14 Ideas for fun family days out in Scotland

Venture on a day trip south to Dumfries & Galloway to see Scotland’s most iconic farm animal up close. Kitchen Coos & Ewes is home to a phenomenal herd of Highland Cows which you can learn more about on a purpose-built trailer tour around the farm. On the Highland cow safari you’ll learn about how important these friendly faces are to the environment, whilst seeing them up close and finishing the tour with fresh home baking from the farmhouse. If you want that extra special experience, book the Hands-On Coo Tour where you can groom some of the younger cows before heading off on a safari to see the rest of the herd.

When the sun is out in Scotland you need to make the most of it! Pack up the kids and head to RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve in Renfrewshire. Explore woodland trails, outdoor play areas, keep an eye out for local wildlife, and let the wee ones burn off that energy with a day out in nature. Open all year round, you can explore the reserve in all seasons, with a variety of wildlife and birdlife making their home here, so there’s something new to spot each time you visit. Stop by the visitor centre and shop before you leave or enjoy a picnic or some coffee and cake in the café. The nature trails here are partly signposted and feature flat terrain, so feel free to bring the pushchairs along so no one misses out.

Landmark Forest Adventure Park offers outstanding thrills and spills with its unique blend of rides and family friendly activities. Face the high speeds of the Runaway Timber Train, or take on the dizzying heights of the Wild Water Coaster with three fear-inducing raft rides over waterfalls to choose from. Of course, there’s plenty of things to do with both feet on the ground. Come face to face with a 20 ft tall T-Rex at Dinosaur Kingdom, meet the park’s resident wildlife and insects in the Tropical Hot-House or discover the world’s first ‘Bamboozeleum’ and get ready to solve puzzles filled with lots of optical illusions and special effects for even more added fun. Kids can take the driving seat while operating their very own 4x4 or if they fancy depositing some sand, they’ll be in full control with their very own mini digger.

Loch Insh Outdoor Centre offers an array of challenging and creative outdoor activities. Varied courses and programmes are available too and the choice of fun is huge! Enjoy raft building, sailing, stand up paddle boarding and pedalos, to name just a few. If you prefer to stay on dry land, immerse yourself in Scotland’s scenery by going mountain biking, improve your aim with archery, while the kids enjoy the play parks.

Fancy staying that wee bit longer? The outdoor centre will offer you a comfortable place to stay during your time here. Choose from its wide range of accommodation options from apartments and chalets to its very own B&B.

Head to the famous shores of Loch Lomond, just 30 minutes from Glasgow, for an exciting day trip to the SEA LIFE Aquarium. Dive into this underwater world where you can discover the depths of the world’s oceans across the immersive themed zones. A perfect attraction to visit when the weather just isn’t that great, you can get up close to over 1,500 creatures, big and small, including Scotland’s largest collection of sharks! The wee ones will love getting hands-on in the rockpool experience, as well as finding out what a starfish feels like. Don’t miss out on the Ocean Tunnel – a 250,000-litre room where you can come face-to-face with all the critters of the sea.

With 370 hectares of country park to explore, you and the kids are in for a treat! Beecraigs Country Park is located just south of Linlithgow in West Lothian and is the perfect playground for the wee ones to explore. The park offers up miles of woodland trails which you can explore on foot, by bike, or on horseback. The kids will love the adventure play area, and if you’ve got a budding mountain biker on your hands, there is a dedicated Skills Area where they can hone their skills, as well as mountain biking trails across the park too. Head to the visitor centre for more information, gifts, refreshments, ice-cream, and delicious food in the café whilst you’re here.

From llamas to ponies, little one’s love seeing their favourite animals up close. Visit Dalscone Farm Fun in Dumfries & Galloway. Say hello and get to know the animals – they’re all a very friendly bunch! From Frankie, Max, and Jeffrey the goats to Annie the donkey, they love seeing friendly new faces, especially if you have tasty treats in your hand. For more added fun, take a spin on the go-karts, play a round or two of crazy golf or bounce the day away on the trampolines.

Feeling peckish? Treat yourself to something delicious at the Dalscone Diner with refreshments including tea, coffee, juice, baguettes, and delicious cakes.

If you’re looking for some dino-related fun, then the Dino Park in Dumfries ticks all the right boxes. The attraction offers the chance for budding palaeontologists to roll up their sleeves at the Dino Dig and search for fossils and bones beneath the sand. If you have an appetite for learning, make sure to head to the Dino Den where park rangers will explain the history behind the giants who once roamed the Earth. Other highlights include a bouncy castle and the outdoor and indoor play areas. 

Camera Obscura is a museum dedicated to optical illusions that will simply boggle your mind. With five floors of hands on exhibits, you may need to take a second, or third, closer look at things which are not as they first appear. From the dizzying vortex tunnel to finding your way out of the mirror maze, the attraction will add a lot of excitement to your day out in the capital. The shrinking room is a great place for photos. Become a mighty giant in one corner and pint-sized version of yourself in the other. To round it all off, head up to the rooftop for impressive views of Edinburgh’s skyline.

Discover Fife’s wildest day out at The Scottish Deer Centre. The attraction is home to 12 species of deer and animals including the Lynx, the Scottish Wildcat, the European brown bear and lots more. Its daily entertainment schedule also offers the chance to meet some of the animals too, with feeding and grooming sessions.

That’s not all! Leave time for the kids to make use of the indoor play area and the adventure playground. Whether it’s climbing or zooming down a zip line, there’s something for everyone.

Home to over 40 species of animals, Auchingarrich Wildlife & Adventure Park allows visitors to get up close to a range of animals in their natural habitats. All year round there is something to see, from baby chicks hatching, daily feedings and the chance to try your hand at milking Clover the cow. Younger visitors can have lots of fun at the indoor soft play barn. 

Thankfully no passport is required for this next visit. Located in East Lothian, the National Museum of Flight offers a fascinating insight into the world of aviation dating back to the First World War. The centrepiece of the museum is The Concorde where you can get a taste of what a transatlantic flight was like. Aircrafts spanning decades of history from its historic hangars and airfields including the evolution of the in-flight experience, are also highlights. 

The Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, is a wonderful choice for a family break with plenty of day trip opportunities, meaning you and the family can stay entertained for hours. Head to The Skye Museum of Island Life to take a step back in time and experience what island life was really like in time gone by. From thatched roof cottages and displays of artefacts and old, original tools to seeing the village smithy, the weaver’s house, and historical archives too, there’s lots of history to explore.

Have you ever had high tea with reindeer or alpaca? Both adults and kids can get involved in this unique experience where you can learn all about the animals. If you’re exploring the northern scopes of Scotland, enjoy a day trip to Caithness Animal Farm Park in Lybster. Home to friendly reindeer, alpacas, goats, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, and guinea pigs, as well as creepy crawlies including tarantulas, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy the indoor craft area, indoor bouncy castle and browse the shop whilst you’re here too.