What's on in the school holidays
Free or low-cost activities and support for families during the holidays. If you know of any other running activities, please let us know.
Winter Family Trail
Following the route around the museums, find the eight snow-people hidden throughout the galleries and answer each of their music-related questions to win a Winter-Themed Sticker at the end. The trail is open from 10am until 4pm from Saturday 15 November to Saturday 20 December at
For more information visit the .
Edinburgh Food Project Drop-in Services
Edinburgh Food Project have a range of Drop-in sessions open across December:
- Tuesday 16 December - Housing Support with Turning Point Scotland
- Tuesday 16 December – Energy Advice with Changeworks
- Tuesday 16 December – Stop Smoking Advice with Quit Your Way
- Thursday 18 December – Safe and Warm Carer Support with VOCAL
- Friday 19 December – Advocacy and Support with Voiceability
- All Thursdays in December – How to Work your Smartphone with Salvation Army
All sessions are open from 10.30am to 1pm at
Activities, trails and handling tables at Museum on the Mound
Offering fun, free family-friendly activities, trails and handling tables throughout the Winter holidays. Families can get hands-on with the Museum's collection by dropping by their handling tables. Play with the coins Scrooge would have hoarded, design a banknote, explore coins from around the world, and discover some weird and wonderful currencies. Families can also find the festive squirrels hiding in the Museum or take part in the animal spotting trail.
The activities will be running from Tuesday 2 December to Tuesday 6 January from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 1pm to 5pm on Saturdays at
For more information visit the .
Santa’s Grotto at Ocean Terminal
Santa will be spreading the festive cheer at the ocean terminal this Christmas. Tickets cost £6.50 and should be booked in advance. All children receive an age-appropriate gift from Santa. Relaxed sessions are also available. The Grotto is located indoors on the ground floor, next to the mall lift and running from Thursday 4 December to Wednesday 24 December at
For more information on relaxed sessions or to book tickets, visit the .
Sensory Friendly Supper with Santa
Join Santa and his elves for a Sensory Friendly supper. Every registered child gets an early Christmas gift from Santa and his Elves. Tickets cost £5 per child (Adults go free with a paying child). Payment made in store on the day of your booked session. The sessions will be running on Wednesday 17 December from 5pm to 6pm and 6pm to 7pm
For more information visit the .
Christmas on the Corner
Join Colinton Village community for their Christmas on the corner celebrations including a tombola, activities, mulled wine, mince pies and Santa’s Grotto. Entry by donation. The event is on Thursday 18 December from 5pm to 7pm at
For more information visit the .
Santa’s Snowy Spectacular!
Take the whole family for a night full of festive fun, laughter and creativity. Dress in your festive, funniest or coziest Christmas outfit. Tickets cost £5 per child (Adults go free with a paying child). Payment made in store on the day of your booked session. Session is on Thursday 18 December from 5pm to 7pm at
For more information visit the .
Supper with Santa
This festive season, IKEA Family members are invited to join Santa for some supper. Santa will be accompanied by his elves and will be handing out an early Christmas gift for every child that attends. Tickets cost £5.00 per child (Adults go free with a paying child). Payment made in store on the day of your booked session. The sessions will be running on Friday 19 December from 4pm to 5pm and 5pm to 6pm at
For more information visit the .
Sparkle and Song – A Christmas family concert
Gather under the stars, in the Great Hall, for a joyful morning of festive tunes and gentle rhythms designed especially for babies, toddlers, and their grown ups. Celebrate the season with music, laughter, and a touch of Christmas magic. For children aged nought to five years old. The concert will run on Friday 19 December from 10.15am (for non-walking babies) and from 11.15am (for toddlers and above) at
For more information and to book visit the .
Community Mushroom Farming – Clearing & Preparing for Winter
A hands-on learning experience. In these two-hour workshops, you will gain an understanding of the different aspects of community mushroom farming. Learn which seasonal native fungi you can grow outdoors for food and soil restoration. Workshops will run on Friday 19 December from 1pm to 3pm at
To book your free place email
Little Big Horns
Join in the Central Lending Library to play a programme of saxed-up seasonal favourites. The concert is on Saturday 20 December from 1pm at
To book visit the .
Shape Shifters
In a world full of colours, textures, and surprises, Shape Shifters invites young audiences on a joyful journey of play, transformation, and finding their sparkle. Through dance, illusion, and a touch of comedy, Shape Shifters celebrates identify, difference, and the friendships we find the courage to be ourselves.
A joyful magical dance adventure for children aged three years and above and their grown-ups. Tickets cost £5 per person. The session is on 20 December from 11am to 11.45am and from 3pm to 3.45pm at
For more information and book visit the .
Free Christmas Movies
Join in the festive cheer, watch free Christmas movies for all the family with Gilmerton Library. Popcorn and juice will be provided. Children under the age of eight years must be accompanied by an adult. No booking required, the films will be starting at 12pm and will be running on Saturday 20 December at
For more information visit the .
Breakfast with Santa
Join Santa for breakfast at IKEA. Santa will be accompanied by his elves and will be handing out an early Christmas gifts for every child that attends. Tickets cost £5 per child (Adults go free with a paying child). Payment made in store on the day of your booked session. The sessions will be running across December.
- Saturday 20 December from 9.30am to 10.30am
- Sunday 21 December from 9.30am to 10.30am
- Monday 22 December from 9.30am to 10.30am and 10.30am to 11.30am
- Tuesday 23 December from 9.30am to 10.30am and 10.30am to 11.30am
For more information and to book visit the .
Christingle Service
A service in which every child is given a Christingle, a visual reminder of the Light of the World, with sweets. Suitable for all ages to attend on Sunday 21 December from 10am to 11.30am at
For more information visit the .
Christmas Amble – Guided Walk at Holyrood Park
Join a guided walk this Christmas to get warm and discover some folklore behind some of your favourite festive wildlife such as robins, holly and swans-a-swimming! on Sunday 29 December and Tuesday 30 December from 1pm to 2.30pm at
To find out more visit the .
Pilton Community Health Project - Chat Cafe
A welcoming and inclusive space for women who are welcome to bring children if they are caring for them at this time. For new and settled migrants Chat Cafe is an informal opportunity to improve English conversation skills. There will be a range of free activities as well as coffee, tea, and snacks every week. Booking is not required.
The sessions are running until the end of school term in December on Mondays from 9.30am to 12pm at
Pilton Community Health Project Tiny Plates
Practical workshops to support parents and carers with under 5s. Exploring why fussy eating happens and discovering how we can get children to eat a better variety of foods. Booking is essential. Sessions are running until the end of school term in December on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 11am at
For more information and to book contact
0131 551 1671.
Stay and Play Mother and Toddler group
For further information please call Nadia or Esther on
0131 661 0890.
Scottish Parliament
Explores the Scottish Parliament independently or with a free guided tour. Guided tours look at the inner workings of Parliament and award-winning architecture. The tour is suitable for visitors of all ages and free to attend and is available Monday to Saturday throughout December at
To book visit .
Dobbie’s Garden Centre Soft Play
Enjoy a 60-minute soft play session at Dobbie’s Garden Centre. Bookings must be made at least one day in advance. Booking is recommended, though walk ins are welcomed depending on spaces available. Adults are free and children cost £4.
To book visit the .
Crafternoons at the Scottish Parliament
Offering a range of free activities for all ages! There’s no need to book, just walk in and join the sessions! The sessions will be themed, and the duration varies based on activity from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. The sessions are running on Saturdays from 11am to 4pm at
For more information visit the .
Drawn Together at the museum
Be inspired to sketch some of the fascinating objects in the collection. Whether it’s an old favourite or something new, there will be plenty to catch your eye in the galleries. The session is running from Saturday 27 December to Tuesday 30 December from 10.30am to 6pm at
For more information visit .
Sprogmanay
Shimmy, sparkle, and sing your way into the New Year with Sprogmanay. A free drop-in afternoon for children of all ages with live music, dancing, and performances and exploring the galleries on Thursday 1 January 2026 from 12pm to 5pm at
For more information visit the .
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Enjoy 20% off rides and attractions at Edinburgh's Christmas market. All Edinburgh residents with an EH postcode can claim the discount across any of the locations at Princes Street Gardens (East and West), George Street and St Andrew's Square between Saturday 15 November and Sunday 4 January.
For more information and to book visit
Virtual Magic School
The Virtual Magic School is a free online learning resource of an 8-lesson virtual magic course for primary school children aged seven to 10 years old illustrating key aspects of the primary school curricula such as numeracy and literacy as well as developing pupils’ skills in presentation and communication.
For more information visit the .
Family Fun Swimming
Make a splash with all the family in 55-minute open-water sessions. With floats, sinkers and toys available, it’s great fun for children and grown-ups alike. Edinburgh Leisure are offering the sessions in multiple leisure centers across the city. Pre-booking for the session is required. Spaces cost £3.50 per child with under fives swimming for free.
To find out more visit the .
Bookbugs for under fives
Oxgang Library is running Bookbug sessions for children under the age of five throughout December. The sessions are on Tuesdays from 10.30am, Thursdays from 2pm and Saturdays from 10.30am
For more information visit the .
Baby Cafe
For expecting parents and babies up to 6 months old. A relaxed space to grab a cup of tea and connect with other parents. The sessions run on Mondays throughout December from 10.30am to 12pm at
For more information visit the .
Meadows junior park run
Join a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged four to 14 years every Sunday from 9.30am at
To find out more visit .
Forth Bridges Trail
The five-mile circular trail can be started at any of the 10 stops in and around South Queensferry, be submerged in history, heritage, wildlife, nature and beauty and some pretty impressive views of the bridges.
For more information visit the .
Kids Eat Free (or for £1) List
It’s so hard to keep the kids entertained for long periods of time without spending a fortune. Collated are a list of all the restaurants and cafes which are offering ‘Kids Eat Free’ (or for £1) during every UK school holiday in 2025.
To find out more visit the .
Richmond’s Hope Evening of Remembrance
Richmond Hope will be hosting a torchlight procession. The procession will take you through the beautiful grounds of Duddingston Kirk which will conclude with a bonfire beside Duddingston Loch. Tickets are £5 per adult and £2 per young person under 16 years old. Tickets include woodfired pizza and a hot drink. The procession will take place on Friday 6 February 2026 between 6.30pm and 8pm at
To book your tickets visit .
Fun activities to do at home
Activities do not need to cost a lot of money (or sometimes any money at all) to be meaningful and memorable. Some of the best memories are made by doing simple things at home or around the community. Enjoying the time, you have together is what is most important. Below are some very low-cost or free activities that require no / minimal resources, most of which you will have around the house already. Enjoy!
Art of Nature
Cut out a frame shape from a piece of cardboard / paper / card. Put sticky tape down on one full side of your frame. Go for a walk around the local park, streets or even your garden. Collect leaves, flowers, grass and anything else you find and stick it to your sticky tape to create your ‘art of nature’.
Creating Snowflake
All you need is paper and scissors. Add glitter to spruce them up. Cut paper into circles and fold it up. Cut out small shapes from the edges. Open up to find a unique snowflake.
Make a den
Using blankets, duvets, cushions off the sofa and any other items you have around the house, create a den in your living room. Extend it a little further and cosy up inside the den for a family movie night altogether.
Winter walk
Go for a wintery walk around one of Edinburgh’s well-known spots. Arthur’s Seat, Portobello Promenade, Colinton Tunnel, Water of Leith, Calton Hill, Dalkeith Country Park, Figgate Park, The Meadows or Cramond Beach.
Remember you can apply for a free travel card (bus and tram) for children. Pop into your local library for help to apply.
Treasure hunt
Are you ready to find the treasure? Create a list of things to find around the house or spot out on a walk.
Lego challenge
Challenge your imagination. Can you build: a robot, a bus, a Christmas tree, an igloo, Santa’s sleigh, or a maze?
Make Paper Chains
Cut strips of paper approximately 1cm thick. Glue each end of a strip together to make a ring, slide the next strip through the ring and glue the ends together. Continue until the desired length.
Biscuit Decorating
Decorate some delicious biscuits for the whole family to enjoy! Items needed: Digestives, icing sugar, decoration (sprinkles, chocolate, etc)
Jar of favourite Christmas movies
In a jar add all the family Christmas movie favourites. Take it in turns to pick out a mystery film to enjoy together. Enjoy with hot chocolate and microwave popcorn.
Minute to win it challenges
Sock wash: How many pairs of socks can you throw into the laundry basket in one minute?
Face the cookie: Place a cookie in the centre of your forehead. Without using your hands, move the cookie down into your mouth. The first to get the cookie in their mouth wins!
Clothes challenge: How many items of clothing can you put on in one minute? You can wear socks, pants, scarves, anything!
Whipped cream challenge: Squirt some cream onto the back of your hand. You have one minute to hit your forearm and catch the cream in your mouth.
Defying Gravity: Give each player three balloons. They have to keep all three balloons up in the air for a minute.
Make your own Christmas cards!
Grab some pens and paper. Fold your paper in half and decorate the front with your favourite festive designs. Friends and family will love the handmade gesture this Christmas!
Party Games
Play some traditional party games to some Christmas music. Why not give musical bumps and musical statues a try?
Garden Centre Christmas Displays
Visit the local garden centres to admire the great Christmas displays.
Christmas decoration walk
Take a walk around your local community, spotting all of the lights and decorations people have displayed in their windows and gardens. You can count how many snowmen/Santas you see or how many stars/snowflakes.
Recipes to try
Shortbread
Ingredients
150g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
100g butter, chilled and cubed
50g caster sugar, plus 1 tbsp for sprinkling
Method
- Heat the oven 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Put the flour, butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Use your hands to combine the ingredients until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, then squeeze until it comes together as a dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to ½ cm thick. Cut the dough into fingers and place on a lined baking tray. Use a fork to create imprints, then sprinkle with the remaining caster sugar.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for 20 mins, then bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Remove the shortbread fingers from the oven and leave to cool on the tray for 10 mins.
Vegetable soup
Ingredients
200g chopped vegetables such as onions, celery and carrots
300g potatoes, cubed
1 tbsp oil
700ml stock
Method
- Fry the vegetables and potatoes in a pan with the oil for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
- Cover with the stock and simmer for 10-15 mins until the veg is tender. Blend until smooth, then season.