Things to do with kids in County Mayo
Mayo is Atlantic Ireland at its best for families: Westport's house and adventure trails, the Great Western Greenway for traffic-free cycling, and Achill's enormous beaches.
Ideas here work for families in Castlebar, Westport, Ballina and Claremorris.
Popular with families in County Mayo: Westport House and grounds, Great Western Greenway, Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel).
Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Mayo
Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.
Westport House and grounds
IndoorsHistoric house with parkland, a pirate adventure park for younger children and swan boats — something for each age on one site.
Great Western Greenway
OutdoorsFree42km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill — hire bikes with tag-alongs and child seats and ride a section that suits your youngest.
Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel)
OutdoorsFreeSome of Ireland's most dramatic beaches — Keem's sheltered cove suits the whole family on a calm day.
National Museum of Country Life, Turlough
IndoorsFreeFree museum of rural Irish life with hands-on family events — a strong rainy-day option near Castlebar.
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 Mayo
Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.
Westport House and grounds
IndoorsHistoric house with parkland, a pirate adventure park for younger children and swan boats — something for each age on one site.
Great Western Greenway
OutdoorsFree42km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill — hire bikes with tag-alongs and child seats and ride a section that suits your youngest.
Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel)
OutdoorsFreeSome of Ireland's most dramatic beaches — Keem's sheltered cove suits the whole family on a calm day.
National Museum of Country Life, Turlough
IndoorsFreeFree museum of rural Irish life with hands-on family events — a strong rainy-day option near Castlebar.
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 Mayo
Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.
Westport House and grounds
IndoorsHistoric house with parkland, a pirate adventure park for younger children and swan boats — something for each age on one site.
Great Western Greenway
OutdoorsFree42km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill — hire bikes with tag-alongs and child seats and ride a section that suits your youngest.
Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel)
OutdoorsFreeSome of Ireland's most dramatic beaches — Keem's sheltered cove suits the whole family on a calm day.
National Museum of Country Life, Turlough
IndoorsFreeFree museum of rural Irish life with hands-on family events — a strong rainy-day option near Castlebar.
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 Mayo
Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.
Westport House and grounds
IndoorsHistoric house with parkland, a pirate adventure park for younger children and swan boats — something for each age on one site.
Great Western Greenway
OutdoorsFree42km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill — hire bikes with tag-alongs and child seats and ride a section that suits your youngest.
Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel)
OutdoorsFreeSome of Ireland's most dramatic beaches — Keem's sheltered cove suits the whole family on a calm day.
National Museum of Country Life, Turlough
IndoorsFreeFree museum of rural Irish life with hands-on family events — a strong rainy-day option near Castlebar.
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 Mayo
- Great Western Greenway — 42km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill — hire bikes with tag-alongs and child seats and ride a section that suits your youngest.
- Achill Island beaches (Keem Bay or Keel) — Some of Ireland's most dramatic beaches — Keem's sheltered cove suits the whole family on a calm day.
- National Museum of Country Life, Turlough — Free museum of rural Irish life with hands-on family events — a strong rainy-day option near Castlebar.
Rainy day in County Mayo?
The free Country Life museum and Westport House's indoor areas cover a wet day; Castlebar and Westport both have leisure centres.
Getting there
Trains to Westport and Castlebar from Dublin; the greenway and Achill are easiest by car or hired bike.
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 Mayo, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.
Find activities for your ages