Entertaining kids can sometimes be a really expensive thing! So here are some suggestions for free things to do with kids around Mayo.

Museums & History

The Museum of Country Life in Turlough, Castlebar is a great free museum with regular free exhibitions, workshops and events. It also has lovely grounds which are great for walks and picnics! 

Why not visit some stone circles or some standing stones? There are lots of historical sites around Mayo which kids would find fascinating.

You could take a walk around many of the towns in Mayo. There are free guided walks during the summer which gives lots of historical information about the towns. 
Related Article – 50 things for your Teen do to this summer.

Beaches in Mayo

Go to the Beach! You don't have to wait until the sun comes out, which is just as well considering the summers we get!

There is lots of fun to be had in and around the water, on the sand and in the rockpools. Some activites that kids might enjoy are kite-surfing, flying a kite, making sandcastles, collecting shells or looking for crabs and other little things in the rockpools. Just running up and down the beach is great for everyone!

Feeding the ducks is something everyone loves and you never grow out of!! There are lots of places around Mayo to do this, Lough Lannagh in Castlebar, The Mall in Westport and lots more.

Related Article – Mayo Playgrounds

Get to know Mayo

Why not get out and about and learn more about Mayo!

Pick a town you don't know much about or haven't been to very often and visit it.

Make a list of interesting things to see and places to go and pack a picnic. You might be surprised how much fun there is to be had discovering a new place!!

Visit a country market in one of Mayo's towns. There is nearly a country market in every town in Mayo these days, they are great for local produce, yummy cakes and buns and meeting great local characters – Westport, Farmers Markets & Country Markets 

Related Article – Top ten things to do with kids in Mayo

Outdoor Fun

Ballycroy National Park is an amazing free place to visit with the kids. Follow the nature trail up to the viewing point and have fun looking for various flora and fauna along the way!

And if (or when) it rains!

Bring the kids to the Library.
Most have children's sections where the kids can sit down and entertain themselves with the great selection of books. Reading the kids stories and even if they can read themselves its a nice way of having quality time with them.

 

For a change of scenery you could always visit a different branch or bring them to Westport or Castlebar branches for weekly storytime. 

 

Related Article- Rainy Day Ideas