Kildare has scenic countryside, canals and rivers, beautiful gardens, stately homes, and a proud connection to horses and St Brigid. There’s history, culture, great food, and a whole host of family-friendly places to explore.
This guide to Kildare for families brings together our favourite things to do with the family around the county, whether you’re planning a weekend break, filling a rainy day, making the most of the sunshine, or just looking for somewhere new to go.
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Family-Friendly Things to Do in Kildare
© Caroline Norris
Enjoy a great day out for all the family at the Irish National Stud & Gardens – home to some of the most magnificent horses and beautiful gardens you’ll find anywhere, including the Japanese Gardens and St Fiachra’s Garden. There’s an interactive Horse Racing Experience (suitable for ages 8+), while younger visitors will enjoy the magical fairy trail in the woodland area or letting off steam at the kids’ playground. There’s also a lovely café with indoor and outdoor seating, plus picnic benches in the car park.
The Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge has a regular line-up of children’s events, workshops and movies. There’s also a Children’s Gallery space beside the café, with books, drawing materials, bean bags, and rotating children’s exhibitions.
You could easily spend a full day at Lullymore Heritage Park, with no restrictions on length of stay. Activities include indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a pet farm, woodland walks, a fairy bower, crazy golf, train rides out to the bog, tea rooms and a picnic area. They also run events around school holidays and seasonal times.
Have fun navigating the Kildare Maze at Prosperous, near Naas – Leinster’s largest hedge maze. There’s a choice of maze experiences, a hedge maze and a wooden maze, and a viewing tower at the centre of the hedge maze so you can plan your exit route. Other on-site activities include crazy golf, an assault course, zip wires, picnic benches and play units for younger children.
Clonfert Pet Farm offers a fun and good-value day out. There’s a great variety of animals, from farmyard favourites – cows, ponies, donkeys, pigs, goats and sheep – to more exotic species including spectacled owls, common marmosets, blue and gold macaws, and ring-tailed lemurs. There are also two outdoor playground areas and plenty of picnic spots.
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Free Things to Do in Kildare
Open all year round, Castletown House in Celbridge is Ireland’s largest Palladian house, set in 120 acres of parkland that are free to visit and explore. On OPW Free Wednesdays you can also take a guided or self-guided tour of the house. Their summer programme includes music and other events, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you visit – there’s also a monthly craft and food market. Stop off at the Brambles Café for refreshments.
Most towns in Kildare have playgrounds, but we have some favourite playgrounds in Kildare that we can recommend, including the one in Kildare Town, which has accessible equipment.
The Curragh is an extensive tract of grassland, perfect for walks, cycling and kite flying. Watch the horses training on the Curragh racecourse, or check out historical sites such as Donnelly’s Hollow. Tip: wear wellies or old shoes, as sheep roam freely!
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Outdoor Activities in Kildare
© Fáilte Ireland
Situated a couple of kilometres from Newbridge, Pollardstown Fen offers unique access to nature, with pools, scrubland and woodland. Managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, there’s parking on site and interpretive signage guides you around the boardwalk route.
The Liffey Walk at Clane is a winding paved path alongside the River Liffey, with plenty of wildlife and birds to spot along the way, including otters, mink, grey herons, kingfishers, finches and even buzzards.
Donadea Forest Park has lovely woodland walks with a lake, ducks and historical remains. There are tea rooms open year-round and plenty of picnic spots throughout the park.
Mullaghreelan Wood, Kilkea, is a picturesque old woodland estate with mixed walking trails. The woods adjoin Kilkea Castle and there are picnic benches on site.
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Family-Friendly Museums & Galleries in Kildare
Train lovers will enjoy Straffan Steam Museum, where you can see huge 19th-century stationary engines running in steam, alongside a collection of prototype model locomotives. It’s well worth combining with a visit to the beautiful Lodge Park Walled Garden.
For those more into ponies and horses, the Irish Racehorse Experience at the Irish National Stud & Gardens is an interactive, immersive journey through the history of horse racing in Ireland. You need to be 8 years old or over to take part, though children 7 and under may accompany a paying adult. Afterwards, head to the Living Legends paddock, where retired equine stars relax in the sunshine.
Located within the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, the Museum of Style Icons hosts collections and artefacts relating to stars of the silver screen and modern-day icons – including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and the Beatles. Admission is free.
Castletown House, built for William Conolly, is the first and largest Palladian manor in Ireland – well worth a visit. There are guided tours of the house, activity sheets for kids, and afterwards you can head outdoors for the self-guided Nature Trail or the Treemendous Tree Trail through the parklands.
Discover the fascinating world of polar exploration at The Shackleton Museum in Athy. Highlights include an original sledge and harness from Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expeditions, a 15-foot model of his ship Endurance, a collection of family photographs, and audiovisual footage from the Endurance expedition.
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Rainy Day Activities in Kildare
At KBowl in Naas you’ll find ten-pin bowling, the indoor children’s play area Wacky World, and KZone, which has arcade games, air hockey, basketball and American pool.
K Leisure has 25m swimming pools at both their Athy and Naas locations, with a timetable of sessions for adult and children’s leisure swimming.
Celbridge Playzone is a 10,000 sq ft children’s play centre with indoor play options for ages 0-9.
Bookshop Barker & Jones in Naas has a dedicated kids’ section, as well as a nice café.
Kildare Farm Foods has free entry to the open farm, with indoor facilities including a crazy golf course, train rides and a well-stocked shop and café.
At the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, celebrate the wonder of Irish peatlands and their wildlife, with plenty to see and do for all ages.
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Family-Friendly Hotels & Accommodation in Kildare
The 4-star Osprey Hotel & Spa in the heart of Naas town offers family-friendly accommodation, a leisure centre with a 20m swimming pool and kiddies’ pool, and a Kids Club during school holidays.
The Clanard Court Hotel in Athy is a popular family stay, particularly at Christmas thanks to its well-known Santa experience. Alongside great family rooms, you can enjoy a children’s afternoon tea, and kids will love the resident alpacas too.
For a more luxurious break, Carton House Hotel in Maynooth offers family stays with an array of on-site activities, including fishing, tennis, bicycle hire, family picnics, golf, horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting and archery. There’s also an 18m swimming pool and children’s pool, plus a spa for the grown-ups.
For something a little different, the Roisín Dubh Houseboat in Sallins sleeps six and is a unique Airbnb in Ireland. It’s easy to reach by car, and by train it’s only around 30 minutes from Dublin city centre, with the station just a short walk away.
Check out more of our favourite family-friendly hotels and accommodation in Ireland – from luxury breaks and hotels with kids’ clubs to self-catering and family camping and glamping.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Kildare
There are plenty of great restaurants in Kildare to choose from – here are some recommended by MyKidsTime parents:
- Da Vinci’s, Leixlip: family-friendly with a kids’ early-bird menu and delicious pasta and pizza.
- Hartes of Kildare in Kildare Town: offers kids’ meal deals, half portions of some mains on request, and complimentary baby bowls for under-3s.
- The Japanese Gardens Restaurant at the Irish National Stud & Gardens: a lovely child-friendly spot with locally sourced, homemade produce – great to combine with a tour of the gardens and stud. Children’s portions, high chairs and bottle-heating available on request.
- The Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace: family-friendly dining in the bar or restaurant, with an extensive, affordable children’s menu. Great food, especially the pizza.
- Dunne and Crescenzi, Kildare Village: a family-friendly Italian restaurant with a children’s menu and plenty of high chairs. Lovely al fresco dining in good weather, right beside the playground.
Things to Do in Kildare for Older Kids and Teens
The Irish Racehorse Experience at the Irish National Stud gives teens a unique look at what it takes to be a champion trainer, jockey and commentator – from choosing a training schedule to picking your colours before the big race.
Redhills Adventure Centre has karting, archery, an assault course and more, with family packages available, while Xtreme.ie runs outdoor-based activities and camps at Carton House.
Abbeyfield Farm near Clane offers horse riding, along with clay pigeon shooting and archery.
Airtastic Entertainment Centre in Celbridge has a bowling alley, a space-themed mini golf course, amusement arcades and soft play for under-9s.
Feeling creative? Try a spot of pottery at Florence & Milly, a ceramic art studio and coffee bar in Sallins.
The Riverbank Arts Centre runs a strong programme of events year-round, from theatre and cinema to workshops.
If your teen is more into looking at art, The White Box Gallery in Naas is a contemporary art gallery and school.
Fancy a retail blitz? Kildare Village and Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge both offer plenty of shopping options.
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Don’t Miss
The National Famine Way passes through Kildare, centred on the walk of 12-year-old Daniel Tighe – one of the original famine walkers from Strokestown Park, who survived the harrowing journey to Quebec, Canada, in 1847. Daniel’s journey is reimagined in vignettes written by award-winning author Marita Conlon-McKenna, connected to over 30 pairs of 19th-century bronze children’s shoes along the route, making for a thought-provoking family experience.
It’s also an accredited Heritage and Arts Trail, mostly located in the countryside along the Royal Canal on flat, well-surfaced paths – making it ideal for families, casual walkers and cyclists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Kildare with kids?
Kildare works well as a family day out or short break year-round. Spring and summer suit outdoor spots like the Curragh, Donadea Forest Park and the Irish National Stud & Gardens, while museums, play centres and bowling alleys make great options for a rainy day at any time of year.
Are there free things to do in Kildare for families?
Yes – the grounds of Castletown House are free to explore, most towns have local playgrounds, the Curragh is open access, and the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware has free admission.
Is the Irish National Stud & Gardens suitable for young children?
Yes, there’s plenty for younger children, including a woodland fairy trail and a playground, alongside the beautiful gardens. The interactive Horse Racing Experience is aimed at ages 8 and up, though younger children can accompany a paying adult.
Where can families stay overnight in Kildare?
There’s a good range of family-friendly accommodation in Kildare, from hotels with pools and kids’ clubs, such as the Osprey Hotel & Spa and Carton House, to more unusual options like the Roisín Dubh Houseboat in Sallins.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like:
- Top 10 Things to Do in Kildare with Kids
- Things to Do with Preschoolers in Kildare
- Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Kildare
- Best Outdoor Places in Kildare for Families
- The Best Museums in Ireland to Visit with Kids
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