Amazing Art Places for Kids to Get Creative in Ireland

Kellie Kearney

May 13, 2019

art places for kids in Ireland

Like this? Share it with your network!

Like this? Share it with your network!

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Whatsapp

Kids naturally gravitate towards art – they love to get creative, some adore messy play while other just like to look at it. Ireland is bursting with galleries and exhibitions, and there are so many family-friendly art places for kids to get creative. The best bit? Many of them are free too!

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.

Creativity is vitally important for kids – whether that’s drawing, painting, writing or making, and an opportunity to see art in galleries and museums is so inspiring.

Many of our these memorable places to visit around the country offer family-friendly art-based activities on a regular basis, and quite a number of them are free.

You May Also Enjoy National Drawing Day Events for Families

Amazing Art Places for Kids in Dublin

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Dublin

collins barracks National Museum of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland has 3 different museums across Dublin – Decorative Arts, Archaeology and Natural History.

All of them run free events for families, but for those with an interest in the arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks is the place to visit. Check their website for upcoming events for all ages including crafts, tours, exhibitions, workshops and drop-in activities.

You May Also Enjoy The Best Museums in Ireland To Take Kids To

The Ark, Dublin

me and the city at the ark

The Ark is a purpose-built cultural centre in Temple Bar where children aged 2-12 can discover dance, film, literature, theatre, music and art. They create lots of opportunities for children to discover and love art. They work with leading artists, host regular engaging exhibitions and children can also enjoy performances in their child-sized theatre.

You May Also Enjoy 50 Brilliant Ideas for Art & Crafts for Kids (That are Worth the Mess)

National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

national gallery ireland

The recently renovated National Gallery, that houses the national collection of Irish and European art, is located in Merrion Square.

The National Gallery also hosts free regular drop-in family sessions, a free art-making workshop and family-friendly tours of the collection tailored to engage young visitors.

You May Also Enjoy Creative and Free Fun for the Family in Dublin’s Art Galleries

Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin

imma family events

Also known as the IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is Ireland’s leading national institute for modern and contemporary art in Dublin. They present a large variety of art, exhibitions, drop-in arts & crafts workshops throughout the year.

They hold EXPLORER Family Workshops on Sundays where you can get creative together as a family, explore artworks with IMMA staff, and enjoy a hands-on workshop in the galleries. Explorer is drop-in, fun and free. There are also Holiday Family Workshops during school holidays when children and grown-ups can enjoy visiting an exhibition and making artworks together.

Giddy Studios, Dublin

giddy studios

An enchanting place full of colour located in Dundrum Town Centre, Giddy Studios is a pottery painting and creative studio who provide a variety of packages including summer camps, workshops, drop off services (so parents can go shopping in peace) and general painting fun.

Little Arts in Malahide, Dublin

little arts

Little Arts hold Art & Crafts classes in the Pastoral Centre in Malahide for kids aged 5-10. Free creativity is encouraged every Friday from 3-4pm.

Artzone, Dublin

artzone

Artzone is one of Ireland’s leading children’s Art Schools run by fully qualified art teachers. Welcoming over 2,200 students each week, Artzone host workshops, camps, classes and even birthday parties.

Artzone Studios is located in Rathfarnham but they run classes and camps in 15 venues across Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.

Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Chester Beatty best museums in Ireland

With free admission and described by the Lonely Planet as “one of the best in Europe”, the Chester Beatty Library is also the only museum in Ireland to win ‘European Museum of the Year’.

The library’s rich collections from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world. There are regular art workshops for preschoolers, primary aged children and teens.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle horrible histories fans in IrelandYes you may be surprised to see Dublin Castle on our list, but since at least the seventeenth century, the collection at Dublin Castle has been an important expression of artistic and cultural production in Ireland and further afield.

Today, the collection consists of a wide variety of artworks from across the spectrum of the fine and decorative arts.

They have a variety of activity sheets available free of charge for use throughout the State Apartments, for example, the Family Trail has fun art activities included on it. There are also regular family events on their events calendar.

National Print Museum, Dublin

national print museum

The National Print Museum offers a range of guided tours, workshops and educational resources for young people. The Museum’s permanent exhibition is laid out in the same style as an old print shop with a Composing Area, Printing Area and Finishing Area.

The Museum also hosts a variety of exciting workshops throughout the year, such as Introduction to Letterpress, Calligraphy, Bookbinding, Printmaking – Etching, Japanese Woodblock Printmaking and many more.

Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin

Hugh Lane Gallery Dublin

The beautiful Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square houses the foremost public collection of contemporary art in Ireland, and the gallery also has dynamic temporary exhibitions.

There is a fabulous children’s area and learning resource centre where children, families and teachers can further explore the various exhibitions together in their own space and at their own time.

Children can really get the creative juices flowing at the regular children’s workshops including Saturday art classes, so check out what’s on before you visit, as many require pre-booking.

Creative Art Places for Kids Around Ireland

glór, Ennis

family vacation glor ennis

Glór in Ennis is a multi purpose arts and music venue. Upstairs in their art space they have regular art exhibitions and the Visual Arts programme at Glór highlights artistic achievements of people all around the country with guided tours and artist talks. There are also frequent arts workshops for children so keep an eye on their website.

You May Also Enjoy 12 Super Simple Art Projects for Toddlers and Preschoolers

On Sight Art Trail at NMI Country Life, Mayo

On Sight is an annual summer art trail in the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland Country Life in Turlough Park, Co. Mayo. The purpose of the art trail is to encourage visitors to explore the themes of the Museum through outdoor art works. It is also to encourage artists to create works in a site specific location.

It is a partnership project of the National Museum of Ireland, Mayo County Council, Mayo Arts Squad and independent artists.

You May Also Enjoy Top 10 Things to Do in Mayo with Kids

Crawford Art Gallery, Cork

crawford art gallery

Dedicated to visual arts, both historic and contemporary, Crawford Art Gallery is the National Cultural Institution and regional art museum in Munster.

Crawford Art Gallery welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year and boast almost 4,000 pieces of art. Admission is free and they host regular exhibitions, education programmes and family events including art classes for children, summer courses and every Sunday there is something on for the whole family.

You May Also Enjoy FREE Family Things to Do in Cork

Visual in Carlow

visual carlow

Best known as one of Ireland’s leading contemporary art spaces, Visual in Carlow boasts four world-class gallery spaces and a 320-seat performance space.

Visual host regular movie nights, workshops, lectures, theatre performances and family events including Parent and Toddler art classes, and once-a-month Family Art Workshops, where the whole family can get involved in fun art activities.

They also have a drop-in Make and Do table where small folk can draw and make to their heart’s content, as well as fun, interactive worksheets to help children (and adults too!) explore the season’s exhibitions (these are available free at Reception).

Keep an eye out on their events page, as the arts centre frequently invite kids to explore their gallery space and provide materials for free to get creative.

You May Also Enjoy Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Carlow

The Model, Sligo

model sligo

The Model is an art & music venue in Sligo with a 240-seat theatre, acoustic room, galleries and a cinema.

Here you will find regular exhibitions including children’s and young people’s artwork, creative art camps, family days including craft workshops and secret movie screenings.

You May Also Enjoy Top 10 Things to Do in Sligo With Kids

Galway Arts Centre

galway arts centre

The Galway Arts Centre is free gallery located on Dominick Street in Galway, open Monday to Saturday. They also host a variety of activities for the whole family including classes in art, writing and photography. They have an exciting Visual Arts programme lined up for 2018.

You May Also Enjoy Top Things to Do in Galway with Kids

The Hunt Museum, Limerick

hunt museum kids art

At The Hunt Museum in Limerick, there’s a Kids’ Arts and Crafts Club on the first Sunday of every month where children learn new skills while they are involved in a fun project with parents. Every month a new theme and craft is presented.

There is also Drop in Arts & Crafts sessions on the remaining Sundays at 3-4pm where kids create crafts on a specific theme which are linked to objects in the Museum’s collection, as well as enjoy a small tour where they learn about the objects.

Source Arts Centre, Thurles

source arts centre art camps

The Source Arts Centre is a 250-seat theatre, visual art gallery and community space studio located in the heart of Thurles town.

Source regularly host summer camps, art projects and workshops for children of all ages. Throughout the year they also host exhibitions and visual art displays for all the family to enjoy.

You May Also Enjoy Top Things to Do in Tipperary with Kids

Hook Lighthouse, Wexford

hook lighthouse

Many people know the Hook Lighthouse – it’s a well-known building situated on Hook Head in County Wexford, one of the beautiful examples of old medieval architecture in Ireland. But did you know that during the summer months, they have a great Art Centre behind the little café area where kids can make & paint clay on a slate? Lots of fun!

Solstice Arts Centre, Meath

solstice arts centre

Solstice Arts Centre in Navan is Meath’s centre for the arts, presenting free art exhibitions, theatre events, regular cinema screenings. They also run regular events and activities for children, including Kids theatre, art, dance, music and drama events. There are two gallery spaces with 2-3 exhibitions held per season.

Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford

garter lane arts centreGarter Lane Arts Centre is a vibrant and thriving venue for visual arts, theatre, dance, comedy, music, film and literature, hosting a theatre, galleries and rehearsal space in the heart of Waterford City.

Their outreach programme includes a diverse range of creative activities for babies, toddlers, children and their families and young people.

You May Also Enjoy Top Things to Do in Waterford with Kids

Limerick City Gallery of Art

limerick gallery

Limerick City Gallery of Art invites you to see the best of contemporary art through the exhibition programme and to enjoy their extensive collection of Irish art. They hold art SPACE sessions for kids and parents for children to engage with the exhibits in Limerick City Gallery of Art in a fun and inspiring way.

The sessions are given by trained artists and facilitators and introduce kids to contemporary art in a fun and relaxed way. Booking is essential, contact [email protected] for information and bookings.

Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork

lewis glucksman gallery

Located at the main entrance to University College Cork, The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a cultural and educational institution that promotes the research, creation and exploration of the visual arts. Admission is free (there’s a suggested donation of €5).

As well as art exhibitions to visit, they have free art workshops for families on Sunday afternoons 3-4pm, led by professional artists, these fun and interactive events invite families to learn all about making art. They also run Summer Art Clubs, Creative STEAM workshops and more.


Looking For More?

We’ve got 12 MORE fun crafts for tweens here, including unicorn poop slime, tie-dye, and snow globes!

SHOW ME MORE!


Wexford Arts Centre

wexford arts centre

The Wexford Arts Centre in Wexford Town hosts a year-round programme of contemporary art exhibitions. They offer free admission with educational free talks for the public, as well as workshops for all ages for toddlers and parents, school children. They host vibrant events in theatre, music, comedy, and dance with after-school programmes.

National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny

national craft and design gallery

The National Design & Craft Gallery is Ireland’s leading centre for contemporary craft and design. They aim to inspire appreciation, creativity and innovation through exhibitions, events and education programmes. As they say, visiting a gallery doesn’t have to be serious or boring.

They hold Crafternoon Tours, as well as Craft Club Workshops throughout the year, which explore the current exhibitions through playful experimentation with materials, techniques and ideas. On the second Saturday of the month they also invite young makers to the National Design & Craft Gallery to take part in a hands-on craft workshop that begins with a tour of the gallery, specially designed to get you in the mood for creating.

You May Also Enjoy Fun Guaranteed with these 22 Easy Painting Ideas for Kids

What are your favourite art places for kids? Where else should we add to our list? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

Amazing Art Places for Kids to Get Creative

Like this? Share it with your network!

Like this? Share it with your network!

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Whatsapp
Published On: May 13th, 2019 / Categories: Ireland / Last Updated: January 22nd, 2023 / Tags: , , /

About the Author: Kellie Kearney

Avatar photo
Award-winning blogger Kellie Kearney is a mammy of six. Kellie spends her days bribing her kids, counting to three and making memories, whatever the weather, finding free or cheapish family-friendly days out just so they will sleep through the night! (She also hosts a series ‘Adventures of Eire’ over on her award-winning parenting blog www.mylittlebabog.com)

You’ve Got Mail!

Get our best content direct to your inbox! You’ll receive quick and easy recipes, fun ideas to entertain the kids, parenting tips, competitions, as well as offers from brands we trust.