Free or low-cost activities and support for families in the lead up to and during the holidays. If you know of any other activities that are running, please let us know.
wholefamilywellbeing@edinburgh.gov.uk
Activities during the festive winter period
Every movement counts
Free fun and enjoyable exercise classes for girls aged 11 to 16 years of age are open to anyone across the city. Classes run every Tuesday from 17 September to 10 December from 3.30pm to 4.30pm at
For more information and to book contact CatherineFyfe@edinburghfoodproject.org
07523 268 319
Santa’s grotto at Ocean Terminal
Santa will be spreading the festive cheer at the ocean terminal this Christmas from Saturday 30 November to Tuesday 24 December. Tickets cost £5.50 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.
For more information on relaxed sessions or to book tickets, visit the .
Winter family trail
Following the usual route around the museums, see if you can spot 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! Admission starts at 12pm until 4pm from Tuesday 3 December to Saturday 21 December at
To book your free ticket visit
Craigmillar Christmas drop-in
Please pop into Craigmillar Literacy Trust for tea, coffee, mince pies and other treats and meet our staff and volunteers. This is for families in the Craigmiller area for all the community and there will be gift books for all babies and children from birth to age 12 years. The drop-in is open on Thursday 5 December from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at
Origami Christmas workshop
This event is exclusively open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
A free relaxing festive origami Christmas baubles workshop on Thursday 5 December from 11am to 1pm. Suitable for beginners and all materials will be provided. This event is being held at
Christmas craft at Leith Custom House
As part of Leith’s Creative Trail Leith Custom House will be opening for a Christmas craft session. Come along and design your own Christmas card and gift wrap using simple printing techniques. The session is on Saturday 7 December from 10am to 11am at
To book your space or to find out more visit the
Big Christmas birthday bash at Ps & Gs church
A fun event for children and families including a bouncy castle, festive arts and crafts, cake and more! No booking is required. On Saturday 7 December from 10am to 11.30am at
Free winter activities at Hutchison Community gardens
Join local artist Claudia and the Hutchison Community garden team for a day of free, nature-inspired winter arts and crafts. Please check the schedule for time slots based on age. The session will be on Saturday 7 December starting from
- 10am to 11am: Toddlers - create your own hedgehog and leaf decorations
- 11.15am to 12.15pm: Age five to seven years - create your own fox masks and forest friends
- 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Ages eight to 11 years - create your own nature-inspired wall hangings
- 2.45pm to 3.45pm: Age 12 years and above - create your own glass tealight holders
To find out more visit
Christmas cafe at King’s church in Gilmore Place
Serving hot drinks and mince pies all afternoon, along with free craft for all and a family Christmas movie. Cafe will be held on Saturday 7 December from 1pm to 4pm
To find out more visit the
Magical Edinburgh with Edinburgh Young Carers: an exhibition of photographic illusions
As part of the 'Edinburgh 900' celebrations, the Edinburgh International Magic Festival, Edinburgh Young Carers charity and illusion expert Professor Richard Wiseman have created an exhibition of photographs taken around the city themed around Edinburgh's magical heritage.
Each photograph features young carers aged five to 17 years doing what they do every day of their lives. Enjoy the illusions and watch the video to see behind the scenes and learn more about the Edinburgh Young Carers
Open daily from 10am to 6pm between Sunday 8 December and Sunday 26 January (except between 24 and 27 December and 31 December to 5 January) at
For more information visit the .
Winter wreath-making workshop
This event is exclusively open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only.
Embrace the beauty and calm of winter with a hands-on wreath crafting session using wild-foraged greens and seasonal colors. Engage your creativity, connect with nature, and enjoy a sense of community. The workshop is on Monday 9th December from 11am to 12.30pm at
For more information and to book your space visit the
Film Screenings at the Grassmarket Community Picture House
The Grassmarket Community Picturehouse will be playing Wonka (2023) on Wednesday 11 December at 7 pm. Tickets are free, donations are welcome. The film will play at
For more information and tickets visit
Festive Projection Lights Show at Gilmerton Community Centre
Come along and bring the family for a Festive Projection Lights Show, Christmas Carol singing, a free hot chocolate and a warm mince pie. The show is on Wednesday 4th December from 6pm at the rear of the
Christmas in the park at Spylaw park
Enjoy the festive atmosphere with Santa, Bonaly Primary School Choir, mulled wine & mince pies, Christmas craft-making, and adults & children’s tombolas. Free entry drop-in on Thursday 12 December from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at
For more information visit the
The Big Afternoon at Chalmers Church
For children in P1 to P7 to come along and have an afternoon filled with games, crafts, snacks and the Christmas story for the bible. The event is on Saturday 14 December from 2pm to 4.30pm.
To book your slot visit the
1K Elf Dash
The perfect way to run off some of the pre-Christmas excitement. The festive run is open to all including buggies and dogs. Entry costs £5, which includes a festive Doddie hat and medal. The elf dash is on Sunday 15 December at 10 am at
Online coping strategies drop-in
(This event is exclusively open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh and Midlothian.)
Caring for someone can be challenging. Learn about the impact of caring on your emotional well-being and how to develop strategies to self-regulate and cope with difficulties. These are weekly drop-in sessions which will cover different coping techniques in each session. The online session will be held on Zoom on Monday 16 December from 12pm to 1pm.
For more information visit the
Make Mess Matter
Ikea's free monthly Make Mess Matter session includes activities with sand, water, dough, foam, chalk, bubbles, paint and more. All children are provided with full-sleeved waterproof aprons. All children must be supervised by an accompanying adult. The session takes place from 11am to 12pm on Tuesday 17 December at
For more information visit the
Penguin Party
Christmas penguin party for Primary school-aged children. There will be dancing, a party, games, food, crafts and a book gifted by Craigmillar Literacy Trust. Edinburgh Zoo will also be joining to give real-life penguin facts. Tickets are free but must be booked by visiting the library reception to collect them. The party will be held on Tuesday 17 December from 3.45pm to 5.30pm at
Traditional tunes for tiny tots
A special concert for little ones and their grown-ups on Friday 20 December at 10.15am is for non-walkers and at 11.15am for toddlers up to the age of five years. The concert is free, though booking is essential.
Under the stars in the portrait gallery
For more information and to book visit the
Little Big Horns Seasonal Saxophone Concert
Free seasonal saxophone concert suitable for all the family, quartet music, show tunes, classics, TV/Film hits and much, much more. The concert starts at 1pm on Saturday 21 December at
Drop in or book your ticket by visiting the
Drawn together at the museum
Be inspired to sketch some of the fascinating objects on display. Pick up a pencil and paper from the hub in the Grand Gallery on level one before exploring the museum. When finished, drawings can be given to the museum to display for the day or taken home to enjoy. Open to all from 10.30am to 4.30pm between Friday 27 December and Sunday 29 December at
For more information, visit the
Polar Encounters at Dynamic Earth
Free drop-in activities exploring the wildlife of the Arctic and Antarctic. Sessions will start on Friday 27 December 2024and finish on Monday 6 January 2025 from 10am to 4pm at
For more information visit the
Messy Church
Messy Church is a way of being a church for families and others. It is Christ-centered, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. A mix of games, stories and crafts. All ages are welcome. Saturday 28 December from 4pm to 6pm at
Festive online quiz
Calling all quiz enthusiasts! Join us for some festive fun and a quiz. The online session will be held on Zoom on Monday 30 December from 2pm to 3.30pm.
For more information visit the
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. Sprogmanay is from 12pm to 5pm on Wednesday 1 January 2025 at
For more information visit the
Create your own letter from Santa.
Watch a child’s face light up with wonder as they open their very own Letter from Santa! It’s filled with personal details only Santa could know – like their age and their favorite activity. Plus, with eight magical designs to choose from, there’s one that’s right for every child, including ‘Christmas Around the World’ which teaches the fun festive traditions of different cultures. Create your card for a minimum of £3.
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 Friday 15 November and Saturday 4 January.
For more information and to book tickets visit .
Edinburgh Libraries' opening hours for Christmas and New Year
- Tuesday 24 December – all libraries closing at 5pm
- Wednesday 25 December – closed
- Thursday 26 December – closed
- Friday 27 December – normal opening hours
- Saturday 28 December – normal opening hours
- Monday 30 December – normal opening hours
- Tuesday 31 December – all libraries closing at 5pm
- Wednesday 1 January – closed
- Thursday 2 January – closed
- Friday 3 January –normal opening hours
Kids for a Quid on Scotrail
Up to four children can travel for £1.00 return with most adult ticket types. Available every day all year round.
For more information visit the .
Save on Family days out with Scotrail.
Get one free child entry when you purchase a full-price, standard entry adult ticket to an attraction when you travel on with a Kids for Quid ticket. Conditions apply.
For more information and a list of available attractions, visit the .
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 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 a 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. 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 use 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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
1. Fry the vegetables and potatoes in a pan with the oil for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
2. Cover with the stock and simmer for 10-15 mins until the veg is tender. Blend until smooth, then season.