Things to do with kids in County Louth

Louth packs a lot into Ireland's smallest county: Carlingford's medieval streets and adventure activities, Dundalk's museums, and the Cooley mountains and beaches in between.

Ideas here work for families in Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee and Carlingford.

Popular with families in County Louth: Carlingford village and harbour, Carlingford Adventure Centre, County Museum Dundalk.

Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Louth

Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.

  • Carlingford village and harbour

    OutdoorsFree

    Medieval streets, a castle on the shore and a harbourfront — a free wander with crabbing and sea air for all ages.

  • Cooley peninsula beaches and hill walks

    OutdoorsFree

    Sandy spots like Templetown and waymarked Táin Way sections — beach for the youngest, hills for the oldest.

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 Louth

Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.

  • Carlingford village and harbour

    OutdoorsFree

    Medieval streets, a castle on the shore and a harbourfront — a free wander with crabbing and sea air for all ages.

  • Carlingford Adventure Centre

    Outdoors

    Zip lines, water sports and high ropes aimed at school-age children and teens — book older children in while little ones do the harbour.

  • County Museum Dundalk

    IndoorsFree

    Free museum covering local history from Vikings to industry — a solid rainy-day hour or two.

  • Cooley peninsula beaches and hill walks

    OutdoorsFree

    Sandy spots like Templetown and waymarked Táin Way sections — beach for the youngest, hills for the oldest.

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 Louth

Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.

  • Carlingford village and harbour

    OutdoorsFree

    Medieval streets, a castle on the shore and a harbourfront — a free wander with crabbing and sea air for all ages.

  • Carlingford Adventure Centre

    Outdoors

    Zip lines, water sports and high ropes aimed at school-age children and teens — book older children in while little ones do the harbour.

  • County Museum Dundalk

    IndoorsFree

    Free museum covering local history from Vikings to industry — a solid rainy-day hour or two.

  • Cooley peninsula beaches and hill walks

    OutdoorsFree

    Sandy spots like Templetown and waymarked Táin Way sections — beach for the youngest, hills for the oldest.

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 Louth

Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.

  • Carlingford village and harbour

    OutdoorsFree

    Medieval streets, a castle on the shore and a harbourfront — a free wander with crabbing and sea air for all ages.

  • Carlingford Adventure Centre

    Outdoors

    Zip lines, water sports and high ropes aimed at school-age children and teens — book older children in while little ones do the harbour.

  • County Museum Dundalk

    IndoorsFree

    Free museum covering local history from Vikings to industry — a solid rainy-day hour or two.

  • Cooley peninsula beaches and hill walks

    OutdoorsFree

    Sandy spots like Templetown and waymarked Táin Way sections — beach for the youngest, hills for the oldest.

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 Louth

  • Carlingford village and harbour — Medieval streets, a castle on the shore and a harbourfront — a free wander with crabbing and sea air for all ages.
  • County Museum Dundalk — Free museum covering local history from Vikings to industry — a solid rainy-day hour or two.
  • Cooley peninsula beaches and hill walks — Sandy spots like Templetown and waymarked Táin Way sections — beach for the youngest, hills for the oldest.

Rainy day in County Louth?

Dundalk's museum and leisure centre cover a wet day; Carlingford's cafés and the medieval mint building give short indoor stops.

Getting there

Trains to Dundalk from Dublin and Belfast; Carlingford is a 25-minute drive from Dundalk with village parking.

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 Louth, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.

Find activities for your ages