Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids
Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids – Aberdeen is known for oil, whether it’s booming or crashing, when it’s actually a great city to be a child or to bring (up) a child. It’s ideal city break material and cheap weekend accommodation too – I’ll explain why later on.
For example it’s a great place to explore as over a quarter of the land in Aberdeen consists of open space, including parks and gardens, and it repeatedly wins the Britain in Bloom City Category. So here’s my top things to do in Aberdeen with kids.
Aberdeen Science Centre // Free Aberdeen Museums // Jump In Climbing Wall // Jump In Trampoline Park // Dolphin Spotting // Aberdeen Beach // Hit Up Old Aberdeen // Hit the Park // Glen at the Den // Get Walking – Summits and Hikes // Where to Stay
Visit the Aberdeen Science Centre – Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids
A fab, shiny and relatively new indoor activity. The new Aberdeen Science Centre offers two extensive floors of hands-on interactive fun. We danced, we lit up, we flexed our muscles, we were balls of energy – moving from different zones covering ‘Energy’, ‘Life’ and ‘Test It’. Three hours later I had to ask the kids to leave, so we’ll certainly be returning. Free parking, and cafe onsite, family ticket for £25, and annual ‘Passports’ available too. Close to the beach too.
Free Museums in Aberdeen – Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids
Provost Skene House
FREE The oldest house in Aberdeen shares tales of the great and the good of the city. From entertainers and performers (Mary Garden, Annie Lennox, Emelie Sandie) to explorers, inventors, sportspeople, scientists and medics. Look out for the Painted Gallery too. Plus each room has a fun, engaging or hands on activity for kids – from colouring in and building, to puppets and magic tricks.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
FREE Reopened after four years, and a splendid refurbishment, this gallery is now up to date, interactive, fun and accessible for kids. Read a full review here.
Aberdeen’s Dead Zoo!
FREE – The University of Aberdeen’s Zoology Museum is a hit with kids – huge animal skeletons everywhere, from elephants to whales and chimps. Plus taxidermy and curious specimens. Wonderful that this venue is absolutely free. It’s also right next door to the Cruickshank Botanic Garden so little legs can have a run around after seeing all the animals. Delighted to say this attraction is free. Opening hours – Mon-Fri 1000-1600.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
FREE The city’s modern Maritime Museum tells the story of Aberdeen’s links with the sea. From whaling, to the fastest clipper on earth, to fishing and the cutting edge oil industry this museum, over four floors, covers it all.
The Tollbooth
Visit the small but FREE Tolbooth Museum tells the story of crime and punishment – from witch persecution to the kidnap and export of children in the 18th century. There are harrowing stories behind these cell walls.
Dolphin Spotting – Torry Battery, Aberdeen Harbour & Greyhope
A mix of coastal adventures, the renowned RSPB dolphin spotting point, a historic military fortification, a lighthouse and foghorn, rock formations to explore plus a new café and viewpoint at Greyhope Bay.
Jump In Trampoline Park
Exhaust the kids with an indoor jumping session at Jump In Aberdeen. It’s not just trampolines but gladiatorial knock em outs, air bag jumps, dodge ball, you name it. There are so many sessions- for toddlers, for families, for SEN, just find the one to suit you. An Open Jump costs around £14.50 for an hour. Adults can join in too, so whether you’re 7 or 57, get jumping! Of course, adults can enjoy some peace and a coffee instead.
There’s also a vast soft play on site for little ones, plus a cafe dishing up slushies and surprisingly good pizzas, so you can grab a bite to eat as well. Easy, free parking, so no hassles there.
Jump In Climbing Wall Sessions
If you thought Jump In was just about trampolines, think again. The Clip’n Climb climbing wall offering is epic. 21 different activites, 45 minutes to try them in. £15 for a Class Climb session, £25 for Jump and Climb. Don’t let the kids climb the walls at home if they can climb the walls here. The grand finale was a huge body slide that the kids loved. Aged 4 and over, no experience needed, great staff, and every child climbed to their own ability and felt like a winner. Huge recommendation for this.
Hit the Beach – Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids
Aberdeen Beach is epic, it may not always be warm, but it’s epic. We’re talking miles of golden sand. It’s buggy friendly, and popular with surfers, runners and wee kids on bikes and scooters. You’ll undoubtedly spot huge oil vessels just offshore waiting to access the city harbour so it’s a little bit different from your average beach.
The beach is also home to Codona’s Amusement Arcade – we’re talking roller coasters, arcades, ten pin bowling and traditional seaside attractions. Smugglers Cove soft play and street market is especially good for little ones. My boys love the bouncy fun world of Innoflate. Most of the cafés along the beach front are child friendly – we love The Pier, which serves notably good food and is welcoming to the small people. The Turkish Kitchen is also delicious for a lunch with a lot of flavour.
Linx Ice Arena is the place for skating and various pitches/courts for all manner of sports. Transition Extreme is at the beach too. Here you can BMX and skateboard on the indoor ramps freestyle or book a class. There’s also indoor and outdoor climbing walls.
If you like history the traditional fishing village of Footdee is located at the end of the beach. The idiosyncratic outhouses are colourful and quirky, great for a stroll, and the individuality of the decor makes for great photo opportunities. There’s also a playpark at the Footdee end of Aberdeen beach.
Hit Up Old Aberdeen
FREE The site of Scotland’s third university Old Aberdeen is excellent for a historic stroll. Take in King’s College, the cobbled streets, Powis Gate (see pic below), the scheduled ancient monument Brig O Balgownie (which features in a poem by Lord Byron) and the elegant St Machar Cathedral.
From a kid’s point of view I’d recommend Seaton Park with its fantastic playground, floral displays, riverside walk, and great flat paths for learner drivers of bikes and scooters. Another outdoor attraction is the FREE Cruickshank Botanical Gardens, and the aforementioned Zoology Museum. Used for student research and home to over 2000 plant varieties it’s a lovely walk on a bright day. Read a full guide here.
Hit the Parks – Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids
ALL FREE In my mind Duthie Park is one of the best parks in Scotland for children. With a bandstand, lots of green space to kick a ball, boating ponds with pedaloes, paths for little scooters and bikes, three playgrounds (the one with little houses is fantastic for toddlers upwards), a spiralling walk up to a viewpoint, and a cafe too..
The cherry on the cake is the David Welch Winter Gardens – these indoor botanicals, brilliant for any age to explore, include an Arid House, a Japanese Garden and Corridor of Perfumes. Colour, scents, new temperatures and texture at every turn. Kids enjoy looking out for the giant goldfish, the terrapins, the mechanised frog, Nessie and the ‘talking cactus’. One idea is to park up near the Bridge of Dee, walk along the river harassing the ducks as you go, then visit the Park.
Hazelhead Park in the west of the city is also a great option for children. Again, lot of opportunities for bike-riding, running and stretching little legs but there’s also a big play park, lots of sculptures dotted around the grounds, a cafe, a Petting Zoo and the Hayfield Riding Centre is just outside the park. From an adult point of view the Queen Mother Rose Garden is stunning in bloom and you’ll also find the Piper Alpha Memorial here, highlighting the city’s extremely close ties to the oil industry.
Johnston Gardens is lush, intimate and colourful, but still ideal for little legs to explore.
Anther popular park for children is Westburn Park (across the road from Victoria Park so you get two for the price of one) in the west end of the city. Or head to Old Aberdeen to the playground of the aforementioned Seaton Park.
Den at the Glen – Soft Play, Sculpture Park and Farm Animals
Den at the Glen – I don’t think how to put this but if you want to see cartoon characters gone slightly wrong, like I’ve personally been let lose with papier mache, then this is the place to go. The characters are quite odd (Lisa from The Simpsons is my ultimate favourite) but kids love it.
Youngsters charge around looking for the next cartoon and are happy in the nappy. The farm animals are also a huge draw – a real Highland Cow, pigs, sheep and fowl. And the soft play area (Den in the Glen) is extensive. It’s a great hang out for little ones with food and drink available.
Get Walking – Summits and Hikes
FREE There is a host of family friendly hikes, hillsides and trails in Aberdeen (and shire). There are so many to choose between so I’ve written a really comprehensive list here. One of our favourites is the Den of Maidencraig.
Aberdeen with Kids – Where to Stay
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How bad! I didn’t even realise Aberdeen had a beach. It looks like a lovely city to visit. I’d love to try a dolphin adventure cruise. #citytripping
Yes,the ties with the sea are still, inevitably, very strong!
You have certainly given a new dimension to Aberdeen! The beach is beautiful and even better that you can spot dolphins. I wonder how warm it gets there in summer? Great list. Thanks for linking to #citytripping
It’s not a hot, sunshine destination. 20-25 degrees is a good day, but even in warmer weather the air is always fresh, never that muggy, dead air. I always say pack layers! 🙂
I have to admit, I really didn’t know much about Aberdeen at all – the granite city name and the oil but neither instantly make you go aha, I must visit with kids. Or that you could hit the beach and go dolphin spotting! Your post has introduced me to a whole new side. Looking forward to the Aberdeenshire follow-up. #citytripping
Aberdeenshire’s offering is pretty special. Naturally a lot of people head to Edinburgh when they do Scotland but there are so many other cities, towns and villages with their own identity and attractions. I’d get a shock if Aberdeen and shire were suddenly hugely overrun with tourists!
You had me at the pedalos!
#CityTripping
I like the little kids (usually with a granddad) operating the remote controlled little boats on the pond. Super cute!
Duthie park sounds amazing – my dad was in the oil industry and worked in Aberdeen for a few years so we visited often, but there was nothing like this back then, I just remember the dark granite stone mostly. #citytripping
What happy memories ! lol You poor thing, sounds almost harrowing. We do so much with our boys round here and we’re spoiled for choice. (Will be attempting ice skating on Friday with a 2 year old – wish me luck!)