11 Exciting Things to do in Belfast for Kids

Updated On: March 31, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

There are plenty of entertaining attractions for the young around Belfast. Here, we’ll help you plan fun outings for your family and youngsters while you discover Belfast’s top fun, family-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking for adventurous or learning experiences, it’s all there at these top venues for children’s activity.

South13

South 13 is a new venue from Square Pit, the team behind T13 Belfast & Belfast Contained. The former B&Q Warehouse has been transformed into an intercultural hub for leisure, events & enterprise. S13 will provide sessions with professional coaches in urban sports, such as boxing, wrestling, basketball, BMX, scooter, nerf blasting, segway, archery and creative arts.

“This is a very exciting and inspirational business project that will deliver dividends to the community. S13 is conveniently located on the South/West corridor close to residential communities, public transport and the road infrastructure of the Westlink giving accessibility to all who want to avail of its resources.”

– Gary Flynn, Director of Square Pit Productions.

Opening Hours

• Saturday: 12:00 pm–06:00 pm.

Contact Details

Address:     43/45 Boucher Road, Belfast, UK.
Tel:         +44 7834 049149
Email:     [email protected]

Exploris Aquarium

Exploris Aquarium is located in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough. This is a place where kids can have a blast exploring the marine life of various species of coral reefs, fishes and jellyfish worldwide. You will find the colourful coral reefs of the Tropical Ocean and see the different colourful fish on your way to the Smugglers Cove, where sharks circle above you. Then, on the shores, you will see the playful otters, rare and endangered of extinction, and witness conservation in action in the nursery seal pens and outdoor pools.

Not only is this place fun but also educational. Besides fish and coral reefs, kids can learn about reptiles in the dark depths of the Reptile-filled rainforest, where a snappy crocodile and green gecko hide. After that, you can explore the seal sanctuary, where kids can learn about the seals’ journey before returning to the wild. Exploris, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), takes in sick or abandoned standard and grey seal pups. These seals are well taken care of where there is a seal hospital for treating them. You can explore the hospital during your visit there and watch the seals move to the nursery pool and rehabilitation pool from an underwater viewing arena.

“We receive and record a high volume of calls direct to our dedicated seal helpline and our team spring into action, reviewing, assessing and where necessary, rescuing and returning the injured or orphaned pup to our rehabilitation unit where our team can care for them around the clock, if necessary.“

– Ann Moreland, General Manager.

Before you leave the place, don’t forget to buy souvenirs and gifts for your family and friends from the gift shop. Kids can play at the soft play area, and you can all enjoy a meal at the Cracken Cafe and Restaurant, which offers some fabulous home bakes and authentic fusion cuisine, all sourced from local producers and suppliers.

ِAlso check out the new ‘pollution zone’, where a series of storyboards tell the story of human-induced climate change in the ocean. There is a lot of stuff to do at Exploris; it regularly organizes workshops, events, and activities for everyone, ensuring everyone has a great time.

Opening Hours

• Everyday: 10:00 am–05:00 pm.

Contact Details

Address:     The Rope Walk, Castle Street, Portaferry BT22 1NZ, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 4272 8062
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.explorisni.com

Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre

Castle Espie offers the best experience for a fun family day. It has a lovely view overlooking Strangford Lough, County Down. It is a kingdom of wildlife home to Ireland’s most extensive collection of over 100 native and exotic water birds. Hosting different activities, events, and workshops, the place caters to all ages and interests. It is the perfect destination for adventure or relaxation with the sights and sounds of nature, and there are soft play areas for children.

In autumn, you will see almost the entire population of migratory Brent geese. The centre has the most significant habitat improvement in Ireland, including restored lagoons, grasslands, salt marshes and reed beds. In the morning, you can join the wardens for birdwatching and see the incredible wildlife that changes all year round with the seasons change.

Enjoy the hundreds of ducks and geese, including the red-breasted goose and the white-faced whistling duck. The kids can also feed the friendly Nenes. You will witness the world’s largest population, light-lied Brent geese among the winter birds.

Don’t worry about guidance around the place; an expert will lead you around the Reserve and Woodland. We recommend you bring along a pair of binoculars and sensible footwear. By the end of the day, you should try out food and drinks at the Kingfisher Kitchen at Castle Espie and enjoy some coffee, cake, or a delicious meal.

Opening Hours

Open seven days a week, except 24 and 25 December.

• (November–January) Monday–Friday: 10:00 am–04:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am–04:30 pm.
• (February) Monday–Friday: 10:00 am–04:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am–05:00 pm.
• (March–June) Monday–Sunday: 10:00 am–05:00 pm.
• (July and August) Monday–Sunday: 10:00 am–05:30 pm.
• (September and October) Monday–Sunday: 10:00 am–05:00 pm.

The centre will remain open until 5.30 pm on Bank and Public Holidays during the Spring and Summer.

Contact Details

Address:     78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Belfast BT23 6EA, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9187 4146
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.wwt.org.uk/castleespie

W5 at Odyssey

Ireland’s award-winning science and discovery centre, based at the Odyssey Complex in Titanic Quarter, Belfast, W5, provides a unique, fun experience for visitors of all ages. W5 is a science and discovery centre, not a museum, that will stir your imagination with over 250 interactive exhibits in four incredible exhibition areas: Discovery, Go, See and Do. W5 also holds large and small-scale temporary exhibitions and events and has a daily programme of live science demonstrations.

Among the permanent exhibits is Meet RoboThespian, where kids meet RoboThespian, the life-sized, humanoid, interactive robot actor and performer who can move, speak, educate, interact and entertain. You can make the robot sing or do impressions via a touchscreen panel. At Climbit, W5’s most extensive exhibit ever, kids will have so much fun climbing the multi-storey three-dimensional climbing structure, a cross between a maze and a jungle gym, and it takes over the Atrium at the heart of W5.

Opening Hours

• Monday–Friday:     10:00 am–05:00 pm
• Saturday:         10:00 am–06:00 pm
• Sunday:         12:00 pm–06:00 pm

Contact Details

Address:     2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast BT3 9QQ, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9046 7700
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.w5online.co.uk

Lost City Adventure Golf

If you are a golf enthusiast or your family want to try something new, The Lost City Adventure Golf is your destination, based at Cityside Retail and Leisure Park. It is Northern Ireland’s first indoor adventure golf course that has become very popular for families, couples, students, or any group. You will find two indoor jungle-themed adventure golf courses, Sunken Skull Ridge Explorer Falls. It is perfect for adventurers of all ages, and kids will have so much fun with interactive obstacles and special effects. The place also organizes birthday parties, which include a round of adventure golf.

Players face challenges as they make their way around the course. A thunder and storm is rumbling in the far corners of the rainforest, and the adventure is to battle all that out with the rainforest animals and moving walls. They must navigate the changing atmosphere to end the mission and win the Inca Gold.

Opening Hours

• Everyday: 10:00 am–10:00 pm

Prices

18 Holes

• Adventurers (aged 12 and up) – £7.50
• Explorers (aged 6-11) –  £5.50
• Young ‘Uns (aged 5 and under) – £4
• Early Bird (before 12pm) – £6
• Students – £6*
• Seniors – £6
• Family Pass – £22**

36 Holes

• Adventurers (aged 12 and up) – £12.50
• Explorers (aged 6-11) – £10
• Young ‘Uns (aged 5 and under) – £6.50
• Early Bird (before 12pm) – £10
• Students – £10*
• Seniors – £10
• Family Pass – £35**

* Student admission is available Monday – Thursday. Student ID required.

** Family Pass admits 4 people, a minimum of 1 adult and 1 child 16 or under.

Contact Details

Address: 100-150 York Street, Cityside Retail & Leisure Park, Belfast BT15 1JH, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9099 5118
Website:     https://www.lostcityadventuregolf.com/belfast

Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory

Enter the magical world of chocolate and sweets, take a trip back to Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory and watch up close old-time candy making at its best. Visitors can see how chocolates, sweets and fudge are made through a viewing window, enjoy the smells and learn how Aunt Sandra began making her famous sweets and its journey passing from one generation to the other.

The Candy Factory has become a popular attraction in East Belfast. It offers many treats, including yellow man, raspberry ruffles, macaroons, Belfast fudge and brandy drops. You can also make your own treats, like chocolate pizzas or lollipops.

“The secret of our success is being nice. It isn’t about being smarter because we’re not, it isn’t about being sharper because we’re not, it isn’t because we’re clever, because we’re not … I absolutely believe in the power of being nice.”

– Jim Moore in his Aunt Sandra’s Candy Store.

Opening Hours

• Monday–Friday:     09:00 am–04:30 pm
• Saturday:        09:30 am–05:00 pm
• Sunday:         10:00 am–05:00 pm

Contact Details

Address:     58-60 Castlereagh Road, Belfast BT5 5FP, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9073 2868
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.auntsandras.com

Drumglass Park

Between Lisburn and Malone Roads, South Belfast, Drumglass Park is famous for families and young children. It is named after Henry Musgrave, a well-known landowner elected an Honorary Burgess of the City of Belfast in 1917. He lived in Drumglass House, one of the most prestigious houses in the Malone Road area. In 1922, he died, leaving six acres of his property to the city to be used as a public park or a children’s playground. It also hosts music events in the summer.

The park was initially opened in 1924 by Lady Turner, the Lady Mayoress of Belfast, under the name Drumglass Playcentre. The house and site’s remaining grounds are part of Victoria College Girls’ School. It is commonly known as Cranmore or Marlborough Park.

Opening Hours

• Everyday: 07:30 am–04:00 pm

Contact Details

Address:     Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6JF, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9038 1581
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parks

Belfast Zoological Gardens

Belfast Zoological Gardens, one of the oldest attractions in Northern Ireland, is home to more than 140 animal species, many of which are in danger in their natural habitat. Belfast Zoo is an award-winning attraction in Northern Ireland, with more than 300,000 visitors annually. Among the animals, there are the Asian elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, California sea lions, penguins, apes, Malayan tapirs, giant anteater, Malayan sun bears, Visayan warty pigs, Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, red-backed bearded sakis, crowned sifaka,  Sumatran tigers and even dragons.

“We’re thrilled to have such an exceptionally rare creature here at Belfast Zoo. This dragon is an important addition not only for us, but for Northern Ireland as a whole. Despite their fearsome reputation and fabled ability to burn entire cities to ashes, we’d like to reassure the residents of Belfast that our keepers have received expert training, and we’re looking forward to seeing him thrive in his new environment.”

– Mark Challis, Belfast Zoo Manager.

The Zoo also holds events throughout the year. You can also adopt animals for one year and contribute to the cost of feeding and looking after rare and endangered species. Adoption packages can be bought online as well. The Zoo can be a lot of fun for children with its new junior-keeper-for-a-day experience, which combines fun with learning. It allows those little ones to get closer to their favourite animals and learn about some of the world’s most endangered species. The junior keeper for a day experience is available to children aged 8 to 16. The fee is £125 per person and must be booked in advance.

Opening Hours

Summer

• Everyday:             10:00 am–06:00 pm
• Last admission:         05:00 pm
• Animal houses close:     06:00 pm
• Zoovenir Shop closes 06:00 pm
• Zoo closes:             06:00 pm

Winter

• Everyday:            10:00 am–04:00 pm
• Last admission:        02:30 pm
• Animal houses close:    03:00 pm
• Zoovenir Shop closes:    04:00 pm

Onsite Facilities

• Lion’s Den Restaurant
• Treetop Tearoom
• Zoovenir Shop
• Children’s Adventure playground
• Designated picnic areas
• Public toilets, including accessible toilets
• Baby changing
• Accessible Zoo-mobile (fee applies)

What’s included?

• Free entry to Belfast Zoo
• Free entry for an accompanying adult
• A ‘zooper’ schedule of behind-the-scenes fun, including animal encounters, feeding times, enrichment and much more
• Friendly and experienced zoo keepers to act as your guide
• A voucher for your ‘feeding time’ in the Lion’s Den Restaurant
• A voucher for the photography station
• An exclusive junior keeper for a day goodie bag
• A junior keeper for a day certificate.

Contact Details

Address:     Antrim Road, Belfast BT36 7PN, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9077 6277
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk

Roar and Explore

Your little adventurers will enjoy exploring two state-of-the-art, multi-level play frames full of obstacles, twists and turns at Roar and Explore in Belfast. Roar and Explore’s Junior Play is a fun and safe environment suitable for children up to 10 years, and the Toddler Area is for kids under 3 years to explore and learn. Roar and Explore is a social enterprise with all profits reinvested into the area and community.

Children can make new friends and have fun together. There’s a bumpy tiger slide onto the jungle floor and suspended rope bridges for climbing to the top of the trees, with dangling snakes along the way. While the kids play, parents can enjoy some hot drinks and treats at Roary’s Cafe. And if anyone’s birthday is coming up, you can plan a two-hour birthday party in any of Roar and Explore’s three party rooms, which are available for booking and can accommodate groups of up to 25 children.

Entry Prices

• Weekdays (During Term Time)
• Toddler Mornings: 09:30 am–11:30 am, £3.95 including juice and toast
• Toddler Mornings: 11:30 am–01:00 pm, £3.95
• Standard Entry: 01:00 pm–06:00 pm, £4.95
• Under one or non-walkers: All day, £1 or free with a paying sibling

Weekends, Bank Holidays and School Holidays

• Standard Entry: £5.75
• Under one or non-walkers: £1 or free with a paying sibling

Opening Hours

• Everyday: 09:30 am–06:00 pm

Contact Details

Address:     3 Stewartstown Rd, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0AW, UK.
Website:     https://www.roarandexplore.com/

We Are Vertigo

As one of Europe’s largest indoor trampoline parks, We Are Vertigo offers kids the ultimate fun venue in Belfast. It suits all ages, and there is a wide range of sessions. Not only should you go for trampolines, but also skiing or snowboarding. There is a ski centre for all ages who can already ski or snowboard or are willing to learn at the hands of professional ski instructors, and they provide all the equipment needed. The ski slopes are designed to help people learn up to eight times faster and boost their fitness. There is also a ski shop with all the latest ski equipment and cosy winter clothes you need on your ski trip.

Not only that, there is much more fun awaiting at the adventure centre, where kids of all ages can enjoy an alpine-themed play area, sky trail high ropes, low ropes, climbing wall, electric quads, and log cabin-themed party rooms.

“We pride ourselves in being at the forefront of new innovations within the leisure sector and we are thrilled to be bringing these exciting new world-class concepts to Belfast.”

– Gareth Murphy, Managing Director of We Are Vertigo

The park has some unique areas, which include:

• Dodge ball courts
• Basketball lanes
• Stunt pits
• Gladiator balance beam
• Performance wall
• An enormous main court
• Party rooms for those special birthday, group and corporate celebrations

There is also room for relaxation at the spa at We Are Vertigo. It offers luxurious treatments, including facials, nail treatments, waxing, tans and full body massages. While the children play in the trampoline park or adventure centre, parents can enjoy their time in one of five opulent treatment rooms. And after all the excitement, just have a lovely meal at the We Are Vertigo Lodge Restaurant, which provides wholesome food for all the family, or some coffee at Café Vertigo in the trampoline park.

Opening Hours

Trampoline  

• Mon–Fri:    10:00 am–09:00 pm  
• Sat:        09:30 am–09:00 pm  
• Sun:        12:00 pm–06:00 pm  

Adventure

• Mon–Fri:    10:00 am–09:00 pm
• Sat:        10:00 am–09:00 pm  
• Sun:        11:00 am–06:00 pm   

Ski

• Most weekends during the summer, bookings are open from 10:00 am–05:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 pm–04:00 pm Sunday.

Contact Details

Address:     Unit 1, Cedarhurst Road, Newtownbreda Factory Estate, Belfast BT8 7RH, UK.
Tel:         +44 870 066 1522
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.wearevertigo.com

Ulster Museum

Ulster Museum Belfast is a history, art, and nature museum all in one, making it an exciting attraction worthy of a visit. It has something for everyone, including art, history and zoology. The Nature zone of the National History Museum offers loads for adults and kids, especially since it is very child-friendly. Ireland’s history includes dinosaur bones, Tasmanian tiger, edmontosaurus skeleton, animal specimens and more. Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an ancient Egyptian mummy, and see modern masterpieces while visiting the Ulster Museum.

“The tapestry has been hugely successful … It has attracted visitors from all over the world to Northern Ireland and has been seen by around 150,000 visitors to the Ulster Museum. From Winterfell to the Iron Islands, the dramatic local landscapes that have brought this mysterious fantasy land to life are wonderfully illustrated on this unique work of art.”

– Finola O’Mahony, Head of Europe at Tourism Ireland

The Ulster Museum is part of National Museums Northern Ireland, which also includes the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Ulster American Folk Park, the W5 Science Centre and Armagh County Museum. It’s an excellent way to spend a few hours with the family. Best of all, admission is free. As Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and the present, the Ulster Museum houses a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences. The museum tells the story of the people of the north of Ireland from earliest times to the present day, as well as stories from around the globe. Impressive galleries and interactive discovery zones bring history, science and art collections to life. After the visit, you can enjoy a hot meal at the cafe.

Opening Hours

• Everyday: 10:00 am–05:00 pm

Contact Details

Address:    Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB, UK.
Tel:         +44 28 9044 0000
Email:     [email protected]
Website:     http://www.nmni.com/um