We've got free fun licked this summer

With schools about to break up for the long summer break, CATHERINE SALMOND goes in search of free fun for all the family. Everyone knows about the National Museum, the city's parks, gardens and Gorgie City Farm, but there is plenty more on offer to keep the children entertained without spending a penny, particularly if you plan ahead. Here's 40 ideas to get you started . . .

1. Delve into a rock pool

The countryside rangers will even give you a few pointers. What can you find at the Seashore? Joppa (2 July, 1pm to 2:30pm). 0131-447 7145.

2. Dive into a good book

Kids can read their way through the summer holidays, while collecting stickers, medals, certificates and a glow-in-the-dark mobile, at all Edinburgh council libraries. Space Hop Summer Reading Challenge, until 29 August. 0131-242 8000.

3. Get green fingers

Learn how to grow your own at Potty About Plants, Royal Botanic Garden, on 3-6 July (1pm to 4pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk

4. Enjoy street theatre before the Fringe

There's also buskers and ceilidh dancers at the Rose Street Festival on 4 July (11am to 5pm).

5. Peek behind closed doors

Explore the parts the public don't normally reach in A Visit to Vogrie House, Midlothian, on 4 July (1:30pm to 3:30pm). 01875-821 990.

6. Walk in the footsteps of the Royals

Learn how successive monarchs left their mark on Holyrood Park at Kings and Queens of the Royal Park on 11 July (12pm to 3pm).

0131-652 8150.

7. Go detective

Test your tracking skills at Wildlife Crime Nature Detectives, Vogrie Country Park, on 11 July (1pm to 4pm). 01875-821 990

8. Picnic with a Castaway

Eat in the open air, with giant garden games, live jazz and the chance to meet TV presenter Ben Fogle. Picnic in the Park, St Andrew Square, 14 July (noon). The first 2,000 people will receive free food.

9. Create fantastic creatures

It's Children's Art Day, Scottish Storytelling Centre on 12 July (11am to 4pm). Hear author Vivian French talk about the creatures in the centre's Drawing Book exhibition, then design your own. 0131-556 9579/www. scottishstorytellingcentre. co.uk

10. Listen to a story

Pop into a mock living room for stories and activities, with two free storytelling sessions each day (2pm and 3:30pm) at Storytellers at Home, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 13 July-30 July. 0131-556 9579/www. scottishstorytellingcentre. co.uk.

11. Explore the Botanics

Follow a self-guided trail around the gardens using a map to track down close-up pictures. Royal Botanic Garden, 14-20 July (10am to 6pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk

12. Get crabby

Explore the rocky shoreline of Longniddry and its tough inhabitants in Seashore Shenanigans, Longniddry on 15 July (11am to 12:30pm). 01620 827 421/ www.east lothian.gov.uk/rangerevents

13. Go camping

Bonaly Country Park hosts a series of fun activities, include bushcraft skills, bike balancing acts, woodland adventures and camping challenges, in the Bonaly Challenge, on 17 July (1pm to 3pm). 0131-445 3383.

14. Relax like a Royal

Learn about their favourite activities such as archery and falconry in Royal Pursuits on 18 July (10am-4pm). 0131-652 8150.

15. Play with big boys' toys

Explore basic engineering principles at the Tipper Truck Workshop, Scottish Mining Museum, on 21 July. 0131-663 7519/www.scottishmining museum.com.

16. Search for butterflies and insects

Then create your own to take home in Flying Over the Grassland, Cammo Estate, on 22 July (1pm to 3pm).

0131-447 7145.

17. Make a log book

Literally, using bark rubbings, in Make a Log Book, at the Royal Botanic Garden, 24-25 July, (1pm to 4pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk.

18. Explore the giants of the plant world

At the Cammo Estate, in Short, Tall and Very Tall, 29 July (1pm). 0131-447 7145.

19. Watch bats

Spot them after a summer evening picnic with park rangers at Springfield Mill, Midlothian, on 27 July, from 6:30pm. Call 01875-821 990 to book.

20. Wish on a star

In association with the Royal Observatory, marvel at the universe in an inflatable planetarium, in Starlab Planetarium, at Leith Library on 29 July (various shows from 10:30am), McDonald Road Library on 6 August and Oxgangs Library on 26 July.

21. Paint nature's pictures

Get creative with sand, shells, seaweed and driftwood in Beach Art, Longniddry on 30 July (11:30am to 1pm). 01620-827 421/www.eastlothian. gov.uk/rangerevents

22. Paint a self-portrait

Learn about the human figure at In Our Own Image, at the City Art Centre, with activities including drawing yourself in various guises with a range of art materials. 31 July-24 October. 0131-529 3952.

23. Meet the rangers

An open day at Holyrood Park on 1 August (11am to 3pm) where all the family can learn about its team of rangers and meet the emergency services.

0131-652 8150.

24. Have Tea in the Park

Join the Friends of Roslin Glen on their annual jamboree, with jazz music, tea, buns and fun for all the family, as well as river dipping, model train rides, stalls and guided walks. 1 August (12pm to 4pm). 01875-821 990/www. midlothian.gov. uk.

25. Test your pet

Enter your pooch in the Holy-rood Park Fun Dog Show, 1 August (11am to 2:30pm).

0131-652 8150/www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

26. Amble around Arthur

Take a gentle stroll around Hunter's Bog and discover more about Holyrood Park's fascinating history on 2 August (1pm to 3.30pm). 0131-652 8150/www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

27. Go river dipping

Explore the underwater world and discover the mini-beasts that call the river home at Gifford, East Lothian, 3 August (1pm to 3pm). 01620-827 421/www.eastlothian.gov.uk/rangerevents

28. Make time for play

In this family-friendly event, with four play areas running simultaneously across the Grassmarket, crammed with activities. 4 August (12:30pm to 4:30pm)

29. Make your own electric buzzer steady hand game

Build your own version of the classic game at the Scottish Mining Museum, 4 August.

0131-663 7519/www.scottish miningmuseum.com.

30. Follow in Darwin's footsteps

See some of his experiments in action at Royal Botanic Garden, 5-10 August (10am to 6pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk.

31. Edinburgh Mela Festival

A weekend of music, dance and family entertainment on Leith Links. 6-8 August (children under-12 free/adults 2). 0131-473 2000.

32. Shine a light

Find Glow in the Dark Fungi, Royal Botanic Garden, 8 August (1pm to 4pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk.

33. Edinburgh Festivals Cavalcade

Enjoy a family day out and celebrate the start of the festival season, along with masses of floats and bands, Holyrood Park, 8 August (2pm to 3pm).

34. Go on a family birdwatch

Join the East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service for a stroll along the Musselburgh shore to learn how to identify some of its sea and shore birds. 9 August (1pm to 3pm). 01620-827 421/www.eastlothian.gov.uk/rangerevents.

35. Walk back in time

Join the Holyrood Park rangers to find out more about the people who used to live on the site. 10 August (1pm to 3pm). 0131-652 8150/www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

36. Go even more batty

Learn the truth about bats at Flotterstone Information Centre near Penicuik, at Let's Go Batty, 10 August (1:30pm to 3:30pm). 0131-445 3383/www.pentlandhills.org.

37. Have fun by the canal

Enjoy stalls, Punch and Judy, boat trips and a cardboard boat race at Linlithgow Union Canal Society Fun Day, Manse Road Basin, 15 August (1pm), www.lucs.org.uk.

38. Don't just sing about the old oak trees

Take a self-guided trail through the Botanics looking at the tallest, widest, rarest and most ancient of trees. Meet Our Trees, 18-24 August (10am to 6pm). 0131-552 7171/www.rbge.org.uk.

39. Become a Victorian

Dress up in replica gowns and costumes from Georgian and Victorian times at the Museum of Edinburgh's family fun days (10am to 5pm, Monday-Saturday/noon to 5pm Sundays during August). 0131-529 4143.

40. Spot wildlife on the Union Canal

What creatures can you find on Edinburgh's waterway? Register your sightings for the annual wildlife survey.

www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.

Readers are advised to check with venues for age restrictions/booking requirements in advance.