Edinburgh attractions and things to do (merged)

Best Ghost walk is the one leaving from the Witchery, I'll look for the website and post it later but the kids will LOVE it, best done when its dark as well, so go for the later one if there is a choice

Dynamic Earth should suit all your kid's ages, I guess none of these things are cheap entry but I think they would enjoy that one. We were at the Zoo yesterday, big improvements there, once again though its not cheap. Tip for the Zoo is take the Safari bus to the top and walk down as its a very steep hill . Take a picnic and spend the day, that way you get your money's worth!

Museum and Museum of Childhood should be free, good for cold or wet days and the the main museum has a big newish extention with lots of up to date attractions to suit the kids with hands on things to do.

I'll ask my daughter when she gets home from school and see if she can come up with any more ideas.

also if yo usee this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=33612
there are a lot of 2 for 1 things to do in Edinburgh

You can easily lose yourself in the Botanic Gardens for a few hours - sometimes there are really good (free!) exhibitions on there too (Earth From The Air a few months back was fabulous). There's a big glass house to wander round if it's raining too.

I'd second the Chambers Street Museums, there's so much to see you could make a whole day of it. Last time I was there (Feb last year) there was a great hands on kids science area on the ground floor but I'm not sure if that was a visiting exhibition. I also loved the top floor of the Museum of Scotland which was dedicated to things people had chosen as icons of the 20th century (quite nostalgic!). If the kids are doing projects at school there is some good stuff about Egyptians, Romans, Vikings, etc. too.

The open top bus tour though not particularly cheap is a good way of getting an overview of the city and if I remember correctly the ticket is valid for 24 hours (so if you get on it at 12 noon one day you can use it that afternoon and again the next morning, handy if you want to stop and do something en-route).

Make sure you take them to see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, it's quite cute (and has added interest as I think the film's out soon).

The buses in Edinburgh are great... loads of information at the stops and cheap if you're not taking the car (or even if you are cos parking can be a nightmare!).

There was an ice-cream parlour (Luca's?) we always stopped at as a child when passing through or visiting (supposed to be the best ice-cream in Scotland I think) but I can't remember where it is or if it's still as good (helpful, huh?)

Dont forget THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT. The children will be amazed at what 1/2 a billion quid can buy.
Also on a nice day, a walk up ARTHURS SEAT in the Queens Park next to Holyrood house and feeding the ducks in the pond passes the time.
If the Hibs are at home, a day at the football might be a treat for the hubby.
Or you could send him to watch the Hearts (scarier than any ghost tour by miles :-) )