Things to do with kids in County Waterford

Waterford pairs Ireland's oldest city — Vikings, a free museum quarter and city walls — with the Waterford Greenway and the Copper Coast's beaches for outdoor days.

Ideas here work for families in Waterford city, Dungarvan, Tramore and Lismore.

Popular with families in County Waterford: Waterford Greenway, Waterford's Viking Triangle, Tramore beach and promenade.

Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Waterford

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

  • Waterford Greenway

    OutdoorsFree

    46km of flat, traffic-free trail from the city to Dungarvan over viaducts and through a tunnel — ride a short section with child seats or tag-alongs.

  • Waterford's Viking Triangle

    Indoors

    Compact museum quarter with Reginald's Tower and the Medieval Museum — older children do the museums, younger ones the open squares.

  • Tramore beach and promenade

    OutdoorsFree

    Long sandy beach with amusements and a flat prom — the classic family beach day near the city.

  • Copper Coast drive and coves

    OutdoorsFree

    Clifftop geopark road with small coves like Annestown and Boatstrand — short stops, big views, rock pools.

Activity ideas that work for this age here

  • Pizza production lineEveryone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
  • Cardboard cityBuild a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
  • Garden obstacle courseCushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.

Young children (5–7) in County Waterford

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

  • Waterford Greenway

    OutdoorsFree

    46km of flat, traffic-free trail from the city to Dungarvan over viaducts and through a tunnel — ride a short section with child seats or tag-alongs.

  • Waterford's Viking Triangle

    Indoors

    Compact museum quarter with Reginald's Tower and the Medieval Museum — older children do the museums, younger ones the open squares.

  • Tramore beach and promenade

    OutdoorsFree

    Long sandy beach with amusements and a flat prom — the classic family beach day near the city.

  • Copper Coast drive and coves

    OutdoorsFree

    Clifftop geopark road with small coves like Annestown and Boatstrand — short stops, big views, rock pools.

Activity ideas that work for this age here

  • Pizza production lineEveryone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
  • Cardboard cityBuild a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
  • Garden obstacle courseCushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.

Older children (8–11) in County Waterford

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

  • Waterford Greenway

    OutdoorsFree

    46km of flat, traffic-free trail from the city to Dungarvan over viaducts and through a tunnel — ride a short section with child seats or tag-alongs.

  • Waterford's Viking Triangle

    Indoors

    Compact museum quarter with Reginald's Tower and the Medieval Museum — older children do the museums, younger ones the open squares.

  • Tramore beach and promenade

    OutdoorsFree

    Long sandy beach with amusements and a flat prom — the classic family beach day near the city.

  • Copper Coast drive and coves

    OutdoorsFree

    Clifftop geopark road with small coves like Annestown and Boatstrand — short stops, big views, rock pools.

Activity ideas that work for this age here

  • Pizza production lineEveryone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
  • Cardboard cityBuild a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
  • Garden obstacle courseCushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.

Teens (12–15) in County Waterford

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

  • Waterford Greenway

    OutdoorsFree

    46km of flat, traffic-free trail from the city to Dungarvan over viaducts and through a tunnel — ride a short section with child seats or tag-alongs.

  • Waterford's Viking Triangle

    Indoors

    Compact museum quarter with Reginald's Tower and the Medieval Museum — older children do the museums, younger ones the open squares.

  • Tramore beach and promenade

    OutdoorsFree

    Long sandy beach with amusements and a flat prom — the classic family beach day near the city.

  • Copper Coast drive and coves

    OutdoorsFree

    Clifftop geopark road with small coves like Annestown and Boatstrand — short stops, big views, rock pools.

Activity ideas that work for this age here

  • Pizza production lineEveryone gets a station — dough squashing, sauce spreading, topping design — and dinner sorted at the end.
  • Cardboard cityBuild a whole town from boxes — towers, roads, a river of blue paper.
  • Garden obstacle courseCushions, hoops and a stopwatch — the classic that works for every age at once.

Free things to do in County Waterford

  • Waterford Greenway46km of flat, traffic-free trail from the city to Dungarvan over viaducts and through a tunnel — ride a short section with child seats or tag-alongs.
  • Tramore beach and promenadeLong sandy beach with amusements and a flat prom — the classic family beach day near the city.
  • Copper Coast drive and covesClifftop geopark road with small coves like Annestown and Boatstrand — short stops, big views, rock pools.

Rainy day in County Waterford?

The Viking Triangle museums and Tramore's indoor amusements cover a wet day between them.

Getting there

Trains to Waterford from Dublin and Limerick; the greenway has bike hire and car parks at several access points.

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

Find activities for your ages