The best things to do in Shetland with kids {which adults will love too)

On our fantastic family trip to Shetland we experienced so much of what these wonderful islands had to offer. We loved our time there. These Scottish islands have much to offer families who love the outdoors, wonderful countryside and breathtaking wildlife. We have rounded up our best things to do in Shetland with kids based on our travels around the islands with lots of fun options and cultural ideas too (and check out our ☔ Rainy day activities labelled below too). Don’t miss our guide to Shetland with kids for lots more detail on these beautiful islands.

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1. See Shetland Ponies

Get up close and personal to the beautiful Shetland Pony at the Shetland Pony Experience.

Here children can ride these beautiful animals and all the family can help groom them.

Take the ponies down to the beach for a walk in the most stunning scenery. This is something for all the family to enjoy.

Find out more here.

2. Go back in time at Scalloway Museum

The little museum in Scalloway is a real treat. Follow the history of Scalloway, once the capital of Shetland, and the islands as you walk around the museum.

There’s plenty here to keep children captivated from artifacts telling all about the islands whaling past to the role it played in the Second World War.

There’s a lovely little play area and lots of small interactive exhibits and a small place to sit with refreshments too.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

3. Clamber up ancient steps at Mousa Broch

Mousa Island is truly evocative with a small boat the only way to get there and waves crashing around it.

There’s a self-guided walk around the island which is perfect for spotting nesting birds who come here for the sanctuary the island offers.

The broch (an iron age dwelling found only in Scotland) is the largest in the country. Clambering up two thousand year old steps with torches weaving to see the way is perfect to get kids imaginations really fired up.

Find out more here.

4. See the seals around Noss Island

Noss Island is renowned for its seabirds which are indeed impressive.

Take a boat trip from Lerwick to spot Gannets, Fulmars and Puffins amongst many others in a lovely journey around this island.

When we visited three seals joined us, swimming alongside the boat and even literally joining at one point. This was a really special trip and a highlight of our visit to Shetland, a really special activity for children to enjoy and definitely one of the best things to do in Shetland with kids.

Find out more here.

5. Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

This is an incredible place. 4000 years of human history in one location.

Wander around Bronze Age houses, Viking longhouses and a laird’s house from the 1500s.

This is the perfect place for little legs to have the chance to run around, to duck through ancient doorways and to just marvel at the way accommodation has changed through the centuries and with it the way people have lived.

Find out more here.

6. See otters in the wild – one of the best things to do in Shetland with kids

Seeing otters in the wild is a really special activity, particularly with children.

Having the opportunity to see these elusive creatures in their own environment, to see the places they live and to watch them play, swim, catch food and sleep was something we will never forget.

While it can never be guaranteed that you’ll see animals on a trip with Richard Shucksmith, he knows exactly where to go and how to approach them to see them clearly.

We loved our time with him.

Find out more here.

7. Explore Shetland’s history at the Shetland Museum & archives

Shetland’s Museum & archives building in Lerwick is absolutely jam packed with artifacts from across the islands and through time.

There are boxes for dressing up and lots of opportunities to get interactive with the displays.

There’s a great cafe here and a lovely gift shop too.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

8. See Puffins on Unst

Travelling to the furthest inhabited island in Shetland, Unst allows for more opportunities to see the gorgeous wildlife.

On Hermaness National Nature Reserve you can see some spectacular sights with cliffs absolutely full of birds.

It really is one of those places that will make every member of the family gasp.

9. Visit a traditional 19th Century Shetland house

The Shetland Croft House Museum in Dunrossness allows people to step back in time and see how a traditional family would have lived in the 1870s.

It’s in a beautiful setting, right on the coast and has been restored to how it would have looked when a fisherman or seaman lived here with his family.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

10. Explore Sumburgh Lighthouse, one of best things to do in Shetland with kids

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse houses a wonderful visitor’s centre where you can learn all about the lighthouse keepers come and gone.

There are some fantastic, interactive exhibits and you can even listen to the sound of the fog horn.

Don’t miss the signal room which was set up in the Second World War. It detected German bombers heading off to attack ships waiting in Orkney and managed to warn them, allowing them vital minutes to stop what would have been a catastrophic attack.

This is also a wonderful spot to look out for orcas passing by and Puffins nesting in the cliffs.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

11. Be a Viking at a restored longhouse and ship

Unst has the greatest concentration of Viking remains and there are many places that you can discover their presence.

Just south of Haroldswick you can find a beautifully restored Viking longhouse which is wonderful to wander through and imagine at how communities would have lived.

There is a also a replica Viking longship here, the skidbladner which you can climb aboard and imagine yourself setting out to conquer new lands from.

Children and adults will love it and it is certainly one of the best things to do in Shetland with kids.

Find out more here.

12. Take to the waters – things to do in Shetland with kids

There’s something very Scandinavian about Shetland’s number of swimming pools.

That love of the water and belief in it’s importance is wonderful and great for kids to burn off some energy.

There are swimming pools dotted throughout the islands. Our favourite was at Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick where they have a really fun splash area for kids including a couple of water slides and a fun rapid river.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

13. Play in the ruins of Scalloway Castle, one of the best things to do in Shetland with kids

Scalloway Castle may be a ruin but it’s nonetheless fun to run around.

This is a really atmospheric space with big old fireplaces you can peer up and winding staircases you can explore.

There are some signs to tell you about the history of the castle but the main joy is in running around and letting kids imaginations run wild.

Find out more here.

14. Get creative with pottery

Aa’ Firedup in Lerwick is a great place to retreat to when the weather closes in.

Choose from a wide range of pottery to paint and decorate and grab a drink while you’re there.

☔ Rainy day activities

Find out more here.

15. Enjoy the beaches – things to do in Shetland with kids

It goes without saying that one of the greatest joys of Shetland is in its beaches which are breathtakingly beautiful.

The islands are just full of beaches. Often empty of people but full of beautiful sights from crabs to otters and seals popping up to shells to admire.

Our favourite is the atmospheric beach at St Ninian’s. One of our favourite beaches in the world it is stunning to look at and as it is a tombolo beach (sea on both sides) there is plenty to keep kids occupied.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our round up of the best things to do in Shetland with kids (but which adults will love too). Check out our guide to the Shetland Islands with kids for lots more inspiration.

Itinerary for a week on Shetland / 7 days in the Shetland Islands

Northlink Ferries from Aberdeen to Lerwick