Are you looking for activities for a rainy day in Clare? Need some ideas for things to do to keep the kids occupied when it’s wet outside? Then we have lots of suggestions here to make your job a little easier!

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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

At Bunratty Castle & Folk Park everywhere is open for you to explore! The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Wander through the castle and marvel at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country which brings to life a vital part of our Medieval past.

At Bunratty’s 19th century Folk Park, you can see a reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland over a century ago. It features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. Visit the farm houses and cottages and watch the tasks of rural Irish life. Make sure to check out the baking of the griddle bread next to the fire and taste it hot with fresh creamery butter.

Indoor Centres

Dennis’ Den Funworld

Let the kids run off some steam at Dennis’ Den Funworld in Clonroad More, Ennis. This venue is open 7 days a week and has with soft play areas for both toddlers and over 5’s.  Some of their facilities include a ball pool, slides, mazes and bridges. The kids will have a ball, and you can relax and enjoy a coffee in the café. Admission costs €8.00 and is €6.00 for kids under 2.

Planet Entertainment Centre

At the Planet Family Entertainment Centre in Ennis, the kids are sure to have a great day with their wide range of indoor activities. They have eight lanes of ten-pin bowling with special family deals and both small bowling balls and ramps for the kids. They also have the soft play area ‘Tumble Towers and Tumble Tots’ and an astroturf as well as Quasar for older kids.

Kids Town Corbally

Kids Town in Gilloge, Corbally is a 24,000 sq ft indoor soft play centre. They have ball pits, castles, tunnels, ball swings, giant lego, slides and a sports area, has well as much more. They also have ‘Splat Town’, low impact kids paintball! All gear is supplied, and the activity is suitable for kids 8 and up.

Barneys Kidz Club

Barneys Kidz Club is located in the Gort Road Business Park in Ennis and is a great indoor soft play area. They incorporate learning into play through their Interactive Toddler Area. They also have a separate Baby and Toddler Area with a toddler slide, ball pool and Roller Racer Stadium. There is a three tiered adventure frame with a 3 lane wavy slide tube and much more.

Visit the Theatre!

glór, Ennis is a thriving concert and events venue located in Cappahard and is the perfect retreat, whatever the weather! They run regular family friendly events, workshops, children’s camps and art classes. They also run lots of free events throughout the year. Stop by their latest gallery exhibition while you visit! Afterwards, visit the glór café which serves delicious scones, soups, light lunches, desserts & coffee.

Catch a Movie!

Who doesn’t love popcorn and a good movie?

• Empire Movieplex in Clonroad Beg, Ennis has seven screens. They run a Kids Club every Saturday morning at 11:30am and all admissions are €3.00.
• Eclipse Cinemas at the Three Rivers Centre in Lifford is a family-owned, large multiscreen cinema. They have daily ticket offers and homemade popcorn.

Alternatively, why not enjoy all the fun of the cinema, without ever leaving home, by creating your own home cinema experience! Get the kids involved in setting up the cinema, arranging seating, making tickets etc. then sit back and relax!

Related: Make Your Own Home Cinema

Get Reading!

Visit your local library. All libraries in the county have a junior section.  Great for a rainy afternoon – go and read with the children or take part in many of the free events and activities that take place.  Check out library opening times before you make plans.

Clare has 16 library branches in the county, with plenty of books for readers of all ages, plus fun activities every week in the summer.

The Burren Perfumery

The Burren Perfumery is a family-run company in Carron, Co. Clare, who make perfumes inspired by the landscape surrounding them. They have a free audiovisual exhibition on the fascinating flora and fauna of the Burren. There is also a lovely store and they run perfume making workshops. You can relax afterwards in the rose-covered Tea Rooms for lunch or a snack. During the summer season, they have impromptu talks on by our staff so make sure to check the noticeboard when you arrive to see what’s on that day. Kids can also observe the hand-making of a lot of their products. If the weather brightens up, they have beautiful gardens surrounding.

Go Swimming!

Swimming is a great way to expend energy and is the perfect retreat when it’s raining outside! You’ll be spoiled for choice with the great selection of child-friendly pools in Ennis.

• Active Ennis Leisure Complex has a 25m swimming pool and a separate kiddies pool. They also have special Teen Gym Hours for older kids 11-15 years if they want to try out some of the great gym features there.
• Kilkee Waterworld in Dough, Kilkee, has some brilliant features for kids including guysers, gushers, bubbles, a slide and the lazy river ride. Children under 1 go free.
• Shannon Leisure Centre in Tullyglass, Shannon has a kiddies pool and 25m swimming pool as well as a playground, climbing wall, astroturf and dance studio.
• Lahinch Seaworld and Leisure Centre boasts a 25m heated pool and kiddies pool too with a small slide. Afterwards, have a bite to eat in Randaddys Cafe & Restaurant.

Aillwee Cave

Located in the heart of the Burren, Aillwee Cave is one of the oldest caves in Ireland. Expert guides will accompany you on your exciting underground journey through the beautiful caverns and kids will love to see the bridged chasms, weird formations and the thunderous waterfall! Marvel at the frozen waterfall and explore the hibernation chambers of the long extinct brown bears. There is also a café, cheese shop and gift shop.

Get Outside

Sometimes, you have just got to get out and get wet!

Put on the raingear and wellies and go for a walk in the rain.  Most kids love splashing in puddles, and sometimes it’s a great way to release pent-up energy from being cooped up inside.

Here’s our Top 10 Things to do Outside in Rain for some ideas!

Warm up afterwards with a hot bath/shower, dry clothes and hot chocolate. Then, why not pull out a board-game or snuggle up on the couch with a movie – a perfect end to a wet day!

Related: 50 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids & What to Do on a Rainy Day & Activities for a Rainy Day

Do you have any other suggestions for Rainy Day Activities in Clare? Tell us in the comments below.