Taking the Kids: Off to Edinburgh

MORPH INTO AN APE at the Puzzling Zone at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh's oldest tourist attraction dating back to 1835 and conveniently located right near Edinburgh Castle. There are tricks, puzzles and plenty of hands-on activities. See who can find their way first through the Mirror Maze in the new Bewilderworld!

FLY A KITE in the 640-acre Holyrood Park, a short walk from Edinburgh's Royal Mile in the heart of the city. Climb to the Arthur's Seat, the park's highest point, less than 1,000 feet above sea level, with a great view of the city.

SEE HOW ROYALTY LIVED at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty the Queen's official residence in Scotland and famous as the home of Mary Queen of Scots. Today, the Queen typically doesn't stay here, though the 14 state apartments are used regularly for state ceremonies.

HEAR A GHOST STORY on Mary Kings Close. The hidden street is under the "Royal Mile" -- the mile between the castle and the palace, which today is chockablock with souvenir shops. In the 1600s, the area was the heart of Edinburgh's busiest streets. Learn more about how it came to be underground and the subject of myth and urban legend and tales of ghosts with a costumed character tour.

LEARN WHAT KIDS DID before video games, TV and Internet at the Museum of Childhoodwith its collections of everything from dolls to cars to toy soldiers and dollhouses.

DIVE INTO SCOTTISH HISTORY AND LIFE at the free National Museum of Scotland where 10 new galleries are expected to open this summer -- everything from art and fashion to Dolly the Sheep, the world's first cloned mammal to be created from an adult cell. The Museum of Edinburghexplains the city's development with special costumed performances and workshops, as well as a family activity area. Gladstone’s Land is a recreation of a 17th-century wealthy merchant's house with hands-on activities. Don't miss the smell jars!

TALK TO A FARMER at Edinburgh’s Farmer’s Market on Castle Terrace Edinburgh on Saturday mornings where you'll find everything from local produce and seafood, cheese, meats, fruits to Shetland sweaters and scarves. Buy the provisions for a picnic and encourage the kids to sample local foods at a restaurant -- some of the best fish and seafood in the world (they are, of course, famous for smoked fish and fish and chips) and ending with Scottish shortbreads and pies.

SOUVENIR SHOP at the bottom of the Royal Mile where you'll likely find more individually owned shops with items actually made in Scotland rather than China, hopefully.

I was lucky my suitcase wasn't overweight going home!

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(For more on Eileen's trip to Scotland, read her trip diaries at www.takingthekids.com Follow @takingthekids on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and if you are staying in the United States, check out Eileen's Kid’s Guides to major American cities.)