The Edinburgh Fringe takes place each August and is the highlight of the city’s festival calendar, bursting with energy, creativity, and hundreds of shows happening across the city every day. It’s also one of the most popular festivals for families, with an incredible range of children’s shows for all ages, from laugh-out-loud theatre to captivating storytelling and jaw-dropping circus acts. The Fringe guarantees a wonderful family day out.
But with so much on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. So, we’ve teamed up with local content creator Anastasia of Edinburghinmyheart, an expert in all things family and Fringe, for a special Q&A. Together, we’ll help you discover the best kids’ shows, from well-known favourites to hidden gems, and make your family’s Fringe adventure as magical (and stress-free) as possible.
Q – Is the Edinburgh Fringe family-friendly?
While the Edinburgh Fringe is known for its cutting-edge comedy and unique performances, it’s also incredibly welcoming for families. Each year, the Fringe features hundreds of family-friendly shows, from magic shows and musical storytelling to circus acts, designed for children of all ages.
Thankfully, the Edinburgh Fringe app makes this much easier. You can filter shows by age, genre, date, and venue. It’s an essential tool for building your family-friendly itinerary on the go, especially if you’re navigating busy days with kids in tow.
Q – What are your top recommendations for children’s shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025?
Over the past few years, I’ve found that some of the best kids’ shows are often based in George Square Gardens, home to both the Assembly and Underbelly venues. It’s a great hub for families, not just for the performances, but there are plenty of food stalls, picnic tables, and even small play areas. We always love spending time there together!
Here are a few of my top picks for children’s shows this year.
Edinburgh Fringe Children’s Music Shows
Held at the Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens, Monski Mouse Baby Cabaret and Baby Disco Dance Hall offer fantastic, interactive musical fun for younger children and their parents!
Edinburgh Fringe Children’s Circus Shows
Children are Stinky at the Assembly Palais Variété is a hilarious, circus-style show with impressive acrobatics. Guaranteed to have everyone laughing throughout!
The hilariously cheeky Circus The Show, at the Assembly Palais du Variété, is packed with interactive moments. Kids who are brave enough to hop up on stage even get rewarded with a goody bag!
Edinburgh Fringe Children’s Magic Show
Mojo and Jimmy: The Totally Awesome Magic Show at Studio Three at Assembly was a spontaneous pick for us last year, and it ended up being our absolute favourite! While it might seem geared toward younger audiences, even my husband and I were mesmerised by the magic tricks. It was also genuinely hilarious. Without a doubt, my top recommendation!
Edinburgh Fringe Children’s Hidden Gems
One of the most mesmerising shows we have ever seen is the Amazing Bubble Man at Underbelly, Bristo Square. I would recommend prebooking your tickets as it always sells out. Also, a top tip, if, like mine, your children love taking part in the shows, make sure you get a front row seat!
The Alphabet of Awesome Science at the Underbelly was also one of our favourites from last year. Funny, educational, and interactive. Even as an adult, I learned something new.
Science Magic – Messy Mayhem with Donal Vaughan Comedy is a brilliant mix of magic, science, and comedy. Hilarious and surprisingly educational. Your little one will be in awe! Donal also performs stand-up comedy for adults in the evenings, and this year I’m making it a point to check those out too. This show was a real hidden gem for us.
Q – Can families turn up to the Fringe shows, or is booking ahead essential?
Many of the shows I recommend tend to sell out each year, so I recommend pre-booking a couple in advance, just to be safe. However, there’s often a chance to get tickets at the door. I suggest arriving 20–30 minutes before the show starts to be near the front of the queue and give yourself the best shot.
Q – Where are the best kid-friendly places to eat during the Edinburgh Fringe 2025?
As I mentioned, George Square Gardens is always our top choice. There are plenty of great local food options from Paddle & Peel pizzas to fish and chips from Alandas and amazing hot donuts to keep everyone happy.
If you find yourself in Edinburgh’s New Town for some shows, Bonnie & Wild in the St James Quarter is a great dining choice for families. The food hall’s canteen-style set-up is not only guaranteed to keep everyone happy with a wide range of options, but it is also home to some of Scotland’s top chefs and street food kitchens.
Q – What’s your one must-do Fringe moment for families?
One of our favourite things that we did last year was when we headed into the city with no fixed plan, just scrolling the Fringe app to see what was on that day. We ended up discovering a few shows in the Cowgate, where much of the Free Fringe takes place. It was a bit hit and miss, but the fun was in the spontaneity. We explored, tried new things, stopped for pizza and ice cream, met other families, and just had a wonderfully wholesome day together. Try it out and see where the day takes you.
Q – Any survival tips for parents navigating the Fringe with little ones?
Make sure you have enough water, patience, and snacks. Treat it as an adventure, and even if you miss something, there’s always another date and another show! This will be an unforgettable experience for your child, regardless, so make sure you’re always positive, even if something doesn’t necessarily go as planned. Also, with most kids’ shows, performers like to interact with the audience—usually, the front row seats. So, depending on your child, make sure you get the right seat that everyone will be happy with.
Ana is a local content creator, sharing things to do and see across Edinburgh and Scotland. Join over 40,000 of Ana’s followers on Instagram and TikTok to follow her adventures at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe!