Days Out with Toddlers in Northern Ireland
24 places to explore
Inflatable World Cookstown
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Inflatable World Cookstown is an indoor inflatable play experience packed with bouncing, climbing, sliding and active fun. A great all-weather option for energetic kids looking to burn off some energy, with plenty of inflatable challenges to tackle.
Wee Adventurers Play Hub
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
A bespoke indoor soft play frame with slides, netted bridges and a role play village in Cookstown, plus a calming sensory room and comfortable seating for parents.
Hunters Quest
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Primary (5–11)
An exciting indoor activity centre in Magherafelt, packed with fun challenges and adventures for kids. Perfect for active little adventurers, birthday treats and family fun!
Downhill Beach
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Spectacular wide sandy beach stretching beneath the dramatic cliffs of Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple, with miles of space for sandcastles, paddling, beach games and long family walks. Kids can explore the shoreline and dunes while families enjoy incredible views along the Causeway Coast, and it’s easy to combine a beach day with a visit to Mussenden Temple and the estate above.
Peace Bridge
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
The Peace Bridge is one of Derry/Londonderry’s best-known landmarks and a lovely addition to a family walk around the city. Walk or cycle across the River Foyle, enjoy the views and combine it with a visit to nearby Ebrington Square or the city centre.
Foyle Arena
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13)
Large family leisure centre with a 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool and family swimming sessions, alongside an indoor climbing wall, sports halls and a wide range of indoor activities. Outside, families can also enjoy the surrounding St Columb’s Park, with walking paths, green space and a children’s play park, making it easy to combine a swim or climb with some outdoor play.
Itsy Bitsy Wonderland
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
A colourful role-play village designed especially for little ones, where children can explore different themed areas and let their imaginations take over. Kids can dress up, pretend to shop, cook, care for babies and act out everyday adventures in the miniature play spaces, with plenty of toys and props for hands-on play. A lovely indoor option for toddlers and younger children, with sessions designed to encourage imaginative and social play.
Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Spectacular National Trust estate perched above the Atlantic coast, with clifftop and woodland walks, sweeping sea views and the iconic Mussenden Temple overlooking Downhill Strand. Families can explore the ruins of Downhill House, wander through the historic gardens and Bishop’s Gate, discover woodland paths and open spaces, and follow trails around the extensive estate. A brilliant spot for exploring, picnics and combining a scenic walk with a visit to the beach below.
Benone Beach
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Spectacular seven-mile sandy beach with huge open space for sandcastles, paddling, beach games and long walks, all beneath the dramatic backdrop of Binevenagh Mountain. Families can enjoy the dunes and shoreline, incredible views towards Mussenden Temple and Donegal, and combine a beach visit with the nearby Benone Tourist Complex, where seasonal family facilities and activities make this a brilliant spot for a full summer day out.
Castlerock Beach
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Beautiful wide sandy beach backed by dunes, with plenty of space for sandcastles, paddling, beach games and long family walks. The River Bann and dramatic headland scenery make it particularly picturesque, while nearby coastal paths offer opportunities to extend your adventure towards Downhill and Mussenden Temple. A brilliant beach for a relaxed family day, picnic or sunset walk.
Giggle & Grow
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
Giggle N Grow in Bellaghy is a welcoming indoor play space for younger children to play, explore and burn off some energy. A handy all-weather option for families with little ones looking for somewhere relaxed to enjoy some playtime together.
Wee'uns World
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
Wee'uns World in South Belfast is an imaginative indoor role-play centre where little ones can explore child-sized themed spaces, dress up and create their own adventures. With a café for the grown-ups too, it’s a lovely play option for younger children.
W5
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13)
Huge interactive science and discovery centre packed with hands-on exhibits, experiments, technology, engineering challenges and creative play across multiple floors. Kids can climb, build, test, investigate and learn through play, with the brilliant Climbit multi-storey climbing structure a particular favourite. There are dedicated areas for younger children, changing exhibitions and demonstrations, plus seasonal family events and themed experiences throughout the year, making it a brilliant all-weather day out with plenty for toddlers right through to older kids.
Victoria Park
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Large waterside park centred around a wildlife-filled lake, with two walking trails, a children’s play park and plenty of open space for cycling and family walks. Kids can bring bikes or scooters for the cycling/BMX track, while the lake is great for spotting swans, ducks, geese and herons. There’s also a nature-themed poetry trail, sports facilities and brilliant views of aircraft coming and going from nearby Belfast City Airport — making it a particularly fun spot for little plane watchers.
Ulster Museum
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Free family museum packed with fascinating collections covering dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, archaeology, natural history, art, science and Northern Ireland’s past. Kids can come face-to-face with dinosaur skeletons, discover the famous Takabuti Egyptian mummy, explore animals and wildlife from around the world and wander through changing exhibitions and hands-on family displays. Set beside the Botanic Gardens, it’s a brilliant free indoor day out that can easily be combined with the Tropical Ravine and gardens.
Tír na nÓg Belfast
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5)
Tír na nÓg in West Belfast is an indoor role-play centre where children can explore their very own child-sized town. With miniature shops and imaginative play areas filled with props and toys, it’s designed to encourage creativity, make-believe and learning through play.
Templemore Baths
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13)
Family leisure centre with a 25-metre swimming pool offering public and family swimming sessions, alongside a gym, sports facilities, squash and an outdoor athletics track. The centre also runs children’s activities and birthday party packages, including pool parties, sports activities, pedal race karts and inflatable options, making it useful for much more than just swimming. derrystrabane.com
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13)
Huge family park with woodland and riverside walking trails, colourful gardens, open parkland and a large children’s play park. Families can explore the famous International Rose Garden, wander through woodland and meadows, follow paths beside the river and enjoy plenty of space for picnics and outdoor play. With seasonal displays and events throughout the year, it’s a brilliant free spot for a longer family walk and play.
Ballyholme Beach
Ages: Babies (0–1) • Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Popular sandy beach stretching along the shores of Belfast Lough, with plenty of space for paddling, sandcastles, beach games and family walks. A promenade runs alongside the beach, making it great for buggies, scooters and bikes, with grassy areas for picnics and lovely views across the lough. Its calm, easy-going setting makes it a great spot for a simple seaside family adventure.
Ulster Transport Museum
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
A brilliant museum for kids who love anything that moves, packed with historic trains, trams, buses, cars, motorcycles and other vehicles to discover. Families can get up close to an amazing collection of transport from across the years, explore the different galleries and see how travel has changed over time. With so much to look at and explore indoors, it’s a great family day out whatever the weather.
Ulster Folk Museum
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Step back in time and explore a living history village and countryside, with traditional cottages, farmhouses, shops, schools and workshops showing what life was like in Ulster over 100 years ago. Families can meet costumed guides, watch traditional crafts and demonstrations, explore the working farm and see animals, wander along country lanes and pop into historic buildings along the way. With lots of outdoor space and hands-on discoveries, it’s a brilliant museum where kids can explore rather than simply look at displays.
Crawfordsburn Country Park
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
Beautiful coastal country park with woodland and riverside trails, a picturesque waterfall and two sandy beaches to explore. Families can follow paths through wooded glens and wildflower meadows, enjoy the natural play area, spot wildlife and join the North Down Coastal Path for a longer seaside walk. There’s also a visitor centre, café, picnic areas and accessible facilities, making it a brilliant place to combine woodland exploring, beach time and an easy family walk.
Castle Espie
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11) • Tweens (11–13) • Teens (13–17)
WWT Castle Espie is a brilliant wetland nature reserve where families can get close to ducks, geese and other wildlife while exploring beautiful waterside trails. With bird hides, family activities and play areas along the way, it’s a lovely mix of wildlife, outdoor exploring and hands-on fun for little nature lovers. With a lovely café and soft play this has indoor treats too.
Rafiki's Treehouse
Ages: Toddlers (1–3) • Preschool (3–5) • Primary (5–11)
Rafiki’s Treehouse in Castlewellan is a fun indoor soft play centre where kids can climb, slide and explore across the play equipment. With areas for younger children and a café for the grown-ups, it’s a handy all-weather option for a play date or some family fun.