FAQs - Visiting With Children

The Book Festival is a safe family-friendly space where both children and accompanying adults can feel at home, have some fun and be inspired. We have answered some of the more frequently asked questions below to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

Covid-19 Safety

The Book Festival will follow Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council health and safety recommendations at all times to ensure the safety of our audiences, artists and team. Please continue to check the website for the latest Covid-19 safety measures at Edinburgh International Book Festival

How do I know if the event is suitable for my child?
We have included an age range for each event in our online and brochure listings. These are chosen in consultation with the publisher/author, taking into account the length, content and format of each event. You can also search events by age in our online listings.

How long are children's events?
The length of each event can vary. Please check in the event listings.

Do I have to accompany my child to events?
We ask that all children under ten are accompanied by an adult to in-person events. Everyone attending an event will require a ticket. We are sorry but we will not be able to admit additional babies/siblings, but see below on how to request a baby ticket.

Do I need a ticket to take my baby to a children’s event?
If you are bringing a baby under two years to an event for older children, please request a free baby ticket from the Box Office on the day of the event. If the event is created for children under two, you will need to buy an event ticket as usual.

Are there any free things for children to do at the Book Festival?
Entry to the Book Festival site at the Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place is absolutely free. There are daily free activities, an interactive play area, guest appearances from costume characters in the Courtyard and a bookshop with children's section.

What happens if I’m late for an event?
Due to the hybrid nature of a number of our events, it is incredibly important you are settled in your seat at the start time of the event. Please arrive in good time – once the doors are closed, we will not be able to admit latecomers to preserve the quality of the live broadcast and prevent disruption to others in the venue. Latecomers are not entitled to a refund. We understand people with young children may need to leave an event unexpectedly and we will help you exit as discreetly as possible.

Can I take my baby to adult events and do I need a ticket?
If you cannot make alternative arrangements, you may bring your baby to adult events. Please request a free baby ticket a few days before your event by emailing boxoffice@edbookfest.co.uk. Our staff will find you a seat near the door to allow a swift exit, should it become necessary. Out of consideration to others, we will ask you to leave if your baby is noisy.

Can I take my pushchair to an event?
Due to fire regulations and the limitations of space in our venues, buggies and pushchairs are not permitted inside the venues. Please park your buggy or pushchair in the Buggy Park. The Buggy Park is not staffed and items are left at the owner's risk. Please do not leave bags in this area as they may be deemed a security risk and removed.

Do you sell books for children?

The Festival Bookshop in our festival village is located in the beatiful old Fire Station building on Lauriston Place. It is open daily until late during the Book Festival in August, and stocks titles by all our visiting authors - including the authors in our Baillie Gifford Children's Programme - plus an array of related contemporary literature and books from Scottish publishers.

How can my child get their book signed?
Don't miss the opportunity to get your book signed after your event. After most events, authors sign copies of their books in the Signing Tent, in the Courtyard at Edinburgh College of Art. Please check the boards outside the tent for the book signing schedule – you can buy the books related to the events in the Signing Tent as well as the Festival Bookshop.

Do you sell any food and drink for children?
Our café serves a range of food and drink for adults and children and has high chairs available for youngsters.

Can I bring my own food and drink?
You are welcome to bring your own food and soft drinks and relax on the grass for as long as you want - you don't have to see an event to do so.

Are there any baby or other changing facilities?
Baby changing facilities are available in the Courtyard. There are toilets for eveyone, including a fully accessible Changing Places toilet, complete with a hoist and changing table, along with a standard disabled toilet.

Is the Festival wheelchair accessible?
The Book Festival Village and the venues within it are fully accessible and free wheelchair hire is also available.