Kids and Family in Dublin

If you are moving to the city with your family, you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of fabulous attractions and activities for kids in Dublin, not to mention a wide selection of excellent schools and education.

If you move to Dublin with children, you may find that it eases the process of meeting locals, either while exploring the city's kid-friendly attractions or by connecting with other parents through school or a playgroup.

Child-friendly activities in Dublin

Parks

When it’s not raining, pack a picnic and head down to Phoenix Park or St Stephen's Green, or take your kids to the Dublin Zoo to meet their favourite animals. Phoenix Park is perfect for picnics, woodland walks, and exploring historical sites like Ashtown Castle and the Victorian Kitchen Walled Garden. St Stephen's Green offers a lovely fenced-in playground and a sensory garden for the visually impaired.

Viking Splash Tour is a great way for your little ones to discover their new city. Travelling in an amphibious vehicle, these tours are over land and water. They depart from Stephen’s Green North and take about 75 minutes, during which a ‘Viking’ entertains passengers and points out all of the city’s major attractions.

Education

Another popular attraction for your youngsters is The Ark, a purpose-built kids’ theatre and exhibition space in the cultural neighbourhood of Temple Bar. It hosts productions of theatre, music and dance, as well as workshops aimed at kids.

For a fascinating and educational day out, take your kids to Imaginosity, the famous children’s museum at the heart of Dublin. Three floors with 19 exhibit spaces, as well as a library, art studio, puppet room and kids’ theatre, mean Imaginosity is a real hit with those under the age of 10. The museum has recently added exhibits on sustainability and renewable energy, along with an expanded outdoor play area.

Fun

Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, only with no Oompa Loompas and no Willy Wonka – the Chocolate Warehouse is a dream come true for chocolate-loving children. Kids can take tours of the factory’s machinery, learn about the history of chocolate, take part in fascinating chocolate workshops and of course, sample plenty of it along the way. The venue also hosts birthday parties, special events and seasonal events around Christmas and Easter, with strict safety measures in place.

You could also take your kids to Airfield Estate to pet the animals, watch a performance at the Lambert Puppet Theatre or visit the Fry Model Railway. The Lambert Puppet Theatre has been delighting families for over 50 years with its enchanting puppet shows, often based on classic fairy tales and folk stories.

Playgroups

If you are new to the city and looking to make friends, playgroups are a great way for parents and children alike to find some new friends in Dublin. There are loads of playgroups to choose from, so it should be easy for you to find one in your own neighbourhood. When looking for local playgroups, schools in the area may be able to offer some recommendations – otherwise, there are plenty of directories online that list Dublin's playgroups.

Useful links

• Dublin Zoo
• Viking Splash Tour
• The Ark
• Imaginosity
• Airfield Estate
• Lambert Puppet Theatre