15 Fun Things to Do with the Kids During the Summer Holidays in Ireland
Summer holidays in Ireland are a magical time—longer days, no school runs, and endless opportunities for memory-making with the kids. But let’s be honest—keeping them entertained for six to eight weeks is no small feat!
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Whether the sun is shining or the rain clouds are rolling in (this is Ireland, after all), here are 15 fun things to do with the kids during the summer holidays that will keep everyone smiling.
1. Back Garden Adventures on a Trampoline
Let’s start at home. Turn your BERG trampoline into the ultimate play zone:
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Set up a trampoline obstacle course.
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Host a mini Olympics with jumping contests.
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Create a night-time bounce party with fairy lights and glow sticks.
It’s safe, fun, and a great way to burn off all that summer energy without leaving the house.
2. Beach Days on the Wild Atlantic Way
From Lahinch to Bundoran to Inch Strand, Ireland has some spectacular beaches.
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Bring a picnic and buckets & spades.
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Try beginner surfing or bodyboarding.
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Hunt for seashells or build sandcastles.
Pro tip: Always pack extra clothes and towels. Always.
3. Visit a Petting Farm or Wildlife Park
Kids love animals, and Ireland has some great places to visit:
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Fota Wildlife Park (Cork)
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Dublin Zoo
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Moher Hill Open Farm (Clare)
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Tayto Park / Emerald Park (Meath)
These are great for rainy days too, with indoor activities and cafés.
4. Have a Garden Campout
Who says you have to leave home to have an adventure? Pitch a tent in the back garden, roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and stargaze.
Bonus: You still get to use your own bathroom!
5. Take a Day Trip to a Fairy Forest
Explore magical trails like:
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Lough Key Forest Park (Roscommon)
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Slieve Gullion Forest Park (Armagh)
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The Fairy Trail in The Hazelwood (Sligo)
These walks are full of whimsy and imagination—perfect for younger kids.
6. Try a Family Bike Trail
Dust off the bikes and hit a greenway:
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The Waterford Greenway
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The Great Western Greenway (Mayo)
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The Royal Canal Greenway
Pack snacks and stop off in a café or two. These trails are mostly flat and safe for younger cyclists.
7. Do a Rainy Day Bake-Off
When the rain inevitably comes, it’s time to head to the kitchen. Host a kids' bake-off:
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Brownies vs. cookies challenge
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Decorate cupcakes
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Make homemade pizza
Put on music, let the mess happen—it’s all part of the fun.
8. Explore a Castle or Historic Site
Ireland’s bursting with incredible history. Take the kids to:
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Bunratty Castle (Clare)
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Kilkenny Castle
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Trim Castle (Meath)
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Rock of Cashel (Tipperary)
Many offer interactive exhibits or medieval-themed events during summer.
9. Go Glamping (or Proper Camping)
If you want a mini getaway without going abroad, try family-friendly camping spots like:
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Nore Valley Park (Kilkenny)
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Hidden Valley Resort (Wicklow)
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Clifden Eco Beach (Galway)
Glamping pods are great if you're not quite ready for tent life.
10. Make an Outdoor Obstacle Course
Grab cones, hula hoops, a hose, and of course your trampoline. Set up a timed obstacle race in your garden. Winner gets ice cream!
11. Get Creative with Nature Crafts
Collect pinecones, leaves, shells, and stones on your walks or beach days, then:
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Paint them into animals or patterns
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Create fairy houses
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Make a nature scrapbook of your summer adventures
It’s low-cost, mindful, and very Instagram-worthy.
12. Visit a Local Festival or Fair
Summer in Ireland means festivals galore:
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Galway International Arts Festival
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Spraoi Festival (Waterford)
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Fleadh Cheoil (traditional Irish music festival)
Many offer free family events, parades, and performances.
13. Host a Mini Sports Day
Grab some eggs, spoons, sacks, and a whistle—then let the chaos begin! Get the neighbours involved or keep it a family-only event. Don’t forget to have prizes and medals (chocolate ones count!).
14. Explore Hidden Irish Waterfalls
Kids love discovering hidden places. Some stunning spots include:
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Glenmacnass Waterfall (Wicklow)
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Torc Waterfall (Kerry)
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Glencar Waterfall (Leitrim)
Bring wellies and a waterproof, just in case. Actually, definitely bring those.
15. Have a Lazy Movie Day with a Twist
Rainy afternoon? Turn your sitting room into a cinema:
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Create “tickets”
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Set up a snack bar
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Build a fort with pillows and blankets
Let the kids take turns being the movie “usher” or “popcorn manager.”
Bonus Idea: Start a Summer Adventure Journal
Each day or week, let the kids draw or write about something they did. It could be a beach day, a trampoline trick, or even a funny moment from baking. By the end of summer, you’ll have a beautiful keepsake of all the memories.
Final Thoughts
The best part of summer is spending time together, whether you’re on a big adventure or just bouncing around the back garden. At Trampolines Ireland, we believe some of the best memories are made at home—with a trampoline, a little imagination, and a lot of laughter.
From all of us here—have an amazing summer!
Need a trampoline to kickstart your summer fun?
Check out our full range of BERG trampolines—delivered nationwide across Ireland.