If you’re planning a trip to Dublin with your family, you’ll be spoiled for choice. We have everything you could hope for here, from educational mornings to afternoons spent having fun in the playground. Dublin is a walkable city and if you need to get from A to B quickly, there are great public transport options. DCU Rooms offers an excellent alternative to expensive hotel stays in Dublin City Centre. Our accommodation ranges from shared twin rooms to family-friendly suites with plenty of on-site facilities available on campus. Contact us to learn more and start planning your family getaway to Dublin. Here is some inspiration for family-friendly things to do in Dublin.
Family Attractions in Dublin
Dublin is truly a family-friendly city. There are endless options for things to do including some attractions that are especially aimed at families of varying ages. Dublin Zoo is the most popular family attraction in Dublin and is a truly educational and entertaining day out for all ages. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo is a must-do on your family getaway in Dublin. Wax Museum Plus gives little ones the chance to meet their heroes (the wax version anyway) in a weatherproof family-friendly space. The Arc Theatre in Temple Bar has a selection of workshops and theatre productions especially for little ones. Outside of the city, Aquazone is a brilliant leisure centre with slides, pools and so much more.
Explore the Great Outdoors
If you’re lucky enough to visit Dublin on a sunny day, make the most of the good weather with a trip to one of Dublin’s great outdoor attractions. Near our campus, the National Botanic Gardens is a great way to spend an afternoon in a beautiful and educational space. There are dozens of local parks with playgrounds in Dublin ranging from the vast Phoenix Park to community gardens. Malahide Castle and Gardens is a great place to spend an afternoon with children. It has a Fairy Trail, an enchanting Butterfly House and a great playground. In the city centre, St. Stephens Green and Merrion Square parks have great and varied playgrounds and are surrounded by cafes, shops, and restaurants. St Annes Park is Dublin’s second-largest park and one of Clontarf’s most popular spots. There is a duck pond, playground, and ornaments to admire while you spend quality time with your little ones.
Indoor Fun
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate with our plans but never fear, Dublin is well equipped for all sorts of weather including rainy days. If you have energetic little ones but can’t get to a playground, there are indoor soft play centres on both sides of the river. Funky Monkey in Dundrum is a good option on the South Side, as is the brilliant Imaginosity that just reopened. On the north side, closer to our family-friendly accommodation, there is a Funky Monkey in Clarehall, Little Darlings Play Café in Beaumont and for bigger kids, Leisureplex in Coolock has bowling and laser tag too. A trip to the cinema is always a good idea on a rainy day. Near DCU Campus, you’ll find IMC in Santry and Odeon in Coolock which are sure to entertain for a few hours.
Keep it Educational
If you’re here on school holidays you might want to keep your outings educational as well as fun. Dublin’s museums are filled with interesting artefacts and plenty have children-focused exhibitions. The National Museum of Ireland, The National Gallery of Ireland and The Natural History Museum are all located very close together on Merrion Square (close to the park) and each has family maps and treasure hunts ideal for little ones. EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, is a very family-friendly space that welcomes children of all ages to learn more about the stories of Irish people all over the world. Dublin is a great place to learn about the history of Vikings invading Ireland and the Hugh Lane Gallery has a great kid-friendly programmes during school holidays.
Enjoying your family getaway in Dublin is easy when you choose DCU Rooms as your accommodation. Our location, facilities and great value for money mean you can make the most of your visit, getting to know the best of the city and making memories with your little ones. Contact us directly or book using our website for our best available rates.
