Kids attractions in Dublin you and your kids will love

Children’s museums, indoor play areas, parks and family-friendly attractions in Dublin for locals and visitors. Our handpicked selection of the best kids’ attractions in Dublin.

Dublin is a very child-friendly city and one of the reasons for this is the vast choice of entertainment options for families.

I know this well: I live in Dublin with my two kids and, over the years, have explored many parts of Dublin, sometimes on our own, sometimes with friends coming from abroad who wanted to mix sightseeing with some family fun.

We have tried museums, play centers, indoor activities and sightseeing and we have now put them all into this list that we use regularly when looking for something to do at the weekend or for a special day together.

This is our selection of the best family activities in Dublin.

Coming to Dublin with kids from abroad? Don’t forget to also check our tips for visiting Ireland with kids here!

Please note: this selection is based on our own experience and reflects what our kids like most. We do not receive compensation nor special treatment for including a place. Official links are included for your convenience only.

The best kids attractions in Dublin: our selection

Explorium – Science and sport centre

The Explorium is a relatively new attraction and the most exciting for families who finally have in Dublin a science museum with all bells and whistles, not entirely dissimilar to the famous Nemo, in Amsterdam, of worldwide fame.

The space is huge and divided into different areas to suit different ages and interests.

Depending on the age and taste of your child here you can climb, go caving, simulate drive a Formula 1 car (!!) or you can let science blow your mind with the activities in the Space area or driving a bicycle upside down!

We haven’t had the chance to visit the space part yet but we have heard of their area about the Cosmos too and it sounds so amazing (we have a space lover!), it is our list of things to try asap – we hear you can join the team of Apollo 11 here, vis VR, how cool is that??

This is probably the best of all kids’ attractions in Dublin and one that deserves a full day. Due to the high number of attractions and the cost, I recommend planning a visit to the Explorium as a full day our rather than a quick visit

• Best for: All ages, dedicated junior area for younger kids
• Indoors: yes
• Official site: Explorium.ie
• Booking: recommended

Dublinia – the Viking museum of Dublin

Dublinia is an interactive museum about Viking and medieval Dublin and a place I regularly recommend to visitors and local families.

Located in Dublin city center, in the same. complex as Christchurch cathedral, this is an indoor museum with reconstructions on how Dublin used to be in Viking and medieval times and immersive experiences for ids to get a sense of what life must have been like, back then.

The museum is mostly suited to primary school-age kids but it is possible for youngers siblings to also have fun.

Among the many things we love about it, there is the clothes chest that you can use to play Viking dress up, a very fun room with medieval games and a wonderful 3D map of Dublin, which caught the attention of us adults and not just the kids.

Dublinia is a great place for visitors but also for locals.

If you have kids in Dublin and you have never been, I urge you to go: while it is not a place to go back to over and over again, it is a great fun one to visit periodically, as each age will get from it something different

You can read our full Dublinia review here

• Indoors: yes
• Official site: Dublinia.ie
• Special offer for kids/family: yes, discounted tickets for children and families with 2 adults + 2 children are available

Dublin Zoo

Dublin has a lovely zoo.

Located inside the beautiful Phoenix Park, Dublin zoo is a great place for young kids and an easy one for a long day out in the good season: between the animals, the playgrounds and the restaurants, there is a lot to do both for toddlers and older children.

Very young visitors are likely to enjoy the petting farm (I will never forget my son ignoring the elephants but spending hours watching the goats!), older kids may well like the mighty gorillas and everyone is bound to love the meerkats that keep you company, from behind a glass, in the aptly names ‘Meerkats restaurant’.

Parking is available outside and the zoo is equipped with food areas (restaurants and snacks), playgrounds and of course toilet facilities.

• Suitable for: all ages
• Indoors: No, except for some areas
• Official site: DublinZoo.ie

Imaginosity children museum

Children’s museums are always a hit with our kids and the one in Dublin is no exception. We discovered it when our kids were tiny, when they made the most of the soft play areas for the under 3s, and then kept coming back, each time discovering and getting fond of a new area.

The museum develops over several floors and has areas for almost all tastes. Here you can play supermarket, doctor, builder, actor; you can climb, build and draw or join one of the many workshops available with activities for all ages.

A nice cafe makes the place nice for adults too although, as you can imagine, it can get quite busy. I recommend ringing before going to make sure they are not full.

• Best for: toddlers and primary school kids
• Indoor: yes, with one outdoor area
• Official site: Imaginosity.ie

The National Museum of Natural History (Aka The Dead Zoo)

The National Museum of Natural History in Dublin is one of the most peculiar attractions in the whole of the city, its oddity matched only by the name many locals use to describe it: the dead zoo.

The nickname is appropriate: inside this large building on elegant Merrion square, what you find are floors and floors of stuff animals and not of the cuddly type!

This place is taxidermy gone mad: from insects to very large mammals, there are tons of animals here and while their fixed stares do not exactly give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, it is hard not to be at least intrigued by such a weird place. You can find our full review about visiting the Dublin Natural History Museum with kids here.

• Best for: school-age kids, but do prepare them for what it is as the visual impact can be a bit much for very sensitive ones.
• Indoor: yet
• Official site: Natural history Museum of Dublin

Dublin castle

Dublin Castle is one of the most famous attractions in Dublin and one worth seeing with kids.

Located right in the city center, the castle has a nice outside (great for younger siblings to run around while parents admire the mighty castle tower) and specialized family tour for kids, taking place on selected times.

Official website and info on family tours: DublinCastle.ie

Jumpzone – indoor trampoline center

Jumpzone is an indoor trampoline center with several locations in various parts of Dublin and the first favorite for my kids.

Suitable for kids age 5 and up, Jumpzone has several bouncing areas including the main trampolining area, the foam area (always a hit), and the newer Ninja area that works a little like a soft and bouncy obstacle course.

Safety rules apply and kids are briefed when entering. Grip socks are available for purchase at each center (2 Euro).

• Best for: kids age 5 and up/teenagers
• Indoor: Yes
• Official site: Jumpzone.ie
• Booking: recommended

Indoor play centers

Dublin has a good selection of indoor play centers with climbing frames and soft play areas perfect for toddlers and young kids to burn some energy on a rainy day.

Some to seek out are:

• Kidspace Rathfarnham kids play center with climbing frames and sensory room
• Mister B’s Kids Playcenter and Family Arcade in Nutrgrove stopping center
• Funky Monkeys, several locations in Dublin, large centers with climbing frames, slides etc
• Panda Play Cafe, indoor cafe with toys for toddlers
• Spraoi Children Fun world, indoor play center with climbing frames etc
• Go Kids Go, kids indoor playground in Dublin 15

Giddy studios

My crafty daughter loves Giddy studios, a pottery painting studio in Dundrum shopping center.

Here you don’t make pottery from scratch but rather, decorate to your heart content a pottery piece of your choice: you can choose between a myriad of options (animals small and big, plates, bowls etc) and you can use any color you want you to personalize your piece.

It makes for a lovely activity and a thoughtful gift (for the kid who does the activity and the lucky recipient of their creation!)

Need to know: your piece needs to dry before you can bring it home so you need to be able to come and collect it on a different day.

• Suitable for: school age kids / crafty kids of all ages
• Official website: Giddystudios.com

Rainforest adventure golf

Another fun kids’ activity in Dublin is spending the afternoon at rainforest adventure golf.

Perfect for a rainy afternoon, this is an indoor crazy gold center with Mayan and Aztec theme course.

Located in Dundrum, this is a fun and easy day out that you can easily be combined with food (in the golf center or one of the many restaurants in the main shopping center) or with shopping.

Official website: Raiforestadventuregolf.ie

Airfield farm

A cool day out with the kids that make you feel away from the city while still being pretty much in the center of it is a trip to Airfield Farm.

Located in Dundrum, this is a lovely city farm with animals, large outdoor spaces and play areas, nice cafes as well as regular events for kids and adults.

This is a great place especially for very young kids who can run around freely and will get a kick out of the farm environment.

Keep an eye out for their seasonal events: between cooking classes, nature treasure trails and storytelling sessions, there is a lot on offer!

Official website: Airfield.ie

Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Museum

The Jeanie Johnston is a replica of a famine ship now docked in Dublin, on the river Liffey. It is a tall ship and a great place to visit with kids both for effect (it is really cool, with those tall masts) but also for the important learning opportunity it offers.

Here, you can learn about the Irish famine, ‘meet’ the passengers who sailed on it and think of what forced emigration meant and still means for many.

This is the best kids attractions in Dublin for kids who are learning Irish history in school or families visiting Ireland and interested in learning about its history.

• Best for: school age kids
• Official website: Jeanie Johnston

See the seals in Howth

One of our favorite things to do on a sunny day in Dublin is to go to Howth and see the seals.

We do this regularly with our kids but it is an activity I especially recommend to kids coming from abroad and not used to these animals in the wild: the first time you see them bobbing their cute heads in the Howth Harbour, they truly are too cute to resist! Please be careful here: the stretch of the pier from where you usually spot them has no barrier – hold hands!

I hope you enjoyed this overview of the best kids activities in Dublin and gave you some ideas for a fun afternoon out with the kids. Safe travels!