Day trips with the kids this August
The Explorium is great for kids of all ages
ANOTHER school term beckons, but there’s still a smidgeon of summer holidays yet to be enjoyed. Here’s a few ideas for a family day out this August.
If you’re looking for a family day out that combines excitement, education, exercise and fresh air, Fota Wildlife Park near Cork City is the perfect destination. It’s a wonderful place to stroll through and spot the many animals that call the park home – the long list includes cheetahs and tigers, zebras, giraffes and bison, lemurs, kangaroos, spider monkeys, red pandas, and much more!
The Park Tour Train is one way to explore the park, children of all ages can enjoy the many playgrounds, and there are plenty of picnic tables dotted around for when the inevitable hunger pangs set in.
If you’re looking for something particularly memorable, there is limited availability of VIP Family Experience Private Tours at a cost of €185 per family. The experience includes a two-hour guided tour with a ranger while you get to feed penguins and see how the giraffe house operates, and plenty of great photo opportunities.
If you choose to park your car at Fota, your visit to Fota House’s grounds, frame yard garden, walled gardens and arboretum are included in the €3 car park charge. You can also travel to Fota by rail.
More information and booking details are available at fotawildlife.ie.
If your little ones have a grá for dinosaurs (or even large creatures in general), a trip down the M9 to Jurassic Newpark in Kilkenny to experience a prehistoric adventure is well worth it.
The bustling park features 17 life-size and moving dinosaurs – an opportunity to come face-to-face with some of the mightiest and most fearsome beasts to have ever walked the Earth. Dino fans can hear the blood-curdling roar of the Tyrannosaurus, marvel at the sheer scale of the Brachiosaurus, and delve into the cunning nature of the Velociraptor.
Visitors will also meet plenty of modern-day farm animals (ranging from llamas to emus), follow the charming Fairy Trail, whiz around the go-kart track, grab some Jurassic snacks, and enjoy the Prehistoric Playground.
More information at jurassicnewpark.com.
A little closer to home, Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm & Shop near Kildare town offers a range of inclusive and accessible activities – an opportunity to experience the joys of the countryside with the family!
This popular destination is described as Ireland’s only free zoo – come and meet and feed a variety of animals big and small including camels, ostriches, lamas, deer and loads more.
The Railroad Adventure is always popular, chugging its way around the farm on a tour that is sure to delight passengers young and old. Indoor crazy golf is ideal for all the family, for every age group and any weather – a round of golf in Indian Creek is sure to bring laughter and a little competitive spirit to your group.
The Teddy Bear Factory is also worth a stop, where you can choose a soft and cuddly friend and see them come to life. Every bear comes with a travel backpack and even a birth certificate!
Kildare Farm Foods runs birthday parties and school tours and has seasonal events at Halloween, Easter, and Christmas. This year there is a new Organic Farm Tour and Potato Picking which is proving hugely popular.
For more information, including booking details, visit kildarefarmfoods.com.
Whether you're scaling the climbing walls, exploring the stars through an AR journey, or hitting top speeds in the Formula One simulator, Explorium has something to engage everyone with over 250 exhibits throughout its world-class science centre in Sandyford, Dublin 18, Explorium has reopened with a range of new and exciting exhibitions and immersive experiences.
Explorium Science has its original G-Force bike, Tesla Lightning Show, Gravity Room, Planetary Zone, and Sport Science areas. For motor sports fanatics, there is an updated Formula One simulator that gives guests a chance to experience real speed and pit stops. Explorium Science is recommended for ages 8 through adults.
Explorium Activities offers two amazing climbing walls, with Urban Climb for beginners and Conquer your Fears for more advanced climbers, plus incredible adventures in the virtual reality or augmented reality attractions.
Explorium has recently added the ‘Unreal Gardens’ and ‘Star Walk’ immersive AR journeys that transport visitors into a magical world of nature or on an exciting journey through the solar system. This experience is the first of its kind in Europe! Explorium Activities are recommended for ages 8 through adults.
Explorium Junior offers a great place to inspire young curious minds. Within this hands-on STEAM based exhibition, children can play while they learn in their own mini sized sports center, climbing area, grocery store, digital zone, theatre, Make & Do Lab, building zone and library. Explorium Junior is recommended for children ages 2-7 and their adults.
Once a month, there is a Sensory Session offered in this space, exclusively for families with children with additional needs. Explorium also announced the addition of a stand-alone Sensory Room for families with children with additional needs to engage in developmental play. Access to the Sensory Room is provided free of charge upon booking the appropriate ticket online.
Explorium Science and Explorium Activities are open seven days a week, Mondays through Sundays from 10am-6pm, including the August Bank Holiday Monday.
Explorium Junior is open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm. Tickets are available at www.explorium.ie and pre-booking is recommended.
Located on the historic grounds of Westport Estate, Westport Adventure offers a fun-filled day to remember in the great outdoors. Their quarry has been transformed into an epic outdoor adventure park, featuring Ireland’s largest net park.
Visitors can experience six activities on the Quarry Floor – aerial trekking, net park, giant slides, climbing tower, aero ball and orienteering – as well as five adrenaline-fuelled activities on the Quarry’s Edge – twin zipline, climbing zone, the Quarry Edge Leap, giant swing, and giant slides. There are also seven family fun activities within Westport Estate, including a playground, swan pedalos, and the Westport Express.
There’s a discount of 10% when you book online – visit westportadventure.ie.
