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Dublin is a magical city in the winter. But it can also be rather chilly and rainy much of the time, with temperatures averaging around six to seven degrees Celsius. If you have energetic kids or have just moved to Dublin with toddlers, you’ll be surprised at just how many fun things there are to do indoors with children in Dublin.
If you’re in Dublin this holiday, don’t let the icy weather deter you from getting out. Make use of our list of indoor things to do with kids in Dublin in winter to keep the whole family entertained — from toddlers and older kids to adults!
1. GoQuest
Stay warm in the cold weather with this action-packed indoor activity for families. At GoQuest, the aim is for participants to try and solve a challenge within a room. If you or your kids solve the challenge, you get the points for that room, but if you fail, you can retry it or attempt another challenge.
This experience is designed for families to tackle together, with the minimum age being five years of age when adults are playing too. There are two sections to GoQuest — an Arena for ages 13+, which has 29 unique challenges, as well as a Junior section for ages 9-12, which has 22 challenges.
Address: GoQuest Arena, Carrickmines, Unit 6 Ballyogan Business Park, Ballyogan Road, Carrickmines
2. Butlers Factory Tour
If you’re looking for what to do in Dublin with kids, you cannot miss out on visiting Butlers — a real-life ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ experience. At the factory, you will learn about what goes on behind the doors of a working chocolate factory.
This 90-minute experience includes a chocolate movie about the origins of chocolate and the history of Butlers Chocolates, an interactive chocolate museum tour, a chocolate demonstration from chocolatiers, and a chance for you and the kids to decorate a chocolate figure — the highlight of the tour!
Address: Clonshaugh Business Park, Dublin 17, Ireland.
3. Jump Zone
Ireland’s first and Europe’s largest indoor inflatable sports adventure park, Jump Zone is the perfect place for kids to expend their energy when it’s raining outside.
Jump Zone has branches in Liffey Valley, Sandyford and Santry and is suitable for children over five years and one metre in height.
Visitors can jump, play dodgeball or try out the inflatable obstacle courses. The whole family can have fun and get fit at the same time. Try Jump Zone on your next family day out!
Addresses:
Santry: Inflatable Sports Adventure Park, 27, Airways Industrial Estate, Dublin 17 Eircode D17 X207.
Sandyford: 72 Heather Road, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18.
Liffey Valley: Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Fonthill Road, Palmerstown Upper, Dublin 22.
4. Sea Life Bray
One of the best kids activities in Dublin to keep kids entertained includes a visit to Sea Life Bray. With over 1000 underwater creatures to discover, your little ones will be inspired to learn all about the natural world at this aquarium.
The aquarium has many zones for kids to explore, so they will be thoroughly entertained come rain or shine. Take a journey through the rivers of the world to meet the creatures from the Amazon, Southern Africa and Southeast Asia; marvel at over 40 different Ray species found in the waters around the UK, Ireland and the Mediterranean; and come face to face with a Tropical Lagoon Shark!
Needless to say, the children will be fascinated by this underwater adventure.
Address: Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
5. Gravity Climbing Centre
Kids will love to learn how to climb at the Gravity Climbing Centre during those colder days when they cannot venture outdoors.
The kid’s area at the Gravity Climbing Centre caters to kids under 10, and parents can take part in a ‘supervision induction’ to look after kids trying out for the first time. For older children, parents may supervise in the main area by becoming a Gravity member, either by attending a regular induction or by attending an induction with their child. For those over 14, it is possible to participate in an induction session to become an independent member.
Address: Gravity Climbing Centre, 6a, Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Inchicore, Dublin
6. Funky Monkeys
If you have toddlers at home that you need to entertain, Funky Monkeys is a jungle-themed play structure made for kids eight years and under with a soft play area for babies.
Children can play on a mini football pitch, twin wavy slide, horizontal rollers, dizzy discs, splat pads, sky glides, vertical rollers, v-net bridge, cargo net, spider web, and bash bags, to name a few. Plus, there is a cafe with a menu suited to kids, but don’t worry, they serve coffee too!
Funky Monkeys has centres in Clarehall, Dundrum and Citywest in Dublin.
Addresses:
Dundrum: Unit 4, Levels 3 & 4, Dundrum Retail & Office Park, Dundrum, Dublin Dublin
Clarehall: Clarehall Shopping Centre, Malahide Road, Dublin, Dublin
Citywest: Unit 29A, Citywest Shopping Centre, Dublin
7. Bounce n Beyond
Bounce n Beyond in Ballyboughal is Ireland’s largest indoor trampoline and ninja park. Great for families with kids from ages five to 17, the whole clan will warm up and get a workout! Visitors get one hour to get sweaty bouncing around.
They also house Europe’s largest virtual arcade, where you can get immersed in the world of virtual reality if you’re not up for a workout.
Address: Grange, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
8. Dublinia
One of the best activities for kids is to visit Dublinia. You’ll get a tour through history at this interactive museum and discover mediaeval Dublin and the Vikings!
Dublinia is a non-profit museum with hands-on displays for kids, a mediaeval medicine box, a Viking village and an excavation room to uncover archaeological treasures. Often, there are character actors in various parts of the museum that bring the journey to life!
Address: St Michaels Hill Christ Church, Dublin
9. Rainforest Adventure Golf
Located at Dundrum Shopping Centre, this indoor mini golf course has two golf courses, a mini arcade and a cafe if you are looking for activities for families in Dublin.
Kids will find themselves transported to the Amazon Jungle when visiting — and are bound to forget about the cold weather outside.
Address: Unit 6, Dundrum South Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin
10. Kidspace
There are two Kidspace Playcentres located in Rathcoole and Rathfarnham. Designed by childcare professionals to keep your children stimulated, there’s a lot to do for all ages. Adults can also hang out at the Nest Café to drink coffee and enjoy the free Wi-Fi.
Address: 19-20 Main Street, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 and Unit 2A/2B Block M, Rathcoole, Dublin 24.
11. Go Kids Go!
Escape the weather in Dublin by visiting one of the biggest multi-level playframes in Ireland! Kids can crawl through tunnels, cross bridges and make use of the slides at Go Kids Go! There’s even a football pitch and a disco dancing area.
This indoor playground is for children from ages six months to 12 years, and they have dedicated soft areas for babies and toddlers. All areas are furnished with padded mats for additional safety and anti-climb netting for a secure play environment.
Address: Porters Road, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin
12. Kylemore Karting
Have fun with the whole family this winter at Kylemore Karting — indoor karting over three levels! This is one for all those speed demons we cannot wait to get behind the wheel. Have fun racing in a safe environment. Junior karts are available for children over 137cm (4ft 6″).
Address: 1A, Kylemore Industrial Estate, Killeen Rd, Kylemore, Dublin
13. The Ark
If your kids are a little more creative than they are active, this one’s for you. The Ark is a cultural centre for kids where they can discover the wonders of the arts through engaging exhibitions or by participating in creative workshops.
Address: 11A Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Don’t let the rain and cold put a damper on your adventures in Dublin this winter. As you can see, there are loads of activities to do with children of all ages during those chilly months.
Moving to Dublin?
Are you planning on moving to Dublin with the family and need a place to store your extra things? Maybe you’re using the holidays to declutter your kids’ rooms. Whatever your storage needs, Nesta offers premium moving and self storage solutions for any season.
Call us on 1800 77 22 33, or request a quote today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you during your move.
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