Things to do with kids in County Meath

Meath is heritage central: Newgrange and the Boyne Valley for older children, Emerald Park as the county's big family draw, and Trim's huge castle as the all-ages crowd-pleaser.

Ideas here work for families in Navan, Trim, Ashbourne, Kells and Laytown.

Popular with families in County Meath: Trim Castle and the riverside, Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange and Knowth), Emerald Park.

Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Meath

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

  • Trim Castle and the riverside

    Outdoors

    Ireland's largest Norman castle with grounds to roam and a riverside walk — younger children play knights on the lawns while older ones take the keep tour.

  • Emerald Park

    Outdoors

    Ireland's only major theme park with a zoo — rides graded from toddlers to teens, so a mixed-age family can split and regroup.

  • Boyne riverside walks at Navan or Slane

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat greenway stretches along the river for an easy free walk between the big-ticket stops.

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 Meath

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

  • Trim Castle and the riverside

    Outdoors

    Ireland's largest Norman castle with grounds to roam and a riverside walk — younger children play knights on the lawns while older ones take the keep tour.

  • Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange and Knowth)

    Indoors

    5,000-year-old passage tombs via a visitor centre and shuttle bus — genuinely awe-inspiring for school-age children and up.

  • Emerald Park

    Outdoors

    Ireland's only major theme park with a zoo — rides graded from toddlers to teens, so a mixed-age family can split and regroup.

  • Boyne riverside walks at Navan or Slane

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat greenway stretches along the river for an easy free walk between the big-ticket stops.

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 Meath

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

  • Trim Castle and the riverside

    Outdoors

    Ireland's largest Norman castle with grounds to roam and a riverside walk — younger children play knights on the lawns while older ones take the keep tour.

  • Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange and Knowth)

    Indoors

    5,000-year-old passage tombs via a visitor centre and shuttle bus — genuinely awe-inspiring for school-age children and up.

  • Emerald Park

    Outdoors

    Ireland's only major theme park with a zoo — rides graded from toddlers to teens, so a mixed-age family can split and regroup.

  • Boyne riverside walks at Navan or Slane

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat greenway stretches along the river for an easy free walk between the big-ticket stops.

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 Meath

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

  • Trim Castle and the riverside

    Outdoors

    Ireland's largest Norman castle with grounds to roam and a riverside walk — younger children play knights on the lawns while older ones take the keep tour.

  • Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange and Knowth)

    Indoors

    5,000-year-old passage tombs via a visitor centre and shuttle bus — genuinely awe-inspiring for school-age children and up.

  • Emerald Park

    Outdoors

    Ireland's only major theme park with a zoo — rides graded from toddlers to teens, so a mixed-age family can split and regroup.

  • Boyne riverside walks at Navan or Slane

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat greenway stretches along the river for an easy free walk between the big-ticket stops.

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 Meath

  • Boyne riverside walks at Navan or Slane — Flat greenway stretches along the river for an easy free walk between the big-ticket stops.

Rainy day in County Meath?

Brú na Bóinne's visitor centre and the towns' leisure centres and cinemas see you through a wet day.

Getting there

Buses serve Navan and Trim from Dublin; Brú na Bóinne is reached by car or tour from the visitor centre near Donore.

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

Find activities for your ages