The best family attractions in Scotland whatever the weather, from castles to magical bluebell woods and adventure parks

If you’re heading to Scotland on a £9.50 Holiday with your family, you’ll want some ideas up your sleeve to keep the kids entertained.

Of course, there are swimming pools, playgrounds and free entertainment at your holiday park – but if you want to step outside and explore the local area, there’s plenty on offer. 

We’ve asked local experts for their top recommendations on what to do with your family in Scotland, with suggestions that are never too far from our £9.50 Holiday parks.

From child-friendly aquariums to free-to-enter country parks that have brilliant playgrounds, here’s where you should take the kids first. 

Adventure park thrills

For families with kids needing to burn off some energy, a day trip to an adventure park could be a good bet.

Nairn has the fabulous Landmark Forest Adventure Park around 40 minutes away.

Children will enjoy coming face-to-face with more than 22 prehistoric giants in Dinosaur Kingdom and embracing nature on a fun treetop trail (keep eyes peeled for red squirrels). 

If you’re staying closer to Perth, you could instead head for Active Kids Adventure Park.

Recommended by Christopher Hill, Administration Manager at Tummel Valley Holiday Park, it has an indoor soft play and little ones will love feeding the animals.

Christopher added: “We also have magical bluebell woods at Kinclaven and seasonal fruit picking at Gloagburn Farm, which has a play park.” 

Swings and steam engines 

The Scottish Sun Travel Editor Heather Lowrie says: “Sundrum castle is just outside Ayr – you could go into the town and go to Ayr beach for its attractions, big swing park, and Pirate Pete’s adventure play areas for kids.

“Or turn the other way towards Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park and the Doon Valley Railway, which has steam trains and a museum with kids’ stuff.”

If trains are what your brood is into, Strathspey Steam Railway is another great idea for a family day out.

See the magnificent Cairngorm mountains from the comfort of a plush carriage, or stop off at Boat of Garten to spot ospreys at the nearby RSPB reserve.

The railway is located near Aviemore, around an hour’s drive from Tummel Valley Holiday Park.

Free family activities

In Ayrshire, near holiday parks such as Sandylands, Eglinton Country Park is ideal for a family day out without spending a penny.

As well as having 400 acres for your kids to run around in, it has a big swing park and marked routes including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) trail.

Morvyn Cattanach, General Manager at Sandylands Holiday Park says: “It’s a good option for families on a budget because it’s free to enter and there are lots of picnic areas and barbecue stations.”

Other top-rated free things to do in Scotland include hiking up Arthur’s Seat and visiting the National Museum of Scotland, both in Edinburgh, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Leaps of faith

Older kids – and parents – can test their mettle with a bungee jump.

Highland Fling is just a short drive from Tummel Valley Holiday Park and offers heart-pounding activities such as bungee jumping, bridge swings and zip lining through the valley of Killiecrankie. 

Meanwhile, around 20 miles south of Ayr on the west coast, Adventure Carrick offers a range of water-based thrills, including three-hour coasteering sessions (from £55pp).

Suitable from age eight, the high-energy sessions will see you climb cliffs and leap into swirling seas near Ballantrae.

For budding scientists

If your kids are scientists in the making, expand their little minds at a family-friendly museum like Glasgow Science Centre.

Its super-engaging exhibits include a Planetarium that transports you through the solar system and a “Perception” room with mind-bending visual illusions.

Other fantastic kids’ exhibits can be found at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and the Dundee Science Centre.

Wildlife wonders

Wildlife lovers big and small can find their favourite species from all over the globe in Scotland.

You could head to Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore – home to everything from polar bears and snow leopards to rare Scottish wildcats.

Or how about letting your kids be a zookeeper for the day at Camperdown Wildlife Park in Dundee? 

For an aquatic adventure, SEA LIFE Loch Lomond contains a magical underwater world, and you can join turtle tea time and watch the tropical sharks being fed.