Spending time with your preschooler is precious — before you know it they’ll be off to “big school.” One of the best things about the preschool years is flexibility: with no school run to work around, you can visit places during the day and enjoy them at their quietest.
If you’re looking for things to do with preschoolers in Clare, here are some tried-and-tested ideas to fill your week, whether you live locally or are just visiting.
Things To Do With Preschoolers In Clare
Soft Play Centres in Clare
A couple of hours at a soft play centre is a great way to burn off energy, whatever the weather — most centres have dedicated areas for smaller children as well as tea and coffee for parents. Soft play options in Clare include:
- Dennis Den in Ennis offers two toddler areas — one for under 2s and another for 2–5 year olds — with a ball pool, slide and play area.
- Barney’s Kidz Club in Ennis has a baby and toddler area with interactive equipment, a toddler slide and ball pool.
- Planet Entertainment in Ennis has a dedicated section for smaller children.
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Storytime in Clare Libraries
Your local Clare library is a wonderful — and free — outing for preschoolers. Several branches run children’s storytime and craft sessions, and Ennis and Kilrush Libraries have both hosted regular story sessions for younger children in the past. Because dates and times can change, check the library events page for what’s currently on and whether booking is needed.
Even outside of organised events, the junior section is a lovely way to spend an hour browsing and choosing books together. Joining the library is a small milestone your preschooler will be proud of — picking their own books to borrow feels very grown-up.
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Parent and Toddler Swimming in Clare
Taking your toddler swimming is a lovely way to spend a morning. Some pools in Clare have dedicated parent-and-toddler sessions or smaller pools for little ones:
- Shannon Leisure Centre has a baby pool and runs swim lessons from age 3 up.
- Active Ennis Leisure Complex has a kiddies’ pool and runs Aqua Tots classes for 3–5 year olds.
- Waterbabies run baby swim classes at Woodstock Hotel in Ennis, as do Aquababies.
Music and Other Fun Classes
Signing up for a class is a great way to add structure to the week and meet other parents. Music, movement, dance, drama, play-based classes and mini sports sessions are all popular with the preschool crowd. Gymboree runs music and play classes for preschoolers at Barney’s in Ennis — worth checking their current schedule.
Playgrounds in Clare
An outing to the playground never gets old. Several playgrounds in Clare have areas designed specifically for smaller children, with lower equipment and softer surfaces.
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Parent and Toddler Groups
Joining a local parent and toddler group is a lovely way for your little one to mix with children their own age, and for you to meet other parents nearby. Clare has many local groups that meet weekly — ask at your local library, GP surgery or community centre if you’re not sure what’s running near you.
Attractions in Clare
A free weekday is a great chance to make the most of “off-peak” visiting — school-age children are in class, so popular spots are quieter and easier to enjoy at a toddler’s pace.
Some places to visit in Clare with preschoolers:
- Small children love the Folk Park at Bunratty Castle, strolling from house to house along the charming village street — complete with school, post office, doctor’s house, hardware shop, printers and pub. There’s also a fun fairy trail and adventure playground.
- Moher Hill Open Farm has plenty of animals, both exotic and traditional, to see, feed and pet, along with bottle feeding and animal holding experiences. There’s also a bouncy castle, ball pool, all-weather outdoor play area and miniature golf course.
- For a train-mad preschooler, the West Clare Railway is a must — the highlight is one of the original steam engines, the Sliabh Callan, restored to its former glory.
- Follow the Shannon Dolphin Trail in Kilrush, starting at the Shannon Dolphin Information Board in the town’s Market Square. The trail markers lead you to the Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Centre, where children can listen to bottlenose dolphin sounds, see real whale and dolphin skeletons, and enjoy plenty of “dol-fun” hands-on activities.
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Events for Preschoolers in Clare
Keep an eye on our events pages for workshops and events for younger children at galleries, museums, parks and more around the county. glór in Ennis also runs family events, so it’s worth checking their upcoming calendar.
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Go For A Walk
A walk — or a toddle — through parkland, woods or along the beach gives preschoolers space to run, collect leaves and stones, and play hide and seek. Both Dromore and Cratloe Woods have good paths well away from roads, perfect for a family ramble. For more ideas, see our Family Walks in Clare.
Clare Beaches
Clare has some beautiful beaches close at hand, and you don’t need a scorching day to enjoy them — digging, running, collecting shells and generally messing about on the sand is fun in any weather.
- Fanore Beach offers a vast stretch of sand perfect for sandcastles, dunes to explore, and limestone formations where you might spot fossils or sea life in the rock pools.
- Lahinch Beach is a golden sandy beach stretching for a mile, ideal for exploring and paddling.
- Kilkee Beach is a stretch of golden sand gently sloping to the sea, with interesting pools to poke around in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some free things to do with preschoolers in Clare?
Visiting your local library, going to a playground, walking in Dromore or Cratloe Woods, or spending time on one of Clare’s beaches are all lovely free (or low-cost) outings for preschoolers.
Are there indoor options for a rainy day in Clare?
Yes — soft play centres such as Dennis Den, Barney’s Kidz Club and Planet Entertainment in Ennis are great rainy-day options, as is a visit to your local library for storytime and browsing the junior section.
What’s a good midweek outing with a preschooler in Clare?
A weekday visit to a bigger attraction like Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Moher Hill Open Farm, or the West Clare Railway works well, since these places are quieter outside weekends and school holidays.
Where can I find swimming classes for toddlers in Clare?
Shannon Leisure Centre, Active Ennis Leisure Complex, Waterbabies and Aquababies all offer parent-and-toddler or early swim classes in Clare — check with each provider for current class times and ages.
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- Family Walks in Clare
- Entertaining Preschoolers at Home
Keep the Ideas Coming
If you have other suggestions for fun things to do with preschoolers in Clare, we’d love to hear them — drop them in the comments below.
And if you’d like fresh ideas for family days out delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter — it’s a free weekly round-up of things to do, family-friendly recipes, expert advice and competitions, so you always have your next outing sorted.
