Things to do with kids in County Cavan
Cavan is lake and forest country — ideal for families who like outdoor days that don't cost anything, with forest parks, shoreline walks and a proper cave system for older children.
Ideas here work for families in Cavan town, Ballyjamesduff, Virginia and Bailieborough.
Popular with families in County Cavan: Killykeen Forest Park, Cavan Burren Park, Marble Arch Caves (nearby Fermanagh border).
Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Cavan
Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.
Killykeen Forest Park
OutdoorsFreeForest trails and lakeshore paths between the loughs — short loops for small legs, longer circuits for bikes and older children.
Cavan Burren Park
OutdoorsFreeFree megalithic park with waymarked trails past ancient tombs and rock art — a real adventure feel for all ages.
Lough Oughter shore walks
OutdoorsFreeQuiet lakeside spots for paddling at the edge, duck-spotting and picnics on calm days.
Activity ideas that work for this age here
- Pizza production line — Everyone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
- Cardboard city — Build a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
- Garden obstacle course — Cushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.
Young children (5–7) in County Cavan
Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.
Killykeen Forest Park
OutdoorsFreeForest trails and lakeshore paths between the loughs — short loops for small legs, longer circuits for bikes and older children.
Cavan Burren Park
OutdoorsFreeFree megalithic park with waymarked trails past ancient tombs and rock art — a real adventure feel for all ages.
Marble Arch Caves (nearby Fermanagh border)
IndoorsGuided show-cave tour with boats and walkways — best for school-age children and up, with younger ones better on the forest trails outside.
Lough Oughter shore walks
OutdoorsFreeQuiet lakeside spots for paddling at the edge, duck-spotting and picnics on calm days.
Activity ideas that work for this age here
- Pizza production line — Everyone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
- Cardboard city — Build a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
- Garden obstacle course — Cushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.
Older children (8–11) in County Cavan
Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.
Killykeen Forest Park
OutdoorsFreeForest trails and lakeshore paths between the loughs — short loops for small legs, longer circuits for bikes and older children.
Cavan Burren Park
OutdoorsFreeFree megalithic park with waymarked trails past ancient tombs and rock art — a real adventure feel for all ages.
Marble Arch Caves (nearby Fermanagh border)
IndoorsGuided show-cave tour with boats and walkways — best for school-age children and up, with younger ones better on the forest trails outside.
Lough Oughter shore walks
OutdoorsFreeQuiet lakeside spots for paddling at the edge, duck-spotting and picnics on calm days.
Activity ideas that work for this age here
- Pizza production line — Everyone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
- Cardboard city — Build a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
- Garden obstacle course — Cushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.
Teens (12–15) in County Cavan
Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.
Killykeen Forest Park
OutdoorsFreeForest trails and lakeshore paths between the loughs — short loops for small legs, longer circuits for bikes and older children.
Cavan Burren Park
OutdoorsFreeFree megalithic park with waymarked trails past ancient tombs and rock art — a real adventure feel for all ages.
Marble Arch Caves (nearby Fermanagh border)
IndoorsGuided show-cave tour with boats and walkways — best for school-age children and up, with younger ones better on the forest trails outside.
Lough Oughter shore walks
OutdoorsFreeQuiet lakeside spots for paddling at the edge, duck-spotting and picnics on calm days.
Activity ideas that work for this age here
- Pizza production line — Everyone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
- Cardboard city — Build a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
- Garden obstacle course — Cushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.
Free things to do in County Cavan
- Killykeen Forest Park — Forest trails and lakeshore paths between the loughs — short loops for small legs, longer circuits for bikes and older children.
- Cavan Burren Park — Free megalithic park with waymarked trails past ancient tombs and rock art — a real adventure feel for all ages.
- Lough Oughter shore walks — Quiet lakeside spots for paddling at the edge, duck-spotting and picnics on calm days.
Rainy day in County Cavan?
Book a cave tour if your children are school-age, or head into Cavan town for a swim or a library hour.
Getting there
Cavan is best reached by car, about an hour and a half from Dublin via the N3; the forest parks have their own car parks.
Nearby areas
Planning for two very different ages?
Tell the matcher your children's ages and it finds activities where each one has a real job — plus check the partner directory for family discounts near County Cavan, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.
Find activities for your ages