It's Easter weekend and Edinburgh is packed with trails, crafts, and festive fun! Don't miss the Easter Activity Day at Holyroodhouse or the city-wide Edinburgh Science Festival. For great value, check out the free Easter Outdoor Fun at Lauriston Castle or the Tenement Jazz Band for Kids if you're looking for live music on Sunday.
See our top picks
Easter Outdoor Fun
Lauriston Castle and Gardens
Free drop-in Easter trail or quiz to explore the castle grounds.
Edinburgh Science Festival
Various venues
City-wide science fun perfect for escaping any April showers.
Art Stomps
Modern Art Modern Two
Free, hands-on, sensory painting sessions for under 5s on Saturday morning.
· April 4
18: Head to the Palace for an Easter activity day including crafts the whole family can enjoy. Try the Easter Crown Hunt to find hidden mini crowns throughout the Palace using a paper trail.A great themed activity right in the historic city centre on Saturday.
: See the animals and take part in the zoo's Easter trail this weekend. Complete the trail to win yourself a prize!Zoo visits are always a winner, and this has an explicit Easter theme running this weekend.
: The annual Science Festival is running this weekend, taking over museums, galleries, and public spaces city-wide. Expect fascinating activities alongside serious science.Huge festival running this weekend with loads of family options, including specific exhibits at the NMS.
ROBIN HOOD : Catch this whimsical musical adaptation of Robin Hood filled with live music and delightful silliness. It promises to be a fun, interactive show.A dedicated theatrical performance that sounds light-hearted and engaging for children.
THE SCOTTISH SPRINT CUP RACEDAY ON EASTER SATURDAY : A big social event on the Easter weekend that includes an abundance of free activities specifically for children. A great outing near Edinburgh.It's specifically noted that there are plenty of free activities for children this Saturday.
EASTER TRAIL AT NEWHAILES HOUSE AND GARDENS : Follow the Adventurers and Explorers trail, collect clues, solve the puzzle, and win a chocolate reward. Chocolate and vegan options are available.A classic outdoor Easter trail activity available on both days.
FREE : It's free to drop in all day and collect an Easter trail or egg hunt quiz. A lovely way to explore parts of the castle grounds you might not have seen before.It's free, family-friendly, and offers an active outdoor trail right in Edinburgh.
: Hop along to Archerfield Walled Garden for a very special Easter weekend adventure. Join in the Big Easter Bunny Egg Hunt!A dedicated Easter egg hunt event running across the entire weekend.
: Enjoy the annual Easter Egg Trail in this lovely garden setting this weekend. Solve the puzzles and collect your chocolate reward.A dedicated garden trail with a chocolate reward, running both days.
: Hopetoun House is re-opening for the season this weekend with family activities included. Enjoy history, nature, and exploration.Marks the start of their new season with family events programmed in.
: A lovely spring walk combined with puzzle-solving to earn a chocolate treat. This trail runs both Saturday and Sunday, closing Sunday evening.A great, structured trail near Edinburgh running all weekend long.
: This is the last weekend for Conifox's much-loved annual Easter Festival! Get ready for an eggs-traordinary time at this adventure park near Edinburgh.It is closing on Sunday, making this Saturday the best chance to attend this annual festival.
: A full weekend event featuring street food, arts markets, scavenger hunts, and a family-friendly ceilidh. Great for a Saturday afternoon out.Offers a wide range of activities including a ceilidh, great for keeping all ages engaged over the bank holiday.
HANDS-ON DNA: FROM BARLEY TO DAFFODILSFREE : This interactive session lets you extract DNA from barley and daffodils! A brilliant, hands-on way to explore plant genetics.Free, hands-on science workshop happening only on Saturday at the Museum of Scotland.
EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA (QUEENSFERRY)FREE : A free afternoon of Easter crafts, activities, and challenges in Queensferry. Note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.A completely free Easter activity happening Saturday afternoon in Queensferry.
ART STOMPSFREE : Relaxed, sensory, and hands-on painting sessions exploring colour and texture outdoors. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers this morning.Free, sensory art play session specifically for younger kids (under 5) on Saturday morning.
ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN' : A fun morning focusing on the Easter story featuring egg decorating, egg rolling, crafts, and chocolate. They have two sessions starting at 10am and 12:30pm.A traditional Easter activity (egg rolling) combined with crafts and storytelling on Saturday.
BOOKBUG AT DRUMBRAE LIBRARY HUBFREE : A free Bookbug session with songs, stories, and rhymes held Saturday morning. Perfect for toddlers (0-4) and their grown-ups.It is one of the few Bookbug sessions running on a Saturday for the youngest ones.
· April 5
4: Enjoy a festive morning brunch featuring Peter Rabbit on the big screen! They'll have egg hunts and crafts available for the whole family.Sunday morning specific event including character appearance and crafts.
: Catch the Tenement Jazz Band at The Jazz Bar this Sunday afternoon. This is a specifically advertised session for kids, followed by a disco.A fun live music event explicitly aimed at children on Sunday.
VOGRIE PARK ACTIVITIES (MINIATURE RAILWAY) : The miniature railway at Vogrie Park starts running its Sunday schedule this weekend (weather permitting). This is a great destination in the Pentland Hills.The railway begins its Sunday service this weekend—a rare treat outside the city centre.
MESSY CHURCH : A creative and potentially messy gathering designed for the whole family to explore faith and share food together. Happens Sunday afternoon.A relaxed, creative, late-afternoon activity that is specifically for the whole family.
Also On· anytime this weekend
4FREE : Drop into the Scottish Parliament for free, hands-on craft activities this Saturday. No booking is required for these drop-in sessions.Free drop-in arts event located in an iconic building.
FREE : A free, fun, and friendly 2k run held every Sunday morning at 9:30am for kids aged 4 to 14. Remember to register before you attend.Great free weekly event for active kids early on Sunday morning.
: Explore life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils of prehistoric creatures that lived after the dinosaurs. It's an immersive exhibition perfect for curious kids.A major museum exhibition guaranteed to impress older kids interested in dinosaurs and natural history.
FREE : Enjoy songs, stories, and rhymes at the Stockbridge Library this Saturday morning. Tickets are first come, first served.A great free option in a lovely neighbourhood on Saturday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Edinburgh this weekend?
This weekend (Apr 04-05) there are 4 free events: Easter Outdoor Fun at Lauriston Castle, Crafternoons at the Scottish Parliament, Hands-On DNA at the National Museum of Scotland, and The Meadows Junior Parkrun on Sunday morning.
Are there any big Easter trail events happening?
Yes! Check out the Easter Trail at Newhailes House and Gardens, the Easter Egg Trail at Malleny Garden, and the Easter Egg Trail at House of the Binns, all running on both Saturday and Sunday.
What's on for Sunday, April 5th?
Sunday features The Meadows Junior Parkrun early, The Easter Bunny's Brunch at Brewhemia, Messy Church in South Queensferry, and the start of the Miniature Railway season at Vogrie Park.
