Kids activities

Blood and guts are on the menu at the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April. The annual festival of popular science, which aims to educate through hands-on activities and topical talks, has a new floor at one of its main venues, the City Art Centre, devoted to the human body.

This year’s International Science Festival (3-17 April) will include 46 events at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with many events taking place at the Real Life Science Studio and other facilities at the Botanics’ new John Hope Gateway visitor and interpretation centre.

The University of Edinburgh returns to the Edinburgh Science Festival with free events, workshops and shows aimed at children and families. Discover Science 2010, running for the duration of the Science Festival (8th-17th April), takes place at the National Museum of Scotland, and Adam House, Chambers Street.

This spring Breast Cancer Campaign’s women-only cycle ride, Pedal it Pink, is coming to Edinburgh! On Sunday 16 May, Holyrood Park will host the event, which hopes to attract hundreds of ladies from across Scotland.

Around 200 educational and interactive activities for the wee ones and lectures and talks for older heads in various venues across town.

An international Children's Theatre Festival, with shows which adults as well as kids might even appreciate, from theatre companies from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scotland.

We all know what time of year it is when the King's unleashes its annual romp through Pantoland and this season it's the turn of their tweaked and tailored version of that well worn Robinson Crusoe classic.

Christmas, or Xmas for non-believers, used to be a quiet period in Edinburgh. It's less so now, although (Edinburgh's Hogmanay aside) it's still not quite as mad as the hurlyburly of the Edinburgh Festival in August.

Live cookery demos of favourite seasonal dishes every hour on the hour from Scotland’s Michelin star and top chefs such as Jeff Bland of The Balmoral and Tony Borthwick of The Plumed Horse.

St Andrew Square Garden is the venue for the Edinburgh Christmas Nativity Scene and Carol Concert, featuring a chorus from Exile Gospel Choir with support from St Peter’s Primary School Choir.

A chance to see performance artists Carabosse transform the Royal Mile and the squares around St Giles Cathedral with fire and light. The installations remaining illuminated until around 8pm.

The massive 7.2m tall Big Man who attracted huge crowds as he walked throughout Scotland this autumn, is reawakened as part of the

St. Andrew's Day events - the St Andrews Do - climax with a fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle.

The main viewing point is West Princes Street Garden directly under the castle.

The Orkney Venus, the earliest human figure ever found in Scotland, is going on temporary display at Edinburgh Castle from today til 1s

The BBC's campaign to encourage the nation to smile its way to better mental wellbeing is beaming into Edinburgh for World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10th.

This new campaign highlights the health benefits of simple positive things we can all do every day and asks What Makes You Smile?

A cast of colourful puppets descend on The Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile this weekend to tell some "daring tales" from Scottish history.

Hamish the Highlander and his fellow puppet friends will star in four free shows inside the historic 16th century building on both Saturday and Sunday.

A festival that celebrates the art of yarn-spinning and tale-telling held at the award-winning Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile and around Edinburgh and Lothians.

The flowerbed on the Mound has been planted with the Fairtrade logo to celebrate Edinburgh's 5 years as a Fairtrade City.

Historic Scotland's rangers are inviting locals to come along to the annual Holyrood Park Fun Dog Show.

The Grassmarket is set to host a national 'Playday' event tomorrow. Children will be able to take part in a range of activities across a variety of play areas. The event has been organised as part of the City Council's play strategy to promote the many benefits of imaginative play to parents and communities.