Northern Ireland has a ton of family activities and adventures to enjoy and we promise they won’t burn a hole in your wallet or purse. Here are a few budget friendly ideas for starters.
Pedal, skate and putt in Belfast
At Lagan Valley Regional Park a great family day out needn’t cost you a penny! Get on your pedals at Barnett Demesne Mountain Bike Trails. Their green, blue and red trails are free to use and ideal for beginners, families or your more experienced or adrenaline-seeking jump riders. For indoor fun, all ages can get their skates on with family packages from around £26 at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Or for £30 for a family of 4, try Lost City Adventure Golf with rainforest-themed adventure courses… yes, indoors!
Zipline and zap lanes in County Londonderry
A 40-minute drive west of Belfast is the town of Magherafelt, home of Jungle NI. Here, they can master wibbly-wobbly bridges and swing on cargo nets on the Mowgli treetop adventure course for around £15 per child but check out their weekly special offers for the time you’re visiting as they may have deals on your kid’s fave activity. Nearby Carrowmena Activity Centre in Limavady is a hot spot for adrenaline junkies with great value activities like zip lines, climbing walls, abseiling and canoeing on offer. A half-day package for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) is around £130 per group for their climbing wall, zip line and archery combo. Older kids might enjoy hearing about the history of the Walled City with a guided walking tour with Martin McCrossan City Tours. Tickets cost £6 for a 1 hour tour of the walls with friendly, enthusiastic guides.
Catch air and waves on the Causeway Coastal Route
A visit to the Causeway Coastal Route is a must-do for fun seekers and sightseers alike. Don’t miss Giant’s Causeway for a wondrous experience of nature and volcanoes - with mythical stories of Cú Chulainn thrown in for good measure! There are two walking trails to the stones so you and your gang will need to be reasonably fit. A Visitor Experience ticket (from £35 for a family of 5) is a great-value option at busy times and includes parking, guided tours as well as access to the Visitor Centre exhibition, shop, café and facilities. At Long Line Surf School in Limavady their first venture into the cool world of surfing, bodyboarding or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP, dudes!) couldn’t be more spectacular than at Benone Strand. Kids’ surfing lessons cost around £30 for a 2-hour session which includes board and wetsuits in case you haven’t packed yours. All that sea air will make you hungry and that can only mean fish & chips and ice cream. Check out Morelli’s on Portstewart promenade, makers of award-winning ice cream since 1911.
Stunning views and walks in Fermanagh
Explore free of charge the gorges, waterfalls and woodlands of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark’s landscape outside. This UNESCO status geopark is also home to prehistoric tombs, early Christian monasteries and Iron Age forts so there’s something for all explorers or budding Indian Joneses. Enjoy a glorious walk around the grounds at Florence Court, eight miles outside of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Pay a visit to the pretty walled garden and see if you can spot the famous Florence Court Yew, reputedly the 'parent' of all Irish yew trees. Family tickets available or National Trust members go free.
Step back in time in County Tyrone
Follow the emigrants trail at the historic Ulster American Folk Park. Start at the thatched Ulster cottages of Ulster, board the life-sized emigrant ship, help out a blacksmith, teach in the old schoolhouse or dress in period costume for a photo. Or simply relive your own childhood with a family picnic at Gortin Glen where its five-mile scenic drive or five waymarked walking trails nestled in the spectacular Sperrins are the best garnish for any sarnie. There aren’t many things that will gladden the heart more than the views or the memories you’ll have here…but a cup of tea and a treat is heading on the right track.
Magic and sparkle in County Armagh
Enjoy family walks, mountain bike trails and playparks at Gosford Forest Park - a complete adventure paradise for all the family. Perfect for a gentle stroll and spotting some local wildlife, like the majestic red deer. Or for something a bit more exhilarating check out the challenging trails and treks. At the Giant’s Lair and Adventure Playground in the beautiful Slieve Gullion Forest Park, a magical living storybook comes to life through a trail of intertwined fairy houses and art features. At story’s end, all ages – typically up to 11 or 12 but whatever age and ability works for you - can all have the craic in the huge adventure play park or specially designed toddler area. You can even book an expert elf who can tailor his message for kids - and grown-ups - about the local flora, fauna and legends. They also run tours all year round for different age groups like The Fairy Kingdom (age 4-7), Finn’s Magical Forest (age 6-9) and Secrets of the Forest (age 9-11) as well as a Multi-Sensory Trail for all ages and abilities. There are plenty more wonders to be discovered too at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium where they can learn how the stars sparkle and shine. They run regular shows for kids of all ages from toddlers up. A family of 5 ticket would be in the £32 region. Stellar price, that!
Forest fun and seaside sport around County Down
The team at Life Adventure Centre in Castlewellan Forest Park have a variety of both land and water based family activities for you to try. Why not give a family Stand Up Paddle Boarding experience, family canoe or biking, a go? Take in the beautiful surroundings on the sheltered waters of Castlewellan Lake - stay in the Castle Bay or venture along the Lake Trail, the choice is yours. But fun is guaranteed!
At Bike Mourne, based in 3 separate locations, Castlewellan, Rostrevor and Newcastle their speciality is all things bikes. With e-bikes, kids bikes and special seats for children, they cater for and offer a full range of family activities. Set in dramatic mountains and forests and with stunning landscapes, this is perfect for that family day out exploring the tracks and trails!
There are so many woodland wonders to keep the kids engaged like Kilbroney Park, Crawfordsburn Country Park and Tollymore Forest Park in the Mournes foothills where they can hop over the famous stepping stones, cross ancient bridges or have a blast at the Big Deer play area. If you’re into trekking or hillwalking, don’t forget you can head into the majestic Mournes, climb the highest peak in the country - Slieve Donard – or for families with kids aged 8-15 there’s wet bouldering at Bloody Bridge where an expert guide with East Coast Adventure literally leads you up a river without a paddle…or a canoe! Just ten minutes further on, you’ll hit the seaside town of Newcastle where you can walk the promenade or skim stones on the beach before enjoying dinner in one of the many great value bars or restaurants. With any spare change left over, chances are you’ll make a bee-line for Bangor’s Pickie Fun Park or Airtastic where outdoor craic and indoor inflatable fun reign supreme.
We've developed the below map in partnership with Parenting Focus to give you even more ideas for a budget family day out. Please note that at some sites, a nominal car park charge may apply.
So, whether you put your hand in your pocket or not, Northern Ireland has everything to give your family a special day out. Be our guest!
Epic adventures are on offer all year round at Life Adventure Centre. Their extensive range of activities include mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, wet bouldering, rock climbing, sit on top kayaking, coasteering, electric biking and open canoeing - something for everyone!
Experience the Mournes by bike on road, track and trail with the guided and self-guided bike and electric bike tours or do it yourself with bike and electric bike hire. Explore the majestic mountains, dramatic coasts, stunning landscapes, enchanting forests, award winning mountain bike trails and endless year-round cycle adventures.
Lagan Valley Regional Park is recognised as Northern Ireland's only Regional Park. It covers an area of 4,200 acres and extends 11 miles along both sides of the River Lagan between Stranmillis, Belfast to Union Locks, Lisburn.
Start your epic adventure at The Lost City Adventure Golf, Northern Ireland’s first indoor adventure golf course.
Nestled in an enchanting woodland in the very heart of Northern Ireland, just 45 minutes from Belfast, The Jungle is the perfect location to engage with life and put to test your sense of daring and adventure. Some of the activities on offer include high ropes Tree Top Adventure for kids and adults, archery, coasteering, kids Polaris Quad Bikes, Llama trekking, segway tours and downhill zorbing.
Whether you’re young or old you will make every lasting memories with your Carrowmena Experience in the great outdoors enjoying quality time with your loved ones from jumping off the Zip Line to shooting Golds in Archery to getting wet on our Kayak or Canoe session.... we have it all covered for everyone.
On a city walking tour, join your guide as they take you around key locations in and around the only intact walled city in Ireland on a fully guided tour, lasting approximately 1 hour.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it.
Long Line Surf School is situated on Benone Beach and Portstewart Strand offering a wide selection of packages from beginner to advanced surf lessons.
This bright and cheerful seafront cafe offers a clear view to the sea. As well as hot dishes, Morelli's is a long established ice cream parlour with an amazing array of exotic ices. Now fully licensed.
Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and the gentle rolling lowlands of Counties Fermanagh and Cavan, stretching from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan.
Florence Court is a truly welcoming home. The house, formerly the home of the Cole family, Earls of Enniskillen, is surrounded by a large area of parkland, garden and woodland, with breathtaking views to Benaughlin and the Cuilcagh Mountains. You can enjoy glorious walks around the grounds which include a pretty walled garden, holiday cottage, sawmill and icehouse. In the gardens you will find the famous Florence Court Yew - reputedly the 'parent' of all Irish yew trees.
Journey back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park, from the Old World of Ulster to the New World of America. Learn what life was like in rural Ulster, step on board the full-scale emigrant ship and enjoy craft demonstrations performed by guides in traditional costumes.
There are over 10km of walking trails, a 6km scenic drive, wildfowl enclosure and deer enclosure and a new children's playpark to enjoy and explore.
Gosford Forest Park comprises some 240 hectares of diverse woodland and open parkland. Enjoy facilities for all including playparks, mountain bike, horse and walking trails and a pump track.
Slieve Gullion is Ireland's Mountain of Mystery. The Forest Park offers walking trails, a scenic drive, an Adventure Playpark, Fionn's Giant Adventure children's story trail and Courtyard with coffee shop.
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is “the place for space”. Watch an amazing Full Dome Theatre show and explore the Universe. Immerse yourself in the latest scientific research in the exhibition area and take a relaxing walk through the Astropark taking in our trails.
Kilbroney Park Forest features riverside walks and an arboretum. There is a two-mile forest drive which showcases panoramic views over Carlingford Lough. There is also a Play Park with children's play area and tennis courts, an Information area and a café all on site.
With tranquil walks through peaceful meadows and wooded glens and a stunning waterfall, Crawfordsburn Country Park provides a relaxing natural retreat.
Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.
East Coast Adventure Centre - Newry & Mourne Mountain area. Water sports, Cycling, Hiking, School Activities - Family Fun - Glamping - a perfect location outside Rostrevor Village and 5 mins from Warrenpoint
Enjoy a fun day out at Pickie Fun Park. Try out the 18-hole mini-golf course, giant pedal swans, Pickie Puffer train, children's play area, children's electric car track and more.
Bounce down to Airtastic Bangor for some inflata and ninja fun. Try out some of the inflata activities including Beat The Wall, Freefall, Wipe Out and their Drop Slides.
