Out & About with Kids
I'm never one to miss an opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air - and with such striking natural landscape and beautiful beaches in Northern Ireland, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to family days out... from the stepping stones at Tollymore Forest to a tour of the turrets at Carrickfergus Castle, or the gloriously golden Portstewart Strand. I’ve pulled together a list of some of our fave places... What are yours? Suggestions welcome for future edits!
Castle Espie, Comber
Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough near Comber, Castle Espie has been hailed as an international example of best practice in habitat restoration, sustainable design and green tourism. From birds and butterflies to swooping bats, there's a huge variety of wildlife to see here. Don't miss the wildlife observatory, natural woodland play area, history zones, climbing wall and a great cafe with lovely views across the Lough.
Pickie Fun Park, Bangor
Set in a pretty location by the harbour with views across to Scotland on a clear day, Pickie was a childhood favourite of my own that I love to share with my daughter today. Valentina is a big fan of the Swans, Zorb Balls, Disco Duck and Water Play Area. With loads more activities including a Mini Railway, Crazy Golf and playground, you could easily spend a full day here. Brightly coloured Victorian style beach huts offer comfortable changing facilities (& photo ops!) with a nod to the past. Pickie has its own cafe, though it's hard to resist the waft of a fish supper at the local chippy!
NB the swan pedalos only operate in Summer months.
FREE - www.pickiefunpark.com/
Carnfunnock Country Park, Antrim
A brilliant family destination, Carnfunnock includes enough attractions for a full day out, with beautiful gardens, a maze, children's play area and miniature railway. A mix of natural scenery and entertainment includes something for everyone, including a giant outdoor games area with snakes & ladders, chess and draughts. Enjoy picnic facilities or eat at the cafe with an outdoor seating area. If one day isn't enough, camping and caravan facilities are available.
Marble Arch Caves, Fermanagh
Take a fun and educational journey through a natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls and winding passages at Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh. Tours include a short walk through the Marble Arch National Nature Reserve and a 10 minute underground boat journey before exploring the showcave with its fascinating glistening formations.
For details of seasonal events and booking information, visit www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com
Mo Mowlam Playpark, Stormont
Mo Mowlam play park in the grounds of Stormont reopened in Summer 2019 with specially designed facilities to suit children of all abilities. Attractions include a castle themed area for imaginary play; a climbing frame, swings and wavy slides; a twin cableway and swing zone for older children, with flat swings, a trapeze seat and spinner. An inclusive play area has a roundabout and a swing that can hold a wheelchair, low level lookout tower and trampoline.
The park is set in beautiful gardens with an outdoor gym, adventure trails, picnic and barbecue facilities. Not forgetting the all important cafe area (can vouch for the great coffee!) with outdoor seating, toilets and baby changing facilities. Admission is free.
FREE - www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/mo-mowlam-play-park-children
Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra
Set in 170 acres overlooking Belfast Lough, the Ulster Folk Museum offers a glimpse at how people lived over the centuries. Wander through the beautiful parkland and cobbled streets to meet costumed locals demonstrating traditional crafts in cottages, farm dwellings, schools, and shops. It will come as no surprise that the working sweet shop is a big hit with little ones! A large cafe includes outdoor seating and a grass area where children can often play old fashioned games like sack or three legged races.
Colin Glenn
Colin Glenn Forest Park is home to Northern Ireland’s only Gruffalo Trail. Local sculptor Andrew McIntyre created all the characters from the book and these are dotted throughout the pretty forest trail. The whole walk takes about 20 minutes at a good pace, but there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, so it’s good to take it slowly and let the kids enjoy the experience, create their own stories or make a half day out of it by using one of the picnic tables if you can. We’d suggest bringing your own snacks, but if you do forget anything, there is a shop at the entrance too.
FREE - https://www.colinglen.org/
City Hall’s Outdoor Cinema – The Screen on the Green.
Enjoy some cinema classics on the big screen on the green outside City Hall. Pack a picnic and enjoy Matilda, Pitch Perfect, School of Rock, Bohemian Rhapsody, Mrs Doubtfire and/or Toy Story 3 which are all being shown courtesy of Belfast ONE BID. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked online
FREE – https://belfastfilmfestival.org/
Explore Tannaghmore Gardens
This park based in Craigavon, County Armagh has undergone a massive £250, 000 makeover and has just recently reopened to the public. The attraction is popular with schools and families all year round with a rare breeds animal farm, maze and now a large play park complete with zip line, play tower, wheelchair accessible, inclusive, in-ground trampoline and forest-themed eight-person group seesaw. The farm includes animals such as sheep, pigs, poultry, goats and cows and if you time it right you can see all the animals getting fed. There is also a generous picnic and barbeque area to enjoy some lunch.
FREE – https://discovernorthernireland.com/Tannaghmore-Gardens-Farm-Museum-Craigavon-P2855/
Indoor Fun at Your Local Library
Libraries NI have a great scheme they run over the summer called ‘The Big Summer Read’. Your child gets to set a target of how many books they are going to read over the summer. They get a card with their name on it and they get a special stamp as they return their books each week. Along with the card comes a book chart where they can document what books they got out, as well as stickers, colouring in pages and, the biggest hit in our house, wash off tattoos of book worms. Your child has their photo taken and is presented with a certificate at the end of August for all their achievements – so a wee bit of pomp and ceremony to encourage the reader in him or her. We love this. And it’s not too late to start either!
FREE – https://www.librariesni.org.uk/
Indoor Fun at Ulster Museum
I pretty much grew up here and spent many a day exploring various sections of the museum. The volcanic and effervescent rocks which lit up as the lights in the small viewing room switched off and UV lights were switched on being a personal favourite. I’ll never forget that lovely man’s voice as he told the story of geological wonders in simple language that my seven year old self understood! Today kids can roam from the dinosaur era, to the real Egyptian mummy right through to visiting Peter the polar bear as well as enjoying different events over the summer, like the storytelling and drawing classes. Best of all, admission to the museum remains free.
While you are at the museum, be sure to check out the gorgeous Botanical Gardens, home to the Palm House and Tropical Ravine. I used to love the maze of the rose garden and getting lost in the Monkey Puzzle ‘forest’ too. The beautiful blooms, trees and tropical plants here make for some excellent photo opportunities also.
FREE – https://www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-museum/Home.aspx
Indoor Fun for Animal Lovers
Pets at Home has workshops that run daily aimed at children aged 5-11 to help them learn all about keeping pets happy and healthy. There are different categories, from friendly fish to small furries which will let you get up close and personal with the animals.
FREE –http://community.petsathome.com/store/belfast/
Indoor Fun – Workshops at the Irish Linen Centre & Museum
The Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum are running free children’s workshops every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 21 August. Workshops are one hour long from 10am-11am and 2pm-3pm and the theme changes daily, but include mask making, sun catchers, portrait painting and many more! Booking is essential and kids under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
FREE – https://www.lisburnmuseum.com/learning/flaxie-buds-early-years-programme/
Indoor Fun – Optimise Local Shopping Centre Activities
The majority of indoor shopping centres run programmes and events over the summer to cater for children. Victoria Square, Belfast has a wonderful “Let’s Play” exhibit running until 31 August that lets children (and adults!) explore optical illusions, such as an upside down room and a comic page - mind trickery galore, all whilst running a competition to win a generous Victoria Square voucher. You can also visit the Dome and see out over Belfast while you’re there if you haven’t been before.
FREE –https://victoriasquare.com/
Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon is running “Music Week” from 10 – 17 August, encouraging locals to come along as they search for musical talent to perform in the centre.
FREE – https://www.rushmereshopping.com/
The Boulevard in Banbridge is running Ukulele workshops for P3-adults from 19-24 August, they also have a summer wildlife garden with Ulster Wildlife trust 19-24 August and on 31 August they have a petting farm day with Phil’s Farm as well as a Mr Tayto visit, so there is plenty to see all for free!