Things to Do in Galway with Kids

The weather isn’t something you can bet on in Ireland, we can often experience four seasons worth of weather in one day! What you can bet on is there’s lots of things to do in Galway with kids, no matter what the weather is.

We chose one lucky family to experience the best activities in Galway. This opportunity was a part of our Green Irish road trip campaign. Giving one family the chance to travel across Ireland all while staying at three ideally located Clayton Hotels.

We chose the sustainable and ethically driven Morrisons to travel around Ireland with the fully electric Kia EV6. A big thanks to our friends at Kia for kitting the Morrisons out. As part of the Morrison’s stay in the Clayton Hotel Galway, They spent 3 days experiencing the best sustainable family activities Galway has to offer.

Start your family break by following in the Morrison’s foot steps. With plenty of parks, farms, and adventure centres for the perfect family break in Galway. Here’s a list of our favourite tried and tested fun things to do in Galway with kids.

 

1. Slieve Aughty Centre

Kylebrack, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Experience something new, with horse riding lessons at the family run Slieve Aughty Centre. Take part in family friendly lessons or ride trails through the west of Ireland’s stunning scenic forestry. You’re in safe hands with the team at Slieve Aughtys riding centre. They are the best in the business and many have been teaching for more than 20 years. The experienced team have over 30 horses and ponies available for all ages and riding levels. For the little ones, experience some magic with a walk through their very own enchanted forest. Only a short 10 minute walk from the centre. Finish your family day out with a bite to eat at their very own organic café on site.

Discover The Slieve Aughty Centre                                                        Cost of Family Ticket: €30

 

2. Wildlands

Ballyquirke Moycullen Galway

Wildlands has over 20 acres of woodlands just off the Wild Atlantic way. This activity is for thrill seekers. Great news is, there are a whole host of indoor and outdoor activities so there’ll be lots to do, no matter the weather. Take on an adventure with their Zip and treck experience. No one is left out, there’s Junior treks offered for the little ones.

Climb to the top of the circuit and stroll across tree tops before taking a zipline across the woods. A thrilling experience with a stunning bird’s eye view of the lake.  If you’re looking for something relaxing to do with the kids. Then a forest walk or kayak trip along the lake is the perfect activity in the wildlands for you.

Discover The Wildlands                                                                           Tickets Start from: €10 – €27

3. National Aquarium

Seapoint Promenade, Galway

On a day for the ducks, a visit to The National Aquarium is the perfect thing to do with the kids in Galway. Home to common Irish species and some exotic sea creatures. Immerse yourself in the deep water exhibit, a floor to ceiling viewing point of the Aquarium’s largest predators. It features some of the most common species of sharks in Irish waters. Joining a guided experience to discover more about  our own native sea creatures including jellyfish, whales, and dolphins.

Discover The National Aquarium                                                          Cost of  Family Ticket: €40

 

4. Galway Walking Tour

Salthill Promenade, Galway

Enjoy a leisurely stroll with the family along the medieval streets of Galway. Brian your knowledgeable walking tour brings the city’s history to life. Sharing tales of historical moments that shaped the city. You are in for a treat with Brian’s charming mix of wit and wisdom. All while taking in the scenic landscape of the Salthill promenade.

Discover Galway Walking Tours                                                            Cost of Family Ticket: €12

5. Linnala Ice Cream

New Quay, The Burren, Co. Clare

Linnalla is a family run ice cream farm, with its very own Café packed to the brim with delicious ice cream. Enjoy your homemade Irish ice cream overlooking the world famous Galway bay.

A visit to Linnala is not complete without a tour of the farm with owners Brid and Roger. You and the little ones can look forward to seeing the farmyard animals. While learning some of the unique history of the farm, the local area and the Burren. After your tour head back to their café for a fresh scoop and cold glass of milk.

Discover The Linnala Ice Cream Farm                                                  Cost of Family Ticket: €100

6. Burren Nature Sanctuary

Burren Nature Sanctuary, Cloonasee, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Situated 30 minutes south of The Clayton Hotel Galway, this heritage site is the perfect place to discover the wonders of the Burren landscape. Visitors can embark on the Burren walk while listening to an audio tour to learn more about the site and its flora.

There are lots of kids’ activities at the Galway sanctuary too. There is a family farm and an outdoor activity centre with a zip wire, climbing frame and sand pits with diggers. If the weather turns take shelter in the soft play area with an indoor giant slide, and a baby / toddler zone.

Sounds like fun, right? For a really magical experience book in for your very own fairy pig walk, to enjoy a guided walk with Emilia the pig around the fairy woodlands.

Discover The Burren Nature Sanctury                                                    Cost of Family Ticket: €39 

 

7. Turoe Pet Farm

Turoe House, Turoe, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Turoe Pet Farm is the perfect place to visit come rain or shine. They have both indoor and outdoor attractions. A popular experience for all ages is a visit to the pet farm. Get up close to pigs, ponies donkey’s goats, and plenty more farmland favourites. You even get the opportunity to feed some of the animals yourself. Making for a very memorable experience with the kids.  Other activities at the farm include:

  • Jungle Town activity centre
  • Inflatable City with an 8,000 square foot bouncing castle

Discover Turoe Pet Farm                                                                             Cost of Family Ticket €45 

 

8. Brigit’s Garden & Café

Pollagh, Rosscahill, Galway

Only a half hour drive from the hotel, Brigit’s Garden & Café is best described as an eleven acre magical ‘sanctuary in the West of Ireland’. A visit to the garden will take you on magical journey into the heart of Celtic heritage and mythology. There are four Celtic gardens to see:

  • Samhain Winter Garden
  • Imbolc Spring Garden
  • Bealtaine Summer Garden
  • Lughnasa Autumn Garden

For children, there’s an Earth Quest trail which features twelve science based challenges to solve, a natural playground and a fairy fort – there’s so much to explore! There’s a lovely café at Brigit’s Garden for the kids when they get hungry from all their gallivanting. Produce is collected from the gardens for their dishes.

Entry to the gardens is €24 for a family of four from April to October and €20 from November – March.

Discover Brigit’s Garden                                                                         Cost of Family Ticket €27.50

 

9. Rinville Park

Oranmore, Galway

Rinville Park, situated just a short 14-minute drive from the hotel, is nestled in a gently undulating landscape on the shore of Galway Bay, south of Galway City and Oranmore Town. The Park includes a Slí na Sláinte walking route, trails through woodland and a public playground within old garden walls, BBQ and picnic areas and an outdoor gym.

The Park also includes the built heritage of Rinville Castle and Rinville Hall which are over four hundred years old. There is access to Rinville Point and Saleen Point, where views of Galway Bay, Galway City and the Burren of County Clare can be enjoyed.

 

10. Corrib Princess

Waterside,Woodquay, Galway

Departing from Woodquay in the heart of Galway city, the Corrib Princess brings you on a guided sightseeing tour along the River Corrib before entering Ireland’s second largest lake, the spectacular Lough Corrib which is home to courting swans, hunting herons and jumping salmon.

Suitable for all ages, relax and unwind on a 90 minute cruise as you learn about the history of Galway city, passing Menlo Castle before turning back at Annaghdown Pier. Daily cruises run from May-October and cost €40 for a family of four.

Discover Corrib Princess                                                                      Cost of Family Ticket €42

 

11. Pallas Karting, Paintball and Splatball

Tynagh, Galway

Pallas Karting is Europe’s largest karting centre with a 500m beginner track and a 1,500m advanced GP F1 track. Just 40 minutes from Clayton Hotel Galway, drivers at Pallas Karting can enjoy long tracks and great quality karts while hitting speeds of up to 55km per hour for beginners and 85km per hour for those who are more advanced. The beginner track is suitable for children aged 10 and over that are at least 4ft 6″ tall.

Paintball and splatball is also available at Pallas Karting. Splatball is certainly more family friendly as if offers all the fun of paintball without the impact and bruises. These activities are played outside on the centre’s four skill zones and all participants will be provided with body armour, a full face mask and ammo.

Advanced booking is required for Pallas Karting and you can do so on their website.

Discover Pallas Karting                                                                            Cost of Family Ticket €140

 

12. Connemara National Park

Connemara

Connemara National Park features 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and forests – all open for exploration! You’ll also find exhibitions, Connemara ponies, indoor and outdoor picnic areas, nature trails, hill walks, tea rooms and a children’s playground. The views from the park are spectacular so bring your camera.

Special events are hosted in the park throughout the year so make sure to check their website to see what’s on before you visit. The park is open seven days a week from 9am to 5.30pm and admission is completely free for all of its attractions.

 

13. Kayakmór – Galway Kayak Tours

Menlo Pier, Galway

kayaking in Galway

Discover the waterways of Galway from a different perspective! Learn to kayak on a half-day tour, which is ideal for beginners as the group are taught the basic strokes and safety skills before taking off on a picturesque tour tailored to the ability of your group.

Aimed at children eight years and over, Kayakmór’s goal is to provide an enjoyable, safe, and informative introduction to kayaking, and to build confidence afloat. Tours run daily during the summer months with prices varying depending on the size of the group.

Discover Kayakmor                                                                                   Cost of Family Ticket €140

 

 

What are Clayton Hotels doing to be more sustainable? 

At The Clayton Hotel we are dedicated to doing our best for the environment, learn more about the sustainable practices our Environmental Impact Team have implemented in the Clayton Hotel Galway.

 

 

Explore more fun things to do in Galway


The Best Restaurants to Visit in Galway

Things To Do In Galway For Couples

Galway City of Culture

Also, check our Online Concierge for tips and recommendations on what to see in Galway. Trust us, we’re locals!

 

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