My Top Toddler Approved Activities in Ireland

Just last week, my mom, my two year old son, and I embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Ireland. We crisscrossed the Emerald Isle, racking up a grand total of 769 miles in our trusty rental car (go Mom with the manual transmission!), and discovered that this beautiful country is incredibly welcoming to multi-generational travel, even with a spirited little one in tow!

It was so much fun to spend 3 nights in gorgeous Wicklow Town!

Our epic journey took us from vibrant cities to charming coastal towns and historic sites. We explored the bustling streets of Dublin, soaked in the seaside charm of Wicklow Town, experienced the heart of traditional Irish music in Milltown Malbay, delved into Viking history in Waterford, and journeyed north to Downpatrick.

Traveling with a toddler presents its unique challenges, but Ireland truly shone as a fantastic destination for families. We found so many wonderful spots that catered to my son's boundless energy and curiosity.

Here are a few of our absolute favorite toddler-approved highlights:

• Moher Open Farm (Liscannor, Co. Clare): Nestled not far from the iconic Cliffs of Moher, this open farm was an absolute gem. My son loved getting up close with the animals, and there was plenty of space for him to roam and explore. It was a perfect break from sightseeing and a chance for him to burn off some steam. They also had a construction site themed sand pit, baby animal milking demonstrations, moon bounce, and more.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

• The Murrough Playground (Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow): Located right on the waterfront in Wicklow Town, this playground was a lifesaver! It can be tough to navigate jet lag during an adventure, so the playground ensured he could run out some energy before bed. With a fantastic array of swings, slides, and climbing structures, it provided a much-needed opportunity for my son to play freely while we enjoyed the fresh sea air.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

• Malahide Castle Gardens & Playgrounds (Malahide, Co. Dublin): Malahide Castle is a must-visit in itself, but for us, the true highlight was its extensive gardens and, more importantly, its incredible playgrounds. There are different areas suitable for various ages, ensuring hours of fun for little ones. We could easily have spent an entire day here!

  

  
  
  

• The Waterfront (Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow): This was such a bustling place for all ages. During our time in town, we saw kids playing by the rocks and got to watch the rowing team training! It was a nice place to let him run around during a 5:00am wake-up before any coffee shops opened...

  

  
  

• Cathedral Square in Waterford (Waterford, Co. Waterford): We made a quick stop in Waterford on our drive and my son loved all of the Viking inspired attractions.  There is a large, almost full-size outdoor chess set located in Cathedral Square, right in the heart of Waterford's historic "Viking Triangle."The pieces are modeled on the famous Lewis Chessmen, a collection of medieval chess pieces primarily made from walrus ivory, discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in 1831.The giant chess set was a blast for him to explore!

  
  
  

  

• Swords Castle (Swords, Co. Dublin): While not a playground in the traditional sense, the grounds of Swords Castle offered ample space for my son to run around and explore. He loved the sense of adventure that came with being in a real castle, and it was a great spot for some imaginative play.

• The Matchmaking Donkey Farm (Ennistymon, Co. Clare): The unusual handpainted signs intrigued my Mom and I enough to make a stop at this charming place near the Cliffs of Moher. My son loved watching the donkeys and looking at the old pull carts in the farm shed. What a highlarious place! This is where Willie Daly, a third-generation matchmaker, lives and, when not at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, conducts his matchmaking business. He's said to have matched over 3,000 couples in his lifetime!

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

• The Black Castle (Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow): While the centuries old ruins of a castle may not seem like the ideal place for a toddler hang, we safely made it to this beautiful place. While you cannot let go of their tiny hand the entire time or let your guard down for a second...it's a pretty epic view of the coastline.

The Black Castle was built during the Norman invasion in 1169 and was attacked and burned to the ground multiple times over the centuries. It's set on a dramatic cliff at the edge of Wicklow Town.

A few toddler-approved favorites in Northern Ireland:

• Slieve Gullion Forest Park (Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland): As we ventured north, we stumbled upon Gullion Playground, which was a delightful surprise. With imaginative play structures and a lovely setting, it offered a wonderful break during our drive and a chance for my son to stretch his legs. Unfortunately he was sleeping in the car when we arrived, so we didn't get to check it out! Nice bathroom break though.

• Saint Patrick Centre (Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland): This was an awesome place to learn about the incredible life of Patricius, also known as Saint Patrick. Born in Rome and several years a slave, he returned to Ireland to spread the Good News! There was lots here for kids to enjoy, including Medieval costumes, crayons and coloring books and engaging videos.

  
  

  From the friendly locals to the stunning landscapes, Ireland truly delivered an unforgettable family vacation. Traveling with a toddler and my mom created a unique dynamic, full of laughter, patience, and shared discoveries. If you're considering a trip to Ireland with little ones in tow, I can't recommend it enough. Just pack your sense of adventure, be prepared for all kinds of weather, and get ready to make some incredible memories on the Emerald Isle!