As the February half-term holiday rolls around, parents will be searching far and wide for things to keep their excitable kids entertained.
And while we all want to give our children everything in the world, the cost of living crisis has meant that many families are struggling for cash, and have to live within their means. As energy bills rise and the price of most essentials soar, households will be aiming to cut back on their social spending - and that includes family activities.
But no fear, there is plenty of exciting activities to do around Edinburgh and surrounding areas, that won't break the bank this half-term.
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Dino Outdoors - Dynamic Earth
Cost: Membership is free, workshop is £2.50 per child
Age range: Between seven and 14-years-old
Dates: February 14 (Discover the Deep) and February 16 (Survival Skills)
Dino’s Club is Dynamic Earth’s very own children’s club for young people under 14. Offering a unique combination of science and craft, digital tinkering, storytelling and outdoor adventures, the club is perfect for everyone!
There are two sessions each day which run at 10.30am and 1.30pm. They last for two hours and cost £2.50 per child.
Find out more about the Dinos Club and sign up for a free membership on the Dynamic Earth website.
Big Kid Circus - Gyle Shopping Centre
Cost: Under 16's and concessions go free, £9.99 per adult
Age range: Fun for all the family
Dates: February 13 until February 19
Big Kid Circus is Presenting 'Mayhem', an amazing brand new show full of excitement for the whole family and loads of surprises which will keep you on the edge of your seats. With talented performances from acrobats, aerialists motorbike riders and more, this family-friendly show guarantees thrills, excitement and laugh out loud moments.
The shows run on weekdays at times of 3pm and 7pm. On Saturdays, there are shows at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm, and shows at 1pm and 3:30pm on Sundays.
Visit the Big Kid Circus website for booking information.
Stamp Making and Printing - The Edinburgh Remakery
Cost: £20
Age range: Teenagers
Dates: February 18, 9:30am-12:30pm
Learning new skills is a fun way to equip younger generations with practical knowledge and inspire creativity that can last a lifetime. This workshop is running from 9:30am-12:30pm on Saturday 18th February, and is suitable for ages 11 plus.
This workshop aims at involving teens with creative activities in an accessible and entertaining way, to grow and build on their interest in crafts.
In this workshop they’ll learn how to make their own stamps to print onto various materials. In this messy, creative, and fun workshop they’ll be shown simple techniques to make different stamps and how to use them to their creative images onto fabric, such as tote bags or items of clothing.
They’ll each be given a tote bag to print on which they get to keep and take away with them at the end of the day! If they have a plain t-shirt or item of cotton clothing they would like to personalise and decorate then they can bring this along too.
Visit the Edinburgh Remakery website for booking details now.
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder - National Museum of Scotland
Cost: £12 for adults, £8 for children and £11 for concessions (National Art members £6)
Age range: All the family
Dates: All of February half-term and onwards
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder features eight zones filled with immersive, hands-on experiences. Travel through the Time Vortex Corridor, discover Sonic Screwdrivers, teleportation technology and much more in a TARDIS Tech room, and get up close with some of the series' weird and wonderful creatures in the Monster Vault.
This must-see exhibition brings a scientific perspective to The Doctor's adventures, drawing on content from across the full canon of Doctor Who. Is time travel possible? Could complex life exist on other planets? And what would you sound like as a Dalek?
Check out the National Museum of Scotland website for more details and how to book.
Museum on the Mound - The Mound
Cost: Free
Age range: All the family
Dates: All of February half-term and onwards
Located in the historic Bank of Scotland Head Office, this fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more.
Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. Highlights include cracking a safe, learning about the history of the British currency and getting to see £1 million in £20 notes.
Check out the Museum on the Mound website for more details.
Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Cost: £19.82 for adults, kids under 15 go free
Age range: All the family
Dates: All of February half-term and onwards
Visit all of Edinburgh's iconic landmarks on this bus tour, that is available all day, with 24 hour unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off perks. This means you can nip off at Edinburgh Castle, and get back on at Princes Street free of any charge.
There is also commentary available in nine different languages, plus 'Horrible Histories' Kid's Commentary. Visit the City Sightseeing website for more details and how to book your own unique tour.
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