Rainy days in Edinburgh

Indoor family days out in Edinburgh

For a wet day with little ones, start with the free National Museum of Scotland. Camera Obscura brings illusions and plenty of stairs; Dynamic Earth gives science-loving children a longer visit; Holyroodhouse suits those who enjoy royal stories. Compare the cost and practical catches before buying tickets.

Guide details checked: 11 October 2026

Free entry National Museum of Scotland

Paid choices Illusions, science or royal history

With a buggy Check the route before booking

Area Old Town and Holyrood

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4 featured locations Last updated 11 October 2026

Featured locations

Start with these picks, then branch into the related pages if your plan changes.

Central Scotland 2-4 hours

National Museum of Scotland

Imagine gives younger children hands-on things to explore; Animal World and the science galleries give older siblings somewhere to head next. Pick a few galleries instead of trying to see everything.

Free main museum. Some exhibitions and events need separate tickets.

Best for: Toddlers, mixed ages and families who want to leave when they are ready.

Rainy-day fit: An indoor visit with lifts and ramps between galleries.

Worth knowing: Baby changing is available on most floors. There is a Lunch Space for your own food, but school groups have priority during term time, so ask before settling down.

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Central Scotland 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Mirror tricks and hands-on illusions make this the playful choice near Edinburgh Castle. Allow about one hour and 45 minutes; the rooftop adds views when the weather allows.

Two adults and children aged six and nine: £85.80 at standard 2026 prices. Under-5s free but need a ticket; no family ticket.

Best for: Children who enjoy visual puzzles and can manage repeated flights of stairs.

Rainy-day fit: The illusion floors are indoors; the rooftop is outside. Poor weather can mean a recorded projection instead of the live camera view.

Worth knowing: There is no lift. Leave buggies at admissions and carry a younger child if needed; baby carriers can be borrowed. There is no café inside.

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Central Scotland 2-3 hours

Dynamic Earth

Follow Earth’s story through an earthquake, ice and rainforest, then choose a Planetarium show. This earns its cost when your children want science and you have two to three hours to spend.

Two adults and children aged six and nine: £76 online (£82 walk-in) for Annual Passes. Under-4s free.

Best for: Curious primary-school children who enjoy science and space.

Rainy-day fit: The main experience is indoors.

Worth knowing: Annual Passes include the galleries and daytime Planetarium shows, with show places first come, first served on the day. Look through the sensory map if shaking ground, sound or visual effects could worry your child.

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Central Scotland Allow 1½–2 hours, longer with the gardens or a café break

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Follow the family multimedia tour through royal rooms, then pause in the Family Room for dressing up, stories and hands-on objects. Choose it for a child interested in the people who lived here.

Two adults and children aged six and nine: £66 in advance (£78 on the day). Under-5s free; the King’s Gallery costs extra.

Best for: History-loving children; the family tour is aimed at ages 7–11.

Rainy-day fit: Palace rooms are indoors, but the abbey and gardens are outside.

Worth knowing: Buggies may need to stay at the entrance when busy. Mary’s rooms have access restrictions; use the detailed guide if stairs would decide your visit. Toilets and baby care are in the Mews Courtyard.

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Still comparing on the map?

Compare the Old Town and Holyrood locations before picking your arrival route. Each is a separate outing; you do not need to fit in all four.

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Make the rest of the day easier

Choose the visit first, then fit the journey, lunch and any second stop around it.

What the family examples include

The prices above were checked on 11 October 2026 for two adults aged 25 or over and two children aged six and nine. They use standard tickets, without concessions or special offers, so your basket may cost less. Add travel, parking, food and extras before deciding; Dynamic Earth’s price buys a year of admission, which matters if you could return.

Leave room between booked visits

A timed entry is an arrival commitment, even if the rest of the visit is flexible. Do not put another paid booking straight afterwards: children may want longer in a gallery, a food break or a slower walk across town.

Plan lunch before you are hungry

The museum can work with a packed lunch when its Lunch Space is available. Camera Obscura has no café, so plan a stop outside. At the Palace, plan a food break before the tour: food must stay packed away inside the rooms.

If one child needs a quieter visit

Indoor does not always mean quiet. Dynamic Earth publishes a sensory map and dates for Relaxed Days and Quiet Afternoons. The National Museum also has a sensory map and staff can suggest quieter areas. Use those details to judge the visit for your child rather than relying on a general family-friendly label.

Keep exploring

Useful next steps if you want to widen the shortlist.

Indoor family days out in Edinburgh