Things to do with kids in Glenariff & the Glens, Ballymena

The Glens of Antrim give you a proper outdoors day within half an hour of Ballymena — waterfall boardwalks for confident walkers, and shorter loops and a beach if you have a buggy or a tired toddler.

Toddlers & preschoolers (2–4) in Glenariff & the Glens

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

  • Glenariff Forest Park short trails

    Outdoors

    Flatter waymarked loops and a picnic area near the car park that work with a buggy or small children.

  • Waterfoot beach

    OutdoorsFree

    Sheltered stony-sand beach at the mouth of the glen, good for stone skimming and a run before the drive back.

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 Glenariff & the Glens

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

  • Glenariff Forest Park waterfall walk

    Outdoors

    Boardwalk and steps beside the falls — brilliant for ages 6+; use the shorter Viewpoint trail with little ones.

  • Glenariff Forest Park short trails

    Outdoors

    Flatter waymarked loops and a picnic area near the car park that work with a buggy or small children.

  • Waterfoot beach

    OutdoorsFree

    Sheltered stony-sand beach at the mouth of the glen, good for stone skimming and a run before the drive back.

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 Glenariff & the Glens

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

  • Glenariff Forest Park waterfall walk

    Outdoors

    Boardwalk and steps beside the falls — brilliant for ages 6+; use the shorter Viewpoint trail with little ones.

  • Glenariff Forest Park short trails

    Outdoors

    Flatter waymarked loops and a picnic area near the car park that work with a buggy or small children.

  • Waterfoot beach

    OutdoorsFree

    Sheltered stony-sand beach at the mouth of the glen, good for stone skimming and a run before the drive back.

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 Glenariff & the Glens

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

  • Glenariff Forest Park waterfall walk

    Outdoors

    Boardwalk and steps beside the falls — brilliant for ages 6+; use the shorter Viewpoint trail with little ones.

  • Waterfoot beach

    OutdoorsFree

    Sheltered stony-sand beach at the mouth of the glen, good for stone skimming and a run before the drive back.

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 Glenariff & the Glens

  • Waterfoot beach — Sheltered stony-sand beach at the mouth of the glen, good for stone skimming and a run before the drive back.

Rainy day in Glenariff & the Glens?

Waterfall trails get slippery — save the glen for a drier day and use the Braid or Seven Towers in Ballymena instead.

Getting there

About 30 minutes from Ballymena by car; Glenariff has a paid forest car park with toilets and a tea house.

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

Find activities for your ages