While things are more normal than they’ve been for a while, the pandemic means this summer is still going to be unlike any other.
With summer holidays still largely off the menu, many are choosing to holiday closer to home.
But this has meant that many popular places are now booked up for the whole season, with those left often charging astronomical prices.
Luckily Edinburgh is an amazing city, so even if you spend the summer at home with the kids (the original meaning of the word ‘staycation’) there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Here are 11 fun activities to entertain the whole family for a few hours.
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5. Hit the beach
In Edinburgh we're sometimes guilty of forgetting that we have a fantastic city beach to enjoy. Portobello Beach offers miles of golden sands for sandcastle building, clear water for paddling or swimming, and a fair few places to get a great ice cream. Who needs Majorca? Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Do battle in a real life computer game
Edinburgh Combat Challenge offers a number of fun outdoor games for ages 8-and-up using high-tech infra red weapons. Completely safe, it's the pain-free alternative to paintball and prices start at just £14. Visit www.edinburghcombatchallenge.com for more details. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Go karting
Xtreme Karting, in Newbridge, offers an exciting indoor race experience for children over the age of 8. Book at www.xtremekarting.co.uk. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Discover Harry Potter's Edinburgh
The Potter Trail offers free public walking tours of Harry Potter's Edinburgh, including where Lord Voldemort is buried, where JK Rowling wrote the first book and the real life Diagon Alley. You'll also learn a few spells and find out what house you would be in at Edinburgh's very own school of magic. To book visit www.pottertrail.com. Photo: Spencer Platt