Whether you’re settled in Laois or just getting to know the area, finding things to do with a preschooler can take a bit of trial and error — especially before school routines kick in. The good news is that having a toddler or preschooler at home gives you real flexibility: you can head out mid-week, avoid the busiest times, and take things at a gentler pace. Here are some of our favourite ideas for things to do with preschoolers in Laois.
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Things To Do With Preschoolers In Laois
Soft Play Centres in Laois
Many play centres in and around Laois have dedicated soft play areas for preschoolers — a great way to burn off some energy for an hour or two while you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Some also run dedicated parent and toddler sessions.
- Roll N Bowl in Portlaoise has a separate soft play area for toddlers.
- Clown Around Play Centre in Portarlington, Co. Offaly has a large toddler play area.
- The Dome in Carlow has a soft play area for younger children.
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Visit Laois Libraries
Laois has several libraries worth exploring with your preschooler. Portarlington Library holds a Children’s Storytime on Wednesdays at 12:15pm — it’s worth checking current times before you go, as library schedules can change. You can also keep an eye on upcoming events and news for other Laois libraries.
The junior section of the library is a lovely way to spend an hour or two reading and choosing books together. Your preschooler can join the library and pick their own books to borrow home.
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Parent and Toddler Swimming in Laois
Getting into the pool is always a hit with little ones. Portlaoise Leisure Centre has a separate toddlers’ pool with fun features, and offers swimming lessons from six months onwards. Portarlington Leisure Centre runs Parent and Baby swimming lessons — worth confirming the current day and time when booking.
Music and Other Fun Classes
Signing up for a class is a great way to add structure to the week and meet other local families. Music, movement, dance, drama, play labs, swimming and football classes for preschoolers are all worth exploring in the area.
Playgrounds in Laois
A trip to the playground never fails! Several playgrounds in Laois have dedicated sections for smaller children. Why not pick a different playground to visit each week or month? Here are a few of our own favourites:
- Dún Spraoi playground at Portlaoise Leisure Centre is bright and colourful, with plenty of swinging and climbing equipment for kids of all ages, plus a sand area for little ones and benches for the adults. It’s right beside the swimming pool, which also has a café and baby changing facilities.
- Solas na Gréine at The People’s Park on Timahoe Road caters for children up to age 8, with good equipment and a sand pit. The park also has a pond with ducks and other wildlife to spot.
- Sult na Mara, at People’s Park in Abbeyleix, sits behind Heritage House, which has a café and toilet facilities nearby. It’s a lovely setting with good equipment, including an area for little ones.
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Parent and Toddler Groups
Joining a local Parent and Toddler Group is a lovely way for young children to mix with others their own age, and for parents to meet other local families. There are several groups meeting weekly across Laois.
Attractions in Laois
One of the real perks of having a preschooler is being able to visit places on a free weekday, at “off-peak” times when older children are at school and popular spots are quieter. A few places worth visiting in Laois with preschoolers:
- Emo Court, Park, Gardens and Tearooms is a great place to take preschoolers. There’s plenty of space to run around, along with swans, “ugly ducklings” and other ducks to spot. The tearooms adjoin a walled area, so there’s a safe space to run around while you enjoy a cuppa with friends.
- For a train-mad preschooler, a trip to see the Steam Train and Stradbally Steam Museum is a must. The train runs on a narrow gauge railway through the grounds of Stradbally Hall estate on bank holiday weekends.
- Head out for a picnic and see how many barges you can spot along the Grand Canal.
- Heywood Gardens in Ballinakill, near Abbeyleix, is a heritage site with formal gardens designed by Lutyens, an artificial lake and lovely walks.
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Events for Preschoolers in Laois
Keep an eye on our events pages, where regular workshops and events for younger children are listed.
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Go For A Walk (or A Toddle!)
Laois has plenty of woodland and park walks close at hand — great fun for running, collecting leaves and stones, and playing hide and seek. Here are some favourite spots for a toddle:
- The People’s Park, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise. Perfect for toddlers, with a playground catering for ages 1–8.
- Glen Monicknew has short walks, picnic benches and a stream for paddling.
- Take a walk around Brittas Lake in Clonaslee — you might spot deer or wild goats along the way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups do the playgrounds in Laois cater for?
Most of the playgrounds mentioned above have areas suitable for toddlers as well as older children — for example, Solas na Gréine and The People’s Park playground cater for children up to age 8, with separate equipment for smaller children.
Are there parent and toddler groups in Laois?
Yes, there are several local Parent and Toddler Groups meeting weekly across Laois. They’re a great way for young children to socialise and for parents to connect with other local families.
Is swimming suitable for very young children in Laois?
Yes — Portlaoise Leisure Centre offers swimming lessons from six months onwards and has a dedicated toddlers’ pool, while Portarlington Leisure Centre runs Parent and Baby swimming sessions.
What’s a good option for a free day out with a preschooler in Laois?
Heywood Gardens in Ballinakill has free admission year-round and is a lovely spot for a walk, along with local playgrounds and parks such as The People’s Park in Portlaoise.
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- Entertaining Preschoolers at Home
Enjoyed this list? Save it for your next free day out with your preschooler, or browse more of our Laois family days out for further inspiration.
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