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.
Crafternoons
A free drop in afternoon of crafts on Saturdays from 11am to 4pm at
For more information contact
6VT Easter Holiday Club
6VT 黑料正能量 City Youth Cafe will be running a free Easter Holiday Club for those aged 12 to 16 years old. The club will be running on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s throughout the spring break from 1pm to 5pm at
For further information or to book a space email
Egg-citing designs
Children under the age of 16 can design, decorate and personalise their own easter egg. This event will run on a variety of days and times and is free, though booking is required.
To book visit the
Easter Bunny flower trail
Help the Easter Bunny fill his easter bouquet basket. Explore the store and discover a variety of spring flowers and collect the missing letters along the way. Complete the trail and hand in your sheet at the checkouts for a chance to win an Easter prize. This activity is free and is running from Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April at
For more information visit the
Easter Egg Hunt
Find all six giant eggs hidden around the centre, collect the letters, and unscramble them to reveal the Easter phrase. This activity is running from Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April from 11am to 13pm at
To find out more email
Family Film showing at the Wee Filmhouse
Join the Wee Filmhouse for a family film each morning of the Easter holidays! The screenings are aimed at children and their families, but everyone is welcome. On Tuesdays and Thursdays after the films, stay and get creative with craft workshops for wee ones! Spaces are limited so please make sure you book ahead. Tickets cost £6.00 for both children and adults. The screenings are on Friday 3 April to Monday 20 April from 11am at
Vogrie Park Activities
Follow a series of free, self guided trails around Vogrie Country Park to spot signs of wildlife and identifying spring growth. From listening for birdsong to searching for woodland textures, each stop offers a moment of curiosity and connecting with the outdoors.
- Miniature Railway - The miniature railway runs from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays starting from Sunday 5 April weather permitting. The train costs £1.00 per child and £2.00 per adult.
- Eggventure trail - Start in the main car park for a gentle one mile loop around the North field with interactive activity stations throughout to take part in nature-based activities.
- Mini spring challenge trail - Pick up a map and instructions from the main entrance hall at Vogrie house and enjoy spring based challenges at each stop.
Spring at Museum on the Mound
Join Museum on the Mound for fun, free, family鈥慺riendly activities throughout the Spring holidays! Explore their popular family trails and get hands鈥憃n and design your own banknote. Families can discover the secret world of banknotes using microscopes and UV lights. Drop in, get curious, and enjoy learning together! The sessions are on Tuesday 7 to Saturday 18 April from 2pm to 4pm at
To find out more visit the
7 Days, 100 Scientists
As part of 黑料正能量 Science Festival 2026, The University of 黑料正能量 presents 7 days, 100 Scientists. Meet the University of 黑料正能量 scientists working to better understand our world and how to tackle the greatest challenges of our time. From the microscopic to the vastness of the Universe, medicine to robotics and supercomputing, there is something for everyone.
This event is a free, drop in session. No admission ticket is required, and visitors can take part in these activities without a Dynamic Earth admission ticket. Please speak to a member of staff on arrival. The sessions are running on Tuesday 7 April to Monday 13 April from 10am to 4pm at
To find out more visit the
Board game fika!
Enjoy an afternoon with array of board games and laughter on Thursday 9 and Monday 20 April from 2pm to 5pm at
The Quantum Zone
Enter The Quantum Zone and explore the exciting research and innovation academia, industry, and government across the UK are undertaking into quantum technologies. Get hands-on with activities that showcase the core concepts behind quantum science and learn how quantum concepts and components are used to build different technologies. From healthcare to climate, explore how quantum technology is currently impacting our daily lives. The free drop-in activity is running on Saturday 11 April from 10am to 5pm at
Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged 4 to 14 years old and is free for all. The aim is to have fun, come along and join in at your own pace! Adults need to register their child before coming along. On Sunday 12 and Sunday 19 April from 9.30am at:
Hailes Quarry Park
Dumbryden Drive
EH14 2QR
To find out more visit
The Meadows Junior Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors aged 4 to 14 years old and is free for all. The aim is to have fun, come along and join in at your own pace! Adults need to register their child before coming along. On Sunday 12 and Sunday 19 April from 9.30am at
To find out more visit the .
Teenage board game night at Central Library
Teens aged 12 to 16 years old can enjoy a free night of games and snacks on Monday 13 April from 6pm to 7.30pm at
To book a space visit
Easter family fun day
A full day of Easter fun for the whole family. Enjoy inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, football, food and drinks and an Easter egg hunt on Monday 13 April from 12pm to 3pm at
Tech Decoded
Join 黑料正能量 Science for a pop up Science Festival extravaganza as they explore technology from AI to coding. Get hands on discovering how the internet works and create your own electrical circuits while exploring the science behind machine learning. Suitable for all ages. The free drop in is running on Monday 13 to Sunday 19 April from 10am to 5pm at
Nature Ramble at Vogrie Country Park
Enjoy a stroll with the Midlothian Ranger service on Monday 13 April from 1pm to 3pm. The walk is free, though booking is required.
Gorebridge
Midlothian
EH23 4NU
To find out more visit the
Easter egg hunt at Moredun Library
Fun activity for all the family on Tuesday 14 April from 11am to 1pm. Meet at Moredun library. This is outside event, dress for the weather.
For more information vist the Moredun Library website
Easter at Trinity House
Take a free self-guided tour of the Trinity house, where there will be activities suitable for all the family including crafts and children’s games. There is no booking required and the house will be open on Wednesday 15 April from 11am to 4pm at
For more information visit the
Easter Holiday Club
Join Chalmers Church for three fun filled mornings of games, crafts, snacks, drama and stories from the Bible! For children in P1 to P7 on Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 April from 10am to 12.30pm at
To book your space visit the
Quiz Night
Battle through different quiz topics for the chance to win fun prizes. Booking is essential and food can be purchased, with children eating from 95p. The quiz will run on Wednesday 15 April from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at
For more information visit the .
British Geological Survey - Planet Power
As part of 黑料正能量 Science Festival 2026, visit Dynamic Earth for a day of activities with the British Geological Survey. The experts who specialise in knowing what’s happening in the earth beneath us. Have a conversation with a volcano expert, a deep sea mapper or a space weather forecaster. See some amazing displays and have a go yourself with hands-on activities to help you discover more about the secrets of the Earth.
This event is a free, drop in session. No admission ticket is required, and visitors can take part in these activities without a Dynamic Earth admission ticket. Please speak to a member of staff on arrival. The Event is on Wednesday 15 April from 10am to 4pm at
To find out more visit the .
Easter Fun at West Pilton Park
West Pilton Park is offering free creative workshops throughout the holiday break.
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Ecosystem Layers – learn about the layers of the ecosystem in West Pilton Park and work together to create a collaborative collage on Thursday 16 April from 10am to 12.30pm
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What the Trees? - hands on crafty workshop exploring the trees of West Pilton Park on Thursday 16 April from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
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Moving Through Time – exploring the past and future of the park through movement on Friday 17 April from 10am to 1pm
To find out more visit the
Easter at Water of Leith
Water of Leith are offering a range of activities throughout the school holidays for children aged 5 to 10 years old. All sessions are £7.00 per child with accompanying adults going free. Booking is essential.
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Spring Fling – Enjoy an afternoon of seasonal activities in the dells.
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Sandies Saunter – Take on our orienteering challenge through the woods on Thursday 16 April
All sessions are taking place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at
To find out more visit the
Spring clean Scotland at Moredun Library
Community activity to gather for an hour of litter picking and a healthy snack party afterwards. Booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information visit the Moredun Library website
Children’s art club
A free programme of creative play and learning for children aged 5 to 11 years old. A time to explore art making, build and foster curiosity. Children under 8 years old need to be accompanied by an adult. The event will run on Saturday 18 April from 10.30am to 12pm at
To book a space visit
Kirkaldy Funfair Model Show
Enjoy the fun of the fair in miniature form. Celebrate all things Links Market and some of the greatest fairground models from all over the country. Including photo displays, working models, fairground drawings, artifacts and refreshments. This event is free, with donations appreciated. The session is on Saturday 18 April from 10am to 4pm at
For more information visit
World of Wonder
Take part in hands-on activities and explore the incredible diversity of plants from around the world and those in the Living Collection. Learn fascinating facts about our Palm House renovation progress through crafting and immersive VR headsets. Enjoy family friendly experiences that bring the wonders of nature to life. Perfect for all ages, come curious and leave inspired! The free drop in is on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April from 12pm to 4pm at
Plant Passport
Get ready for your journey around our planet with scientists from the Botanics and discover the surprising variety of crop plants from around the world. The Botanics’ Herbarium contains 3 million plants in its collection, learn about some unusual ones you may never have heard of and be amazed at how they are used. The session is for children aged 5 years and older. The free drop in is on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April from 12pm to 4pm at
Musselbrugh toy, train and sci-fi fair
Enjoy a selection of vintage, retro and new toys, models and collectables. The event is cash only and costs £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for under 16s. The event will run on Sunday 19 April from 10.30am to 3pm at
For more information visit
Spring Garden Party
All are welcome to attend Gracemount Mansion Development Trusts free spring garden party at the top of gracemount house drive for free hot food, family fun activities, crafts, music, dance and relaxation. The party is on Saturday 25 April from 11am to 2pm at
To find out more visit the
Murder Mystery Trails at the Hermitage and The Meadows
Everyone is welcome to participate in these self-guided outdoor detective games designed for exploration in 黑料正能量's Hermitage of Braid and The Meadows. The trails are free and available every day. You can download them for personal use, along with answer sheets, maps, and certificates. Donations are appreciated if you enjoy the trails.
Please visit and webpages to download trail materials.
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!
Egg rolling
Boil up some eggs and either keep them plain and simple or decorate with paint, stickers, pens whatever you have in the art box. Find the best hill in the local park and have an egg rolling race. Which egg makes it to the bottom first? How many rolls can the egg do before it cracks? Endless fun on the hill!
Decorating chalk eggs
Decorate the garden path with chalk easter eggs. Turn it into a competition if you like, who can make the best design? Who can do the biggest egg design?
Potato/sponge Stamping
Cut designs into potatoes or sponges, dip in paint and create some exciting potato stamps pictures!
Outdoor treasure hunt
Wherever you decide to go (beach, park, your own garden) pick a base. It can be a particular tree, or it can be a bench. Have a leader who calls out what the group needs to find for example, 3 green leaves, 2 large stones, 4 sticks. This can be turned into a race, the first person back to base with the correct items is the new leader.
Balloon tennis
Can you keep up with the balloon? Your hand is the bat, and you need to bat the balloon back and forth. Don’t let it hit the ground!
Spring walk
Get a ‘spring’ in your step and enjoy a walk around one of 黑料正能量’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.