Rainy days don’t have to mean bored kids and a long afternoon stuck indoors. Longford has plenty of ways to keep children entertained, whatever the weather is doing outside. From indoor play centres and swimming pools to the cinema, library and local theatre, here are some great rainy day activities for kids in Longford to help you fill the hours (and tire everyone out before bedtime).
Visit an Indoor Play Centre
Longford Megabowl on Athlone Road, Farranyoogan, has plenty to keep the whole family amused, including 10 pin bowling, pool and video games. With automatic bumpers, even the youngest bowlers get to enjoy a game and score a few strikes along the way. There’s also a supervised soft play area with slides, rope bridges, bouncy castles, a ball pool and crawl tubes, giving kids plenty of scope to burn off energy.
Experience Some Local History
Ballinamuck Visitor Centre is housed in the historic former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks in the picturesque village of Ballinamuck in north County Longford. Inside, you’ll find an engaging exhibition on the Year of the French and the Battle of Ballinamuck in 1798. Once you’ve learned a bit about the history, and if the weather clears up, you can head out to walk the ground where the battle took place and visit the sites connected to it.
Catch a Movie
Popcorn and a good film are always a solid rainy day plan. The Omniplex on Bridge Street runs a kids’ club with family-friendly screenings on Saturdays and Sundays, along with discounted kids’ rates — it’s worth checking their website for current pricing before you go.
If a trip to the cinema doesn’t suit, you can bring the fun home instead by setting up your own cinema experience. Get the kids involved in arranging seating, making tickets and choosing snacks, then settle in together.
Related: Make Your Own Home Cinema
Get Reading
A trip to your local library is a lovely, low-key way to spend a wet afternoon. Every library in the county has a junior section, so it’s a great spot to read together or join in on one of the free events and activities that run throughout the year.
Longford’s main library, along with branches in Ballymahon, Granard, Edgeworthstown and Drumlish, has books for readers of every age, plus fun activities for kids during the summer months.
Go Swimming
A visit to Coral Leisure in Templemichael, Longford, is another good option when it’s wet outside. There’s a 25m pool and a separate learner pool, along with a sauna, steam room, gym and sports hall. Under-3s go free, and it’s worth checking their current pay-as-you-go rates and any early morning “Happy Hour” pricing directly with the centre, as these can change.
Try Virtual Racing
If the rain has ruled out a spin on Action Sports’ outdoor go-karting track in Edgeworthstown, their virtual racing setup is a fun alternative. Their racing and driver training simulators offer a genuinely realistic experience — check with them directly for current session pricing.
Go to the Theatre
The Backstage Theatre in Farneyhoogan, Longford, brings a great mix of music, theatre and dance to the town, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something the whole family will enjoy on a rainy day out.
Get Creative
At the Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, kids can try their hand at a range of creative workshops, from hearing ancient Irish myths and legends to trying a clay symbols workshop inspired by Ireland’s saints and scholars, or creating a felt scene of their own. There’s also a coffee shop and a lovely craft shop to browse.
Get Outside
Sometimes the best rainy day activity is simply getting out in it. Pop on the raincoats and wellies and head out for a walk — most kids love splashing in puddles, and it’s a great way to burn off pent-up energy after being cooped up indoors. For more ideas, take a look at our Top 10 Things to Do Outside in the Rain.
Once you’re back inside, warm up with a hot bath or shower, dry clothes and a hot chocolate. Then it’s time for a board game or a cosy film on the couch — 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we do indoors on a rainy day in Longford?
Longford has several great indoor options, including Longford Megabowl for bowling and soft play, Coral Leisure for swimming, the Omniplex cinema, and the county’s libraries, which all have junior sections and regular activities for kids.
Are there free things to do in Longford when it’s raining?
Yes — a visit to your local library is free and open to all ages, and Ballinamuck Visitor Centre also offers free admission to its exhibition on the Battle of Ballinamuck.
Is there anything for teenagers to do on a rainy day in Longford?
Older kids and teens may enjoy the Backstage Theatre’s programme of music, theatre and dance, a trip to the cinema, or Action Sports’ virtual racing simulators in Edgeworthstown.
What if my kids want to be active indoors?
Longford Megabowl’s soft play area and bowling lanes are great for burning off energy, and Coral Leisure’s pool and gym are good options too.
More Rainy Day Ideas
Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at 50 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids, What to Do on a Rainy Day, and Activities for a Rainy Day for even more ways to keep the kids happy when the weather doesn’t play ball.
Save this article or bookmark it for the next wet weekend — it’s handy to have a list of rainy day ideas ready to go.
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