Things To Do in Dublin with Kids: 5 Options for Every Budget

Dublin may be relatively small, but it punches above its weight in terms of culture and uniquely Irish charm. First of all, the capital’s geographical location – on the shores of Dublin Bay, with the Wicklow Mountains to the south and the River Liffey meandering through the centre – is spectacular. A wealth of family-oriented green spaces within the city combines with miles of surrounding countryside to provide plenty of excuses for screen-free adventures with the kids. And when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Indoor family activities in Dublin range from museums exploring the city’s Viking heritage to historic castles and a surprisingly child-friendly pub scene.

Dublin Castle is a must-visit historical site if you're looking for fun yet educational things to do in Dublin for kids. The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 13th century, and for more than 700 years it has served as a seat of power in Ireland. Opt for a guided tour of the State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft and Chapel Royal if you have older kids capable of absorbing 70 minutes of information. Otherwise, shorter self-guided tours of the State Apartment galleries are available, while exploration of the grounds and gardens is free. Lunch is served at the Terrace Café, and every December the courtyard is transformed into a market complete with festive food and crafts, live music and a vintage carousel.

• Address: Dame Street, Dublin 2
• Hours: Daily from 9:45am to 5:45pm
• Cost: €8 (adult), €4 (child), free (under 12s)
• Best for: 7+

Dublin is famous for its traditional pubs, where good craic and Guinness flow and live folk music is everywhere. Just because you're with kids doesn't preclude you from taking part – most pubs welcome children accompanied by an adult until 9pm. The epicentre of Dublin’s pub scene is Temple Bar, a riverside neighbourhood whose cobbled streets are littered with atmospheric watering holes. The Temple Bar Pub is a great choice with kids because while other pubs often save their live music for later in the evening, this pub reverberates to the sound of the fiddle and flute all day long.

Other places to check out in Temple Bar include the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum, an especially worthwhile choice for those looking for things to do in Dublin with kids, especially teens. From U2 to Thin Lizzy, this interactive museum tells the story of three decades of Irish music legends. Here, families can rock out in the Jam Room, watch a film in the cinema or discover authentic memorabilia on a guided tour. In between pub sessions and museum visits, refuel at PI Temple Bar, a much-loved Dublin family restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas to tempt even the fussiest eaters.

The Temple Bar Pub

• Address: 47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2
• Hours: 10:30am-1:30am (Mon-Fri), 10:30am-2:30am (Sat), 12:30pm-1:30am (Sun)
• Cost: Free to enter
• Best for: All ages (under 15s welcome until 9pm)

A 15-minute walk southeast of Temple Bar takes you to St. Stephen’s Green, a Victorian public park perfect for letting kids run wild on fair weather days. An ornamental lake with ducks for feeding and an excellent children’s playground make it one of the best things to do in Dublin with young kids, while the tree-dotted lawns are made for summer picnics. You can explore 3.5 kilometres of pushchair-friendly walkways; or download a free GuidiGo audio tour to give older kids an insight into the park’s history as a rebel-gathering site and source of literary inspiration. Afterwards, Sun Bear Gelato on the northern edge of the park is an essential pit stop, offering a slew of flavours from oreo to Irish cream.

• Address: St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
• Hours: From 7:30am (Mon-Sat), from 9:30am (Sun) until dark
• Cost: Free
• Best for: All ages

For a full day of outdoor adventures suitable for families, head west of the city centre to Phoenix Park. One of the largest public parks in any European capital, it offers Victorian flower gardens, herds of wild fallow deer, walking and cycling trails, and lawns for all kinds of sports from football to cricket. Two large playgrounds provide hours of entertainment for smaller kids on the hunt for things to do in Dublin, while monuments including the towering Papal Cross are of interest to older visitors. Dublin Zoo, with its many wildlife exhibits ranging from the African Plains enclosure to the sea lion aquarium, is also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

• Address: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
• Hours: Daily, 24 hours
• Cost: Free (fees apply for the zoo)
• Best for: All ages

An introduction to Dublin for children wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Dublinia, an interactive museum in The Liberties neighbourhood dedicated to the city’s Viking and medieval past. Here, families can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and even smells of a recreated Viking street, explore a medieval fair, see inside a Viking home, dress up in period clothing and learn to play historic games. Look out for temporary exhibits and special workshops. Searching for things to do with energetic kids while you're in Dublin? Climb up the 96 steps of St. Michael’s Tower. This historic landmark belonged to the 17th-century church that once stood on the site and rewards with panoramic city views.

• Address: St. Michaels Hill Christ Church, Dublin 8
• Hours: Daily 10am-5:30pm (April-Sept), 10am-5pm (Oct-March)
• Cost: €15 (adult), €8.50 (child), free (under 3s)
• Best for: All ages

• When to go: June to August is the high season and is typically the busiest and most expensive time to travel, although warm weather and long daylight hours offer fair compensation. The shoulder seasons (March to May and September to October) are lovely times to visit with fewer crowds and cheaper prices, although the weather can be unreliable. You can expect winter (November to February) to be cold and wet, but that’s also a perfect excuse to explore indoor sights and spend time fireside in the pub.
• Notable festivals: Dublin has many unique cultural festivals. The ones that are most enjoyable for kids include the St. Patrick’s Festival in March and the Dublin Winter Lights festival in December.
• Getting there: Dublin Airport (DUB) is one of the busiest in Europe with great connections across the continent. If you’re visiting from within the UK, check out the Rail & Sail fares offered by Trainline for combined ferry and train tickets to the Irish capital.
• Getting around: Dublin city centre is easily walkable. However, if you prefer to use public transport consider investing in the Leap Visitor Card. This will give you unlimited travel on Dublin City Bus, Luas (tram), DART and Commuter Rail services in the Dublin area with one, three and seven-day options available to suit everyone whether you’re visiting for a weekend or longer.
• Where to stay: Some of the most family-friendly neighbourhoods include the southern city centre around St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square; or quieter, more residential areas like Portobello, Ranelagh and Rathmines. For a luxury family hotel near Dublin, consider Carton House, located 45 minutes west of the city centre. This sprawling 18th-century estate offers five-star family rooms and activities for all ages from falconry to fishing, golf and spa treatments.

There's a wealth of things to do in Dublin for kids, whether you want to explore parks and gardens, visit museums or dive into a festival. Planning a weekend in this fabulous city? Read our guide to the Irish capital's best attractions, from prestigious Trinity College to the edgy Abbey Theatre.