Museums in Edinburgh that teens will actually like

By , 4th March 2015

Museums? Boooring, you hear your kids say. No, she’d rather go shopping with her friends and he wants to play laser tag. At some point your adorable children have become demanding teenagers and suddenly they’re not as enthusiastic about spending time with you anymore. Teens can be hard to please, making it difficult to find something for the whole family to enjoy.

But it would be a waste to visit Edinburgh and not see one of the several fantastic museums on offer. So, how do you choose? We’ve handpicked some our favourites that are entertaining whilst being educational and far from boooring.


Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions


The Camera Obscura Vortex is great for teens.Photo by Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions 

More than just a collection of 19th century black-and-white photos, the museum’s Camera Obscura show is a projection of a living moving image of Edinburgh onto a viewing table through a giant periscope. The whole family will be fascinated by the little people below – pick them up and squash them in your hands or divert traffic over paper bridges! As a bonus, your teens will learn a bit about Edinburgh’s history, with a guide to take them through the stories of the past. There’re plenty of instagrammable photo opps for your tech-savvy kids, and you’ll discover that there is simply no limit to the world of optical illusions.

Admission: Adult £13.95 / Student concession £11.95


Our Dynamic Earth


Exhibition at the Our Dynamic Earth - a great museum for teens in Edinburgh.Photo by Kim McGlade

Are your teenagers becoming increasingly big-headed, and well, just a little self-centred? If so, this is the perfect way to bring them back to Earth. Just a stone’s throw away from the Scottish Parliament Building, your kids can take a journey back to the Big Bang; experience the midst of a volcanic eruption; and view the earth from outer space. There are plenty of immersive 3D and 4D experiences to keep your teens entertained whilst educating them on a thing or two. Most importantly, opening their eyes to the weird and wonderful world around them will be sure to cool their hot heads.

Top tip: Book online to save 10% on door entry prices.

Admission: Adult £12.50 / Student concession £10.50


City Art Centre


Modern exhibition at the City Art Centre.Photo by City Art Centre

City Art Centre is nothing like what today’s adolescents may imagine an art gallery to be – so don’t just expect to see paintings. Instead, the centre also features a rolling programme of local and international exhibitions throughout the year. Housed in an old warehouse, these vary from historic and modern photography to contemporary art, design and architecture – great for aspiring artists or for encouraging a new hobby. Teens and art-lovers alike will also love the gallery’s shop, stocking a range of gifts, prints, unique accessories and locally crafted jewellery.

Top tip: Get creative! Go on Saturdays between 2-3pm for guided sessions on creating landscapes, collages and portraits from an array of art materials.

Admission: Free


The People’s Story Museum


The People's Story Museum in Edinburgh is a great place for teens to learn about the city's history.

Photo by The People’s Story Museum

Classroom textbooks don’t often explore the human side of history – usually focused on war or politics, we tend to forget about the day-to-day life of Edinburgh’s working class. The People’s Story Museum – ringing true to its name – recreates daily life in the overcrowded and squalid Old Town in the 18th century up to the present day. Visit a bookbinder’s workshop, a wartime kitchen or catch up with the locals in the 1930’s for a spot of afternoon tea. The mixture of galleries and eye-catching displays complete with wax mannequins will be sure to hold your teens’ wandering attention.

Top tip: But if your stubborn kids are still glued to their smartphones, get them to download the free app to explore the museum through collecting treasure tokens.

Admission: Free


National Museum of Scotland


There is something to suit every teen at the National Museum of Scotland
Photo by Andrew Lee

And finally, if your family can’t decide on which museum to go to, the National Museum of Scotland is a classic and offers something for all tastes and ages. Peer into the country’s national identity with the museum’s history and archaeology galleries or explore its international ties in the museum’s World Cultures displays. The Science and Technology and Natural World galleries also have something to offer for budding scientists. Don’t miss the Windows on the World installation in the elegant Grand Gallery – reaching four stories high, it’s the single largest museum installation in the UK, housing over 800 artifacts from a variety of cultures and disciplines.

Admission: Free

Lead photo by National Museums Scotland

So, contrary to popular teen-belief, museums aren’t just stuffy places for school excursions and old people – they can actually be a great day out and not at all boring!

Have we missed any teen-friendly museums in Edinburgh? Comment below!

 

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