Things to do with kids in County Donegal
Donegal is big-sky country: huge sandy beaches, Glenveagh National Park and sea cliffs. It suits families who like outdoor days — with enough castles and indoor stops to rescue a wet one.
Ideas here work for families in Letterkenny, Donegal town, Buncrana and Bundoran.
Popular with families in County Donegal: Glenveagh National Park and Castle, Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach, Donegal Castle and town.
Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Donegal
Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.
Glenveagh National Park and Castle
OutdoorsFreeFree national park with flat lakeside walks to a castle — shuttle buses help small legs, and older children can take the longer trails.
Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach
OutdoorsFreeVast sandy beaches with room for everyone — rock pools at one end, surf and space to run at the other.
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 Donegal
Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.
Glenveagh National Park and Castle
OutdoorsFreeFree national park with flat lakeside walks to a castle — shuttle buses help small legs, and older children can take the longer trails.
Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach
OutdoorsFreeVast sandy beaches with room for everyone — rock pools at one end, surf and space to run at the other.
Donegal Castle and town
IndoorsSmall restored castle in the town centre — a short, manageable indoor visit that works well between outdoor stops.
Slieve League cliffs
OutdoorsFreeSome of Europe's highest sea cliffs with a viewing point reachable from the car park — spectacular for older children; hold little hands tight.
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 Donegal
Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.
Glenveagh National Park and Castle
OutdoorsFreeFree national park with flat lakeside walks to a castle — shuttle buses help small legs, and older children can take the longer trails.
Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach
OutdoorsFreeVast sandy beaches with room for everyone — rock pools at one end, surf and space to run at the other.
Donegal Castle and town
IndoorsSmall restored castle in the town centre — a short, manageable indoor visit that works well between outdoor stops.
Slieve League cliffs
OutdoorsFreeSome of Europe's highest sea cliffs with a viewing point reachable from the car park — spectacular for older children; hold little hands tight.
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 Donegal
Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.
Glenveagh National Park and Castle
OutdoorsFreeFree national park with flat lakeside walks to a castle — shuttle buses help small legs, and older children can take the longer trails.
Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach
OutdoorsFreeVast sandy beaches with room for everyone — rock pools at one end, surf and space to run at the other.
Donegal Castle and town
IndoorsSmall restored castle in the town centre — a short, manageable indoor visit that works well between outdoor stops.
Slieve League cliffs
OutdoorsFreeSome of Europe's highest sea cliffs with a viewing point reachable from the car park — spectacular for older children; hold little hands tight.
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 Donegal
- Glenveagh National Park and Castle — Free national park with flat lakeside walks to a castle — shuttle buses help small legs, and older children can take the longer trails.
- Portsalon or Ballymastocker beach — Vast sandy beaches with room for everyone — rock pools at one end, surf and space to run at the other.
- Slieve League cliffs — Some of Europe's highest sea cliffs with a viewing point reachable from the car park — spectacular for older children; hold little hands tight.
Rainy day in County Donegal?
Donegal town's castle and craft village cover a couple of indoor hours, and leisure centres in Letterkenny and Donegal town handle the rest.
Getting there
Best explored by car — about three hours from Belfast and three and a half from Dublin; national park and beaches have 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 Donegal, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.
Find activities for your ages