18 things to do at Easter in Dublin

If your kids love animals, Dublin Zoo is a great place to spend the day. The good news is it’s open throughout the school holidays (including Easter Sunday) and is running their Junior Easter Workshop for kids aged 6-12. Keep an eye on the daily schedule of keeper talks while you’re there, so you can learn about the Asian elephants or gorillas from the experts. 

Media captionGet the kids involved in the Junior Easter Workshop in Dublin Zoo.

As the largest public park in any European city, the Phoenix Park has plenty to keep the family entertained on a day out. Learn about the history and wildlife of the park at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and head out on a free tour of Ashtown Castle. You can also get a free guided tour of the President's residence Áras an Uachtaráin on Saturdays. After, stop by Farmleigh House and Estate and admire the beautiful gardens. 

On a sunny day, it's hard to beat a cycle through the park. Bring your own bike or rent one from Phoenix Park Bikes, which you'll find near the main entrance. Say hello as you pass the wild deer that call the park home – just don't get too close to them! 

Media captionSpot the park's local deer.

Set in the Dublin Mountains just outside of Saggart, Luggwoods Forest is a place where kids can run wild and explore the great outdoors. During the Easter holidays, there’s extra entertainment laid on, with a puzzle to be solved on the trails and a chocolate egg for those who crack the code. There are fairytale characters along the way to lend a helping hand and kids will be able to see the alpacas, goats and pigs in the petting farm. It’s running from March 28 to April 6.  

Easter is a great time to visit Newbridge House & Farm – the bluebells are in bloom, the animals are spending more time outdoors and you may even see some ducklings or piglets running around. Stop by the working farm to get a good look at the Shetland ponies or follow some of the nature trails through the parklands. If you get hungry, relax on the outdoor terrace and tuck into tasty pastries and desserts at Brambles Café.

Media captionFrom bluebells to foals, Newbridge House & Farm Easter camp is great for kids.

On April 3 and 4, the West Lawn of Malahide Castle and Gardens will host A Wicked Easter, where little ones can head on a scavenger hunt through the 'enchanted forest' and meet Dorothy and her friends from the land of Oz. After, catch a live Wizard of Oz-themed musical performance while savouring a few Easter treats. 

Prefer to stop by another day over the Easter holidays? Bring the kids on a guided tour to learn a bit about the castle, enter the Butterfly House and admire the beautiful colours of over 20 species of butterflies, or enjoy the Fairy Trail on a quieter day and immerse yourselves in Irish folklore. If the kids are still too hyper for the trip home, check out the award-winning playground where they can swing and slide away their excess energy. 

Media captionFollow the Easter trail through Malahide Castle and Gardens.

Bring your budding train enthusiasts for a hands-on afternoon at the Casino Model Railway Museum. Inside the preserved thatched cottage, discover Cyril Fry’s handcrafted model railways winding through miniature worlds of rolling hills, bustling towns and charming villages. Kids can watch the trains whizz by as they learn all about the history of Irish rail. Complete the experience with a ride on Toots, The Malahide Road Train which takes you through Malahide village and Malahide Castle.

Media captionBring the little ones for a full day out at the Casino Model Railway Museum.

From April 1 to 3, The Ark is bringing kids' imaginations to life with its On Your Marks workshop. With the help of theatre-maker Darren Yorke and visual artist Duffy Mooney Sheppard, kids between the age of 5 and 12 will work as a team to craft a sports day for forest animals using storytelling, theatre games and visual play.

You'll find creative workshops for kids of all ages over the Easter break on at Dublinia. On April 1 and 2, kids can unearth Viking treasures and artefacts, meet qualified archaeologists and learn about the lives of Vikings at The Big Dig. Then from April 3 to 5, they can join Choco, the Easter Bunny in training, on an Easter hunt through history. There's also a Viking storytelling session on April 11 and 12.

Media captionLearn about Viking life in Dublinia.

School might be out for the holiday, but the learning doesn't stop at Sandyford's Explorium. With over 300 interactive exhibits split across three different sections, there's something for every kid to discover. Open every day during the Easter break (except Easter Sunday), kids can create their own crystals and escape to the VR Planetarium in the Science Section, or test their speed, strength and agility in the Sports Section. For kids between the ages of two and six, the Junior Section has its own multi-sensory room and an interactive aquarium. Once their curious minds have been satisfied, treat the kids to a tasty meal in one of the cafés onsite.  

Media captionDive into different dimensions at Explorium.

Get the kids involved in the great outdoors over the holidays with a visit to the Airfield Estate in Dundrum. From March 30 to April 7, the Estate will be hosting their own Airfield Experience Easter Camp, with two age group options led by experienced guides. Throughout the four-day camp, the little ones will have the chance to meet the estate's adorable farm animals, craft their own Easter-themed creations and cook up seasonal treats.  

Want a more hands-on experience? Book a slot in the Young Chef Camp, a five-day camp that runs from March 30 to April 3. While developing their cooking skills, the kids will also see where their ingredients come from and learn all about the importance of food sustainability. 

Alongside the Estate's special events, the kids can greet the farm's animals, help collect eggs, watch the cows being milked and explore the gardens. The whole family can grab a meal in Overends Kitchen, a restaurant overlooking the grounds that uses Estate-grown produce.

Media captionThe Airfield Estate is packed with fun.

Out in Ballymun, the Rediscovery Centre is part of a creative movement to encourage sustainability and they have a workshop of fun planned on April 11. Their Easter Activity Day features themed events like egg science experiments and games, as well as the chance for kids to get outside and enjoy nature.

Another museum in the city centre opening its doors on Easter Sunday is the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street. From April 1 to 11, stop by for their range of Easter break activities, including guided tours, replica artefacts handling and arts and crafts. If you want to take in the Museum's collections as a family, they are also hosting free tours over the Easter break. 

Meanwhile over at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, kids aged 7 and up can enjoy a free drop-in session in the Discovery Zone of the Dead Zoo Lab. Here, they'll learn all about animals, both alive and extinct, and handle real and replica furs, feathers, footprints and eggs. 

Media captionHead to a drop-in session at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

For more museum fun, bring the kids to the National Print Museum for family-friendly tours and kids craft workshops. Learn about the history of print, experience the traditional craft of typesetting and printing, make your own press out of LEGO, craft a printer's hat and more in this unique museum in Beggar's Bush throughout the Easter break.

Media captionLearn a truly unique skill at the National Print Museum.

If you’re a family of adventurers, the zip-lining and climbing course at Zipit in Tibradden Woods is a great day out. Set among the pine trees in the Dublin Mountains, the series of circuits range from one to 20 metres high, increasing as your skills (and confidence) build. If you have some residual adrenaline afterwards, go for a hike at the Hellfire Club which is a 10-minute drive away. It’s suitable for kids from the age of seven and is open every day of the school holidays.  

Media captionFor the adventurous family, Zipit in Tibradden wood is a great day out.

For families who love all things GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), check out the Easter Teidí Tours in the GAA Museum in Croke Park. With the help of your tour guide, you'll have the chance to enter the teidí (teddy) workshop in Cú Chulainn's Den where you can create your very own GAA Museum teidí. Follow that up with an in-depth tour of the stadium; from the dressing rooms to the pitch, you can see it all. If you opt for one of their Skyline Tours, you can see even more of the stadium from 17 storeys high. 

Media captionGet a sports education on a Teidí Tour of Croke Park.

Go behind the scenes with a tour of Butlers Chocolate Factory on the Easter Experience Tour. Running on select dates from March 13 to April 4, you can bring the kids on a tour of the entire factory, decorate your own Butlers souvenir made out of chocolate, meet the Easter Bunny and – if the weather is on your side – go on an outdoor Easter egg hunt. 

Starting off the Easter break strong, the National Gallery of Ireland will host a fun, family-friendly workshop with professional artist Eimear Murphy on March 29. Inspired by some of the work in the gallery's collection, you and the kids can create colourful drawings that will hopefully take pride of place on your fridge. The two-hour long session is drop-in only so there's no need to book in advance. 

Media captionSpend Easter Sunday getting artsy at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Why not get the kids' imaginations spinning this Easter? World of Illusion in Temple Bar has over 70 interactive exhibits spread across three floors, including optical illusions, the Vortex Tunnel and their large kaleidoscope. If you're not ready to go back to reality, you can purchase a combo ticket which also gets you access to the National Wax Museum Plus. Say hello to lifelike wax figures of some of your favourite celebrities and characters, from Elvis Presley to Darth Vader. Little ones can have fun exploring the Enchanted Forest populated with figures from Irish folklore, and even get a wax replica of their own hand made in the gift shop before they leave.

Media captionGet involved in the fun at the World of Illusion.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the capital with the kids, so here’s our guide to the ideal family day out in Dublin.