Right, January's here and we've officially said goodbye to the festive madness! Ditch the sofa this weekend (Jan 3rd & 4th) and try something fresh—the Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns might be wrapping up soon, but we've found some brilliant low-key, post-Christmas gems. Don't miss the chance to recycle your tree at Dobbies' totally free workshop on Sunday!
Quick Picks
Little Seedlings Club: Christmas Tree Recycling Workshop
Dobbies Garden Centres Edinburgh
A genuinely free, seasonal workshop teaching kids how to recycle their Christmas trees into wildlife habitats.
Resistance (Exhibition)
Modern Two, National Galleries of Scotland
A proper, quirky exhibition that’s closing *this weekend* at the National Galleries – perfect for teens and arty older kids.
ABC (Art Baby Connect)
Modern One, National Galleries of Scotland
A gentle, free art session specifically for babies and toddlers at the modern art gallery.
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns: Fire and Ice
It's your chance to catch the spectacular underwater-themed lantern trail before it’s too late, featuring jellyfish and sea turtles made of light. It’s magical after dark, so bundle up and make a night of it.
Why we picked it: This is one of the last chances to see the lantern trail as it's a limited run event ending soon after this weekend.
Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
Forget the dull tour guides; these self-guided walks are basically treasure hunts across the city, perfect for getting teens off their phones (or at least engaging them with the phone for photos). It’s a great way to explore areas you usually just walk past.
Why we picked it: It's a unique, self-paced way to make history fun and interactive for older kids who think museums are boring.
Festive Fun at Museum on the Mound
They’ve got fun, free family activities, trails, and handling tables about coins and currency—think ancient money and designing your own banknote. It’s usually less busy than the big National Museum and a nice change of pace.
Why we picked it: It offers free, hands-on, post-Christmas themed activities that are less obvious than the main tourist spots.
Cold War Scotland (Exhibition)
If your kids are into spy gear, history, or just plain cool tech, this exhibition on Cold War espionage is a deep dive. It runs until January 4th, so Saturday is your final shot to check it out.
Why we picked it: It's the last day for this specific, niche exhibition within the museum, making it a timely pick.
ABC (Art Baby Connect)
A free, gentle session for babies and toddlers involving sculpture-hunting and art-making at the Modern gallery. You need to book, but it’s great for getting little ones out of the house on a Saturday morning.
Why we picked it: It is a specifically programmed, free, and engaging activity for the under-5s community.
Winter Walk: Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill
The winter air is crisp, making it perfect for conquering Arthur's Seat (for older ones) or just enjoying the massive monument views from Calton Hill without the summer crowds. Great for burning off that post-Christmas excess!
Why we picked it: A zero-cost, classic Edinburgh outdoor activity that feels extra good when the city centre is quiet post-Hogmanay.
Portobello Beach Stroll
Grab coats and take the bus to Portobello for a bracing walk along the sand—even in January, the sea air is good for you. Grab fish and chips or visit one of the local arcades for some proper old-school fun afterward.
Why we picked it: It reminds everyone that Edinburgh has a legitimate beach, often forgotten by locals in the colder months.
Try an Outdoor Escape Room
If the indoor Christmas escape rooms are gone, look for an outdoor, self-guided puzzle trail across the Old Town. It gets your teens walking, thinking, and competing, which is a win-win in January.
Why we picked it: It offers a challenging, active experience that directly replaces the limited-run Christmas escape rooms found.
Little Seedlings Club: Christmas Tree Recycling Workshop
This is *the* post-Christmas activity for little ones—they learn about nature, have a quiz, and then build a mini wildlife habitat from recycled trees. Super cute and totally free, but you must book via their site.
Why we picked it: It capitalises on the New Year clean-up/nature theme and is one of the few genuinely free, scheduled activities found for this specific weekend.
Crafternoons
Head down to Holyrood for some drop-in crafting; it’s relaxed, free, and a good way to get some culture without the pressure of a big museum visit. Perfect for a last-minute Sunday plan.
Why we picked it: It's a no-fuss, walk-in, free crafting session at a local landmark which often gets overlooked for family fun.
Resistance
This exhibition is ending *today*, so get your teens down for a final look at this contemporary show that might spark some proper debate. It's less dusty than some other galleries, which usually helps with engagement.
Why we picked it: It’s a last-chance event focusing on modern art, which can be a refreshing change for older kids used to traditional attractions.
Edinburgh's Christmas Market (Last Day)
This is literally the last chance to grab a pretzel or go on a ride before it all packs away for another year! Great for a quick, festive hit to ease into the non-holiday week.
Why we picked it: It's the absolute last day for the festive market, giving one final excuse for market snacks and atmosphere.
Panto: Jack and The Beanstalk
If you missed out on panto over the holidays, this is the *very* last chance to catch this Edinburgh Christmas staple before it vanishes. Expect silly costumes and big singalongs—essential post-Hogmanay fun.
Why we picked it: It’s the final performance of a major seasonal show, making it a genuine 'last chance' pick.
Tenement Jazz Band for Kids & Disco
If Sprogmanay was your vibe, this might be a continuation—a jazz band geared towards kids followed by a disco. Check for the actual venue and ticket link as the search result was sparse, but it sounds like a brilliant Sunday afternoon energy-burner.
Why we picked it: Live, local music and a disco for kids is a fun, slightly unusual way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Visit Craigmillar Castle
Skip the crowds at Edinburgh Castle and explore this atmospheric fortress that Mary Queen of Scots used as a refuge—it’s much less busy and still has amazing views. It's a proper medieval explorer day out.
Why we picked it: It's an authentic, historic castle experience that many tourists miss entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Edinburgh this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04), there are definitely free options! Check out the Little Seedlings Club: Christmas Tree Recycling Workshop at Dobbies on Sunday (must book), the drop-in Crafternoons at the Scottish Parliament on Sunday, and the always-free ABC (Art Baby Connect) session at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Saturday.
Is there anything quirky or last-chance for older kids?
Yes, make sure you catch the Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns on Saturday before you miss them for another year, and for teens who like art, the Resistance exhibition at Modern Two closes on Sunday, making it a perfect final visit.
Where can toddlers go that's indoors and engaging?
For the little ones, the ABC (Art Baby Connect) workshop on Saturday at Modern One is specifically designed for under-5s and is free (booking required), or you could brave the Museum on the Mound for their hands-on family trails.