Despite being a large city, Dublin actually has lots of outdoor opportunities for families. So here are some of the best outdoor places in Dublin to take the kids and enjoy the best the city and county has to offer.

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From parks to beaches, there are lots of fun outdoor spaces to take the kids to. Here are some of our favourite spots.

Best Outdoor Places in Dublin for Families

Airfield Estate

The farm, gardens, café and heritage experience at Airfield Estate offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and learn about food, farming and the natural work in the unique and relaxed 38 acre urban environment in Dundrum. Learn about the workings of the farm from daily milkings, to egg collecting, mucking out and feeding, and there are lots of play areas for kids.

Iveagh Gardens

This delightful park is minutes from the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street but feels like it’s miles away.

An oasis of calm and beauty in the middle of Dublin City Centre, the Iveagh Gardens are an ideal picnic spot, with beautiful greens and gardens and a small waterfall, there is nowhere nicer in Dublin on a summer’s day.

Farmleigh

The meadows in front of Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park is a great spot to enjoy a picnic with great views, lots of space and with a farmers market most weekends, you can pick up tasty treats there as well.

The Dublin Mountains and The Hellfire Club

There are some great picnic spots in the Dublin mountains especially around Three Rocks with picnic tables available and unbeatable views of the city.
The Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains is another fun place for a walk with plenty of space for the kids to run around when you get to the top.
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St Patrick’s Park

Image: © Tourism Ireland

Right beside St Patrick’s Cathedral you’ll find a nice park with fountain and children’s playground. We sometimes bring a picnic and enjoy sitting on the grass people watching.

Father Collins Park

Father Collins Park is just beside Clongriffin DART station (between Howth Junction and Portmarnock) and is a great place to go cycling with the kids. Great for kite flying as well!

Dun Laoghaire

Head to Dun Laoghaire and blow the cobwebs away with a walk down the pier. Spot the sailboats, and keep an eye out for seals and dolphins.

Marley Park

A popular spot on the Southside amongst parents with playgrounds and again, good for taking the kids cycling. Another good one for flying kites.

Malahide Castle

Image: Malahide Castle © Failte Ireland

Also in North Dublin, visit the extensive grounds of Malahide Castle and Gardens. While the Castle itself, the butterfly house and the walled gardens require a ticket, the sprawling parklands are free to enter. With plenty of walking trails, green space, playing fields and woodland to discover, this is a real hidden gem. Don’t miss the enormous playground, with plenty of equipment for toddlers to older kids. You can also follow the paths out of Malahide Castle for a short walk into Malahide village, home to a marina, beautiful beach, and plenty of independent shops and restaurants.

Howth Head and Bray Head

Both walks on opposing sides of Dublin Bay are great for a family ramble with various trails available.

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Dollymount Beach

It’s a lovely cycle along the coast road from Clontarf as far as Howth. Other favourite beaches on the south side are Sandycove, Killiney and Sandymount. On the north side there are great sandy strands at Portmarnock, Donabate, Sutton and Malahide.

Ardgillan Demesne

Experience the rolling open grounds of Ardgillan Castle, set in 194 acres of parkland, woodlands and gardens. The most distinctive feature however is the spectacular setting, with unmissable views over the Irish Sea. No visit is complete without a visit to the huge, colourful playground with over 30 pieces of play equipment for kids to enjoy.

Tymon Park

There are three great playgrounds in Tymon Park. There is a large adventure playground at the Tallaght entrance to the park.

At the Templeogue entrance, there is another playground suitable for both toddlers and older children.

In the woods beside this playground there are several climbing frames, hammocks, a huge netted climbing pyramid and several other wooden play things along the path through the wood.

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