Edinburgh Through a Child’s Lens
Monday 12th - Friday 16th October 2026
Edinburgh Through a Child’s Lens is a city- wide schools project and public exhibition inviting children aged 3-13 to share their experiences, ideas and ambitions for the city in which they are growing up.
Children experience Edinburgh every day. They live in its homes, travel along its streets, go to its schools, play in its parks and public spaces, visit its shops and libraries, and move through its neighbourhoods. They experience first-hand what makes somewhere exciting, welcoming or fun, but also what can make it difficult, uncomfortable or inaccessible. Yet children are rarely asked what they think about the way their city works. This project is an opportunity to listen.
How Could Edinburgh Become The Best City in The World For Children?
We want children to tell us what they notice, what matters to them, what they would change and what they can imagine.
Their responses might explore a home, a street, a journey to school, a favourite place, somewhere to play or an entirely new idea for Edinburgh. They might make a drawing, map, model, piece of writing, collage, photograph or design proposal. Contributions can be individual or collaborative and can be adapted for children of different ages and abilities.
What’s on?
The exhibition will be open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, and we hope you’ll come along and take a look! We also have a programme of events taking place throughout the week - see below for full details.
Monday 12th October 2pm - 5pm : Exhibition Launch and Q&A
Join us for the launch of Edinburgh Through a Child’s Lens and help us celebrate the incredible creativity of the children and schools whose work is at the heart of this unique exhibition.
This special afternoon brings together children, teachers, families, architects, designers, policymakers, and those shaping Edinburgh’s future. It’s a fantastic opportunity for children to speak directly to the decision-makers about their city, having their voices truly heard!
Refreshments will be provided.
Eventbrite Link Here…
Tuesday 13th October 1:30pm - 3pm : Designing for Childhood in the City: How Places Shape Us
A 60-minute cross-disciplinary panel discussion exploring what makes a child-friendly city and why it matters.
Speakers to be announced shortly...
Eventbrite Link Here…
Wednesday 14th October 11am - 2pm : Children's Build Day
A drop in hands-on event where children can participate in creative building inspired by the exhibition themes.
Eventbrite Link Here…
Thursday 15th October 1:30pm - 3pm : The Teen Gap
A panel discussion about inclusion, public space and designing cities for teens.
This talk shifts the focus of Edinburgh Through a Child’s Lens towards adolescence and asks what happens to children’s relationship with the city as they become more independent. The central question is simple: where are teenagers supposed to go?
Make Space for Girls will lead a talk and Q&A, drawing on their research into how parks and public spaces are designed and used by teenagers, particularly teenage girls. The presentation will look at the evidence behind the gender gap in public space, alongside best-practice examples from the UK and internationally, to explore what better provision can look like and what designers, planners and local authorities can do differently. This develops the themes already identified for the day around gender, inclusion and who feels welcome in public space.
The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A and discussion bringing these lessons directly back to Edinburgh.
Eventbrite Link Here…
Friday 16th October 2pm - 4pm : Closing Event
A concluding discussion reflecting on how children's ideas can inform future conversations around housing, public space, community and city life, and what steps might be taken to create a more child-friendly Edinburgh.
Eventbrite Link Here…
If you’re a teacher or parent interested in getting involved contact us, and download our Project Pack below…
Find us at A&DS:SpACE located on Level 0 of Edinburgh Futures Institute East Wing, next to Middle Meadow walk.
