Things to do in Dublin with Kids
Wondering how to create magical memories with your kids in Dublin while keeping your budget intact? Even with rain forecast, the city’s charm never dampens! Our local guide unveils Dublin’s family treasures: from sprawling parks where children can burn endless energy to interactive museums where history comes alive through touch and play.
Discover medieval castles that transform little ones into knights and princesses, or cozy indoor activity centres perfect for those inevitable rainy days. As local parents ourselves, we’ve hand‑picked only the most kid‑approved destinations across Dublin, complete with up‑to‑date prices so you can plan without surprises.
Attractions
Credit: Courtesy Dublinia – Dublinia recreates Viking Dublin
| Activity | Description | Location | Age Range | Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublinia | Interactive museum exploring Viking and Medieval Dublin | Christ Church | All ages | Adult: €16.00 Senior: €14.50 Student: €14.50 Child: €9.50 Family (2 adults + 2 children): €44.00 Family (1 adult + 2 children): €30.00 | dublinia.ie |
| EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum | Interactive museum showcasing the history of Irish emigration | Docklands | All ages | Adult (18‑64): From €15.00 Teenager (13‑17): From €12.50 Child (6‑12): From €8.00 Infant (0‑5): Free Seniors (65+): From €13.00 Student: From €13.00 | epicchq.com |
| The Viking Splash Tour | Amphibious tour of Dublin City with Viking theme | St. Stephen’s Green | 3+ years | Adults: €35 Children (3‑14 years): €29 Family (2 adults + 2 children): €110 Family (2 adults + 3 children): €135 | vikingsplashdublin.ie |
| The National Wax Museum Plus | Wax museum with celebrity figures and interactive exhibits | City centre | All ages | Adult: from €16.50 Children (under 12): from €11.50 Family: from €51.00 (2 Adults + 2 children under 12) | waxmuseumplus.ie |
| Explorium | Sports and science centre with interactive exhibits and activities | Sandyford | Varies by activity | Junior Explorium (2‑7 years): €15 (2 hrs) Science (8+ years): €30 (all‑day) Activities (8+ years): Varies | explorium.ie |
| The Ark | Cultural centre for children with workshops, classes, and performances | Temple Bar | 2‑12 years | Varies by event | ark.ie |
| GoQuest | Indoor challenge zone with physical, mental, and skill‑based challenges | Carrickmines | 9‑12 years (Junior), 13+ years (Arena) | Varies by challenge | goquest.ie |
| Zero Latency Dublin | Virtual reality gaming centre with immersive experiences | Smithfield | 5+ years | Varies by experience | zerolatencyvr.com |
| AquaZone | Ireland’s leading waterpark with slides and attractions | Blanchardstown | All ages | Varies by activity | nationalaquaticcentre.ie |
| The Chocolate Experience at Butler’s Chocolate Factory | Tour of a chocolate factory with chocolate tasting | Clonshaugh | All ages | Adult: €17.50 Child: €12.50 | butlerschocolates.com |
| Dublin Zoo | Home to over 400 animals from around the world | Phoenix Park | All ages | Adult: €22 Child (3‑15): €16 | dublinzoo.ie |
| Airfield Estate | Working farm with animals, gardens, and a playground | Dundrum | All ages | Adult: €15 Child: €8 | airfield.ie |
Parks and Playgrounds
Credit: Courtesy Fionn Davenport – The Tea Rooms in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
| Activity | Description | Location | Age Range | Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Stephen’s Green | Historical park with a dedicated playground | City centre | All ages | Free | - |
| Marlay Park | Park with a playground, fairy tree, walled garden, and Sunday food market | Rathfarnham | All ages | Free | - |
| Merrion Square Park | Park with a playground inspired by Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant” | City centre | All ages | Free | - |
| Phoenix Park | One of Europe’s largest enclosed public parks with a playground and Dublin Zoo | Dublin 8 | All ages | Free | phoenixpark.ie |
| Sean Moore Park | Playground by the beach with a lighthouse climbing frame and zip wire | Sandymount | All ages | Free | - |
| St. Anne’s Park | Park with a playground, rose garden, and a massive Viking ship climbing frame | Raheny | All ages | Free | - |
| Bushy Park | Park with a playground, woodland walks, and a duck pond | Terenure | All ages | Free | - |
| Herbert Park | Park with two playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older kids | Ballsbridge | All ages | Free | - |
| St. Catherine’s Park | Park with a playground, a lake, and a nature trail | Lucan | All ages | Free | - |
| Fernhill House and Gardens | Gardens with a playground, a maze, and a fairy trail | Sandyford | All ages | Free | - |
Museums and Historical Sites
Credit: Courtesy Brigita Bond – Fairy houses on the Malahide Castle Fairy Trail.
| Activity | Description | Location | Age Range | Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Castle | Historic landmark with guided tours of State Apartments, medieval undercroft, and Chapel Royal | City centre | All ages | Adult: €8.00 Senior (60+): €6.00 Student (18+): €6.00 Child (12‑17 years): €4.00 Child (under 12 years): Free Family (2 adults + 2‑3 children): €20.00 | dublincastle.ie |
| Malahide Castle and Gardens | Medieval castle with guided tours, gardens, butterfly house, and fairy trail | Malahide | All ages | Adult: €14 Child: €6.50 Family: from €35 | malahidecastleandgardens.ie |
| Kilmainham Gaol | Former prison with guided tours (suitable for older children) | Inchicore | 12+ years | Adult: €8 Senior (60+): €6 Child (12‑17): €4 Child (under 12): Free | kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie |
| Trinity College and the Book of Kells | Historic university with the Book of Kells exhibition | City centre | All ages | Self‑guided: From €25 Guided: From €65 | visittrinity.ie |
| The National Museum of Ireland | Several branches with archaeology, decorative arts, and natural history exhibits | Kildare Street, Collins Barracks, Merrion Street | All ages | Free | museum.ie |
| The Little Museum of Dublin | Museum dedicated to the history of Dublin | St. Stephen’s Green | All ages | Family (2 adults + up to 3 children): €35 | littlemuseum.ie |
| The National Print Museum | Museum showcasing the history of printing | Beggars Bush | All ages | Adults: €8 Children (under 12): Free | nationalprintmuseum.ie |
| The National Leprechaun Museum | Museum exploring Irish folklore and mythology | Jervis Street | 7+ years | Adults: €18 Children (7‑17): €16 | leprechaunmuseum.ie |