There’s no shortage of things to do in Kerry with kids, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s our MyKidsTime round-up of the top 10 things to do in Kerry with kids, drawn from every corner of the county and listed in no particular order.
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Things to Do in Kerry with Kids
From waterfalls to sharks to the memory of a much-loved dolphin, there’s heaps for families to do around Kerry. Add in stunning beaches, fantastic scenery and great food, and you’ve got the makings of a brilliant family trip. Enjoy your stay!
#1. Killarney National Park
What hasn’t already been said about this gem of a park just outside Killarney? Covering over 26,000 acres, it offers some of the most scenic views in the county, and you can easily spend a whole day walking or cycling through it. Or take a boat ride, or head out in one of the traditional jaunting cars (horse and trap). There are plenty of spots to picnic and simply enjoy the surroundings.
At Muckross House and Gardens you’ll find an arboretum and a large glasshouse, and if you visit in May or June, the rhododendrons and azaleas will be in full bloom. Muckross Traditional Farm gives a real sense of what life was like in the Irish countryside during the 1930s and 40s. You can explore a labourer’s cottage, a carpenter’s workshop, a blacksmith’s forge and a schoolhouse, meet the farm animals, and watch fresh bread and butter being made.
#2. Blasket Island Boat Trip
The Great Blasket Island, to the west of the Dingle Peninsula, is a very special place indeed. Boat trips leave Dunquin pier daily. Packed with history and culture — and home to what’s probably Ireland’s best-kept secret beach, the beautiful white sands of Trá Bán — it’s a must-see.
The Blasket Centre tells the story of island life: subsistence fishing and farming, traditional home life, transport, language and culture. There’s a small admission fee, plus a bookshop and café on site.
#3. Dingle OceanWorld
©Failte Ireland, photo courtesy of Valerie O’Sullivan
Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle is where the ocean comes to life. It’s home to Ireland’s largest collection of sharks, a Gentoo penguin display, Amazonian tanks, a touch tank, and a nine-metre underwater tunnel. Daily talks, feeds and encounters run throughout the season, so it’s well worth checking what’s on when you visit.
#4. Say Hello to Fungie
Fungie the dolphin is sadly no longer with us, but the boat trips to see him were once one of Dingle’s biggest family draws, and his memory lives on. You can still say hello at the bronze statue dedicated to him, located on the Marina in front of the Tourist Information Office — a lovely, easy stop for families exploring the town.
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#5. Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is located just off the main Killarney to Kenmare road. Beautiful trails wind all around it, giving stunning views of the surrounding area, and the main car park on the N71 is just a few hundred metres from the falls themselves — an easy win for families with younger kids or buggies.
For the more energetic, park at Muckross House instead and take the looped Old Boathouse Trail, a roughly two-hour walk past mountains and meadows, the limestone cliffs of Dundag Point, and gorgeous views over the Middle Lake. After a steady climb through the trees, a series of stone steps brings you down through the woods to the best viewing point of the waterfall, before rejoining the Lake Loop back to the car park.
#6. Visit Valentia Island
Valentia Island lies off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of Kerry, linked to the mainland by a bridge at Portmagee, so it’s an easy drive over. There’s plenty to see and do once you’re there:
- Valentia Island Lighthouse — find out what life as a lighthouse keeper was really like.
- Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station — the site where the first successful transatlantic cable was laid between Ireland and Canada. The immersive visitor experience lets you try sending your own Morse code message, crack a code, and learn how communications technology has changed over time.
- The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre — brings the magic and mystery of the Skellig Islands to life through film, models, exhibits and reconstructions, plus the sound of sea birds and ship-to-shore lighthouse communication.
- Valentia Island Farmhouse Dairy — for some delicious ice cream.
- Tetrapod Footprints — see prehistoric tetrapod footprints predating the dinosaurs at the Tetrapod Trackway, one of only four known sets in the world, offering a fascinating glimpse of the transition of life from water onto land.
#7. Kerry County Museum
Kerry County Museum in Tralee houses exhibits ranging from Antarctic explorer Tom Crean to a full Medieval Experience. Kids will enjoy the Pangur Bán trail, hunting down ‘Discover More’ displays and learning everything from Stone Age survival skills to St Brendan’s travels. The museum also runs family events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on before your visit. There’s a small admission fee.
#8. Kennedy’s All-Weather Pet Farm & Playgrounds
Just outside Killarney, Kennedy’s All-Weather Pet Farm & Playgrounds gives kids the chance to meet, cuddle and feed a whole host of animals and birds. There’s also fishing, pony rides, and both indoor and outdoor playgrounds to enjoy — a great option if the weather turns.
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#9. Have a Splashing Time at Aqua Dome
The Aqua Dome in Tralee is packed with water-filled fun — waves, rapids, rivers and slides, all kept at warm, tropical temperatures. There’s plenty for all ages, plus other activities on site including mini golf, a bungee trampoline, a giant slide and a bouncy castle.
#10. Get Up Close to Nature in Tralee
Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park, set on the canal and the estuary of Tralee Bay, is a nature sanctuary with lakeside walks and wild gardens for the whole family to enjoy. Meet ecologists and guides who’ll introduce you to the local wildlife while sharing the natural history and folklore of Kerry — think herbs, native gardens, flora and fauna, trees, pond life and birdlife.
Activities include pond dipping, climbing, and pedal boating, with refreshments available at the Lakeside Café to round off your visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best area of Kerry to base yourself for a family trip?
Killarney is a great base for families, thanks to easy access to Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall and Kerry County Museum in nearby Tralee. If you’re keen to explore Dingle, OceanWorld and the Blasket Islands, basing yourselves around Dingle town instead will save on driving time.
Are these attractions suitable for toddlers and younger kids?
Many are. Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall’s main viewing point, the Aqua Dome and Kennedy’s Pet Farm are all easy-going for younger children, with buggy-friendly paths and shorter routes available. The Blasket Island boat trip and longer looped walks are better suited to older kids who can manage a bit more walking or a boat crossing.
Is Kerry a good choice for a family trip in poor weather?
Yes — Kerry has plenty of indoor options for rainy days, including Dingle OceanWorld, Kerry County Museum, the Aqua Dome and the indoor playground at Kennedy’s Pet Farm, so a wet forecast doesn’t have to derail your plans.
Do I need to book in advance for these attractions?
Some, like the Blasket Island boat trips and family events at Kerry County Museum, are seasonal or run to a schedule, so it’s worth checking ahead of your visit rather than assuming they’ll run on the day.
More Family Days Out in Kerry
If this list has you planning a Kerry adventure, you might also like:
- Free Things to Do in Kerry with Kids
- Things to Do with Preschoolers in Kerry
- 40 Fun Family Things to Do on the Ring of Kerry and Beyond
- Best Outdoor Places in Kerry for Families
Save This for Your Next Trip
Kerry has enough family-friendly spots to fill several trips, so bookmark this page or save it to your travel folder for the next time you’re planning a visit — new adventures from waterfalls to wetlands are never far away.
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