacademy.com/academies/edinburgh-east-lothian

Join PQA for an action-packed morning where you’ll learn high-energy K-Pop dance moves, sing your heart out to your favourite tracks and master fun “demon combat” stage skills! Limited spaces –...

The Meadows Junior Parkrun

Venue: The Meadows Junior Parkrun

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/themeadows-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9.30am. Free to join but register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in...

Disney On Ice presents Into the Magic!

Venue: OVO Hydro

Website: www.disneyonice.com

Discover why no dream is too big at Disney On Ice when your favourite Disney stories come to life through world-class ice skating. See Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and stars from Frozen, Coco, Moana,...

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of good friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds...

Junior School Taster Afternoon

Venue: George Watson's College

Website: www.gwc.org.uk/admissions/open-events

Children will participate in activities whilst parents have the opportunity to tour the Junior School and hear from the Principal and Head of Junior School. For families considering P4-P7. Register your...

Red Nose Day

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.comicrelief.com

Taking place every March, this unique fundraising campaign uses comedy as a means to fundraise money for great causes. Anyone and everyone can get involved. Past years have seen bake sales, 24-hour dance-a-thons...

Dino's: Pollinators

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Dino’s Science Club is packed with hands-on experiments, fun challenges, and exciting themes: from dinosaurs and space, to volcanoes and wildlife. It’s not just for science experts, it’s for anyone...

Lightning Ridge

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Lightning Ridge is about the possibility of dreams, about a community coming together, the preciousness of hope and how, sometimes, we have to believe in the impossible. Suitable for ages 8+.

Taylor Fever: World Tour 2026

Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Attention all Swifties - Taylor Fever is the electrifying tribute production to worldwide megastar Taylor Swift. Following on from the sold out show at the Corn Exchange in 2025, audiences can take a trip...

Race for Life across Scotland

Venue: Various locations

Website: www.raceforlife.org

Cancer Research UK’s much-loved events, which raise funds for life-saving research, are returning. Anyone who joins between 23 March and April 19 can claim 50 per cent off the entry fee as part of a...

Peppa Pig's Big Family Show

Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse

Website: www.atgtickets.com

With a new arrival on the way the whole family are busy getting ready. With building and decorating work to be done, it’s an oinktastic makeover and Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig & George all need...

Peebles Youth Theatre: The Jungle Book

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Peebles Youth Theatre presents The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, adapted by Jessica Swale. Join Mowgli and friends on an unforgettable adventure through the jungle in this vibrant amateur production,...

Easter at Almond Valley

Venue: Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Website: www.almondvalley.co.uk

The much-loved Mad Hatter’s Tea Party returns for Easter 2026 and the legendary Duck Race! Other activities include The Mad Hatter’s Trail of Wonder, Mad Hatter Craftivity Sessions – imagine, Build...

Curiosity Club

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities and gallery visits. There is a relaxed version of the Curiosity Club for ASN families on...

Dino's: Dinosaur Discovery

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Whether they love to get messy, laugh, or ask a million questions, your child will fit right in. This step into the shoes of a palaeontologist, investigating the dinosaurs that once roamed our planet....

Holiday Camps at Loretto School

Venue: Loretto School

Website: www.loretto.com

Loretto is the perfect place for activity and sports camps for young people of all interests and abilities. Participants can try something new and enhance their skills and confidence in their favourite...

An Egg Hunt Across the Ages

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Travel through time and scour the exhibition to find out all about different kinds of eggs and the creatures that lay them - from corals and dinosaurs, to penguins and catsharks. Grab your free egg trail...

Easter Egg Trails at Newhailes

Venue: Newhailes House and Garden

Website: www.nts.org.uk

Follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win your chocolate-y reward! Trail Tickets are in hourly slots with last entry at 3pm. The theme this year is Adventurers and Explorers and there...

Easter explorers and rainforest adventurers at Newhailes

Venue: Newhailes House and Garden

Website: www.nts.org.uk

The team at Zoolab will take you on an adventure to understand the rainforest. It’s part of an approach that combines storytelling and drama to bring the rainforest to life, help children discover biodiversity,...

Easter Hunt activity at The Fyne Den Adventure Zone

Venue: The Fyne Den Adventure Zone

Website: www.thefyneden.com

Easter Hunt activity at The Fyne Den Adventure Zone – included in entrance prices. Book ahead at www.thefyneden.com  or call 01499 320429.

Easter Outdoor Fun

Venue: Lauriston Castle and Gardens

Website: https://cultureedinburgh.com

Free and drop-in events all day. Collect an easter trail or egg hunt quiz from the front of the castle and see how far you get. Maybe you’ll discover parts of the grounds you haven’t seen before!...

Free Creme Egg upon Arrival - Edinburgh Bus Tours

Venue: Waterloo Place

Website: www.edinburghtours.com

This Good Friday, the first 100 children to board an Edinburgh Bus Tours open-top bus at Waterloo Place will receive a Cadbury Creme Egg. Get down there early so you don't miss out! Up to 3 kids go free...

The Edinburgh Academy Easter Camps

Venue: The Edinburgh Academy Junior School Sports Hub

Address: 10 Arboretum Road

Website: www.edinburghacademy.org.uk/1366/holiday-camps-2026

Make this Easter unforgettable at The Edinburgh Academy Easter Camps. The inclusive programme lets children try exciting activities, build confidence, and make new friends. From obstacle bouncy castle...

Easter Activity Day

Venue: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Website: www.rct.uk

An exciting Easter activity day with crafts for the whole family to enjoy. Easter Crown Hunt. Some special mini crowns have been hidden in the Palace. Collect your paper trail to discover facts and find...

Easter Egg-splorer Trail

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo

Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Can you find all the eggs? Visit Edinburgh Zoo this April to egg-splore their family friendly Easter trail. Complete the trail and win a prize! Trail sheets at £2 per person. For further information...

Edinburgh Science Festival

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.edinburghfestivalcity.com

The Festival's annual programme takes over venues across the city, including galleries, museums, public spaces and more. In doing so, it delivers loads of fun, fascinating activities alongside serious...

Robin Hood

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Filled with Folksy’s signature live music, audience interaction, and delightful silliness, this whimsical musical adaptation of Robin Hood promises to have you laughing and singing along! Don’t miss...

The Scottish Sprint Cup Raceday on Easter Saturday

Venue: Musselburgh Racecourse

Website: www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Easter Saturday at Musselburgh Racecourse is one of the biggest social events of the Easter weekend - packed to the brim with exciting activities, no matter your age. With an abundance of free activities...

Astronaut Training

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Visit Dynamic Earth for a session that will get you ready to head to space. Your astronaut training will include exciting space activities- from rocket launches to zero gravity. Once it’s complete, you’ll...

Flying High

Venue: National Museum of Flight

Website: www.nms.ac.uk/events/flying-high

Learn about the Scottish engineering inventions that made international travel possible through fun family activities. Explore the rest of the museum during your visit and find out more about how aeroplanes...

Creature Connections

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo

Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Encounter some extra special residents, including playful pygmy goats, enjoy the thrill of birds soaring overhead and have the chance to join in the action yourself! Tickets are £5 and available across...

Spring Explorers

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo

Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Join the Discovery and Learning team in an active and engaging three-hour session that aims to deepen nature connections for younger audiences through visiting animals at Edinburgh Zoo. Suitable for P3-7...

Gabby's Dollhouse Live!

Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse

Website: www.atgtickets.com

In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a colour cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby...

Junior Highland Keeper

Venue: Highland Wildlife Park

Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

For children aged 8-15, Junior Highland Keepers will get hands-on opportunities to care for the animals, learn about their habitats and understand the importance of wildlife conservation. Children will...

Hansel and Gretel - Easter Panto

Venue: Reconnect Regal, Bathgate

Website: www.reconnecttheatres.com

Hansel and Gretel live a normal life until one day they get lost deep in the woods, but these aren’t just any woods, this is the Gumdrop Forest, home to the dreaded Candy Hag. With Dame Esther Bunny...

The Bubble Show 2 – More Bubbles!

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

This magical production is a feast for the senses, featuring fire effects, poetic puppetry, light-displays, majestic music, and brand-new bubble masterpieces never seen before. This show promises a fresh...

Out of the Box

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Circus comedy show, which sees an unlikely character and his box bring audiences together through joyful awe, never knowing what to expect next. A joyous celebration of PLAY throughout your life, whatever...

Storytelling at Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Venue: Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Website: www.ardkinglas.com

Storytelling by Stewart Ennis at 2pm. The Gruffalo 'in Scots' and then onto the Fairy Trail and a Fairy Story. Storytelling and admission for gardens £6 adults, £4 child (4-16yrs) 3 and under free....

Mini Highland Keeper

Venue: Highland Wildlife Park

Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

For children aged 5-7, Mini Highland Keepers will get opportunities to care for the animals, prepare feeds, learn about their habitats and understand the importance of wildlife conservation. Children must...

Journey Into Space Storytelling

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

As part of Edinburgh Science Festival, get ready to blast off in this space themed storytelling session! Get your hands on some meteorites, discover the smell of the Moon and find out what astronauts do...

Scotland Women’s National Team v Belgium

Venue: Easter Road Stadium

Website: https://scotfa.co/SWNTBELtkt

It’s all eyes on Brazil as Scotland aim to secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027. With their sternest test on the pitch of the campaign yet coming against Belgium, the team need...

Relaxed Morning

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

These relaxed sessions are for children with additional support needs and their families. Each session will have a reduced capacity and a slightly slower pace to allow more time to enjoy the activities....

The Ultimate Bubble Show

Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Ray Bubbles is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various different gases to...

Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale

Venue: Polwarth Parish Church

Website: www.polwarthprelovedsale.com

Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale is volunteer-run, offering 5000+ pre-loved items for children and babies. It provides a way to reduce waste and beat cost-of-living increases. Sellers can declutter and make some...

Diversity - Soul 2026

Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Diversity is set to take to the road on a major new tour of the UK and Ireland in spring 2026. With matinee and evening shows across the spring half term and Easter holidays, there are plenty of opportunities...

Adults go Free at The Fyne Den Adventure Zone

Venue: The Fyne Den Adventure Zone

Website: www.thefyneden.com

Open Friday to Monday 10am to 3pm. Book ahead at www.thefyneden.com  or call 01499 320429.

Sensory Sunday

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families. Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun, hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating. You are welcome to...

Taylor Swift Effect

Venue: Reconnect Regal, Bathgate

Website: www.reconnecttheatres.com

Filling venues up and down the country The Taylor Swift Effect is simply a stunning tribute show with The UK’s ultimate tribute to Taylor, complete with dancers, iconic costume changes, and all the hits...

Festhailes Country

Venue: Newhailes House and Garden

Website: www.nts.org.uk

Immerse yourself in all the festival vibes with funfair rides, delicious street food, ice cream and face painting. A wine and prosecco bar, along with beer, will be available for adults to enjoy, while...

Playdate

Venue: George Watson's College

Website: www.gwc.org.uk

Visit for a morning of fun and speak with the wonderful teachers to learn more about life at the Junior School and find out what makes George Watson's College truly special. For families considering Preschool...

Children's Classic Concerts: Big Top Brass

Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington

Website: www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk/events/big-top-brass-2026

With bells, trills and circus skills, this is the Greatest Show! Performed by CCC's Brass Quintet, Thistle Brass, presented by Owen Gunnell alongside their astonishing Magic Circle magician, this promises...

World Bee Day at Lauriston Castle

Venue: Lauriston Castle and Gardens

Website: https://cultureedinburgh.com

Celebrate World Bee Day (Wednesday 20 May) and acknowledge some of the most important insects on our planet! Join John Jeffrey our resident Beekeeper at the Castle for a morning of creative fun exploring...

Edinburgh International Children's Festival 2026

Venue: Various location

Website: www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/festivals/edinburgh-international-childrens-festival

The Festival celebrates the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world, showcasing high quality, distinctive Scottish and international performances to an audience of children, their...

Artie's Singing Kettle

Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Join Artie for a singalong spectacular as he takes you on a musical journey through the magical world of The Singing Kettle! Packed with fun, laughter, and loads of audience participation, this is the...

The Little Mermaid Jr

Venue: Reconnect Howden Park

Website: www.reconnecttheatres.com

Journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home —...

Bluey's Big Play

Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli are heading to Edinburgh for the live stage show, Bluey’s Big Play. Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s...

Edinburgh Pretty Muddy Kids

Venue: The Meadows

Address: Melville Drive, Edinburgh

Website: https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org

Pretty Muddy® Kids is a fun-packed muddy obstacle course for children aged 6-12 (over 1.2m tall). The young fundraisers climb, crawl and slide their way around the course at their own pace, accompanied...