A Family Guide to 2 Amazing Days in Aberdeen, Scotland, with Kids

This post featuring a 2-day itinerary for Aberdeen, Scotland, with kids may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy.

Looking for a fun overnight getaway from Inverness (or another Scottish city) with kids? Aberdeen is a fantastic option for families seeking weekend getaways from Inverness. Just 2.5 hours from Inverness, Aberdeen can be reached by car or train. As the third largest city in Scotland, there are so many fun things to do in Aberdeen with kids!

A port city in northeast Scotland, Aberdeen is a modern industrial city boasting a rich seaside history and culture. Aberdeen also features excellent museums, beaches, and great food for families. The city has a different, more dynamic vibe than Inverness’s laid-back charm. Walking around Aberdeen, you can feel the tug between the old world and the new. This 2-day itinerary for Aberdeen with kids will guide you through some of the best things to do and places to eat in the city.

Note: this itinerary assumes you are arriving in Aberdeen with kids by train from Inverness (or another Scottish destination for an overnight getaway). Though, it will still work for you if that’s not the case! I’ve also included a few more fun things to do in Aberdeen with kids at the end if you need more ideas for your own trip.

Day 1 in Aberdeen with Kids

Day one in Aberdeen with kids is all about the beach and local museums. When planning your own visit, don’t forget to include these fun things to do with kids in Aberdeen, Scotland!

READ NEXT: How to Spend 4 Exciting Days in Inverness, Scotland, with Kids!

Aberdeen Beach + Lunch at Promenade Café

After arriving, head straight to Aberdeen Beach. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the train station if you want to stretch your legs. Alternatively, you can find a cab at Union Square. A day at the beach was the big draw for planning this weekend getaway from Inverness!

Once you arrive at the beach, there are several places to set up a towel or blanket and stick your toes in the water. We found the water a bit too cold for any actual swimming (even in August!), but my daughter loved running in and out of the water. If the weather is warm, it’s easy to spend a few hours enjoying the sun and sand.

Near the beach, Promenade Café is an excellent stop for lunch (mind the seagulls!). It’s right off the beach, making it easy to grab a snack or meal to go, too.

Aberdeen Science Centre

After lunch, Aberdeen Science Centre is your next stop! The museum is a 10-15 minute walk from Aberdeen Beach. My daughter loved this museum! 

It’s a phenomenal museum for younger kids and tweens who love hands-on science and tech exhibits. There are multiple levels of exhibits, including a high-tech robot that you can interact with, building areas, interactive film demonstrations, and more. My daughter spent a lot of time building, playing, and exploring—we didn’t leave until closing time! 

Check Into Your Hotel in Aberdeen (Where to Stay in Aberdeen with Kids)

After spending the day splashing and playing, it’s time to check into your accommodations. We stayed at the Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel. It is a no-frills, budget-friendly hotel in the center of Aberdeen. It’s within walking distance of Union Square, and just across the street from Union Terrace Gardens. Not to mention, countless other things to do and places to eat in Aberdeen with kids.

If you’re looking for more recommendations for places to stay in Aberdeen with kids, consider these hotels:

• Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen
• Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa
• Ibis Aberdeen Centre – Quayside
• Ooters at The Mariner
• Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen
• Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen City Centre, an IHG Hotel

Dinner at Cafe Harmony

End your first day in Aberdeen with kids at Cafe Harmony. It is a wonderful spot for dinner! While they don’t offer a specific kids’ menu, the staff is very helpful in finding something that will work for your child (and making accommodations when needed). We loved the unique ambiance and delicious dishes!

After dinner, let the kids burn off any extra energy at Union Terrace Gardens. There is a huge green space and a fun little playground. 

Day 2 in Aberdeen with Kids

Day two of this Aberdeen itinerary for families with kids includes stops in Old Aberdeen, local maritime history, and more. If you’re wondering how to spend the day in Aberdeen with kids, here are a few more stops for your own itinerary! 

READ NEXT: 5+ Exciting Day Trips + Weekend Getaways from Inverness with Kids

Coffee + Play Time at Union Terrace Gardens

Grab a coffee and pastry from a local shop (we popped by a Caffè Nero, but there are other options for coffee or a full breakfast) and head back to Union Terrace Gardens. 

It’s a great place to let kids play while you enjoy your coffee and get organized for the day. 

When you’re ready to explore, take one of the nearby bus routes to Old Aberdeen (about 20 minutes by bus or 40 minutes on foot from Union Terrace Gardens). Most buses in Aberdeen can accept credit cards or Apple Pay, but you may want to have cash on hand (just in case). Taking the bus is an experience in and of itself; many are double-decker, which is fun with kids!

Explore Old Aberdeen with Kids: Museum, Lunch, and a Park

Old Aberdeen is a quaint part of the city, featuring stone walls, cobblestone streets, and charming eateries. It’s a great place to simply wander. Though, there are some great things to do in Old Aberdeen with kids, too! Here’s what to add to your morning itinerary in Old Aberdeen.

The University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum should be your first stop in Old Aberdeen with kids. In fact, it’s one of the best free things to do in Aberdeen with kids! Here, you will see a wide collection of specimens, from reptiles and birds to mammals (many of which were collected by professors in the 1800s). Plus, the museum offers a few kid-friendly activities to work on while exploring the exhibits. 

After exploring the museum, walk to Shelter Coffee for lunch. The cafe offers simple, but delicious sandwiches and soup. Across the street, there is a really lovely bookstore, too!

Then, continue on to Seaton Park. You’ll find a massive park with walking trails and a huge playground here. It’s a great spot to let kids run free for a bit, while you relax on a nearby bench. When you’re done playing, catch the bus back into the port area of Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Back in the city center, there are several museums to keep you busy for the rest of the day. We recommend the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. As a city on the North Sea, Aberdeen has a robust seaside history, from fishing and shipbuilding to ocean oil rigs.

The museum offers several floors of exhibits on various maritime topics, including maritime history, art, working on oil rigs in the ocean, and life at sea. It is very well-curated and has a few interactive exhibits, too. You can even look down onto the marina from the museum windows and see modern ships. The museum will easily fill a few hours in the afternoon. 

Dinner at Mac’s Pizzeria

Alrihgt, last stop in Aberdeen with kids! Before catching the train back to Inverness, we recommend having dinner at Mac’s Pizzeria. It is so good! They offer an extensive wood-fired pizza menu and other delicious, Italian-inspired items. They also have a dedicated kids’ menu for littles. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable, making it a great spot to end your Aberdeen itinerary with kids.

If you have more time to spare, the train station is attached to Union Square (a large mall). You can easily spend any remaining time shopping in its many stores while waiting to board your train. We popped into Zara and a few other shops before our train arrived. 

More Fun Things to Do in Aberdeen with Kids

There are many excellent things to do in Aberdeen with kids! If you’re planning a longer visit or want to make some swaps into this Aberdeen itinerary for families, here are a few more kid-friendly activities to consider.

• Aberdeen Art Gallery – one of the best free things to do in Aberdeen with kids!
• The Gordon Highlanders Museum
• Johnston Gardens
• Codona’s – a thrilling amusement park in Aberdeen for families with kids!
• Shopping at Union Square

Have Fun Exploring Aberdeen with Kids!

Ready to explore Aberdeen with your kids? I hope that you are! This guide to Aberdeen for families with kids includes everything I think you need to know about enjoying this exciting city together. In fact, I’ve included all of our favorite things to do in Aberdeen, as well as family-friendly restaurants and places to stay in the city. I hope that you have the best time exploring Aberdeen with your kids!

Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.