Things to do with kids in County Kilkenny
Kilkenny is one of Ireland's most walkable small cities — a castle with a huge free park, a medieval mile of sights, and craft workshops — all close enough together for short legs.
Ideas here work for families in Kilkenny city, Callan, Thomastown and Castlecomer.
Popular with families in County Kilkenny: Kilkenny Castle and Castle Park, The Medieval Mile, National Design & Craft Gallery.
Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Kilkenny
Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.
Kilkenny Castle and Castle Park
IndoorsCastle tour for older children, and a big free park with playground and woodland trails for everyone else — the perfect split-the-group stop.
The Medieval Mile
OutdoorsFreeCompact trail linking the castle, St Canice's Cathedral and the medieval streets — older children climb the round tower, younger ones count gargoyles.
Castlecomer Discovery Park
OutdoorsWoodland park north of the city with trails, play areas and high ropes for older children — worth the short drive.
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 Kilkenny
Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.
Kilkenny Castle and Castle Park
IndoorsCastle tour for older children, and a big free park with playground and woodland trails for everyone else — the perfect split-the-group stop.
The Medieval Mile
OutdoorsFreeCompact trail linking the castle, St Canice's Cathedral and the medieval streets — older children climb the round tower, younger ones count gargoyles.
National Design & Craft Gallery
IndoorsFreeFree gallery by the castle with changing craft exhibitions — a short, calm indoor stop between bigger sights.
Castlecomer Discovery Park
OutdoorsWoodland park north of the city with trails, play areas and high ropes for older children — worth the short drive.
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 Kilkenny
Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.
Kilkenny Castle and Castle Park
IndoorsCastle tour for older children, and a big free park with playground and woodland trails for everyone else — the perfect split-the-group stop.
The Medieval Mile
OutdoorsFreeCompact trail linking the castle, St Canice's Cathedral and the medieval streets — older children climb the round tower, younger ones count gargoyles.
National Design & Craft Gallery
IndoorsFreeFree gallery by the castle with changing craft exhibitions — a short, calm indoor stop between bigger sights.
Castlecomer Discovery Park
OutdoorsWoodland park north of the city with trails, play areas and high ropes for older children — worth the short drive.
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 Kilkenny
Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.
Kilkenny Castle and Castle Park
IndoorsCastle tour for older children, and a big free park with playground and woodland trails for everyone else — the perfect split-the-group stop.
The Medieval Mile
OutdoorsFreeCompact trail linking the castle, St Canice's Cathedral and the medieval streets — older children climb the round tower, younger ones count gargoyles.
National Design & Craft Gallery
IndoorsFreeFree gallery by the castle with changing craft exhibitions — a short, calm indoor stop between bigger sights.
Castlecomer Discovery Park
OutdoorsWoodland park north of the city with trails, play areas and high ropes for older children — worth the short drive.
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 Kilkenny
- The Medieval Mile — Compact trail linking the castle, St Canice's Cathedral and the medieval streets — older children climb the round tower, younger ones count gargoyles.
- National Design & Craft Gallery — Free gallery by the castle with changing craft exhibitions — a short, calm indoor stop between bigger sights.
Rainy day in County Kilkenny?
The castle tour, craft gallery and a swim at the leisure centre fill a wet day without leaving the city.
Getting there
Trains and buses from Dublin and Waterford; the city centre, castle and park are all within a ten-minute walk.
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 Kilkenny, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.
Find activities for your ages