From chocolate egg hunts to drumming workshops and tractor races, there are plenty of fun activities for kids taking place all over the country. Easter. Everyone will be in high demand, so it is advised to book your place in advance.
1. Wander through Wicklow
Explore the beautiful grounds of Killruddery in Wicklow with an Easter themed treasure trail and family event in support of the DSPCA. Listen to spring stories, receive a goodie bag per family, visit baby animals and play traditional garden games. The event takes place on Easter Sunday and Monday from 10am to 3.30pm. Adults €8/children €15, members pay €5/€13.50. killruddery.com
2. Get artistic in Killarney
Me and The Moon’s three-hour pop-up art workshops take place on Easter Monday at The Schoolhouse, Muckross House, Killarney. They are suitable for primary school children of all ages, but younger children are welcome to join with the help of an accompanying adult. Entrance is free. meanthemoon.ie
3. Hanging out with the kids in Kilkenny
During the Easter egg hunt at Nore Valley Park in Bennettsbridge, children search the farm for hidden eggs. They can also bottle feed lambs and goats, pedal go-karts, take tractor and trailer rides, play crazy golf and giant chess and enjoy the two-mile river walk and nature trail. It runs every day until Easter Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Adults €10/children €14. norevalleypark.com
4. Continue dancing in Monaghan
Board the children’s train to the walled garden in Rossmore Forest Park for an Easter egg hunt. The Easter bunny is present and there is a children’s fair ride, children’s disco, face painting, magic show, mini petting zoo and Easter egg for everyone. It takes place on Easter Sunday and Monday from noon to 2pm or from 3pm to 5pm. Tickets €12 on gr8events.ie.
In the grounds of Kilruddery House and Gardens in Wicklow on Easter Sunday and Monday there is an Easter themed treasure trail and family event in support of the DSPCA. Photo: Getty Images
5. Tune in Dublin
The “Happy Hoppy Easter Party” includes a sing-along show of favorite fairy tale classics, interactive fun activities, stories with the rose princess and a goodie bag with Easter eggs and popcorn. It takes place at 11am and 1pm on Easter Saturday at the Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin, and is suitable for children aged four to six. Adults €5/children €20 through Eventbrite. greenislehotel.com
6. Trail around Clare
An Easter trail allows families to experience heritage-inspired activities at Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush. Explore the spectacular grounds and walled garden and the kids get a chocolate treat at the end. The trail runs daily from 11 a.m. until April 14, with last entry at 4 p.m. Children €5. vandeleurwalledgarden.ie
7. Animal Magic in Maynooth
The Easter Festival at Clonfert Pet Farm in Maynooth includes a fun fair, fairy trail, children’s disco and treasure hunt. You will also see the resident animals including llamas, lemurs, owls, raccoons and meerkats. It runs until Easter Sunday. Adults €9/children €9-€18/under 2 years free or €3.50 with Easter egg. clonfertpetfarm.com
8. Enjoy Down
There will be an Easter egg hunt in the pleasure gardens of Narrow Water Castle in Warrenpoint. In addition to searching for hidden eggs, children are invited to decorate a boiled egg at home and the one chosen as the winner receives a special prize. It takes place on Friday and Saturday – three sessions a day. Children £12.50 / Adults £5 through Eventbrite. narrowwatercastle.co.uk
From Good Friday to Easter Monday, head to the Irish National Stud & Gardens in Tully, Co Kildare, and take part in Easter egg hunts, face painting and magic shows. Photo: Getty Images
9. Print in Inchicore
There is a free interactive history workshop for children aged 9-12 on Maundy Thursday at 3pm at Richmond Barracks, Inchicore where they learn about Easter traditions from Ireland and other countries, decorate egg shells and participate in Easter egg hunts. There is also a fun free printing workshop for children aged 5 to 7 on April 13 at 11 a.m. and 13 to 15-year-olds can learn to make a monoprint at 3 p.m. richmondbarracks.ie
10. Smiles in Portarlington
Solas, the eco-friendly garden center in Laois, hosts a family day on Easter Sunday – there are four sessions during the day. There is an egg hunt and children can meet the Easter bunny and collect a chocolate egg. There is also an arts and crafts and face painting workshop. One child € 15/two children € 25/ three children – € 30. detuinwinkel.nl
11. Beat it against Kerry
Children can discover different drums and play games with them at the “Easter Drumming Playshop” at Siamsa Tíre in Tralee. Drum Dance Ireland will have young people having fun with the drums during two sessions at 10.30am and 12.30pm on April 11th. Children €10. siamsatire.com
12. Go for it in Galway
The Spring Festival at Galway’s Slieve Aughty Center runs until 16 April and features a variety of events and activities from 12pm to 6pm daily. Follow the Easter bunny trail to the Enchanted Forest, explore the organic garden and playground, pet the ponies and meet Winnie the pot-bellied pig. Children can have their faces painted, visit the nature hut and make a feather craft at one of the workshops. Adults free / children € 7.50. slieveaughtycentre.com
13. Write off in Offaly
Budding young writers will enjoy a fun and creative morning at Edenderry Library on April 13 at 10:30am. Fighting Words runs a free story writing workshop for 10-11 year olds, and places can be reserved by emailing [email protected]. fightingwords.ie
Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon. This Easter there’s the ‘Mud Bugs Welly Adventure’ where kids can explore the forest trails with hiking, adventure, nature-inspired crafts and other activities.
14. Have a great time in Mayo
On Easter Sunday, join Pinkie Rabbit on an Easter egg hunt around the grounds of Westport House in Mayo. The heritage-listed estate has a pirate adventure park with a tree trunk course, a swinging ship and a mini Ferris wheel. Adults €14.50 / children €7. westporthouse.ie
15. Put on Easter hats in Donegal
The annual Easter Parade takes place in Carndonagh on the Inishowen Peninsula on Easter Monday, starting at 3pm in the Túl na Rí car park. There’s plenty to see and do, including floats, fancy dress, Easter hats, coloring contests, window dressing contests, live music, and entertainment. visit carndonagh.com
16. Trot to Kildare
The Irish National Stud & Gardens in Tully has a fun program for all the family from Good Friday to Easter Monday from 12pm to 4pm. It includes Easter egg hunts, face painting and magic shows and there is also a playground and fairy path. Kids will love seeing little foals on a tour of the stud farm and gardens. Adults €17 – €19/children €9.50 – €11. irishnationalstud.ie
17. Muddy Adventures in Roscommon
Children between five and ten will be immersed in the magic of nature at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Boyle. During the 90-minute “Mud Bugs Welly Adventure” they explore the forest trails with hiking, adventure, nature-inspired crafts and activities. It will take place April 13-14 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Children €12. loughkey.ie
18. Hunt for eggs in Waterford
Children of all ages can join the Lismore Castle Arts Easter Egg Hunt in Waterford on Easter Saturday from 11am to 1pm. Use the map to search the historic gardens of Lismore Castle for sculptures and other landmarks and receive a chocolate reward. Children €6/2 accompanying adults free. lismorecastlearts.ie
19. Tractor fun in Laois
On Easter Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., a fun Easter Day and tractor run for kids will take place at the Timahoe Heritage Center in Laois. There will be plenty of themed fun, all under the watchful eye of the Easter Bunny, and kids can use any kind of wheels to participate in the run. Children €5 / family ticket €10 (up to three children) via Eventbrite.
20. Fairytale rides in Wexford
From Good Friday to Easter Monday, children can meet beloved characters and take a train ride at Wells House & Gardens in Gorey. They are greeted by characters from Little Red Riding Hood; The lion, the witch and the wardrobe; and three blind mice. There is also an Easter Sunday egg hunt between 11am and 4pm at the fairytale woodland walk. Adults €13/children €9. wellshouse.ie