Wet weather doesn’t have to mean a day stuck staring out the window. Sligo has plenty of indoor fun to keep kids entertained, energetic and dry, whatever the forecast throws at you. From soft play centres and swimming pools to museums, historic houses and creative workshops, here’s our pick of rainy day activities for kids in Sligo.
Indoor Activities for Kids in Sligo
From soft play to arts and crafts to splashing about in a pool, there are lots of ways to spend a rainy day with kids in Sligo.
Funny Bones House of Fun
Funny Bones House of Fun is a children’s activity and play centre based in the Toberbride Business Park in Collooney, just outside Sligo town. Kids can spend hours between the soft play area, go-karts and laser zone, and there’s also Vertigo, a climbing wall and high ropes adventure course for older children.
Babies and toddlers have their own dedicated play area, so little ones can play safely too. There’s a coffee shop on site for parents to relax while the kids play, and the centre runs special toddler mornings with a range of activities for the very young.
Happy Days Adventure Play Centre
Happy Days Adventure Play Centre at Cleveragh Business Park in Sligo is a great option for a rainy day out with the whole family. There are two separate soft play areas — one for babies and toddlers, and one for older children — both with slides, ball pools and other activities. You’ll also find car track tables, train tables and brick tables for extra play. Wheelchair access is available.
While the kids play, parents can relax on comfy sofas with newspapers and magazines, or grab something from the café. Parent and toddler mornings run on Thursdays and Fridays.
Boda Borg @ Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
Though not in Sligo itself, Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Boyle, Co. Roscommon is set in the grounds of the old King-Harman Estate on the shores of island-studded Lough Key, and it’s well worth the short detour. You can spend hours tackling the quests at Boda Borg at Lough Key, a totally unique activity in Ireland, suitable for adults and children over 7, and completely weather-independent.
Boda Borg is divided into 15 quests containing up to 47 individual challenges. To get through them, you’ll need teamwork, ingenuity and a fair bit of trial and error — solving one challenge opens the door to the next, with plenty of curiosity, laughter and excitement along the way. Teams need a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 people, and pre-booking is recommended.
Arts and Crafts for Kids
Sligo has a rich artistic and literary tradition, so why not let the kids take part with some creative activities of their own?
- Hullabaloo offer mobile ceramic painting and craft parties and workshops across Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon and Sligo.
- The Model Sligo, home of The Niland Collection, is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres. It’s a bright, open, welcoming space for children, and its toddler programme, The Big Draw, and the Art Trap programme for older kids tend to book up quickly. The Model also shows family films and provides activity sheets to help younger visitors get more from their visit. Bring your own crayons and paper so children can respond to the artworks they’ve seen, then enjoy home-baked treats and hot chocolate in the coffee shop afterwards.
Get Reading!
There’s nothing nicer than curling up with a good book on a miserable day. Most of the libraries in Sligo have an extensive range of children’s materials and welcoming children’s areas with sofas and desks, and many run storytelling sessions, arts and craft groups and other events for kids.
Sligo County Museum & Library
Sligo County Library on Stephen Street is also home to Sligo County Museum, which runs exhibitions throughout the year. The museum holds a fascinating collection of exhibits detailing Sligo’s rich history. Make sure to check out the Yeats Room and the display of artefacts and memorabilia associated with Countess Constance Markievicz and Eva Gore-Booth. Admission is free.
Go Swimming
- Waterpoint in Enniscrone has an indoor heated pool, a separate children’s pool, a health suite with jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, plus a fully equipped gym and café. Kids are sure to have a great time on the 65-metre flume waterslide. Outdoors there are three astroturf pitches and a playground, so if the weather does brighten up there’s room for a run-around before heading home.
- Take a splash at Sligo Regional Sports Centre in the 25m heated indoor swimming pool, while little ones enjoy the heated children’s pool, ideal for confidence-building and fun. There’s also a jacuzzi and steam room, plus a fully equipped gym, sports hall and astroturf.
Lissadell House
Lissadell’s historic house and gardens are famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz, her sister Eva Gore-Booth and brother Josslyn Gore-Booth. The poet W. B. Yeats stayed at Lissadell twice and even immortalised the estate in his poetry. Guided tours of the house bring its rich history to life, and if the weather does improve it’s well worth exploring the gardens too. The tea rooms at Lissadell are a nice stop for lunch or a light snack. An admission fee applies.
Head to the Beach!
Sligo has a wide range of beautiful beaches, and one idea for a rainy day is to go surfing at Strandhill or Enniscrone. You’re going to get wet anyway, so you won’t notice the rain! Both villages have surf schools that provide wetsuits, boards and lessons to get you riding the waves in no time.
Afterwards, warm up with hot chocolate, pancakes and other treats in the great choice of coffee shops and restaurants in both villages.
Catch a Movie
Who doesn’t love popcorn and a good movie? The Omniplex Cinema Sligo on Wine Street, Abbeyquarter North, is a modern multi-screen cinema with a Kids Party Zone.
Or skip the trip altogether and create your own home cinema experience without leaving the house. Get the kids involved in setting up the “cinema,” arranging seating, making tickets and so on, then sit back and enjoy the show.
Get Outside
Sometimes you’ve just got to get out and get wet! Pop on the raingear and wellies and head out for a walk in the rain — most kids love splashing in puddles, and it’s a great way to burn off pent-up energy from being cooped up indoors.
Warm up afterwards with a hot bath or shower, dry clothes and a mug of hot chocolate. Then pull out a board game or snuggle up on the couch with a movie for the perfect end to a wet day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we do on a rainy day in Sligo?
Sligo has plenty of indoor options, including soft play centres like Funny Bones House of Fun and Happy Days Adventure Play Centre, indoor swimming pools, the Sligo County Museum, arts and craft activities, and the weather-independent Boda Borg at Lough Key.
Is Boda Borg suitable for young children?
Boda Borg at Lough Key is suitable for adults and children aged 7 and over. Teams need a minimum of three people and a maximum of five, and pre-booking is recommended.
Are there indoor playgrounds for toddlers in Sligo?
Yes. Both Funny Bones House of Fun and Happy Days Adventure Play Centre have dedicated soft play areas for babies and toddlers, separate from the areas for older children.
Is there anything free to do indoors in Sligo on a rainy day?
Sligo County Museum has free admission, and local libraries offer a range of children’s materials, story sessions and craft events at no cost.
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Not quite what you’re after? Have a browse through our other rainy day activity guides for more inspiration, and bookmark this page so you’ve got it handy the next time the forecast turns grey.
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