Boda Borg is a questing adventure centre based in the stunning Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Co. Roscommon. The concept originated in Sweden, and the Irish centre is one of only a couple based outside its native homeland, alongside a sister site in Boston.
I took my two girls (11 and 9) down to see what a Swedish questing adventure was like in real life. I’m so glad I did — we had one of the most fun-filled days we’ve had together in a long time.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
Boda Borg at Lough Key
How Boda Borg Works
Basically, Boda Borg is like a physical version of a computer game. It’s not entirely unlike the Crystal Maze, for anyone who remembers that show. There are around twenty quests to choose from, and each quest is made up of between three and five rooms, each with a different task to complete.
What’s really interesting is that there are no instructions given — you have to work together as a team (groups of 3–5) to complete the task before the time runs out. You’re not told how much time you have, although most rooms give you between two and four minutes.
Should you fail in any room in a quest, you have to go back to the start and begin again. Sometimes it might take twenty attempts to crack a single room. That’s all part of the fun — it’s hugely satisfying to finally solve a room after discovering its secret.
Because there are no instructions, Boda Borg is fantastic for helping children develop their problem-solving skills, and because almost every room requires teamwork to succeed, it encourages collaboration over competition. These are wonderful qualities to nurture in our kids.
Very few teams ever manage to complete the entire course from start to finish. We set out hoping to be among them.
You May Also Enjoy: Unusual Activities and Things to Do at Lough Key
How We Got On In Our Boda Borg Quest
We arrived fifteen minutes before our allotted time and were met by friendly staff who registered us. Everyone booked for our slot was then shown an introductory video explaining the basic concept of Boda Borg, before we were led into the quest centre itself.
I hadn’t known exactly what to expect. It was bedlam — in the best possible way. Groups of hens and stags and children’s birthday parties were happily running around the corridors, up and down stairs, in and out of doors. The atmosphere was one of concentrated fun.
My kids got their bearings before I did and were quick to start a quest, running into a room marked ‘Farm’ with a green light over the door, meaning it was free.
Once inside, we were alone, trying to work out from the pictures on the wall and the furniture what we were meant to do. The kids started experimenting with everything while I scratched my head. Before I knew it, our time was up and we had to exit into the corridor. It had all happened so fast.
We ran back and managed to get in again before another group could beat us to it. This time we knew what to expect, and we solved the puzzle. A green light lit up over another door and we moved through into the next level. We were hooked.
For the next two hours we ran around the corridors, up and down stairs, in and out of rooms, like kids let loose in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. My girls were having a ball — so much so that when I accidentally made a mistake that sent us back to the start of a quest we’d nearly finished, they didn’t mind at all. They simply raced back to try again.
You May Also Enjoy: 99 Fantastic Places to Go In Ireland with Kids this Summer
Try Again, Fail Again, Fail Better
We didn’t manage to join the ranks of those who’ve conquered the entire circuit. In fact, we only completed three quests — and for that, I’m grateful, because it means we get to go back and do it all again.
On our way out, we noticed there are camping facilities in the park. I am now under serious pressure from the girls to return and make a full weekend out of it.
How to Book Boda Borg at Lough Key
You need a minimum of three people to form a team, with a maximum of five per team. Groups of six or more must split into separate teams — for example, a group of six becomes two teams of three, and a group of seven becomes a team of three plus a team of four.
In line with health and safety and insurance policies, all guests must be aged seven or over to take part in Boda Borg.
You can book on arrival, but Boda Borg is very popular, so it’s wise to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
You May Also Enjoy: 9 Amazing Family Adventure Centres in Ireland for Guaranteed Fun
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do you need to be for Boda Borg at Lough Key?
All guests must be aged seven or over to take part, in line with health and safety and insurance requirements.
How many people do you need for a Boda Borg team?
Teams need a minimum of three people and a maximum of five. Larger groups are split into separate teams of three to five.
Do you need to book Boda Borg in advance?
You can book on arrival, but Boda Borg is popular, so booking ahead is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Is Boda Borg suitable for beginners with no instructions given?
Yes — that’s part of the design. There are no instructions in any room; teams work together to figure out the puzzle through trial and error, which is exactly what makes it so satisfying to solve.
Related Articles
- Unusual Activities and Things to Do at Lough Key
- 99 Fantastic Places to Go In Ireland with Kids this Summer
- 9 Amazing Family Adventure Centres in Ireland for Guaranteed Fun
Save This for Your Next Family Day Out
If Boda Borg sounds like your kind of family adventure, save this article for when you’re planning your next outing, and browse our other Irish adventure centre ideas for more inspiration.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now for our free newsletter packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
