Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin

Did you know that entry for toddlers (up to three years old) to most cultural, educational and fun places in Dublin is FREE? Yep, and that the interests you have can be shared by these same precious little ones … from beating drums – I don’t know of any toddler who doesn’t like to beat a drum, or beat anything they can physically lift for that matter, and believe me I know what I’m talking about – as mammy to two bright, beautiful and sometimes boisterous boys – let me just say that hammers from toy tool kits should be banned for the sake of living room furniture, walls, other toys and my head.

Anyhoo where was I, oh yes – from beating drums, to beating chests, dinosaurs to drawings, live animals to dead ones and all the fun in between – there has never been a better time to explore the “Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin”

And so in no particular order:

Cultural, Educational, Fun Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #1

The Natural History Museum

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Where: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2

Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm

Entrance Fee: Free

Suitable for: All ages 

Known as The Dead Zoo, the museum which is spread across two floors (unfortunately two are closed along with a balcony level due to health and safety) explores natural history, zoology & geology. You will witness mammals, insects, birds & sea life that existed in times gone by to those who still roam the earth.

Take time to wander through the floors – the ground floor which is also known as the Irish Room is dedicated to animals native to Ireland – the first floor is dedicated to more exotic and worldly specimens. Unfortunately for those with prams, the first floor can only be reached by foot via the stairs. On the plus side you need to walk back through the ground floor to get to the exit so you get a chance to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #2

Dublin City Gallery – The Hugh Lane

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Where: Charlemont House, Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin 1

Opening Times: Tuesday to Thursday 9.45am-6pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

Entrance Fee: Free to €6.00

Suitable for: 1-3yrs old, 3-6yrs old and 6+

Entrance into The Hugh Lane is free for all ages. It’s one of my favourite galleries in Dublin. Children can explore every exhibition from the Sean Scully Gallery to the Francis Bacon Studio. However what makes it even more special for the littlest of ones is the Kids Club.

There are a number of artistic workshops to choose from that are available for your toddler or preschooler, as well as family workshops. These all range from free to €6.00. There is also a free Sunday Sketching session from 3-4pm that usually takes place from September to January.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #3

The National Print Museum

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Where: Haddington Rd, Dublin, Dublin 4

Opening Times: Tuesday to Thursday 9.45am-6pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

Entrance Fee: Free to €7.00

Suitable for: All Ages

Opened in 1996 – print is alive and motoring at The Dublin Print Museum where one can witness collections that range from printing equipment to samples of print. The mission of the The National Print Museum is to promote “a greater understanding of the historical significance and contemporary relevance of printing by exploring its heritage, craft and technology” and having witnessed the Family Tour (€7) – that’s exactly what they do.

We witnessed printing machines from yesteryear in action, made prints of our own and learnt the meaning of its value when it comes to our nation’s history. Although I do feel that older children might ‘get it’ a little more than toddlers – there is no doubt that preschoolers will enjoy the number of free activities in the museum’s Education Area that includes storytelling, drawing, ink stamping and games. Keep an eye out for Family Fun Days too.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #4

The National Botanic Gardens

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Where: Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Opening Times: Summer: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm | Winter: Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-4.30pm

Entrance Fee: Free

Suitable for: All Ages

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin truly is a special place to bring your toddlers. From breathing in the fresh air, to the wonder at the flowers and fauna to running in between the many tree species, chasing the squirrels and bird-watching – not to mention the glasshouses, the sundials, the bandstand, the Chaintent – a magnificent pergola, the sculptures including the Gerard Cox ‘Craobh’ and the Viking House (guided tour only).

Children’s workshops also take place and although some of these are for ages six and up, there are others that can be suitable for your toddlers when you accompany them and these focus on the fun and artistic side of nature from sowing seeds to creating eco-art.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #5

The Phoenix Park & Dublin Zoo

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Where: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

Opening Times: Phoenix Park: Always | Dublin Zoo: Monday to Sunday 9.30am-6pm

Entrance Fee: Phoenix Park: Free | Dublin Zoo: Various Prices but Children Under 3 are Free

Suitable for: All Ages

From deer spotting to the Magazine Fort, the People’s Gardens to the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden (open 10am-4pm), the wide openness of the Phoenix Park rivals any playground to an energetic toddler. Bring a picnic if the weather permits, pack the bikes and trikes, and let nature do the work.

And speaking of nature – there’s no doubt that a trip to the zoo is on the list of things to do for budding learners. Although one of the world’s oldest zoos, Dublin Zoo has kept with the times by improving the homes of its many animals, there are 400. It has every animal, mammal, bird and reptile your little one will be interested to see. Teach them about wildlife conservation, but mostly let them enjoy seeing the animals snoozing, playing and being fed by the zoo keepers.

Got a dinosaur enthusiast? Us too, and so Zoorassic World which includes the living reptiles of Dublin Zoo was a definite on our list of things to see during our last visit, As a dinosaur lover Smith marvelled at the exhibition but be advised that as an educational experience it probably is more suitable for older children.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #6

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum Experience

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Where: Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 11am-5.30pm

Entrance Fee: Various prices but Under 3 are free.

Suitable for: All Ages – toddlers up

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum in the heart of Dublin is all about Irish Rock n Roll history. The tour which takes place in the Button Factory where you are told of the legends that graced these shores.

Why is it suitable for toddlers? – well they won’t get the majority of the talking part of the tour I have to admit, and you can’t bring a pram so the littlest of ones will need to be carried – but the dress up and fake band opportunity is great fun with lots of photo opportunities, the guitars and memorabilia can be intriguing to older toddlers and the recording opportunity at the Temple Lane Studios is a memory you’ll cherish – so if you’re raising little music lovers, like we are, then a visit should make for happy memories – I know it did for us.

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Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin #7

The National Wax Museum Plus

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Where: The Lafayette Building, Westmoreland St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 10am-10pm

Entrance Fee: Various prices but Under 5’s are free

Suitable for: All Ages

The National Wax Museum is a privately owned wax museum in Dublin city centre. It houses wax figures of under a number of genres, from Great Irish Writers, to the Time Vaults that help explain Irish history – from Vikings through to the Good Friday Agreement.

There’s a Chamber of Horrors (one of our favourites) and a Music and Entertainment section, and although your little ones will love experiencing all of these it’s the Kids World and Science & Discovery sections of the museum that will probably be loved the most. Want to make the experience even more interesting and educational then you can print off a free worksheet from their site.

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PIN: Cultural, Educational, Fun Things to Do for Toddlers in Dublin

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