Collective is an exciting place to visit with children, with lots to explore indoors and out and more space nearby on Calton Hill for playing and running around. Our Play Shelter provides an outdoor covered space for picnic lunches, and changing facilities are available in the Hillside, Observatory and beneath the Lookout restaurant. We also welcome breastfeeding across the site.

To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve created a set of interactive trails to explore the site and the surrounding park. Printed copies and pencils are available on site from the Observatory.

Collective Play is our year-round programme of free art and play events for families with children aged 5-12.

Join us at Collective twice a year for a Play Weekend, during which our youngest visitors take over the site with outdoor play, artist-led workshops and hands-on activities to encourage creativity and curiosity.

For local families, Friday Play is a weekly loose-parts play session on Friday afternoons during term-time. From messy play and crafts to gardening and cooking, there’s always something different to do during these child-led play sessions. Come dressed for the weather and drop-in any time from 1.30-4.00pm!

Find out about upcoming Play Weekends and Friday Play sessions on our What’s On page.