Edinburgh Festival Fringe with kids: how to pick family shows
The Edinburgh Fringe with kids is a brilliant adventure if you pick short daytime shows made for children, mix them with free street performances and leave time for parks and snacks. The world's biggest arts festival fills the city every August, with comedy, circus, puppetry and theatre in hundreds of venues. Here is how to choose family shows by age, where to find them and what to do when the crowds get too much.
What's on: the Fringe and other August festivals
The Fringe runs through most of August, with a large Children's Shows section in its programme. Alongside it, the Edinburgh International Book Festival has a dedicated children's programme with authors, illustrators and storytelling.
Most family shows run in the morning and early afternoon and last 45 to 60 minutes. Tickets vary from free and pay-what-you-can to standard theatre prices. Check timings and prices on the official website before you go, and book popular shows early.
| Venue or option | Type | Best ages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street performers (Royal Mile, the Mound) | free outdoor shows | all ages | free |
| Pleasance | big venue hub with kids' shows | 3+ | ££ |
| Assembly | venue hub with family programme | 3+ | ££ |
| Underbelly | venue hub with circus and family shows | 4+ | ££ |
| Gilded Balloon | comedy and family shows | 5+ | ££ |
| Edinburgh International Book Festival | author events for children | 4+ | £ |
Price per ticket: £ = under about £8, ££ = about £8–£15, £££ = over £15. Rough guide only, prices change.
Find family attractions in Edinburgh on the Kid.ooo map
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe also has an app and box office where you can filter by age and time of day.
What's in it for kids by age
Match the show length and style to your child's age, and you'll avoid most meltdowns.
- Under fives: puppetry, music and sensory shows of 30 to 45 minutes, ideally in small rooms.
- Ages five to eight: magic, circus, clowning and adaptations of favourite picture books.
- Ages nine and up: family comedy, science shows and theatre, plus improvised shows where kids can shout out ideas.
Read the age guidance in the listing carefully, and look for words like "relaxed performance" if your child needs a quieter setting.
Top family venues and kids attractions in Edinburgh
The big Fringe hubs are the easiest places to start, because they have family shows, cafés and outdoor space in one spot. The Pleasance Courtyard, Assembly George Square Gardens, Underbelly and Gilded Balloon all host children's shows during the day.
Between shows, the free street performers on the Royal Mile are a highlight in their own right. For a break from the festival, the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile is free and full of old toys. Older kids will love the views and stories at Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Fringe with kids: parking, prams and baby change
Leave the car outside the centre: use Park and Ride, trains or trams, as Fringe traffic and parking are tough.
- Prams: the Old Town is hilly and cobbled, so a light buggy or a carrier is best. Some venues are up stairs, so check access first.
- Buggy parking: many venues ask you to leave pushchairs outside the room, so bring a lock.
- Baby change: the big venue hubs and museums have baby change, while small venues may not.
- Timing: plan one or two shows a day, not five, and build in snack and run-around breaks.
Where to eat nearby
The venue courtyards are full of food stalls, but prices are festival prices, so packing snacks helps. For a sit-down lunch, family-friendly cafés around Bristo Square, the New Town and Stockbridge are calmer than the Royal Mile.
Find kid-friendly cafés and restaurants near your venue on the Kid.ooo map. For London and Scottish days out ideas, take a look at @kidrated and @everyday_withleo on Instagram.
Alternatives if it's busy
When the festival crowds get too much, head for green space or a museum that's away from the Royal Mile. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is free to enter, with big lawns and a quiet atmosphere. Dynamic Earth at the foot of the Royal Mile is an indoor science centre that's perfect on a wet day.
For more ideas on the city, see our guide to family city breaks by train, which includes Edinburgh. If you love big events, our Eurovision and Coronation family guide has more tips on handling crowds with kids.
More kids attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free family days out map where parents share the attractions, playgrounds and cafés their children love. Use it to find things to do with kids near me in Edinburgh and beyond, and save quiet spots for a break between shows.
Explore Edinburgh on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a family-friendly venue or café? Add it to Kid.ooo and help other parents enjoy the festival.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Edinburgh Fringe suitable for children?
Yes, the Fringe has hundreds of shows made for children and families, from puppetry and circus to magic and comedy. Check each show's age guidance, as many late-night shows are for adults only.
How do I find family shows at the Fringe?
Use the "Children's Shows" category and the age filters in the official Fringe programme or app. Daytime slots between ten and four are when most family shows run.
Are there free things to do with kids at the Fringe?
Yes. Street performers on the Royal Mile and at the Mound are free, and some venues run free or pay-what-you-can shows. The Royal Botanic Garden is free to enter too.
What age is best for a first Fringe show?
From about three, a short puppet or music show of 45 minutes or less works well. Choose a small venue close to an exit, so you can slip out if it gets too much.
Find family places near you
Open the kid.ooo map in your browser – no download needed.