Parents living in Ireland have to be particularly imaginative when it comes to thinking up fun activities on a rainy day – and lord knows that we get plenty of those, even at the height of a so-called Irish summer!  Here are a few ideas for fun rainy day activities for kids in Meath. 

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Indoor Play Centres

Zone Extreme Activity Centre

The award-winning Zone Extreme Activity Centre in Navan has 54,000sq feet of INDOOR Adrenalin Action Activities – so no need to worry about the weather! With Karting, Paintballing, Laser Tag Paintball, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Lazer Maze, Archery and Shooting Simulator, you and the kids will be well entertained. They can cater for large groups of up to 140 people and  guarantee that when you go there once, you will definitely want to go back! Suitable from 8 years and over (Paintball 13years and over) you will be guaranteed a fun day out at The Zone!

Funtasia

At Funtasia, Bettystown, there’s plenty to entertain – explore the multi level jungle zone play area, or why not venture into the heart of the complex and go for a strike in their cosmic bowling alley? They have fairground rides, a 3D motion theatre, simulators and video and arcade games.

Puddenhill Activity Centre

Puddenhill Activity Centre, Garristown, is a 4,500 square foot indoor soft play centre with large and small activity areas, dedicated party rooms, a separate toddlers’ area, football cage, climbing wall and parents’ coffee area. The venue also has regular mother and toddler groups.

Best O’Matz

Located in the Kells Business Park, Best O’Matz is a brilliant indoor play centre, perfect for a rainy day. They have a climbing wall, two slides, air cannons, football pitch and much much more! Their sensory room offers a therapeutic area of relaxation and stimulation for children with special needs or who need a quieter area.

Go Swimming

What better way to spend a wet day, than at Aura Leisure Centre? They have two locations in Meath – one at Clonmagaddan, Navan and one on Newhaggard Road in Trim. At the Aura Swim Academy, children of all ages and levels are taught to swim and develop an understanding of the water. In addition to all their classes, they have Family Fun Swims events with water based inflatable bouncy castles, treasure hunts and raft races for all the family to enjoy together – sounds like perfect fun for a rainy day!

Catch a movie

Who doesn’t love popcorn and a good movie? Take in a movie at the Cinema with lots of popcorn and ice creams at one of the great cinemas in Meath.

• The Arc Cinema, Dillonsland, Navan has a Kids Club showing family movies for €4.00 a head every Saturday and Sunday at 11am.
• Vue Cinema, Ashbourne offer family cinema ticket deals and also run Mini Mornings, showing kids movies from 10am every Saturday and Sunday morning for just €2.99 per ticket.

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.

A browse in a bookshop is always a lovely treat, particularly if your budget runs to treating them to a new book too. There are lovely children’s sections in Eason shops in Navan and Ashbourne, and they have regular children’s storytime at weekends too.

Visit the Theatre

Solstice Arts Centre in Navan brings a diverse programme of music, theatre, visual arts, cinema and dance from local and international artists and companies to their audience. They regularly run family workshops and events, and welcome audiences of all. Stop by and view their latest exhibition in the gallery, and afterwards enjoy refreshments in Solstice Café. Visit the website for a full programme of upcoming events.

Or alternatively, see what’s on at The Venue Theatre in Ratoath, who often run family events. The theatre is fast becoming the best live entertainment centre in County Meath. They also offer several kids activities and classes, such as art classes, ballet, music clubs and much more.

Slane Castle

Slane Castle is set in the middle of a 1,500 acre estate in the heart of the Boyne Valley overlooking the River Boyne, and as the castle is just a few miles upstream from the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne, it’s a great place to take the history buff of the family! Home to the Conyngham family since 1703, the historical tours cover the family’s colourful history and was the setting for a famous historical romance. They have guided historical tours running every quarter past the hour.

Irish Military War Museum

This museum in Starinagh is both fun and educational for the kids to learn about the Irish participants’ involvement in both World Wars . You can tour the interactive museum and have the opportunity to handle original weapons, visit a replica WW1 trench and even ride in a tank!

Come back when the weather is nicer for one of their family days and events, and they have a petting farm and playground.

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. Balrath Wood, Mullaghmeen Forest Park, or Hungry Hall Park have plenty of places where you can shelter from showers. 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 Meath? Tell us in the comments below.