Best Family Activities in Dublin for Kids

Dublin is a capital city with a busy pace, but its relatively compact size and friendly atmosphere also make it a great destination to visit with kids. From zoos to parks and various splash opportunities, Dublin provides a lot of entertainment and educational activities for children of all ages.

Spend the Day at the Dublin Zoo

Most kids adore zoos, whether they dream of being a veterinarian or enjoy watching the deadliest predators (preferably at feeding time). Dublin Zoo offers a variety of animals, from the formidable Amur tigers to the adorable red pandas and entertaining meerkats. Visitors can easily find engaging activities that can last from two hours to an entire day.

Recent improvements have created excellent viewing areas, including the African Plains, islands housing chimpanzees and gorillas, an impressive Orangutan habitat, and the African forest area for the elephants. Furthermore, do not underestimate the appeal of the City Farm. To ensure the best experience, consider visiting mid-week to avoid weekend crowds.

Unleash Your Childlike Creativity at Imaginosity

Imaginosity is an interactive children’s museum that caters to younger kids (up to about age 9). The museum is specially designed for tiny tots and features numerous engaging activities that allow children to climb, build, deconstruct, touch, pull, and push. The exhibits are educational, including a play construction zone, a doctor’s office to learn about the human body, and a reconstructed treehouse where fairies are said to reside. Moreover, the museum hosts performances for all ages, as it believes that drama helps children develop crucial skills like concentration.

See the Mummies at Saint Michan’s Church

While many kids may tire of sightseeing in historical churches throughout Europe, Saint Michan’s Church offers a distinct experience – an underground tour featuring real-life mummies. This tour may not be suitable for younger kids due to some gruesome history, but it provides an hour of spine-chilling fun for older children and their relatives.

Frolic in Phoenix Park

Dublin’s largest park has plenty to offer, in addition to the amazing zoo. Children can enjoy play areas and hiking trails, while the park visitor’s center provides craft workshops for kids aged 6-12 on weekends. With deer roaming freely, kids will have fun trying to spot them, and the park’s trails are perfect for family bike rides.

Escape the City in Saint Anne’s Park and Bull Island

Saint Anne’s Park is perfect for outdoor adventures, featuring a great playground and winding trails with mysterious towers and ruins adding a sense of magic. Once you’ve explored the park, take a stroll to Bull Island for beautiful views of Dublin Bay, challenges of finding the Bull Island mouse, or long walks contemplating the famous local folklore about vehicles being engulfed by the tide.

Experience Medieval Life at Dublinia

This museum, attached to Christ Church Cathedral, brings Dublin’s past to life with costumed performers and educational exhibits. Dublinia focuses on medieval life, including a fascinating exploration of Viking times. Engaging reenactments and interactive displays give children a glimpse into events like the plague and even a chance to throw simulated rotten apples at a character in the stocks.

Get into the Spirit with Local Gaelic Games

Experience Ireland’s distinctive sports that can delight the entire family, with regular matches held at Croke Park. Gaelic football is exclusively played by amateurs, offering fast-paced, creative gameplay that is enjoyable for spectators. Hurling, even faster and more thrilling, supposedly inspired the fictional sport of quidditch in the Harry Potter series.

Take a Splash Tour

The Viking Splash Tour is notorious around the city for its exuberant hats, yelling at bystanders, and vivid yellow colors. This tour is designed to capture attention, and children will enjoy experiencing Dublin in an open-sided vehicle. The highlight? The quirky bus also doubles as a boat! After cruising through city streets, the amphibious vehicle plunges into the water at the Grand Canal Basin, allowing the whole family to admire the city from a unique perspective. Keep in mind that this experience is available for kids over the age of two, and each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Get Artsy at The Ark

Dublin’s primary cultural hub for children, The Ark, is dedicated to nurturing a lifelong appreciation for art in young creatives. It offers a regular program of events encompassing workshops for older kids (like designing board games) and family classes on upcycling, alongside engaging performances suitable for all ages. Particularly popular on rainy days, it’s advisable to check for tickets ahead of time to secure your place.

Take a Day Trip to Howth

If you’re looking for an escape, Howth is the perfect destination for a family day trip, offering plenty of activities for a few hours or an entire day. This picturesque coastal area is easy to reach via the DART and has various attractions, including stunning cliff walks, the National Transport Museum, piers for leisurely strolls, areas for seal watching, and delightful spots for fish and chips enjoyed al fresco. The refreshing sea air will invigorate everyone, but remember to keep a close eye on young ones near the water and cliffs.

Skip off to Malahide Castle

For a fun escape from the buzzing streets of Dublin, Malahide makes an excellent choice, especially for families, thanks to its enchanting fairytale castle and expansive green spaces. Visitors can find a popular playground beside the castle, along with a botanical garden perfect for spotting flowers while burning off energy on the paths. Bigger kids will relish the opportunity to step inside a real castle, as Malahide boasts one of the finest castles near the Irish capital.

Indulge in Fish and Chips

Dublin is abundant with fresh vegetables from the lush green Irish hills; however, when visiting the city, indulging in fish and chips is a quintessential kid-friendly Irish meal. Visit a local chipper for a takeaway treat (or even a battered sausage if feeling generous). This fried cod delight is also a popular pub lunch, and you might even encourage your little ones to sample the mushy peas typically served on the side.

Dive in at AquaZone

Sometimes the Irish weather may not cooperate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day at the pool. Take a family trip to the indoor waterpark in Blanchardstown, which features a lazy river for floating and exhilarating slides or major drop-offs for adventurous youngsters. Younger children will enjoy splashing around on the pirate ship designed specifically for them.

Explore the Fascinating Halls of the National Museums

Dublin museums are far from boring, and some of the most impressive exhibits are located at the National Museums. Kids are particularly drawn to the Kildare Street exhibits on “Kingship & Sacrifice,” “Viking Dublin,” and “Medieval Ireland.” Meanwhile, Collins Barracks features sections on the Easter Rising and “Soldiers & Chiefs,” delving into Ireland’s military history.

Get Lost in a Story at the Leprechaun Museum

The National Leprechaun Museum promises more than just stories of little men in green suits. This guided tour captivates kids (and the young at heart) who love a good narrative. The experience centers on Irish myths and storytelling traditions, featuring quirky rooms filled with oversized furniture and spooky forests, allowing visitors to feel like characters from an Irish fairytale.