Family friendly Dublin highlights for easy planning
Looking for things to do in Dublin with kids? This Dublin family travel guide points you to the best family attractions Dublin offers. Find kid friendly Dublin spots, from interactive museums to open green spaces and short river trips. Head out with a simple plan: start your day at a compact museum or the zoo, add a boat or hop on hop off loop for city views, then relax in a park or child focused arts space. Each suggestion includes quick notes on accessibility, age suitability and timing. Tips cover timetables, tickets and quick dining choices that save time. Use this guide to plan confident, low fuss days in Dublin for families who want great location, comfort and local shortcuts.
Big Bus Tours Dublin
Image / Hop On Hop Off Tickets
See Dublin on your own schedule.
Good for
What to expect
Expect open-top double-deck buses, clear route maps at stops and onboard commentary. Drivers and guides keep things steady and punctual. You can use the service to move between attractions, rest between walks, or sit back and learn a few local facts as you pass key landmarks.
Plan your visit
Buy or reserve tickets in advance to skip the queue on busy days. Start at a central stop near the river so you can take a full loop first, then hop off where you want to explore on foot. Bring a compact raincoat for changeable weather and a small daypack for souvenirs and snacks.
Dublin Castle
Image / Ireland Info Online
Walk through Dublin’s layered history: Viking walls, ornate staterooms and timeless courtyards.
Good for
What to expect
Expect a mix of ancient stonework and richly furnished interiors: guided and self-guided tours uncover Viking ruins, impressive staterooms and vivid historical anecdotes. The Chapel Royal and state apartments showcase fine craftsmanship, while the central courtyard and gardens make inviting spots to pause and photograph. Accessibility is straightforward, though some areas involve steps and uneven surfaces, so sensible footwear is recommended.
Plan your visit
Located close to Temple Bar and other central sights, the castle is easily combined with a city walking route. Book a guided tour for richer context, or explore at a gentler pace on a self-guided visit. Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and interior steps, and bring a camera for the courtyard and ornate state rooms.
Dublin Zoo
Image / Alejandra Aboud Keenan
A leafy city escape for families and wildlife fans.
Good for
What to expect
Wide paths and organised routes make the zoo easy to explore. Enclosures favour space and natural planting, so animals often appear relaxed. Staff are helpful and happy to answer questions. You will find cafes, picnic benches and practical facilities for families scattered through the park.
Plan your visit
Head there early on a weekday to avoid the heaviest crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and a waterproof layer, the paths are mostly easy but you will walk a lot. Bring snacks if you prefer a picnic; benches and seating are plentiful. Pick up a map on arrival to plan the route and spot must-see animals without backtracking. Pushchairs and young children are well catered for thanks to changing and feeding rooms.
Dublin Discovered Boat Tours
Image / Visit Dublin
See Dublin from the river, with clear local commentary.
Good for
What to expect
Board from a central Docklands pier, then cruise at a relaxed pace with live commentary about the port, architecture and city stories. Boats are compact and informal, with basic safety kit on board. Expect photo stops, a friendly local guide and practical commentary rather than long lecture-style tours.
Plan your visit
Book ahead in busier months and aim to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure. Wear layers and a light waterproof, since river wind can feel cooler than the city. Bring a compact camera or phone with a strap. Combine the trip with a short walk along the quays or a coffee at a nearby café after disembarking.
The Ark, Dublin
Image / The Ark, Dublin
Hands-on creativity for curious kids, tucked in lively Temple Bar.
Good for
What to expect
Bright, active galleries and workshop rooms designed for doing rather than just looking. Exhibitions change regularly and use play, craft and music to explain ideas. Expect guided sessions, drop-in activities and small performances that keep children engaged. Staff are patient and helpful, guiding projects and managing groups. Bring a sense of adventure, dress for messy activities, and allow time for hands-on exploration and relaxed play.
Plan your visit
Plan to combine the visit with a stroll around Temple Bar: several cultural stops sit close by. Book limited-capacity workshops in advance and arrive early for the most relaxed experience. Allow time for hands-on activities and a short break between sessions, especially with younger children. Pack a small bag with spare clothes and a sketchbook.
Dublinia
Image / Dublinia
Step into Viking Dublin: hands-on history, live characters and sweeping city views.
Good for
What to expect
Hands-on exhibits and sensory displays that suit both adults and children. Costumed interpreters tell stories, dioramas recreate daily life, and plenty of touchpoints invite curious hands. The museum spans multiple floors and includes a tower with strong city views, plus lifts for accessibility. The space is compact and well organised, so highlights are easy to see without feeling overwhelmed.
Plan your visit
Aim for a weekday or early morning slot to avoid the busiest periods. Allow time for the hands-on zones and the tower climb, and wear comfy shoes for stairs. Collect a site map on arrival, ask staff for storytelling times, and pair the visit with nearby historic sights to make the most of the area.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Image / EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Interactive stories of Ireland, told with heart and modern tech.
Good for
What to expect
Expect a highly interactive route through roughly twenty themed rooms, each pairing personal stories with multimedia and hands-on elements. Use a digital passport to collect stamps and personalise the experience, listen to downloadable audio commentary, and follow a clear, accessible layout that suits families and solo visitors alike. Staff are friendly and on hand to help, and the restored warehouse setting adds atmospheric architecture to the content.
Plan your visit
Book ahead online to skip the busiest queues, and download the free audio guide to get more from each exhibit. Bring headphones and a charged phone for the digital passport features, and wear comfortable shoes for exploring the galleries. The museum suits mixed groups, from families with children to solo history buffs, and the layout makes it easy to move between displays.
National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland
Mischief, myth and storytelling: a playful journey through Ireland’s enchanted tales.
Good for
What to expect
Expect lively, guide-led storytelling that brings Irish folklore to life through atmospheric sets and imaginative stagecraft. Rooms are purposefully designed to provoke wonder, from playful mischief to darker, moodier moments for older visitors. Tours are theatrical rather than a static display, with plenty of audience interaction and sensory elements. The mood shifts between light-hearted and deliciously uncanny, so children and adults alike find delights and surprises around every corner.
Plan your visit
Book ahead to secure preferred tour times, particularly for themed or later sessions. Allow time for a calm entry, as groups move through a scripted route, and prepare younger children for dimmer, atmospheric scenes. Combine the visit with nearby central attractions, and travel light so guides can lead the story without delays.