When the sun does shine here we really have to make the most of it - and what better way than to make a picnic, pack the car up and head to the park? The majority of parks are free to enter with some charging a small entrance fee for your vehicle.
I have listed below six great parks to visit this summer, in no particular order.
1. 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.
https://discovernorthernireland.com/Tannaghmore-Gardens-Farm-Museum-Craigavon-P2855/
2. Gosford Forest Park
Based in Markethill, this forest park boasts both a great play park for children aged from 2+ years with different pieces of equipment at various heights. The park is also located beside the main car park and close to public toilets. The grounds themselves make for a beautiful walking trail through skyscraper trees and beautiful blooms. Again, there is a small picnic area located beside the park but with plenty of grassy areas, it’s more exciting to bring a picnic blanket!
https://getactiveabc.com/facility/gosford-forest-park/
3. Carnfunnock Country Park
This Country Park is located in Larne and has more than enough to keep little ones entertained this summer. With a walled garden that hosts a band concert every Sunday, a maze, plus a massive play area with equipment to suit even the youngest of children and plenty of space to run around, there are a host of activities to jam pack the day. From creative writing workshops through to a children’s carnival and party animal time, there is something going on every weekend until school starts back.
4. Castlewellan Forest Park
Castlewellan is not only known for its gorgeous lake and mile long trek around it, but also for the peace maze within the park. One of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes, this fab garden architecture represents the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Some would say it’s pretty maze-like right now! When you finally make your way to the middle of the maze you can ring the peace bell.
Also of note here and totally perfect for the kids, is a beautiful play structure which has been installed in the forest park called ‘Animal Wood’. This provides lots of opportunities for playing on wild woodland animals including a badger and its den, a red squirrel and a giant spider. In addition, it boasts a wooden play structure with a tower where children can enjoy the climbing wall, fireman’s pole and rope-bridge over to a hollow tree-stump slide and Red Kite nest that are sure to keep the kids entertained. The perfect day out!
https://discovernorthernireland.com/Castlewellan-Forest-Park-Peace-Maze-Castlewellan-P2881/
5. Stormont Park
The brand new Mo Mowlam play park has just opened its gate to the public this summer after a £800,000 renovation to rave reviews. The park incorporates a wheelchair accessible roundabout, swing, low-level lookout tower and trampoline along with around 40 pieces of equipment to play on as well as a dedicated sensory area. There has also been a new barbeque and picnic area designed with larger families in mind with plenty of space for everyone. A real fun free day out.
FREE - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/stormont-estate-attractions
6. Tollymore Forest Park
If you have never been to Tollymore then you are missing out. It’s the most gorgeous river in the most beautiful surroundings with trees, flowers and plenty of wildlife to look out for.
A great activity to do with older children is to create a scavenger hunt. Before leaving the house put together a list of items for the kids to look out for some examples being a feather, the leaf of an oak tree, a white pebble, a certain type of flower, a piece of man made rubbish, a photo of a spiders web or birds nest, something along those lines can create a big adventure and some health competition amongst older ones.
https://discovernorthernireland.com/Tollymore-Forest-Park-Newcastle-P2888/