Things to do in Dublin with Kids

Looking for things to do in Dublin with kids? Ireland’s capital is packed with family-friendly days out — from Dublin Zoo and interactive museums to free parks, playgrounds and coastal walks, plus indoor play centres for rainy days. Below is our guide to the best family attractions, free activities, rainy-day options and neighbourhoods to explore — and, further down, what’s on for families this weekend and through the year.

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

Free Activities

• Áras an Uachtaráin (President’s Residence) – Free, hour‑long tours every Saturday morning. Tickets are taken on a first‑come‑first‑served basis at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.
• Irish Film Institute (IFI) – Free screenings of classic and archive films on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Advance online booking is recommended.
• National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (the “Dead Zoo”) – Free entry to see the permanent collection of taxidermied animals, including an elephant and polar bear.
• National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin – Free admission to the gardens and glasshouses; family‑friendly workshops run on weekends.
• Dublin Port Greenway – A flat, traffic‑free path along the historic docklands leading to the iconic Poolbeg Lighthouse. Open year‑round and free to use.
• Chester Beatty Library – Regular free family programmes, storytelling sessions and hands-on activities for ages 3+. (Note: The museum is temporarily closed from 15 June 2026 until the end of December 2026 to facilitate the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union; check their website for online activities.)
• Dublin Bikes – First 30 minutes of each ride are free; a handy way to explore the city centre without spending on transport.
• Kilmainham Gaol – Free Wednesday – The first Wednesday of every month offers free entry (pre‑booking essential).
• River Liffey Boardwalk – A scenic riverside promenade that’s free year‑round and ideal for strollers.
• Ha’penny Bridge – A short, free walk across Dublin’s historic cast‑iron bridge, great for a quick photo stop.
• O’Connell Street & GPO Museum – Free entry to the General Post Office’s exhibition on the 1916 Rising (family tickets available).

Indoor Play & Adventure

Venue	Highlights	Location	Age Range	Price (approx.)
Jumpzone	Europe’s largest inflatable sports park – dodgeball, obstacle courses, giant slides	Liffey Valley, Sandyford & Santry	5+ years	From €12 per hour
Gravity Climbing Centre	Dedicated kids’ climbing wall, induction sessions for beginners	Inchicore	Under 10 (kids area) & 14+ (main wall)	From €10 for a session
Funky Monkeys	Jungle‑themed soft‑play centre with slides, nets and a café	Dundrum, Clarehall, Citywest	0‑8 years	From €9 per child
Bounce n’ Beyond	Ireland’s biggest indoor trampoline and ninja park; also a VR arcade	Ballyboughal	5‑17 years	From €15 per hour
Kidspace	Play‑centres with creative workshops, soft‑play and a café	Rathcoole & Rathfarnham	0‑12 years	From €8 per child
Go Kids Go!	Multi‑level play frames, football pitch and disco area	Coolmine	6 months‑12 years	From €10 per child
Rainforest Adventure Golf	Indoor jungle‑themed mini‑golf with arcade and café	Dundrum Shopping Centre	4‑99 years	€8 per round
GoQuest	Escape‑room style challenges – Junior (9‑12) and Arena (13+)	Carrickmines	9+ years	From €12 per challenge
Imaginosity	Creative play space with themed galleries, workshops and a story‑telling corner	Dublin 8 (near St. Patrick’s Cathedral)	2‑10 years	From €10 per child
Sea Life Bray (just outside Dublin)	Aquarium with over 1,000 marine creatures, interactive rock‑pool and feeding shows	Bray, Co. Wicklow	All ages	From €12 per child
Fort Lucan Adventure Playground	Ireland’s biggest outdoor adventure centre – zip‑lines, towers, water slides, crazy‑golf and go‑karting	Lucan, Co. Dublin	2‑14 years (dedicated under‑5 area)	From €15 per child
Emerald Park (theme park & zoo)	Ireland’s first dedicated theme park with rides, a zoo and Europe’s largest wooden rollercoaster	Ashbourne, Co. Meath (≈30 min drive)	All ages	From €20 per child

Nature & Coastal Adventures

Credit: Courtesy Failte Ireland – Portmarnock Beach, a sandy stretch perfect for bucket‑and‑spade play.

• Howth Head – A short DART ride takes you to this peninsula where families can enjoy seal‑spotting, crab‑fishing, and a gentle cliff‑top walk with panoramic sea views.
• Bull Island (North Bull Island) – Ireland’s first bird sanctuary; free walking trails reveal up to 180 species of birds and a chance to explore dunes and salt‑marsh habitats.
• Portmarnock Beach & Velvet Strand – Wide, sandy beaches ideal for picnics, sandcastle building and safe swimming in summer months.
• Dublin Port Greenway – (see figure above) offers a scenic, traffic‑free route to the historic Poolbeg Lighthouse, a striking photo spot.
• St. Anne’s Park & Phoenix Park Deer – Spot the resident fallow deer herd (do not feed) while enjoying expansive lawns and lakes.
• Zipit Forest Adventures – Located in Tibradden Wood, this tree‑top adventure park offers rope bridges, cargo nets and zip lines for children aged 7+. Check the website for pricing and booking.
• Beyond the Trees – Avondale Park – A short drive into County Wicklow; the award‑winning tree‑top walkway ends with a giant spiral slide. Open seasonally, family tickets available.
• Flynn Park – Near the M1, this 75‑acre activity park features inflatable water slides, climbing walls, paintball and a café. Ideal for a half‑day outing.
• Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo – During winter months the zoo transforms into a luminous wonderland with light installations and storytelling. Tickets are separate from regular zoo entry.

Creative Play Spaces

Imaginosity – Located in Dublin 8, this child‑centred museum blends art, science and storytelling. Interactive galleries change regularly, and the on‑site café serves kid‑friendly snacks. Sessions run two hours and should be booked in advance.

Sea Life Bray – Just a short DART or car ride away, the aquarium offers a 90‑minute “Sea‑Adventure” tour, feeding times and a touch‑pool. It’s a great rainy‑day alternative to outdoor attractions.

Fort Lucan – Situated in Lucan, this award‑winning adventure playground boasts zip‑lines, climbing towers, two massive water slides and a mini‑Fort for the youngest visitors. A café on site serves light meals.

Emerald Park – About a half‑hour drive north, Emerald Park combines a theme‑park vibe with a small zoo. Highlights include the wooden rollercoaster, a water‑flume ride and a dedicated children’s farm area.

Guinness Storehouse (Family‑friendly tip) – While the Storehouse is famous for its stout, families can enjoy a soda tasting for children and a fun interactive tour that ends with a panoramic view of the city.

Family‑friendly pubs – Many Dublin pubs welcome children. Notable options include the historic Brazen Head (est. 1198), the traditional music venue The Cobblestone in Smithfield, and the lively Temple Bar area where children are allowed until 9 pm.

Hop‑on‑hop‑off bus tours – Family tickets include ponchos for rain and audio guides that keep kids entertained while you see the city’s highlights. Buses run frequently and stop at most major attractions.

Dublin Bikes – First 30 minutes of each ride are free; a convenient way to zip between attractions on a sunny afternoon.

Free City Walks & Street Art

Dublin’s streets are an open‑air gallery. Follow the Molly Malone statue, hunt for the GPO’s bullet‑hole mural, and snap a photo of the Molly Malone statue (see our image catalog). The Hugh Lane Gallery runs free family workshops on weekends, and the National Gallery of Ireland offers free guided tours for kids.

Seasonal Highlights & Events

• Liffey Lights – A spectacular light and laser show on the River Liffey, usually running from November to January.
• Christmas Markets – Check out the Dublin Castle Christmas Market and the St. Stephen’s Green Winter Wonderland for festive treats.
• Family Workshops – The National Botanic Gardens, National Gallery, and Hugh Lane Gallery host free weekend workshops; check their calendars ahead of your visit.
• Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo – Winter illumination experience (see Nature & Coastal Adventures).
• Guinness Storehouse family soda tour – Available year‑round, with a special kids’ menu.

What’s On for Families in Dublin This Weekend & Beyond

The year-round attractions above are open most weekends, but Dublin’s events calendar is where the seasonal magic happens — and the best way to plan a family day out is to see what’s actually on while you’re in town. Our What’s On in Dublin guide lists festivals, funfairs and seasonal shows with confirmed dates, venues and prices.

Family highlights to watch for through the year include the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in August, with dedicated kids’ zones; the Big Grill Festival in Herbert Park; the Airfield Harvest Festival family farm day in Dundrum each September; the Bram Stoker Festival with its Halloween family trail in October; the Gaiety Christmas pantomime from late November; Funderland at the RDS over Christmas and New Year; Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo through the winter; and Bord Bia Bloom in the Phoenix Park each June. Check the What’s On in Dublin page for this year’s confirmed dates before you travel.

Practical Tips for Families

• Transport: Dublin’s public‑transport network is child‑friendly. The DART connects the city centre to coastal spots like Howth and Dún Laoghaire. Buses and Luas trams are free for children under 5.
• Rainy‑Day Plan: Most indoor venues listed above operate year‑round; check individual websites for opening times before you go.
• Food: Many parks have cafés; for budget‑friendly meals, look for food markets (e.g., Marlay Park Sunday market) or grab a bite at the People’s Park in Dún Laoghaire on a Sunday.
• Safety: Keep an eye on the deer in Phoenix Park and stay on marked paths in coastal areas. Always supervise children near water.
• Tickets & Booking: Popular attractions such as Dublinia, Fort Lucan, Emerald Park, Guinness Storehouse and Wild Lights can get busy; pre‑book where possible, especially in peak summer months.

Enjoy Dublin’s blend of history, green space and modern play‑areas – there’s something to keep every child entertained, rain or shine!