Wicklow is known as the “Garden of Ireland” for good reason. Beaches, woodlands, loughs, mountains and ancient ruins all sit within easy reach of each other, making it one of the best counties in Ireland for a family day out or a weekend away.
In this guide to Wicklow for families, we’ve pulled together our favourite family-friendly places to eat, stay, play and explore — whether you’re planning a full weekend break, filling a rainy afternoon, or just looking for somewhere new to bring the kids.
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Family-Friendly Things to Do in Wicklow
Powerscourt Estate offers a fantastic day out for families, with a choice of attractions to explore. Powerscourt Gardens has some of the best views in Ireland, with award-winning Italian and Japanese gardens perfect for a stroll, and wooded walks where little ones can play hide and seek. The audio Family Action Quest Tour takes in eight stops around the estate and takes roughly 60–90 minutes to complete.
Children love climbing the Pepper Pot Tower and posing for photos beside the cannons nearby. Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland, is about 5km from the main estate and has a picnic area, BBQ facilities and a playground. Look out for the Giant Redwoods, some of which grow up to 80m tall. Discover more fun things to do with the kids at Powerscourt.
The Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower at Beyond the Trees Avondale were the first of their kind in Ireland and the UK, and the attraction is fully accessible to all generations. The Treetop Walk takes you out over the Avonmore River valley on a boardwalk, with play areas and interactive games along the way encouraging a different view of the forest and its wildlife.
The Viewing Tower rises 38 metres into the sky and is reached via a short underground tunnel exploring life below the forest floor. The spiral ramped boardwalk has a gentle gradient and is fully wheelchair and pram accessible, with resting points on each level. After ten gentle circuits, you’ll reach the viewing platform at the top for 360° panoramic views over Avondale Forest Park, the Vale of Avoca and the Wicklow Mountains. For the adventurous, there’s a giant spiral slide back down inside the tower — or you can take the boardwalk back down at your own pace.
The Celtic maze at Greenan Farm, Maze and Museum in Rathdrum will puzzle the whole family. A stream runs through it to a pond at the centre, with a viewing tower overlooking the fun below. The Dragonfly Walk, a raised wooden walkway through native woods and wetlands, has three ponds with viewing platforms and is a great spot to look out for wild deer, moorhens, frogs and dragonflies.
Clara Lara Fun Park and Outdoor Adventure Centre, also in Rathdrum, offers water-based fun with assault courses, water slides, boating lakes, kiddie karts, tree houses and playgrounds. The Aqua Shuttle is one of the biggest water slides in Ireland, and children can sail away on the Pirate Galleon. For a quieter pace, there are riverside picnic areas, barbecues, mini golf and plenty of hill walking through the surrounding countryside.
Situated in the picturesque village of Kilcoole, Glenroe Open Farm offers access to a wide range of farm animals from March to October each year. Children can enjoy the outdoor playground and get up close with rabbits, guinea pigs and other favourites. A 300-year-old thatched cottage on the farm gives a nostalgic look at rural life, and you can bring a packed lunch to enjoy outdoors or in the indoor picnic area (known as The Piggery).
At SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium, you can see sharks, rays, seahorses and clownfish, and even touch some sea creatures in the touchpool. Afterwards, take a wander along Bray seafront for an ice cream, the amusements, or a funfair or festival depending on the time of year.
Russborough House & Parklands at Russelstown has plenty to keep families busy, indoors and out. Try the 2,000-metre beech hedge maze with its statue of Cupid at the centre, let the kids loose in the playground next to the picnic area, or follow the Fairy Walk through the woodlands out to Lady’s Island — pick up a brochure at reception to learn about the fairies’ adventures along the way. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop on site.
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Free Things to Do in Wicklow
© Coillte
Avondale Forest Park offers a variety of walks through towering conifers along the riverbank. The park has six way-marked trails with picnic areas throughout, plus a lovely wooden playground near the walled garden with swings, a slide and climbing frames. You do need to pay to visit the Beyond the Trees attraction itself, but the trails and forest park are free to access (a parking charge applies — check current rates before you go).
Most towns in Wicklow have playgrounds, but a few of our favourites include South Shore Playground in Greystones, which is fully accessible and offers a sensory path, musical play area, toddler play areas, a wheelchair swing and a wheelchair-accessible sand factory. See our full round-up of great playgrounds in Wicklow.
Bring the bikes and scooters out for part of the Blessington Lakes Loop Cycle. Also known as Poulaphouca Reservoir, this is the largest man-made lake in Ireland, set in the Wicklow Mountains. The road around the lake offers stunning views over the reservoir and mountains, passing through historic villages such as Valleymount, Ballyknockan and Lacken.
Wicklow Mountains National Park covers 20,000 hectares of mountain scenery and includes a 6th-century monastic Round Tower and the ruins of St Kevin’s Church. You can download nature trail walks before you go.
County Wicklow has over 66km of coastline, including three Blue Flag beaches — Bray South Promenade, Brittas Bay North and Greystones South Beach. All offer great opportunities for family fun and outdoor pursuits, and even the stonier beaches are brilliant for rock pooling and skimming stones.
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Outdoor Activities in Wicklow
© Fáilte Ireland & Tourism Ireland. Courtesy of Chris Hill
Glendalough has long been renowned for its natural beauty and history, and remains one of the most visited places in Ireland. Set in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the valley has a world-famous Monastic Site with a Round Tower (see if you can stretch your arms all the way around St Kevin’s Cross), scenic lakes, and a selection of walks and trails including part of the Wicklow Way. There’s genuinely something here for the whole family.
The Bray–Greystones Cliff Walk is one of the highlights of Wicklow, with stunning coastal views. It isn’t all buggy-friendly, with some rocky and narrow stretches, but children can manage it on foot with a carrier on hand just in case. At just over 6km, the views make the effort well worth it.
The Sean Linehan Walk, named after a local Aughrim man, runs through the historic village of Aughrim. There are several short walks available, the longest being 4km, making it a good option for smaller legs, though some sections aren’t suitable for buggies. The walk starts near the old Tinnakilly Bridge and follows the Macreddin River, an important habitat where kids can keep an eye out for dippers and herons.
At the Meeting of the Waters, the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers join to form the Avoca River — a spot so beautiful it inspired Thomas Moore’s famous Irish melody of the same name. There’s a riverside café, restaurant and craft shop nearby too.
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Family-Friendly Museums & Galleries in Wicklow
© Dylan Vaughan
Wicklow’s Historic Gaol offers one of Ireland’s best interactive experiences — step inside and you’ll be transported back in time, coming face to face with some of the most notorious characters to have walked its halls.
Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray hosts art exhibitions in its gallery space, alongside a full programme of events from cinema to theatre.
Arklow Maritime Museum displays the maritime history of Arklow, with a particular focus on boat building, lifeboat and fishing traditions. There’s a children’s quiz based on items in the collection, and colouring sheets of sailing ships for younger visitors.
For any tractor-mad kids in the family, The Coolakay Agriculture Museum at Enniskerry traces the evolution of Irish farm life from the early 18th century to today, with a collection of farm implements and machinery dating back to the 1700s.
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Rainy Day Activities in Wicklow
Diamond Bowl & KidZone in Wicklow Town offers bowling, quasar and soft play for younger kids.
Coral Leisure Arklow has a 25m swimming pool with a separate learner pool, plus occasional inflatable pool sessions — check ahead for current times.
Bridge Street Books, an independent family-run bookshop in Wicklow Town, is happy to recommend reads for all ages and runs a book club for 9–12 year olds.
At SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium, you can explore the deep without getting wet, with over 30 displays including Rivers of the World, Nemo’s Kingdom and the Tropical Shark Lagoon. There’s a kids’ quiz trail, a colouring table, feeding times throughout the day, and a soft play area and indoor picnic space.
The Omniplex in Arklow and Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray both show movies for a reliable rainy-day option.
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Family-Friendly Hotels & Accommodation in Wicklow
Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort in Newtownmountkennedy offers luxury family-friendly accommodation with a playground, walking trail, driving range, picnic area, swimming pool, seasonal kids’ high tea club, and a Baby Pantry with bottle steriliser, microwave and dishwasher.
The award-winning Glenview Hotel has an 18m swimming pool and kiddie pool, an in-house crèche (free for children staying at the hotel), seasonal kids’ clubs and camps for ages 5+, gardens and woodland trails to explore, plus babysitting on request and a fully Garda-vetted team.
Powerscourt Hotel is set overlooking the Sugar Loaf Mountain in Enniskerry, with colouring books at check-in, a crystal-lit swimming pool, a children’s playground, giant lawn chess, complimentary bicycles to explore the estate, and a falconry experience.
The Arklow Bay Conference & Leisure Hotel welcomes families with spacious family rooms, babysitting on request, kids’ menus, help heating bottles or baby jars, and a leisure club with a 20m heated pool.
The Glendalough Hotel, right at the heart of Glendalough, offers large family rooms — some with a seating alcove ideal for bedtime stories, so ask when booking. You can explore the monastic site across the road or walk to the lakes, and there’s a children’s menu at Casey’s Bar & Bistro.
Browse more of our favourite family-friendly hotels and accommodation in Ireland, from luxury breaks and kids’ clubs to self-catering and family camping.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Wicklow
Here are a few restaurants recommended by MyKidsTime parents:
- The Avoca Terrace Café, Powerscourt — Spectacular views and self-service deli-style fare, from homemade quiches and tartlets to fresh sandwiches, soups and salads.
- The Seed Café, Beyond the Trees Avondale — Seasonally inspired menus using local produce, with views over the walled garden and a playground conveniently right by the patio.
- Platform Pizza Bar, Bray — Oven-baked pizza including gluten-free options, plus kids’ meal deals with a starter, main, dessert and drink.
- Bates Restaurant, Rathdrum — Award-winning food with a children’s menu including breaded chicken breast, steak strips and fish of the day.
- Powerscourt Arms Country House Hotel, Enniskerry — A mix of classic and modern dishes, with kids’ meals including chips or mash and veg, a cordial drink and ice cream.
- The Beach House, Greystones — A family-owned pub overlooking the harbour, known locally for its chicken wings.
Things to Do in Wicklow for Older Kids and Teens
Hidden Valley in Rathdrum is a holiday park, but you don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy the facilities. Try kayaking, archery, or Combat Laser Tag for more energetic teens, plus an outdoor kids’ adventure park, bumper boats and football. For water-based fun, Splash Valley Aqua Park covers 1,800 sq m with more than 30 obstacles.
Squirrel Scramble at Killruddery House in Bray is an outdoor adventure park with 16 zip lines, rope bridges, magic carpets and more, ranging from 2 metres up to 12 metres high. You get an hour and a half to work through five levels of tree-top challenges.
Clara Lara Fun Park in Knockrath, Rathdrum, has an Aqua Shuttle water slide, amphicat canoes, go-karting, rowing boats, an obstacle course, zip-lining, climbing and more.
Bray Bowl offers video arcades, ten-pin bowling, laser tag, ticket redemption games, pool and snooker.
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Don’t Miss
Did you know Wicklow has its own pyramid? The Howard Mausoleum in Kilbride cemetery was built as a family burial place and is a granite pyramid standing 30 feet high, once described as the largest pyramid tomb “beyond the banks of the Nile.”
The mausoleum has space for 33 coffins, though only 18 are occupied. Local legend tells of the sound of a child crying heard for weeks after the burial of an infant family member — the body was said to have been moved and buried elsewhere, after which the crying reportedly stopped. The pyramid was sealed and never used again.
Read more about this unusual building here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wicklow a good day trip for families from Dublin?
Yes — much of Wicklow is within an hour of Dublin, making it an easy choice for a family day trip. Glendalough, Powerscourt and the Wicklow coast are all popular options for a day out without a long drive.
What’s the best area of Wicklow to base yourself for a family break?
It depends on what you want to do. Families keen on beaches and towns often base themselves around Bray, Greystones or Wicklow Town, while those focused on mountains, forests and walking trails may prefer staying closer to Glendalough, Rathdrum or Enniskerry.
Are there activities in Wicklow suitable for toddlers and preschoolers?
Yes, plenty. Playgrounds, open farms, gentle forest trails and soft play options all work well for younger children — see our dedicated guide to things to do with preschoolers in Wicklow for more ideas.
Is Glendalough buggy-friendly?
Some of the main paths around the monastic site and lower lake are accessible with a buggy, but several of the surrounding trails involve uneven ground, so a carrier is a useful backup for younger children.
What should we do in Wicklow on a rainy day?
Wicklow has good indoor options for wet weather, including bowling and soft play centres, an aquarium, a cinema, and family-friendly bookshops — see our rainy day guide for the full list.
Save This for Your Next Wicklow Trip
Wicklow has enough family-friendly places to fill many weekends, so it’s worth bookmarking this guide or saving it to browse again before your next visit. If you’d rather have fresh ideas landed straight in your inbox, our newsletter rounds up family days out, activities and seasonal ideas across Ireland every week — a handy way to plan your next Wicklow adventure without having to search for it yourself.
More Wicklow reading you might enjoy:
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Wicklow with Kids
- Things to Do with Preschoolers in Wicklow
- Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Wicklow
- Best Outdoor Places in Wicklow for Families
- Playgrounds in Wicklow
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