Scotland’s capital is the perfect spot if you’re planning an Easter holiday family vacation. The city offers a range of Easter activities for kids around Edinburgh to captivate children of all ages and keep parents entertained.
Watch for the Easter Bunny, making a magical journey from Hoppity Hollow and maybe even the cheeky Big Bad Wolf!
Join Bright Bus Tours as we explore an enchanting Easter trail with seven family-friendly, fun, festive events.
Easter in Edinburgh
The Easter holidays are a gorgeous time for an Edinburgh visit with the whole family. As spring emerges, temperatures rise and the weather becomes more predictable. Be sure to pack a jacket or coat and a light scarf for comfort on an Easter trail.
If you’re fortunate enough, you might catch the cherry blossoms midway through April. Even if you miss them, the city is alive with numerous other blossoms and signs of new growth.
Food is a delightful part of the Easter festivities for all the family members. Everyone can enjoy traditional hot cross buns and chocolate eggs from local festivals, artisan shops and markets.
8 Family Fun Edinburgh Easter Activities for Children
From the Edinburgh Science Festival, Easter egg trails and adventure park festivals, there are always things to do in the Easter holidays in the capital. Egg-splore a few of our favourite fun family Easter activities for toddlers and young children.
1. Go on Camera Obscura & World of Illusions’ Easter Egg Trail
Celebrate one of the most vibrant Easter events in Edinburgh at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Their immersive Easter egg trail challenges you to spot hidden surprises — like colourful bunny rabbits and Easter eggs.
These Easter surprises are tucked away among the mind-bending exhibits and themed decorations. You can exchange the tickets for sweet treats.
Need a break from the sensory overload? Head to the rooftop terrace to unwind and snap a perfect selfie with Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop. Prepare for an Easter adventure filled with magic, mystery and optical illusions!
2. Crack on at the Edinburgh Science Festival
Spark your children’s curiosity and discover the wonders of science. The Edinburgh Science Festival brings discovery to life across the city with over a hundred events and exhibitions.
Key venues include the City Art Centre, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The festival features ticketed and free events, covering everything from sustainability and design to physics, chemistry and maths. Past highlights include Walking Like an Astronaut with a real NASA astronaut and Spring Explorers at the zoo for sprouts aged six and up.
3. Edinburgh Zoo
While the zoo is not home to any Easter bunnies, they have many other critters and events your little bunnies will enjoy. From Haggis, the baby pigmy hippo, to ringtailed lemurs and Sumerian tigers, it’s a safe space to see the “wild side” of the natural world.
In addition to hosting events with the Edinburgh Science Festival, the zoo hosts many other interactive experiences.
Book the Family Fun Keeper Experience for a day of feeding and caring for the animals with an experienced zookeeper. There are mini-keeper experiences and the option to spend magical moments with animals like rhinos, penguins and otters.
Watch how this pleased customer took her kids to Edinburgh Zoo using Bright Bus Tours. Kids entry is free during Easter!
4. Meet the Easter Bunny at Fort Douglas Easter Festival
Take a day trip just outside Edinburgh to Dalkeith Country Park for Easter activities for families. Pose with the Easter Bunny, partake in kids’ Easter workshops and sit for face painting. Their Easter egg hunt takes the form of an exciting, themed scavenger trail.
The heartbeat of the event is the adventure park. The area features mini forts, tunnels and even a jumping pillow. Toddlers can also enjoy swings and slides.
Choose between an early morning session to let little ones burn off energy or a relaxed afternoon timeslot for late risers.
5. Qualify for the Easter-Lympics & Outsmart the Big Bad Wolf
Test your skills in the Easter-Lympics with an egg and spoon race, or navigate the Hoppity Hollow maze on an Easter egg hunt. Just a short hop from the airport, Conifox Adventure Park’s Easter Festival blends traditions with exciting new Easter lore.
Fill your basket with eggs to trade for real chocolate eggs and meet the Easter Bunny. But beware! The Big Bad Wolf is on the prowl in Hoppity Hollow, trying to trick egg hunters.
Your family can wrap up the magical morning with delicious food and drinks from the on-site café. While the Conifox Indoor Activity Centre is not part of the Easter Festival, it offers a fun experience for an additional fee.
6. Sing & Clap on Easter Sunday
Discover Origin Scotland’s RESURRECTION, a Scottish Easter tradition of live music and worship.
Whether you’re looking for a meaningful way to celebrate or simply love great music, this experience will inspire you. Set in the magnificent Usher Hall, the Origin band, choir and orchestra lead the event.
Book your tickets early for an unforgettable performance with a donation of your choice.
7. Spot Clarence During a Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt
Treat your little princes and princesses to a memorable, luxurious adventure aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. This maritime attraction is a highlight of our popular Britannia Tour.
The Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt is a delightful activity showcasing how this former royal residence now entertains young visitors. Clarence, a purebred Corgi plush toy, is one of several cuddly companions concealed throughout the yacht. It’s a lot like an egg hunt but cuddlier. Though not an Easter-specific activity, it offers adorable moments for children exploring the historic vessel.
While parents enjoy their afternoon tea at the Royal Deck Tearoom, children can delight in a unique colouring activity. It’s a perfect keepsake to commemorate their royally fabulous day and spotting Clarence.
8. Make Outdoor Easter Holiday Memories at Lauriston Castle
Explore the beautiful castle grounds through exhilarating Easter egg trails at Lauriston Castle. Not every egg hunt guarantees chocolate, but discovering hidden spots on this stunning estate is the real treat.
Drop by for free activities like the Easter egg hunt quiz. For a more comprehensive experience, the Easter Day Eggstravaganza offers a fun, outdoor, ticketed event. The activity is so popular that it typically sells out weeks in advance.
Kids will love roaming the grounds and playing games in the bright springtime atmosphere. Parents can relax and enjoy watching their little ones create memories in this historic setting. Grab a bite at Mimi’s Bakehouse from a selection of sweet treats or their all-day brunch.
9. Discover a Family Haven at Princes Street Gardens
Escape the bustle of the city at Princes Street Gardens, a perfect destination for families at Easter. This urban oasis offers something for everyone, from peaceful retreats to exciting play spaces.
Here, you will find wholesome, family-friendly Easter holiday activities for Edinburgh residents and visitors.
Princes Street Easter Play
Don’t miss the annual Princes Street Easter Play on the Saturday of Easter weekend. For over 20 years, local performers have delivered a free show that weaves modern themes into timeless storytelling.
Destination Playground
The incredible playground is the best thing about the green space for kiddos — and parents. Recently upgraded to resemble a mini adventure park, it’s a wonderland of activity.
Castle-themed play structures invite imagination, with shape puzzles and interactive boards for younger children.
Older siblings will love the climbing wall, fireman’s pole and challenging climbing nets. Parents and guardians can watch the play from the nearby benches and picnic tables. Classic playground equipment like the mini roundabout and monkey bars complete the experience.
Pack a picnic from local cafes, or bring your own food. Find adventure or a moment of calm at the Princes Street Garden. Create a memorable Easter outing for the whole family.
Join Bright Bus Tours for an eggstravaganza of Easter activities around Edinburgh. Little bunnies under five hop on for free!
Bright Bus Tours: Bunny-Approved Easter Fun & Adventures
Since 2019, our red open-top buses have shared Edinburgh’s stories and spectacular views. As a premier open-top tour provider, we don’t see the business as purely a transportation service — we’re your gateway to the city’s soul.
Varied Experiences
Seamlessly connecting major tour stops, we make exploring the city effortless and budget-friendly. Visit famous attractions like Dynamic Earth, the Royal Botanic Garden and the National Museum.
We offer three core services:
- Airport Express
- Britannia Tour
- City Tour
A genuine passion for the customer experience sets us apart. Visit Scotland awarded us four stars for customer service.
Benefits of Bright Bus
Our hop-on, hop-off experience offers many advantages for those travelling with wee scones:
- Rest your feet while exploring the city
- Free boarding for children aged five and under
- Cut transportation costs with the option of integrated airport transfers
- Enjoy the flexibility of private tour options
- Bring your furry friends, dogs are welcome aboard
- 100% wheelchair accessible
Trust Bright Bus Tours to ferry your family to the most fun Easter activities for kids in Edinburgh. Spring into action today by booking your tickets online.