Two things to know about children in Dublin.
First, they don’t care about Georgian architecture.
Second, they care enormously about Vikings, animals, toilets and anything that involves climbing something. Plan around that and you’ll have a good day.
The big family days out
Dublin Zoo
More than 400 animals in the Phoenix Park, with day tickets from €22.50 adult and €17 child online, and family tickets from €62.50. Book online to save. In winter, the Wild Lights lantern trail runs in the evenings. Full guide: Dublin Zoo.
Dublinia
Viking and medieval Dublin, hands-on, indoors, with dressing up, a warship and a medieval tower to climb. Family tickets €50.50 at the door. Full guide: Dublinia.
Malahide Castle’s fairy trail and butterfly house
The castle tour is fine; the fairy trail in the woods and the butterfly house are what the children will remember. Fairy Trail tickets cost €10 for adults and €8 for children, and they’re also included with a castle ticket. More in castles and stately homes.
Croke Park
For sporty children: the stadium tour takes you through the players’ tunnel and pitchside, and the GAA Museum has an interactive games zone where they can test their hurling and football skills. The stadium tour is €12 for children and €18 for adults, with family tickets from €48. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Rainy-day ideas
- The Little Museum of Dublin is now home to Tara’s Palace, one of the world’s greatest dolls’ houses. Family tickets are €45, and it’s free on Wednesday mornings if you book. See our museums guide.
- The National Museum of Archaeology on Kildare Street: free, with gold, Vikings and bog bodies. Older children love the bog bodies. Younger ones may need warning.
- The Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks: free, with stuffed animals and specimens from the Natural History Museum while the famous Dead Zoo is closed.
- EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum: interactive, with a passport to stamp as you go. Family tickets from €57 online.
- The National Wax Museum Plus: celebrities, superheroes and a horror zone for brave ones.
- The National Leprechaun Museum: a storytelling tour of Irish folklore, suitable from age 6.
- The Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide: hundreds of handmade model trains and trams. Adults €9, children €6.50.
Free and outdoors
- The Phoenix Park: deer, a playground at the visitor centre, and space to run. Free.
- St Stephen’s Green: ducks, a playground and bridges.
- The seals at Howth harbour: take the DART out to Howth and walk the pier. Free, apart from the fish and chips, which are mandatory. See Howth.
- Killiney Hill: an easy climb, with an obelisk at the top and a view across the bay. See day trips.
- Beaches: Portmarnock’s Velvet Strand and Dollymount on Bull Island are long and flat. The water is cold. Irish children don’t seem to mind. Visiting children mind very much.
Swimming
The National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown has a waterpark with slides and a wave pool. It’s out in the western suburbs, but it’s a good fallback on a wet day if you have a car or don’t mind the bus.
Things that are less good with small children
- Kilmainham Gaol isn’t recommended for under-6s, and buggies aren’t allowed on the tour.
- The Guinness Storehouse is fine for children, who get a soft drink, but it’s mostly about beer.
- The Book of Kells is a short visit with a queue at the end. Older children like the Long Room; younger ones like the gift shop.
Practical tips
- Children travel cheaply on public transport with a Leap card, and under-5s travel free. See getting around Dublin.
- Pick up a “Lost Child” wristband at Dublin Zoo.
- Pack waterproofs. Always. This is not optional.
Prices checked on the official attraction websites, November 2026.
More ideas in our guide to things to do in Dublin.