15 Outdoor Family Activities in Dublin (They’ll Love)

When it comes to outdoor family activities Dublin has its fair share to offer.

There’s plenty of things to do in Dublin with kids, but many of the more popular activities are indoor.

And, while we’re more accustomed to manky weather in the capital, there’s plenty of outdoor family activities Dublin for those often rare fine days.

The best outdoor family activities Dublin has to offer

From scenic parks and nature reserves to exciting playgrounds and family-friendly hiking trails, there’s endless outdoor kids activities in Dublin.

Below, you’ll find everything from ziplining and unique tours to trails, great days out and more. Dive on in!

1. Zipit Forest Adventures

You’ll find one of the most unique outdoor family activities Dublin has to offer, Zipit, nestled on a sloping site in the Dublin Mountains, a handy 15-minute drive from Dundrum Town Centre.

Zipit is a forest adventure park where children and adults can climb high into the treetops, swing into cargo nets, and even ride a BMX across a bridge, before zipping down one of the many ziplines. 

There are 12 ziplines to conquer, measuring 500m in length and reaching a towering 10m high (suitable for those aged 12+).

Related read: Looking to explore the capital? See our guide to the best things to do in Dublin

2. Wakedock

Wakedock is the first adventure company of its kind in Ireland, and it’s one of the more unique outdoor family activities Dublin has to offer.

Suitable for kids aged 8+, Wakedock allows you to shoot across the chilly Grand Canal while tackling obstacles in the process.

One of the beauties of this one is that it isn’t weather dependant – you’ll be getting splashed either way!

Beginners and kids are welcome, making this the prime spot for a family-friendly outing in Dublin. 

3. Phoenix Park Bikes

Few outdoor activities in Dublin are as tried and tested as a few hours spent spinning around the Phoenix Park.

You can rent bikes near the main entrance to the park (the Heuston Station side) and then follow a clear route around the park.

You can also plan in a stop for food along the way, as you’ll be passing the Phoenix Cafe and the Tearooms.

Related read: Looking for things to do on those dreaded rainy days? See our guide to indoor activities in Dublin

4. Fort Lucan Adventureland

If you’re looking for outdoor family activities in Dublin for kids that need to burn off some energy, Fort Lucan is worth considering.

We used to visit Fort Lucan when I was a kid. To this day the thought of sitting at the top of the slide in the picture above scares the LIFE out of me.

Anyway… Fort Lucan is Dublin’s biggest adventure playground, boasting:

• 3 huge waterslides
• Crazy Golf
• Go-Karts
• Ziplines
• High Tower Walks and much more
• Suitable for kids up to 13

5. Rafting

Next up is one of the more adventurous outdoor activities in Dublin – rafting adventures for young and old on Dublins River Liffey.

Now, while there are several options on offer here, the classic rafting trip sounds like it’ll appeal to most.

You’ll follow a trail from Lucan to Palmerstown via the Strawberry Beds over the course of 2.5 hours covering roughly 8km.

With the help of your experienced guide, you’ll navigate four weirs and numerous rapids en route to your final destination.

6. Parks galore

There’s plenty of parks in Dublin that are perfect for a family morning out. If you’re looking for a ramble with a difference, the Phoenix Park is a good shout.

You can head off in search of the deer (I usually see them near the Papal Cross – handy parking here, too) and then head into Dublin Zoo, after. Some other excellent parks are:

• St Anne’s Park
• Bushy Park
• Herbert Park
• St. Catherine’s Park
• Marlay Park
• Fernhill House and Gardens

7. Howth Coast and Ireland’s Eye Boat Tour

Next up is one of the more memorable outdoor family activities Dublin has to offer – a cliffside cruise that takes you from Howth Harbour to explore the beauty of Howth’s coastline and Dublin Bay.

Over the course of the trip you’ll be treated to views of Ireland’s Eye, the Martello Tower, and a colony of seals and birds.

If you’d like something later in the evening, there’s also a sunset cruise that operates in the area.

8. Fairy trails

Some of the more easy going outdoor family activities in Dublin can be found in select parklands across the county.

I’m talking, of course, about Fairy Trails (a handy way to gently trick kids into getting out in the fresh air and active).

Fairy trails have popped up in many parks in Ireland in recent years and there are several in Dublin.

Two of the best known are arguably the trail at Malahide Castle and the one at Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan. However, there’s plenty more, like:

• The Tymon Park Fairy Trail
• The Fairy Wood at Corkagh Park
• The Marlay Park Fairy Tree

10. Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo is the most popular of the many family days out in Dublin and, interestingly enough, is the 4th oldest zoo in the world.

As you make your way around the 70-acre park, you’ll stumble upon over 600 animals, with everything from Asian lion cubs to hippos living inside. 

Roam the African Savanna and catch a glimpse of giraffes, rhinos and zebras, or spend some time with the gorillas at the new Gorilla Rainforest.

11. Viking Splash

Few outdoor family activities in Dublin offer an experience like the hugely popular Viking Splash.

You climb aboard a bright yellow WW2 amphibious DUKWs, throw on a Viking hat and roar (literally) your way past many of Dublin’s top attractions.

The Viking Splash takes you by road and by water past the likes of the U2 studios and through much of Georgian Dublin.

12. Airfield Estate Farm

Airfield Estate is a great option for those in search of outdoor kids activities in Dublin. Airfield is an urban working farm and gardens that offers something for people of all ages.

The farm at Airfield serves as an excellent model of environmentally sustainable Irish agriculture, inviting visitors to engage with farm activities and gain hands-on experience.

Among the delightful array of animals, you’ll find a Jersey dairy herd, Jacob sheep, Oxford Sandy black pigs, hens, and donkeys.

Additionally, you can take a quick stop at the cafe and enjoy a coffee before embarking on your mini-adventure.

13. Beaches

Few kids activities in Dublin are as tried and tested as ice cream and a ramble along a sandy beach.

When the weather’s fine, hit the road early and head to one of the many beaches in Dublin.

Although the likes of Dollymount Strand, Killiney Beach and Portmarnock Beach tend to be the most popular, there’s plenty of quieter beaches that are perfect for a walk and a kick-about.

Portrane Beach and Burrow Beach (Sutton) are two great options, and they tend to be quieter than some of the ‘hot spots’.

14. Dublin Bay Cruises

Dublin Bay Cruises are one of the more unique outdoor family activities in Dublin. They leave from Howth, Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire, and they depart to a number of coastal locations.

My favourite is the one from Dun Laoghaire to Howth, as you get to soak up the views as you move through Dublin Bay and you can then grab an ice cream in Howth Village.

You can polish off your afternoon in one of the many restaurants in Howth before grabbing the DART back to Dublin.

15. The Dublin Mountains

The last of our outdoor family activities Dublin has to offer takes us up into the mighty Dublin Mountains.

While there are plenty of walks in Dublin, it’s the trails in the Dublin Mountains that tend to reign supreme.

For a stroll with a view, try the Ticknock Walk, the Hellfire Club Walk or the Tibradden Woods Walk.

What Dublin adventure activities have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Dublin outdoor activities from the guide above.

If you have any that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about outdoor activities in Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Which suit toddlers?’ to ‘Where’s good near the city?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.