Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh brings families straight to Edinburgh Zoo, a world-famous zoological park set across an expansive hillside in Corstorphine. This historic wildlife attraction allows children to discover over a thousand amazing animals, ranging from playful penguins to majestic big cats, all within a scenic green environment.
Standard online advance ticket prices start from £27.25 for adults and £18.70 for children aged three to 15, reflecting seasonal discounts. Infants aged two and under enter the zoo completely free of charge. Visitors can spend hours exploring immersive habitats, educational discovery zones, and winding park pathways.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines exotic wildlife with outdoor adventure, this Scottish attraction offers brilliant value. Its daily animal talks, interactive play areas, and unique hillside views make it a top choice for a memorable family weekend trip.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Corstorphine Hill Nature Reserve: Adjacent woodland area featuring peaceful walking trails and rich local wildlife.
- Water of Leith Walkway: Nearby scenic riverside path offering great outdoor walking routes toward the city centre.
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: Cultural attraction featuring family-friendly sculpture gardens located a short drive away.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the variety of animals and the chance to see rare species like koalas and tigers up close.
- Children love watching the penguins dive at high speed and exploring the interactive chimpanzee trail.
- The sweeping views across the Edinburgh city skyline from the top of the hillside add an extra special element to the day.
- Visitors appreciate the helpful staff and the clean, well-maintained state of the outdoor animal enclosures.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some reviewers note that walking up the steep hillside paths can prove physically tiring for very small children or visitors with limited mobility.
- Catering queues can get busy during peak lunch hours in the summer school holidays.
- Certain outdoor walking paths can become exposed to wind and rain during inclement Scottish weather.
- Popular animal viewing areas attract large crowds during peak weekend afternoons.
Park Attractions and Habitats:
- Penguin Rock: Large pool habitat for diving penguins.
- Budongo Trail: Multi-level chimpanzee indoor and outdoor zone.
- Koala Territory: Specialized eucalyptus habitat for koalas.
- Tiger Tracks: High-vantage enclosure for Sumatran tigers.
- Wallaby Outback: Walkthrough Australian animal paddock.
- Rock Hoof Paddock: Enclosure for rare hoofed mountain animals.
- Reptile House: Indoor heated habitat for snakes and lizards.
- Main Adventure Playground: Outdoor children's climbing play area.
- Edinburgh Zoo Discovery Centre: Educational exhibition and indoor space.
- Hillside Picnic Lawns: Open green spaces for family rest and lunch breaks.
New for 2026:
- Upgraded Accessibility Paths: Newly smoothed and resurfaced hillside walkways ensuring easier pushchair and wheelchair navigation.
- Enhanced Conservation Interpretive Boards: Newly installed digital displays detailing global species breeding programmes.
- Expanded Outdoor Rest Hubs: Newly positioned family seating benches near major food kiosks and garden lawns.
2.51 miles
