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Top things to do with kid ...
11 great things to do with kids in Ireland this summer
  • Family fun
  • Adventure and sports
  • Walking and hiking
  • On the water
  • The great outdoors
Girl using a zipline at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park
Visit Lough Key Zipit for an adventure with all the family.
From ultimate activity centres and rollercoasters to getting out on the water, there's an abundance of epic things to do with kids this summer.

Make the most of the long summer days by getting out and about with the kids and enjoying the best of Ireland.

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1Try stand up paddleboarding in Dingle

Head off land and hop onto a paddleboard to experience Dingle’s stunning waters from a whole new vantage point. Book a family stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tour with Wild SUP Tours and discover the best of Kerry’s coastline from the water. No experience is necessary as your well-trained instructors teach you everything you need to know about how to be safe and confident in the water.

Two kids in wetsuits jumping through waves at Fermoyle Beach.
See beautiful Dingle Bay from the water.
2Get your heart pumping at Delphi Adventure Resort in Galway

The 300-acre Delphi Adventure Resort in the scenic Delphi Valley has indoor and outdoor activities for all the family to enjoy. Choose from adrenaline-fuelled thrills like canyon swinging and aerial trekking or take it at a slower pace by going hill walking or cycling. This all-weather resort has so many great things to do with the kids.

3Experience the joys of Emerald Park in Meath

Just 30 minutes away from Dublin city is Emerald Park, Ireland's only theme park. Immerse yourself in Irish folklore with a visit to the Tír na nÓg experience and take a ride on the park's coasters, including the longest intertwining rollercoaster in Europe, Na Fianna Force. Then jump on The Quest, a boomerang coaster that brings you through trenches and castles, or the wooden wonder Cu Chulainn. After a day of adventuring, say hello to the Amur tigers, meerkats and buffalos at the zoo.

Roller coaster winding around Emerald Park.
Ride coaster after coaster at Emerald Park.
4Get into nature at Castlecomer Discovery Park in Kilkenny

Immerse your family in nature with woodland and lakes at Castlecomer Discovery Park in Kilkenny. With over 80 acres to explore, you can hike the grounds, wander its pathways and enjoy a picnic in this beautiful part of the world. 

Youngsters love this discovery park, with its charming playground, climbing wall and mini zipline, as well as an Elf and Fairy Village. Entrance to the discovery park is free and onsite activities like ziplining can be paid for inside.

Young person climbing rope ladder in Castlecomer Discovery Park.
Reach new heights at Castlecomer Discovery Park.
5Slip and slide at Wicklow’s Clara Lara Fun Park

Explore water slides, assault courses, tree houses, boating lakes and kiddie-karts at Clara Lara Fun Park in Wicklow. Have a go on the largest water slide in Ireland or sail off on a pirate ship; enjoy this jam-packed family day out at this fun park. For a more chilled day, visitors can also have a riverside picnic and barbecue, try the mini-golf course or embark on miles of hillwalking in this beautiful countryside location.

6Head to Carlingford Adventure Centre and Skypark in Louth

With over 20 land and water activities, you'll find tons of fun things to do with the kids at Carlingford Adventure Centre and Skypark in Louth. Split into three zones: land, sea and sky, its activities include everything from canoeing and water trampolines to abseiling, laser quest and a Crystal Maze challenge. 

Bring the family and spend a day out on Carlingford Lough or flying through the trees; you’ll be glad you did.

Two people kayaking at Carlingford Adventure Centre and Skypark, Co. Louth
Have fun kayaking at Carlingford Adventure Centre and Skypark.
7Have an adventure at Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon

Ziplining, tree canopy walks, Segways, escape rooms and even a woodland safari - there’s lots to keep the family entertained at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park. Spend the day exploring the 350 hectares of woods, lake and islands in one of Ireland’s most picturesque parks. You can even stay overnight if you have a caravan or want to camp.

Two people ziplining through the trees with the guidance of an instructor at Lough Key Zip Line
There’s lots to keep the family entertained at Lough Key.
8Bring the kids to Dun na Rí Forest Park in Cavan

Along the banks of the River Cabra in the Cabra Estate, Dun na Rí Forest Park’s 565 acres make for a great place to spend a family day out. If you have smaller kids, try the shorter walks of just 1.5 – 2km marked with various points of interest and plentiful wildlife. Highlights include the Icehouse, Toba na Splinne Holy Well and Cromwell’s Bridge. 

Kids can become budding explorers as they keep an eye out for the diverse flora, fauna and wide range of wild animals.

Bridge over a stream in Dun Na Ri Forest Park.
Explore the wildlife of Dun Na Rí Forest Park.
9Take an epic journey on the water with Dublin Bay Cruises

Book a trip with Dublin Bay Cruises and get a slice of Irish history as you cruise along Dublin Bay with great views of the city. This trip will take you past iconic landmarks such as the James Joyce Martello tower, idyllic Dalkey Island, home to colonies of adorable grey seals, and Ireland’s Eye. 

Your 75-minute trip brings you around the beautiful vista of Dublin Bay and is a chilled, relaxing way to experience the county from the sea.

Family looking out on Dublin Bay from boat.
Take a family for a tour on Dublin Bay Cruises.
10All aboard at West Cork Model Railway Village

Take a spin to West Cork where the kids can pretend they’re giants for the day in the Model Railway Village. Watch their eyes grow big as the miniature trains travel along the tracks in the handcrafted village, or play captain for an hour and steer one of the remote control boats around the small but mighty replica of Kinsale Harbour.

Make a day of it and enjoy a picnic beside the outdoor play area where the children can run wild while you take in the views of Clonakilty Bay.

Model railway garden in Clonakilty.
Transportation-loving kids will have a ball with the West Cork Model Railway Village.
11Set sail with Viking Tours Ireland in Westmeath

Dress like a Viking and prepare for battle on a cruise along the River Shannon. Voyage to Lough Ree with Viking Tours and hear the fascinating tales of buried treasure and crusades from centuries ago. 

Setting sail from Athlone Castle, Captain 'Viking Mike' keeps kids big and small entertained for the duration of the 75-minute round trip with his seafaring stories and ancient titbits.

Family with three young kids holding swords on Viking Boat Tour in Athlone.
Feed their imaginations with a viking tour of the Shannon.
Find more great things to do with kids

Fill the summer months with a bounty of family fun activities that will have the kids bragging to their friends come the first day of school.

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Soar through the sky on a lofty zipline, discover hidden sea caves on a kayak tour and navigate your way down rocky trails on a mountain bike – the adventures never end. The landscapes of Ireland are incredibly beautiful, but to truly experience the rugged mountains and endless waterways, you’ve got to jump right into the action.

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