Are you parent to a toddler in Monaghan, or just visiting the area? Finding things to do with little ones before they start school can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the county. So we’ve put together some suggestions for things to do with preschoolers in Monaghan.
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One of the nice things about having a toddler, and not being tied to school hours, is that you have more flexibility to visit places during the day and at quieter times. Here are our favourite ideas.
Things To Do With Preschoolers In Monaghan
Soft Play Centres in Monaghan
Many play centres offer dedicated soft play areas for preschoolers — a great way to spend a couple of hours and burn off some energy.
- GR8 Entertainment in Castleblayney has three separate soft play areas: one for under 1s, one for 2–4 year olds, and one for older children.
- Not far away is Kool Kids in Corlurgan Business Park, Cavan, which has dedicated baby and toddler zones.
Visit Monaghan Libraries
Visit one of the many great libraries in Monaghan. Carrickmacross Library runs toddler story time and other family-friendly events, while Monaghan Town Library also holds family storytelling sessions. Check each library’s own Facebook page or the county library’s news and events page for what’s coming up.
The junior section of the library is also a lovely way to spend an hour or two reading and choosing books — your preschooler can join the library and pick their own books to borrow and bring home.
Parent and Toddler Swimming in Monaghan
Go swimming! Coral Leisure in Monaghan Town has a kids’ pool and offers toddler swim lessons. Hillgrove Hotel and Spa also has a kids’ pool and runs children’s hours at the pool — worth checking their current times before you go.
Music and Other Fun Classes
Sign up for a class — music, movement, dance, drama, play labs, swimming or football. Checking out preschool classes is a great way to meet people and make friends too. Gymboree runs music and play classes for toddlers in the Monaghan area.
Playgrounds in Monaghan
Visit the playground! Several playgrounds around the county have dedicated sections for smaller children. Why not pick a different playground you don’t usually visit, and try somewhere new each week or month?
- Rossmore Forest Park has a great playground full of fun equipment for little ones to explore.
- Lough Muckno Leisure Park has a playground with a wooden boat and tree house, as well as ziplines and swings. You can also feed the ducks at the lake.
Parent and Toddler Groups
Join a local parent and toddler group. There are many groups throughout Monaghan that meet weekly. These groups are a lovely way for young children to mix with others their own age, and for parents to meet other local families.
Attractions in Monaghan
If you have a free weekday, one big advantage of getting out and about with preschoolers is that you can visit places at off-peak times, when older children are at school and popular spots aren’t as busy.
Some places to visit in or near Monaghan with preschoolers:
- Busy Bee Ceramics in Glaslough offers classes and pottery parties for all ages, and can take a small group of around four toddlers with their parents at one time.
- Sam More Open Farm in Threemilehouse is open year-round and is home to cows, sheep, horses, alpacas, a miniature horse and pot-bellied pigs, plus an old blacksmith’s forge, a duck-feeding nature walk, a fairy fort and lane, and a picnic area. Check their Facebook page for current opening times before you set off.
- Erica’s Fairy Forest in Cootehill, Cavan, was created by Erica’s parents, Natasha and Ciaran, to honour her memory and her unshakable belief in fairies and magical kingdoms.
- Hollywood Forest Park, a small lakeside park at Scotstown, has nature walks, a children’s playground and picnic areas.
Events for Preschoolers in Monaghan
Keep an eye on our events page, as there are regular workshops and events suited to younger children throughout the year.
Go For A Walk
There are many lovely spots for a walk in Monaghan — perfect for preschoolers to run around, collect leaves and stones, and play hide and seek. Here are three of our favourites:
- Rossmore Forest Park, located 3.5km south-west of Monaghan Town on the R189 to Newbliss, has several forest walks, a nature trail and a yew walk, along with a car park and picnic sites. Parking charges may apply at weekends, so it’s worth checking locally before you go.
- Lough Muckno Leisure Park in Castleblayney is a great spot for family walks, with walking trails, nature walks and a picnic area, open all year round.
- Castle Leslie in Glaslough is another great place to breathe in the fresh country air and take in stunning scenery, with everything from short jaunts to long, leisurely strolls around the estate’s woods and lakes.
You might also enjoy our ideas for entertaining preschoolers at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups are these activities suitable for?
These ideas are aimed at preschool-age children, roughly ages two to five, though many venues and playgrounds also welcome babies and older siblings, so the whole family can join in.
Do I need to book activities in advance?
It depends on the venue. Soft play centres, farms and pottery classes can get busy at weekends and during school holidays, so it’s worth checking ahead. Outdoor spaces like playgrounds, parks and walking trails don’t need booking.
Are these ideas suitable for a full day out or just a quick visit?
Many work well either way. A trip to the library or a local playground can fill an hour, while a visit to somewhere like Rossmore Forest Park or an open farm can easily stretch into a half-day out with a picnic.
Where can I find out about new events for preschoolers in Monaghan?
Keep an eye on the MyKidsTime events page, along with local library and community Facebook pages, which regularly post updates on new workshops, story times and family events.
More Monaghan Adventures
If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like:
- Top 10 Things to Do in Monaghan with Kids
- Free Things to Do in Monaghan with Kids
- The Best Playgrounds in Ireland Recommended by Parents
- All Aboard! Steam Trains and Fun Train Rides in Ireland
- Family Walks in Monaghan
- Entertaining Preschoolers at Home
- Our Pick of What’s On This Month
Save This For Later
Planning a week of preschooler outings? Save this list of things to do with preschoolers in Monaghan for your next day off, and browse more family days out ideas on MyKidsTime.
Have another favourite spot for preschoolers in Monaghan? Let us know in the comments below.
