Rainy day ideas for the mid-term break

Get into a gallery…

It doesn’t matter if it’s lashing rain outside once the kids are kept busy! The National Gallery are running children’s workshops to coincide with the mid-term break.

 

On Thursday 30 October 3pm: Spooky Skeletons with Frances Coghlan.

 

Suitable for 5-10 year olds accompanied by an adult, all materials provided.

 

Tickets: €5 per child or four tickets for €15.

 

On Friday, 31st October at 12pm: meet illustrator, artist and author of the best-selling book Hagwitch, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick.

 

Try your hand at creating a creepy character of your own! Come in your Halloween costume!

 

Followed by a book signing. Free of charge. No booking necessary. For children aged 8+.

 

www.nationalgallery.ie 01 663 3518

 

Ancient Dublin, undercover...

Two of Dublin’s best-loved indoor attractions are back with a bang. The Natural History Museum has re-opened after a safety overhaul (a staircase collapsed in 2007), breathing life back into the wacky collection of stuffed animals. They have lots of family friendly activites over the mid-term break, to keep your little ones occupied. There’s loads of fun things to do like making Viking masks or get to meet a zoologist.

 

See www.museum.ie or call on Natural History Museum 01 677 7444 for more information.

 

Re-launched not long ago after a €2 million investment. Dublinia allows guests walk through a medieval streetscape and a replica longboat, all while learning fascinating facts. There are scary stories every day until the 31st of October with Johnny the Gravedigger!

 

On Saturday 1st of November, come along to the ‘Dress like a Viking’ event. See how the Vikings dressed and how heavy their weapons and clothes really were and enjoy a special family tour at 2.30pm.

 

See the website for times and further information at  www.dublinia.ie or call 01 679 4611
 

 

Be a jumping jack….

Jump Zone is a new state of the art 20,000 square feet indoor trampoline park for children over 5 with two Dublin locations: Stillorgan and Santry. This is a great idea for active kids!

 

It is the first of its kind indoor trampoline park in Europe where you can play dodgeball, enjoy solo jumping or in a group in a family friendly environment.

 

Plus it’s a great way of getting children to exercise, but they’ll be having so much fun they won’t even notice!

 

Prices start from €9 for one hour's jumping. Open 7 days a week.

 

See www.jumpzone.ie for further details.

 

Amble into an aquarium...

If it’s raining outside, don’t worry, there’s still loads of indoor fun at Bray Sea Life. 

 

This week is pirate week until the 2nd of November at Sea Life.

 

Boys and girls under 12 who arrive dressed as pirates this week get free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. As good a reason as any to dress up!

 

Prices for children start at €6.50 when you book online.

 

You can get also get an annual pass for €20 for children or €25 for adults which is good value if you plan to go several times over the year.

 

TOP TIP! If you book online you  save 20% off the full ticket price!

 

www.visitsealife.com for all details.

 

Exploration and adventure...

You can’t go far without coming across a play centre these days, but Imaginosity is so much more than a play centre. It’s an interactive learning centre complete with mini-supermarket ( with mini-sized shopping trolleys), to a driving simulator, a Dublin Diner and  Doctor Apples Surgery.  This is the most fun hands-on learning experience for kids. Dive in with them, or just sit back and watch. It’s one of the best children’s attractions in the country and they also host  drama, dance and art workshops plus they  also have storytime for the little ones in the mornings.

 

Call 01 217 6130 for more information or see www. imaginosity.ie  It is suitable for kids aged up to 9.

 

Tickets: adults €8, children over age 3 €8,  toddlers  aged 1-2 €6, babies under 12 months €2.

 

Booking in advance is highly recommended as it gets very busy!
 

For some swashbuckling adventure, Pirates Village is an adventure play-zone with pirate themed, custom-made inflatable activities for toddlers up to ten year olds.

 

Children can play on the Ship-Wrecked Galleon, Mermaid Slide, Pirates’ Assault Course, Palm Island, massive 9 metre drop slide and toddler areas. You can also go on the bumper boats, the bounce zone and water walkers (like zorbing) for an extra fee.

 

**Adults and under 1’s go free**

 

Monday – Friday entry is from  €5 entry per child.

 

Weekends - entry is from  €7 per child.

 

Family passes are  available from €20 during off peak times and €30 for peak times.

 

All details are on www.piratesvillage.ie

 

Tayto Park is a fun-filled adventure park with things to do for the whole family. 

 

From rock-climbing and slides to a petting zoo, this park will be a fun day out for everyone in the family!

 

Mid-term opening hours: Saturday 24th October - Sunday 1st Novemeber 10am-5pm

 

Under 3's go free, children 3-16 years €13.00.