Ireland’s family activity finder

Tell us the basics. We’ll match activities to your family, your journey, your budget, and the weather on the day.

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Illustrated Irish landscape: a stone castle among wooded hills, a winding country lane climbing to a map marker on the summit, and shamrocks in the foreground.
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Things to do near Allen

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

18 strong matches for your family · plus 6 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland
Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Fingal Festival of Fire - Blanchardstown

Sat 31 Oct 2026 · Check official times Fingal · Dublin About 45 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy an evening of music and a fireworks display at Millennium Park to celebrate Halloween. The music starts at 6:30pm, with fireworks from 7:30pm.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore Irish history and nature on a 60-acre park with exhibitions, a biodiversity boardwalk, and guided tours. There is an indoor play centre, an outdoor play area with crazy golf, a pet farm, and a road train.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

The Kildare Maze

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a big hedge maze and a wooden maze, with an adventure trail, zip wire, assault course, and crazy golf. There is a play area for toddlers.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Irish National Stud & Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Tully · Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a working thoroughbred breeding farm, see champion racehorses, and learn about their world at the interactive Irish Racehorse Experience. There are also two unique gardens to wander through.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm & Shop

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 20 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can meet and feed animals, build a teddy bear, play crazy golf, or take a railroad adventure. There are also seasonal events and an organic farm tour in summer.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Clonfert Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Clonfert · Kildare About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can visit a range of domestic and zoo animals, including alpacas, meerkats, and lemurs. There are three playgrounds, a bouncy castle, go karts, adventure golf, and an indoor soft play area.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Olly's Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Dublin About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a 1.5 hour tour of Olly's Farm to see organic fruit and vegetable growing and meet the farm animals. You can also try a 3 hour beekeeping experience.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Tales From Acorn Wood

Tue 25 Aug 2026 – Wed 26 Aug 2026 · Check official times Tallaght · Dublin About 45 min drive €23
Best for ages 1+ Indoor activity Booking available

Why it matchesThis is a puppet show with songs based on the Tales From Acorn Wood books. You will see Fox, Rabbit, Pig, Hen, and Postman Bear. The show is 55 minutes long with no interval.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Horse Country

Open dates vary · Check official times Tully · Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go on VIP tours of stud farms, trainer's yards, and racecourses. There are chances to pet horses, try hands-on activities, and see interactive exhibits.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

The Irish National Stud & Gardens Experience by Horse Country

Open dates vary · Check official times Tully · Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can take a guided tour of the stud farm to see mares, foals, and stallions. You can also meet retired racehorses. There are also the Japanese Gardens and Saint Fiachra's Garden to explore.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Grand Canal Greenway Bike Hire

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesHire bikes for all the family and cycle along the Grand Canal Greenway. You can explore the history and nature of the canal at your own pace.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Solas Eco Garden Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Portarlington · Laois About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore plants and flowers, shop for local produce, and enjoy food from the village. There are workshops for children, and a farmers market every Saturday.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Cookies Campers

Open dates vary · Check official times Dublin About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesHire a campervan to explore Ireland. Choose a smaller one that drives like a car or a larger one with a kitchen and shower. Both sleep two adults and two children.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Derrymore Springs

Open dates vary · Check official times Derrymore · Westmeath About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can try out different water activities on a man-made lake. You can also have a BBQ or picnic afterwards in the peaceful setting.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Bog of Allen Nature Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathangan · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the wild boglands, see a 1960s Irish cottage, and learn about Irish bogs through exhibitions. Outdoors, there are wildlife gardens and insect-eating plants.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Donadea Forest Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the remains of Donadea Castle and its walled gardens, see the church and tower, and spot ducks on the lake. There are woodland walks and a nature trail to enjoy.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Wild Food Ways

Open dates vary · Check official times Coole · Kildare About 20 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesGo on a guided walk around farmland to learn about wild plants and trees, including how to identify and use them. Enjoy refreshments and a three-course lunch made with foraged and local ingredients.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tricky Tricksters Magic Castle

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Best for ages 0-12 Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesChildren can enjoy adventure play in the magic castle with slides and climbing frames. There are also indoor boat rides and an 'inflazone' for sports like football and basketball.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Taste of Kildare

Sat 15 Aug 2026 – Sun 16 Aug 2026 · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 20 min drive €15
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check booking availability

Why it matchesThis two-day festival in Naas celebrates Kildare's food and drink. Families can try local produce, watch cooking demonstrations, and listen to live music.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

The Blessington Lakes

Open dates vary · Check official times Blessington · Wicklow About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy the Blessington Lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are also walking opportunities around the lake.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Mountlucas Wind Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Offaly About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit a working wind farm with a sensory garden and a learning hub about renewable energy. You can walk or cycle around the farm, or take part in a free 5km run on Saturday mornings.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Curragh Racecourse

Open dates vary · Check official times Newbridge · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a day out at the historic Curragh Racecourse, watching horse racing from March to October. Children under 18 get in free.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Coolcarrigan House

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore over eight acres of gardens and an arboretum, seeing a wide range of trees, shrubs, and seasonal flowers. There is also a small private church surrounded by a moat.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gordon Bennett Driving Route

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis driving route takes you through Kildare, Carlow, and Laois, following the path of a historic car race. You can stop at various attractions and enjoy the scenery along the way.

A confident family plan in three simple steps.

01

Tell us about today

Your starting point, children’s ages and practical limits.

02

We check the conditions

Opening times, weather, travel time, cost and suitability.

03

Choose with confidence

Compare clear recommendations and understand every match.

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