Stirling Castle – Stirling Castle is a great day trip from Edinburgh, just an hour train ride from Waverly Station.

Edinburgh Zoo - The Edinburgh Zoo has world's largest penguin pool, with king, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. The zoo is also home to endangered animals such as Sumatran tigers, pygmy hippos, poison arrow frogs and red pandas.

Dalkeith Country Park (Dalkeith) - The grounds of Dalkeith Palace, once the home of the clan Douglas, are acres of woodland, with an animal park and playground for kids.

Seacliff Beach (near North Berwick) - A good beach for picnics, if the weather is okay, and rocky pools to explore.

John Muir Country Park (Dunbar) - This nature reserve along the coast is great for just walking along the beach. The park is named after John Muir, the famed California Sierra Nevada naturalist who was born in Dunbar.

Lammermuir Hills - Southeast of Edinburgh, these wide moorlands extend to the coast. In this hill country and along the coast, you'll find great places to walk. Start at Whiteadder Reservoir (near Gifford) or Abbey St. Bathans (near Cockburnspath). Or take a hike to Edinshall Broch, a Pict stone ruin in Whiteadder Valley.

Deep-Sea World (North Queensferry) - Across the Forth Bridge is Deep Sea World, the National Aquarium of Scotland. At this popular aquarium you'll see angel and sand tiger sharks, wrasse and bream, and conger eels.

Cruise to Inchcolm Island (South Queensferry) - In the shadow the famous Forth Bridge over the Firth of Forth, take a boat to Inchcolm, a small island with a ruined abbey and places to run around.

Almond Valley Heritage Centre (Livingston) -Spend the day on the farm, a peaceful riverside site with woods and fields extending for almost a mile. The traditional farm buildings and working watermill are home to many friendly farm animals, including highland cattle and Clydesdale horses. Daily activities include milking demonstrations and bottle feeding the lambs. The Centre has indoor and outdoor play areas, plus a simulated archaeological dig, trampolines, go karts, tractor and trailer rides, and narrow gauge railway.

Linlithgow Palace - The 12th century palace was the spot where Mary Queen of Scots was born. It's quite a ruin today, but there's plenty of rooms for kids to explore. In the summer, there are medieval games, living history dramas and children's activities at the palace. From Linlithgow, you can also take a cruise on the Union Canal.

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway - Little kids will enjoy a ride on this charming steam train from Bo'ness along the Firth of Forth to Birkhill.