The holidays are  here and whether they are met by a wash-out or a heatwave, children will still need fresh air, exercise and most of all, fun.

If your aim for the next six weeks is to swap screen time for family adventures then the good news is that there are many great gardens across the country providing everything needed for a great day. From natural play parks in glorious countryside to a huge, green oasis in the heart of the Capital, these wonderful parks are the antidote to the smartphone and social media culture that’s of such concern to today’s parents.

The healthy alternative involves climbing trees, paddling in streams and making daisy chains while lying in long grass, surrounded by wildflowers and watching the clouds float by. 

So what are you waiting for? Pack a picnic, slap on the suncream, grab your wellies and head out of doors.

And to help you plan a summer of adventures, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best play parks in Scotland.

Drum Castle

Banchory AB31 5EY

Little Oaks is a brand new natural play park that has been developed at Drum Castle using wood from trees that toppled on the estate during recent storms. 

The one-acre play area swaps traditional playpark equipment for a more natural approach, with swings, slides and rubber matting replaced with an array of giant tree structures and carved oak sculptures to provide kids of all ages with an exciting new way to play.

A huge tree crown, used as a natural climbing frame, is one of more than a dozen pieces of natural play equipment that includes a boat, tunnels and a 2m high balance beam, while the gently-sloping grassy meadow in which they stand has been divided into three zones, with the more challenging elements at the top.

Drum Castle grounds are open daily, dawn to dusk.
Entry is free. (Additional charges for castle and walled garden).
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle

Finlaystone House & Country Estate

Langbank PA14 6TJ

With 250 acres of woodland and gardens there is ample room here for even the most energetic of children to run off steam. Let your little explorers loose in the woods and they’ll discover wooden trams, forts, pirate ships and even a Hummer to clambour over, as well as zip slides and swings.

The burns here were made for guddling in and there is also a large wildlife pond full of ducks, swans and herons.

Many of the trails that wind amongst the trees have been designed for easy access with pushchairs and young children and as well as bbq areas, shelters and grassy lawns that are perfect for picnics, there is also a jolly good cafe that even sells dog-friendly ice creams.

You can also sign up your young  animal lovers for meet and greet sessions and holiday clubs with the Ark on the Clyde, with its barns full of mini horses, dwarf goats and other cuddly creatures. (Separate charges apply)

Finlaystone Estate is open daily, 10am – 4.30pm.
Tickets: £6/£4/ under 3s free
www.finlaystone.co.uk

Paxton House

Berwick Upon Tweed TD15 1SZ

Set around a beautiful Palladian mansion, filled with art treasures, are all the ingredients for the perfect summer’s day out, including croquet and putting on the lawns. Paxton has a rustic playground with zip lines and slides, a den building zone with everything that any small survivalist could possibly need and a playroom next to the gift shop, full of craft materials, for when the weather’s not so sunny. The grounds cover 80 acres alongside the River Tweed, which is home to otters and sometimes seals, and dogs on leads are welcome.

Visitors can pay for additional activities including boat rides on the Tweed, pond dipping sessions and, on Thursday 25 July, a Victorian Day dedicated to old-fashioned fun and games.

Paxton House is open daily, 9.30am-5.30pm
Tickets: £7.50/under 16s free
www.paxtonhouse.co.uk

Crawick Multiverse

Sanquhar DG4 6EG

Tearing around the incredible landforms, mounds, and long avenue lined with standing stones at Crawick Multiverse doesn’t just promise to expand young lungs, it can also have the same impact on minds as well. This incredible park, which covers 22 hectares, was inspired by the heavens, with features representing the Milky Way, Andromeda and other galaxies that wheel away above the wide open skies of the Upper Nith valley. 

With meadows, areas of mown grass and hundreds of willow and silver birch trees, the site is teeming with nature and all around there are big views across the Southern Uplands.

The newly-opened Coal Face visitor centre (Crawick used to be an opencast mine) sells snacks and provides shelter on wet days.

The grassy amphitheatre at the middle of the site is used for open air productions and the next performance will be The Adventures of Dr Dolittle on Thursday, 16 July.

Crawick Multiverse is open daily, 10am – 4pm (6pm Sat and Sun)
Tickets: £7/ £4 (under 16)/ Free (under 5)
Family ticket £18 ( 2 adults and up to 4 children)
www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk

Dumfries House

Cumnock KA18 2NJ

The adventure playpark at Dumfries House could have come straight out of a children’s story book. Its towers and walkways are suspended high in the trees, with ladders to climb, nets to scramble up and aerial walkways amongst the trees.

The whole thing is nestled within the estate’s existing woodland to allow children to engage with nature and from the top there’s a bird’s eye view over the adjacent maze.

The design was inspired by the treehouse at HIghgrove, the King’s private garden, and it is surrounded by the gardens and arboretum of the Dumfries House Estate, which offers hundreds of acres of woods and open spaces to explore and there is also a working farm with pigs, ducks and sheep.

Also on the estate is a water-based play area where children can have fun while also learning about engineering.

Dumfries House Estate is open daily, 9am – 5pm
Entrance is free.
www.dumfries-house.org.uk

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Edinburgh EH3 5NZ

Just one mile from Princes Street are 70 acres of woodland, gardens and green lawns where children can explore the natural world. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh isn’t just a world-renowned scientific institution, it is also a much-loved spot for families to picnic and enjoy being outdoors. 

There’s loads of space here to run around and lots to discover, from ladybirds on the flowers to evidence of the badgers that have made their home in the depths of the woods.

There are ponds teeming with birds and minibeasts, meadows filled with wildflowers and an extensive network of buggy-friendly paths that are also ideal for scooters and roller skates.

This summer the John Hope Gateway is hosting Play with Plants sessions where children can make LEGO landscapes and gardens and help to decorate a giant LEGO wall (tickets are from £5-£7 per child, depending on age. Adults £2/ under 1s free).

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is open daily, 10am – 6pm.
Entrance is free.
www.rbge.org.uk