Planning a visit to Meath with the family? Here’s the Mykidstime.ie top 10 things to do with kids in Meath
Sign up for our free monthly newsletter stuffed full of ideas, competitions and offers. PS Did we mention it’s free?
#1. The Hill of Tara
Climb the Hill of Tara, the famous ancient ceremonial and burial site near Skryne and pretend that you are an ancient King or Queen of The Royal County! The views are also spectacular. The Hill has a public car parking area as well as toilets that are close to the site. Have a tea or coffee afterwards in the coffee shop on site. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads at all times
#2. Sonairte
Visit Sonairte (The National Ecology Centre) in Laytown, an interactive visitor centre promoting ecological awareness. It’s the perfect day out with kids as you can enjoy the Nature Trail & River Walk, or admire the cool educational products in the eclectic Eco Shop. Make sure to check out their beautiful and very educational walled Organic Gardens, which dates back to the mid 1800s. They run free events throughout the year such as the Apple Festival in October.
#3. Trim Castle
Did you know that Trim Castle took more than 30 years to build, back in the 12th century? It’s a fascinating place to explore and it also served as the backdrop to the Oscar-winning film, Braveheart. This is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Guided tours of the grounds or of the keep are available. Admission fees cost €5.00 for adults and €3.00 for children. Bear in mind that access for buggies is restricted.
You might also enjoy reading 10 of the Best Castles in Ireland to Visit with Kids
#4. Beaches in Meath
Meath has just seven miles of coastline, but there are some great beaches!
- Bettystown Beach is a beautiful sandy beach and you can go swimming or walking. There is a sandcastle competition here every year!
- Laytown is a great beach for families and dogs. You can park you car on the beach all year round.
- Mornington Strand has soft sand dunes and is a popular site for day-trippers when the weather is nice.
Bring a bucket and spade, go paddling in the shallows or play chase in the sand dunes.
#5. Rathbeggan Lakes
Grab a fishing net and see if you can catch anything at Rathbeggan Lakes near Dunshaughlin! There is a special Kiddy Lake for beginners. You can also hire a rod and bait and all you need for two hours of fishing fun!
Related: Free Things to do in Meath and Rainy Day Activities in Meath
#6. Causey Farm
Explore the bog at The Causey Farm at Fordstown, Navan. Meet the animals and have fun on a traditional Irish Farm! Learn how to Bog Jump, make a rope and even milk a cow! The Farm runs brilliant activity programmes for both children and adults throughout the year, as well as hosting seasonal events. From the Fairy & Elf Fairs to the Summer Family Days, and the truly scary Hallowe’en Experience, these will make for an unforgettable day out with the kids!
#7. Mullaghmeen Forest Park
Take a long stroll through the fabulous Mullaghmeen Forest Park, near Oldcastle, with more than 1,000 acres of land and a wide variety of lovely walks available. The summit of Mullaghmeen provides magnificent views north across Lough Sheelin and into Cavan. The forest also has some historical insight, as following the White Trail you can see reminders of the famine times with relic walls of famine fields. There is also a Booley Hut and Flax Pits. The extensive network of marked trails for every ability level.
#8. Newgrange Farm
Feed the animals, take a tractor and trailer trip and much more – all part of the fun on offer at Newgrange Farm in the magical Boyne Valley near Slane. Kids will be able to do a range of amazing activities, from holding a chick or cuddling kittens and puppies to exploring their straw maze. Watch out for the Sheep Races on Sundays! They also have a Play Area with sandpits, toy tractors, go karts and a separate area for kids under 5. The venue has a gift shop, a coffee shop as well as indoor and outdoor picnic areas.
#9. The Zone Activity Centre
Spend a few hours at The Zone Activity Centre in Navan, where there are a huge range of exhilarating things to do with kids! With Karting, Paintballing, Laser Tag Paintball, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Lazer Maze, Archery and Shooting Simulator, you and the kids will be well entertained. They can cater for large groups of up to 140 people and guarantee that when you go there once, you will definitely want to go back! Suitable from 8 years and over (Paintball 13years and over) you will be guaranteed a fun day out at The Zone!
#10. Kells
Soak up history in the heritage town of Kells, undoubtedly one of the most unique and historically fascinating areas of the world. Kells is one of the reasons that Ireland is referred to as the ‘Land of Saints and Scholars,’ as it contributed heavily to keeping learning alive in Europe during the Dark Ages. This was where the famous Book of Kells was completed and protected for 800 years. From the ancient stone crosses to St Colmcille’s House and the Round Tower and the Spire of Loyd, there is plenty for all the family to see here. The Spire of Loyd has a playground too with good facilities for children to play, a ring fort walk and picnic tables.
Do you have a favourite spot to go with the kids in Meath? Share it with us in the comments below.
Leave a Reply