Discover the best things to do with kids in Northern Ireland
Visiting Northern Ireland is one of the best ways to create unforgettable holiday experiences with your family. You’ll find plenty for kids and adults alike to enjoy. Northern Ireland offers a variety of outdoor adventures and indoor attractions. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the local culture and admire breathtaking views. Find out more about the best things to do with kids in Northern Ireland, and discover which attractions work best for your individual family’s interests.
Belfast children’s attractions in Northern Ireland
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is packed full of exciting things to do for the whole family. You can enjoy a wealth of history and impressive architecture alongside fun activities that kids will especially enjoy. There’s a reason why Belfast is one of the most visited cities on the entire island of Ireland. Check out the top children’s attractions in Northern Ireland’s capital of Belfast.
1. Titanic Belfast
One of the most iconic spots in the entire city is the Titanic Belfast. This incredible facility lets you explore the story of the famed ship in a new and insightful way, showcasing 9 distinct galleries you can peruse. The interactive galleries create an immersive experience through things like walking the decks of this massive ship and setting off on launch day. Additionally, you can walk on the SS Nomadic, the last White Star Line vessel that still exists.
2. Belfast Zoo
At the Belfast Zoo, you and your family can see a variety of fascinating animals that hail from all over the world. Lions, elephants, cheetahs and bears have a home here, but that’s just the beginning. Kids will especially be interested in seeing the adorable and hilarious meerkats running about. Plus, this zoo features a specialised kids section, known as the Adventurers Playground, with fun obstacles and play equipment. Don’t forget to check out the photography base camp, where your family can get a photo with animals like lions and chimpanzees.
3. Ulster Museum
At the Ulster Museum, you’ll be able to explore a wide variety of historical artefacts and artistic masterpieces. The Ulster Museum offers a collection of all the best things you’d expect to find in a quality museum, from art to natural history. Dinosaur fossils are on display here alongside impressive paintings. You can even see Egyptian mummies on display, which are especially interesting to kids. Temporary exhibits rotate throughout the year, so be sure to check the calendar before you visit. You might see something exceptional during your visit.
4. W5
When you visit W5, you’ll find a science centre that was specifically designed for kids to enjoy. Every exhibit here is interactive and engages the senses, something the little ones will especially enjoy. The exhibits cover a wide variety of topics. Most kids seem to be drawn to the robotics section of the museum that features an interactive, talking robot. The VR zone, another popular attraction, will transport your little ones to different worlds.
5. Belfast Castle
No trip to Belfast would be complete without stopping by Belfast Castle. Here, you’ll find a 19th-century castle with immaculately well-maintained gardens surrounding it. You and your family can enjoy the wonders of the castle, as well as the friendly wildlife-filled gardens. You can spot owls and sparrow hawks during your journey through the trails. Plus, the location of the castle on the hill offers spectacular views of the city.
Fermanagh days out with the kids
If you travel to County Fermanagh, you’ll find much that the whole family can enjoy. The vast countryside and serene waterways are packed full of opportunities for adventure. You’ll also find several historic landmarks that adults and kids alike can enjoy. Whatever your interests are, you’re bound to find something fun in this southwestern county. Take a look at the best days out with the kids in Fermanagh.
6. Crom Estate
At the Crom Estate, you’ll find more than 800 hectares of space complete with estate cottages, serene woodland and the iconic Old Crom Castle. Near the castle ruins, you’ll also find a lot of yew trees with a unique appearance that will let your kids feel as if they’re in some fantasy landscape. Additionally, several intriguing plants and animals call this estate home, including adorable families of deer. The ruins here date back to the early 17th century, and much of its splendour is still clearly visible to visitors.
7. Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark
The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Northern Ireland. A guide can take your family on a tour of an underground world full of wide-open passages of rivers and waterfalls. Cave formations here are especially striking. The geological changes that have happened over time have carved out alluring designs throughout the caves. Additionally, you’ll find walking and biking paths in the area, many of which are easy enough to traverse that the whole family can get involved.
8. Belleek Pottery Museum
Visit the Belleek Pottery Museum, and you can explore some of the most impressive pottery crafted in Northern Ireland. The pieces on display here cover a wide range of history. The oldest dates back to 1857, when Belleek Pottery first began. You can even bring some of the pieces home. Be sure to check out the retail showroom to find pieces that would go well with your home’s designs.
9. Florence Court
Florence Court is a massive 18th-century home set on an impressive garden estate. While the building itself is certainly important, you and your family may find more fun visiting one of the most important trees on the island, the Irish yew tree. This historic tree is one of the oldest of its kind, and the unique vertical shape present in other yew trees around the island comes from this tree. Additionally, you’ll find the Blue Trail here, an easily traversable trail where you and your little ones can take in stunning views of the vibrant greenery.
10. Castle Coole
When your family visits Castle Coole, you’ll find fun all year long, though it’s especially appealing during the spring when the first flowers around the estate start to bloom. You’ll find lively wildflower meadows with bright bluebells that kids will love to frolic through. The various shades of colours throughout the estate in autumn are also appealing, especially when coupled with the cool air. Whenever you visit, taking the Lake Walk is one of the best ways to take in the area’s natural splendour.
Tyrone family days out in Northern Ireland
Head to Tyrone for a special look into the history of Northern Ireland and its natural splendour. You’ll find an interesting exhibit showcasing one of the most important historical moments here alongside brilliant natural features perfect for relaxing exploration or adrenaline-pumping adventure. Discover the best things to do with the kids in Northern Ireland around Tyrone.
11. Ulster American Folk Park
The Irish emigration to America was a significant part of Tyrone’s history, and your family can explore it all at the Ulster American Folk Park. Here, you’ll find historical thatched cottages native to the area, but that’s just the beginning. You can also visit a full-scale replica of an emigrant sailing ship that made its way across the Atlantic to the frontier in America. As if that weren’t enough, you can also enjoy recreations of the log cabins popular in the American frontier that Irish settlers built and lived in.
12. Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails
If you’re looking for a more active kind of holiday experience, you may want to take your family to the Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails. You’ll find trails that cater to riders of all ages and skill levels, so you don’t need to have much experience to conquer the paths here. These are blue trails, so keep an eye out for the markings before setting out. If your family can handle the more challenging red trails, you’ll find features like berms, rock drops and log rides.
13. River Blackwater Canoe Trail
Families looking to explore the Tyrone countryside from the water won’t find a better option than the River Blackwater Canoe Trail. The river here is relatively calm, allowing for a relaxing ride through the water perfect for kids and adults alike. The journey is quite long as well. If you take the entire trail, you’ll find yourself travelling as far as Lough Neagh. Canoes are also available to rent nearby, so you won’t need your own.
14. Todds Leap
Outdoor adventure is easy to find at Todds Leap. Your little ones can participate in more than 20 unique activities that all have something special to offer. Of course, you and the other adults in your family can find plenty of fun as well. These activities include archery, clay pigeon shooting, climbing and zip lines. Some of the more unique activities here include blindfold driving and the Drop Zone, which involves leaping off a high tower into a giant jump pad.
15. Gortin Glen Forest Park
At Gortin Glen Forest Park, you’ll find a plethora of nature trails that let you explore the Tyrone countryside. Not only do these trails offer spectacular views of vibrant greenery, streams and waterfalls, but you’ll also find opportunities for mountain biking and horseback riding. The centrepiece here features a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk that the whole family can enjoy. The park even features a driving path that stretches 5 miles if you’re looking for a tour that doesn’t involve tackling the trails.