Things to do with kids in County Westmeath

Westmeath is lakeland: Belvedere House's gardens and fairy trails near Mullingar, the Royal Canal greenway, and Athlone's castle and the Shannon at the county's western edge.

Ideas here work for families in Athlone, Mullingar, Moate and Kinnegad.

Popular with families in County Westmeath: Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Athlone Castle and the Shannon, Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar.

Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Westmeath

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

  • Belvedere House Gardens & Park

    Outdoors

    Lakeside estate with woodland trails, a fairy garden and the Jealous Wall folly — younger children hunt fairies, older ones explore the follies.

  • Athlone Castle and the Shannon

    Indoors

    Interactive castle experience on the river with a riverside walk and playground nearby — a strong mixed-age half-day.

  • Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat towpath through the town — scoot, cycle or stroll with plenty of turn-back points.

  • Mullingar greyhound stadium and town facilities

    Indoors

    The county town covers swimming, library and indoor play for the wet-weather hours.

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 Westmeath

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

  • Belvedere House Gardens & Park

    Outdoors

    Lakeside estate with woodland trails, a fairy garden and the Jealous Wall folly — younger children hunt fairies, older ones explore the follies.

  • Athlone Castle and the Shannon

    Indoors

    Interactive castle experience on the river with a riverside walk and playground nearby — a strong mixed-age half-day.

  • Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat towpath through the town — scoot, cycle or stroll with plenty of turn-back points.

  • Mullingar greyhound stadium and town facilities

    Indoors

    The county town covers swimming, library and indoor play for the wet-weather hours.

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 Westmeath

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

  • Belvedere House Gardens & Park

    Outdoors

    Lakeside estate with woodland trails, a fairy garden and the Jealous Wall folly — younger children hunt fairies, older ones explore the follies.

  • Athlone Castle and the Shannon

    Indoors

    Interactive castle experience on the river with a riverside walk and playground nearby — a strong mixed-age half-day.

  • Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat towpath through the town — scoot, cycle or stroll with plenty of turn-back points.

  • Mullingar greyhound stadium and town facilities

    Indoors

    The county town covers swimming, library and indoor play for the wet-weather hours.

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 Westmeath

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

  • Belvedere House Gardens & Park

    Outdoors

    Lakeside estate with woodland trails, a fairy garden and the Jealous Wall folly — younger children hunt fairies, older ones explore the follies.

  • Athlone Castle and the Shannon

    Indoors

    Interactive castle experience on the river with a riverside walk and playground nearby — a strong mixed-age half-day.

  • Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar

    OutdoorsFree

    Flat towpath through the town — scoot, cycle or stroll with plenty of turn-back points.

  • Mullingar greyhound stadium and town facilities

    Indoors

    The county town covers swimming, library and indoor play for the wet-weather hours.

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 Westmeath

  • Royal Canal greenway at Mullingar — Flat towpath through the town — scoot, cycle or stroll with plenty of turn-back points.

Rainy day in County Westmeath?

Athlone Castle plus a swim or soft play in Athlone or Mullingar fills a wet day.

Getting there

Trains to Mullingar and Athlone from Dublin; Belvedere House is a short drive from Mullingar with on-site 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 Westmeath, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.

Find activities for your ages