Things to do with kids in County Wicklow
Wicklow, the garden of Ireland, is Dublin's adventure backyard: Glendalough's lakeside walks, Powerscourt's gardens and waterfall, and the beaches at Brittas Bay — the county most Dublin families already love.
Ideas here work for families in Bray, Wicklow town, Greystones, Arklow and Blessington.
Popular with families in County Wicklow: Glendalough, Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall, Brittas Bay.
Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in County Wicklow
Short, sensory and close to a toilet and a snack. Buggy access matters more than distance.
Glendalough
OutdoorsFreeMonastic ruins between two lakes with waymarked trails from a buggy-friendly boardwalk to the tough Spinc climb for teens.
Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
OutdoorsFormal gardens for a gentle wander and Ireland's highest waterfall a short drive away — a full estate day for mixed ages.
Brittas Bay
OutdoorsFreeBlue Flag dune-backed beach — gentle shallows for little ones, bodyboarding waves for older children.
Bray seafront and Bray Head walk
OutdoorsFreeSeafront promenade with amusements and a cliff path to Greystones — the easier sections suit all ages.
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 Wicklow
Big enough for playgrounds and trails, still happiest with a clear task and a bit of story.
Glendalough
OutdoorsFreeMonastic ruins between two lakes with waymarked trails from a buggy-friendly boardwalk to the tough Spinc climb for teens.
Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
OutdoorsFormal gardens for a gentle wander and Ireland's highest waterfall a short drive away — a full estate day for mixed ages.
Brittas Bay
OutdoorsFreeBlue Flag dune-backed beach — gentle shallows for little ones, bodyboarding waves for older children.
Bray seafront and Bray Head walk
OutdoorsFreeSeafront promenade with amusements and a cliff path to Greystones — the easier sections suit all ages.
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 Wicklow
Ready to lead the map, take on a challenge and be given real responsibility.
Glendalough
OutdoorsFreeMonastic ruins between two lakes with waymarked trails from a buggy-friendly boardwalk to the tough Spinc climb for teens.
Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
OutdoorsFormal gardens for a gentle wander and Ireland's highest waterfall a short drive away — a full estate day for mixed ages.
Brittas Bay
OutdoorsFreeBlue Flag dune-backed beach — gentle shallows for little ones, bodyboarding waves for older children.
Bray seafront and Bray Head walk
OutdoorsFreeSeafront promenade with amusements and a cliff path to Greystones — the easier sections suit all ages.
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 Wicklow
Give them a role that isn't babysitting — photography, navigation, or a proper physical challenge.
Glendalough
OutdoorsFreeMonastic ruins between two lakes with waymarked trails from a buggy-friendly boardwalk to the tough Spinc climb for teens.
Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
OutdoorsFormal gardens for a gentle wander and Ireland's highest waterfall a short drive away — a full estate day for mixed ages.
Brittas Bay
OutdoorsFreeBlue Flag dune-backed beach — gentle shallows for little ones, bodyboarding waves for older children.
Bray seafront and Bray Head walk
OutdoorsFreeSeafront promenade with amusements and a cliff path to Greystones — the easier sections suit all ages.
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 Wicklow
- Glendalough — Monastic ruins between two lakes with waymarked trails from a buggy-friendly boardwalk to the tough Spinc climb for teens.
- Brittas Bay — Blue Flag dune-backed beach — gentle shallows for little ones, bodyboarding waves for older children.
- Bray seafront and Bray Head walk — Seafront promenade with amusements and a cliff path to Greystones — the easier sections suit all ages.
Rainy day in County Wicklow?
Bray's aquarium and leisure centres, plus Powerscourt's indoor shops and café, cover a wet day; Glendalough's visitor centre gives some shelter.
Getting there
DART and buses serve Bray and Greystones; Glendalough and the interior are best by car, with paid parking at the main sites.
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 Wicklow, and the party planning FAQ if there's a birthday coming.
Find activities for your ages