12 Things to Do in Dublin with Kids

Dublin's wealth of sights and activities make it a great destination for a few days' holiday. However, if you're travelling with children, you may have some doubts about what you can do with them so that they don't get bored.

Luckily, the Irish capital is an ideal destination for getting in touch with nature without leaving the city. During the warmer months you can wander through the parks and along the coast. In winter there's no shortage of indoor activities for the whole family either - read on to find out what they are!

In Irish folklore, leprechauns are tiny, bearded men dressed in green suits, buckled shoes and top hats. Solitary by nature, they live in remote places and guard treasures. According to legend, they find buried gold coins, dig them out and hide them in pots at the end of rainbows.

The Leprechaun Museum is the ideal place to learn about Irish myths and take a journey back to childhood. One of the most popular areas is the room with giant objects so that children can feel like real leprechauns.

The cultural institution is located in the very centre of Dublin, halfway between the River Liffey and the central Parnell Street (1 Jervis Street). However, if your children are a little older, you can opt for a ghost bus tour where you will hear typical Irish spooky stories.

Dublin is a medium sized city and is easy to walk around. However, when travelling with children it is best not to walk long distances. A good way to do this is to book a hop on/hop off bus

There are several routes available, some focusing on the old city centre of the Irish capital, while others reach more distant points such as the waterfront or the Guinness Storehouse. Tour buses are often included in the Dublin Pass.

If you're staying in Dublin for five days or so, you can take the opportunity to visit a nearby town. For family trips I always recommend a trip to Cork, Ireland's second city. It's tiny in size and there are plenty of activities for the little ones in the family.

It is located on the southern coast of the island and is easily walkable. After a stroll at the foot of St. Fin Barre Cathedral and Blarney Castle, you can spend the rest of the day at the following attractions:

• Inish Beg Estate: a treasure hunt specifically designed for children (Baltimore, West Cork).
• West Cork Model Railway Village: a miniature of the villages that grew up along the old railway line. There is also a small train for children to climb aboard (Inchydoney Road, Clonakilty).
• The Donkey Sanctuary- a haven for more than 1,800 donkeys and mules, docile animals that are easy for children to pet (Liscarroll, Mallow).
• Airtastic: a large indoor area with inflatables, trampolines, bowling and other attractions. A good option in case of rain (Unit 5, Eastgate Retail Park, Little Island, Co. Cork).
• Toy Soldier Factory: a miniature factory that organises painting workshops so children can colour in the figures they want. Reviews are excellent (Kilnamartyra).
• Fitzgerald Square Playground: a very complete playground. It has a 2.6 metre climbing wall, a wooden castle and boat, slides, swings and a climbing pyramid.

Children are not usually big fans of spending hours and hours walking around a city, and this can make travelling with them a little difficult. But the good news is that in Dublin, as in other tourist cities, there is usually an alternative that kids love: cycling.

In Dublin you can book a bike tour of the city and discover the city while your kids have a great time. These tours usually last around two and a half hours, a more than acceptable timetable so that the kids don't start to get tired.

Plus, the best thing is that there is a refreshment stop, which will also help the kids to continue with the route without any difficulties. In my opinion, bike tours are the best way for adults and children to enjoy discovering a new city together.

If there is another form of transport that children love as an alternative to walking, it is definitely the boat or cruise. And, of course, it is also very popular with older children.

The little ones usually enjoy the views from the water and are fascinated by being on board this type of boat. Besides, the tours don't usually last more than an hour, which helps them not to get desperate and enjoy the whole experience.

The views of the whole city will be incredible and you'll be able to see emblematic places such as the Ha'penny Bridge, the Custom House and the Docklands neighbourhood, among others, in the distance. I recommend booking a Dublin cruise in advance if you really want to enjoy the experience, especially in high season if you don't want to run out of room.

Phoenix Park is Dublin's green lung. The park was created in the 18th century by James Butler, Duke of Ormonde and Viceroy of Ireland. If the area was originally intended for military manoeuvres, it was soon converted into a hunting reserve for the nobility. The deer that trot across the meadows are the descendants of those deer introduced centuries ago.

Today, the Phoenix Park covers an area of over 700 hectares and is one of the oldest in Europe. If you want your children to see these Bambis up close, I recommend a visit during the week, preferably in the mornings.

Recommendations for visiting the park

• The deer are usually in the field near Papal Cross, opposite the American Ambassadors' residence and in the vicinity of Castleknock.
• You are not allowed to feed or pet the deer.
• If you're travelling in December, it's a must-see, as there are flea markets, magic shows, puppet shows and horse rides.

Would you like to know what life was like in the Middle Ages, or what life was like on a Viking ship? To find an answer to these questions I recommend you take your little ones to Dublinia, an interactive museum dedicated to the history of Dublin, from the time of the northern warriors to the present day.

Dublinia tells the story of the city's major landmarks through interactive exhibits and other activities, including some for the little ones. The museum is located in Saint Michaels Hill Christ Church and is open from 10:00 to 17:30.

Within walking distance is one of the city's major landmarks, Christ Church Cathedral, so adults can enjoy the visit too.

Visiting Dublin in the summer will give you the opportunity to enjoy the coastline. Ireland is a natural paradise with wonderful beaches such as Banna Strand, Inchydoney and Dog's Bay. However, you don't have to stray far from the capital to enjoy the sea.

Read on to discover the best waterfronts near Dublin where kids can swim, play and build sandcastles.

• Bray: If your kids are aged 8-16 they can try their hand at surfing, kayaking and SUP. Other popular activities include Squirrel Scramble, trips to Bray Head Hill and the Sea Life Aquarium. From Dublin, simply take the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) electric train to the Bray (Daly) stop.
• Dollymount Strand: this is the closest beach to Dublin city centre and while the kids are playing in the sand, you can have a coffee at Happy Out. To get there from the city centre, just take the 20 bus and get off at Bull Beach stop.
• Howth: Before you get to the beach, stroll between the harbour and the pier to see the seals. There are four beaches in the town and the most family-friendly are Claremont and Balscadden Bay. Getting here is easy, just take the DART and get off at Howth.
• Dun Laoghaire: Families with young children often choose Sandycove for its calm, shallow waters. Again, you can get here by DART (to Sandycove and Glasthule stop).
• Portmarnock: The most beautiful beach is undoubtedly Velvet Strand. Take the H2 bus to the Coast Road stop, Stop 3616.

On the outskirts of the Irish capital is a must-visit destination for the sweet tooth: The Chocolate Warehouse. Tours start with a short video explaining the history of chocolate.

Next, you'll see how chocolates and Easter eggs are made, but the best part comes later. The third and final part is a workshop: you'll get to wear an apron and decorate the chocolates!

The Chocolate Warehouse is run by Natasha Caffrey, the granddaughter of Thomas Caffrey. The name may not ring a bell but Thomas Caffrey is a real institution. Known as the 'Irish Willy Wonka', he started making sweets in 1930 when he founded the Caffrey Confectionery. His most famous creations are Big Time bars, Snowballs (chocolate-covered marshmallows) and Tea Cake chocolates.

Close to the Phoenix Park is another must-see stop on any trip to Dublin: the Zoo. It is made up of different habitats and the highlights are:

• Wolves in the Woods: recreates the jungles where grey wolves live and hunt.
• Kaziranga Forest Trail: the home of the Asian elephants.
• Sea Lion Cove: the environment that hosts a colony of California sea lions.

To get here you can opt for the bus. Routes 25, 26, 46A, 66, 66A, 66B, 67 and 69 stop near Dublin Zoo.

If you visit the Irish capital in spring or summer you can spend a day at Fort Lucan. It's a city classic and is visited by thousands of tourists and locals every year.

Your little ones can slide down the long slides, climb the nets of a pirate ship or try their hand at Crazy Golf, a Viking-themed mini-golf course. It's easily accessible by bus (line C3 from Merchant's Quay stop).

In case of rain and wind, you can opt for a classic family attraction, the National Wax Museum. It's housed in the Lafayette Building on Westmoreland Street, just a short walk from the River Liffey and the statue of Daniel O'Connell, one of the city's most important landmarks.

Highlights include the Chambers of Terror (with creepy Hannibal Lecter and Dracula) and Wax World, a space featuring Batman, Peppa Pig, Harry Potter and other famous characters.

Of course it is! First of all, the Irish capital is small and easy to get around on foot or by public transport. Ireland is also famous for its splendid scenery and the warmer seasons (e.g. May) are ideal for walks.

The most recommended urban routes are:

• North Bull Island
• South Wall Walk: a walk that starts at Pigeon House Road and ends at Poolbeg Lighthouse.
• Dodder Walk: a path along the creek of the same name.

Dublin's parks are perfect for jogging and relaxing and in case of rain you can still enjoy nature at the National Botanic Gardens which houses plants, flowers and shrubs in large greenhouses.

Other indoor options include Funtasia Drogheda (a water park with slides, zip wires and other attractions) or Jump Zone, a sports park with trampolines.