What makes it 95% Kids-Friendly: Kids under 12 thrive in Imagine, Explore and Adventure Planet, with hands-on science, dressing-up and craft Fridays; plentiful toilets, lifts and benches back up a long playful visit.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: 2-3 hours lets your family explore the key interactive galleries and enjoy a café break without rushing.
Imagine Gallery (Level 1):
Let kids dress up, make sounds and enjoy story corners in a colourful sensory space.
Tip: Visit early to avoid crowds and let children explore freely.
Adventure Planet (Level 5):
Drive a mini submersible, dig for dinosaur bones and learn about conservation.
Tip: Check the lift by the Kingdom of the Scots gallery for quick access.
Explore Gallery (Level 1):
Try hands-on science experiments and puzzles on engineering and physics.
Tip: Pick up a free activity sheet from the info desk to guide the kids.
During summer school holidays check Summer Family Fun sessions (Jul 7–Aug 1) for themed drop-in crafts. In term-time, join Find Out Fridays (Fri 1:30–4 pm) free activities on Level 4.
Explore These Activities
Nida Shamim
The best museum you ll ever visit. Kids love it. There is so much to see there. It’s FREE to enter. Quite remarkable! Loved the interactive space for kids there. You can easily spend 3-4 hours there.
Walter Dinda (Walt)
Incredible 7 story Museum. It is free to visit! You must go to the 7th floor roof for the panoramic view! There is a large clock made by a Russian that you must observe on the hour every hour! The clock comes alive with moving parts! The building itself is beautiful.
Elizabeth Davies
Me and my mate visited here in late August and had an enjoyable time, yet a handful of things left me with a slight bittersweet experience. The Pros ✅ - The exhibitions and displays are arranged in a very eye catching and awe inspiring way 🤩. It really gives you that feeling of wonder and wanting to learn and understand more🤓. The height of the building really gives these spaces an advantage, a...
Bram Slijpen
This year, we visited the National Museum for the second time. And once again, it was a wonderful experience. The building is beautiful and all the exhibitions are meticulously curated. This time, we also visited the roof terrace, which offers a stunning view of Edinburgh. It's hard to believe that this museum is free. It's definitely a must-see when visiting Edinburgh.
DENNY JAMES ALUKKA
The National Museum of Scotland is absolutely fantastic! The building itself is stunning, and inside there is so much to explore. From ancient history and dinosaurs to science, fashion, and technology, there’s something for everyone. The layout is easy to follow, and every section is full of fascinating displays. I especially enjoyed how interactive it is – perfect for both adults and children. Y...
Item | Cost (Approx.) |
---|---|
Museum lockers | GBP 3 |
Lunch at Balcony Café | GBP 40 |
Souvenirs | GBP 20 |
Total Estimated | GBP 63 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK
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