2 Days In Dublin With Kids: Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas 

Published: August 27, 2024

Are you planning a trip to Dublin with the kids and wondering, “How to keep them entertained for two whole days?!” No worries! Dublin is like a treasure chest of family-friendly adventures waiting to be discovered. From fascinating museums that are more fun than a barrel of monkeys to parks where the kids can run wild, this city has it all.

Family trip to Dublin: Day 1 – History and Magic

Breakfast at Lemon Jelly Cafe

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Lemon Jelly Cafe, just a short walk from Ha’Penny Bridge, which is a great spot to fuel up for your sightseeing day. Their large menu can accommodate even the pickiest of eaters.

A walking tour at a comfortable pace 

Then, embark on a supercharged walking tour of Dublin that is perfect for families as it’s tailored in advance to you and your kids. You might want to visit the iconic Old Library of Trinity College, a magical spot that feels straight out of a Harry Potter story. Though Harry Potter movies weren’t filmed here, the vibe of this place will make you feel different.

National Leprechaun Museum

After soaking up the history, head to the National Leprechaun Museum. It’s an enchanting experience that kids (and grown-up kids!) adore, so book your tickets in advance. 

Dinner at Brother Hubbard North

Wrap up your day with a delicious dinner at Brother Hubbard North, where the cosy atmosphere and tasty desserts will delight your family. It’s a bit of a treat, so you might want to aim for a local pub if the budget is tight. Ask your server at the pub for their Irish soft drink selection. Every respectable pub will have ‘Red Lemonade’, and the better ones will have Cidona or Club Orange (historically, this drink was known for including actual orange juice and bits).

You’ve spent the day exploring Dublin’s history, Irish culture, and cuisine, so it’s time to get some rest before starting the adventures of Day 2.

Family trip to Dublin: Day 2 – Inspiration and Delights

Breakfast at One Society

Begin day two of your Dublin with kids itinerary with breakfast at One Society, where the diverse menu will satisfy all tastes. Alternatively, if you have a baby or toddler taking a taxi to Flower & Bean café would be worth it. Social Fabric café in Stoneybatter has a great vibe – it’s very popular on weekends, though!

Croke Park Stadium & GAA Museum 

Explore the Croke Park Stadium on a tour and get access to the GAA Museum, where sports enthusiasts can dive into Ireland’s rich athletic culture. This is a fascinating place. Learning about the native sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling (our guide describes it as looking like a mix of Lacrosse and Quidditch) will open a whole world to you. 

We’ll take you back to a time when everything was good about sports since, in the GAA, #1 players don’t get paid, it’s amateur, #2 players play for the pride of their county and therefore don’t move teams, #3 the GAA’s goal is to support engagement in the sporting heritage of Ireland rather than to make money so the tickets are affordable for every family’s budget. Besides the games, the stadium is full of character and history (this is Ireland, after all!). The biggest amateur stadium in the world, with a capacity of 82,300! 

Remember to check out the gift shop for some unique souvenirs!

Helpful tip: If the kids are having an unsettled time, keep this one up your sleeve: Butlers Chocolate Factory. Do a factory tour! Remember that if you come at the weekend, you won’t see anyone working so it’s best to go mid-week.

Dublin Zoo

In the afternoon, visit Dublin Zoo, home to over 600 animals and known for its beautiful Victorian layout.  You can walk the entire zoo in just a few hours. Pack a picnic, as there are plenty of spots to enjoy a meal among the zoo’s scenic views.

Helpful tip: make sure you plan a visit to a supermarket like Dunnes Stores as there are no shops close to the Zoo.

Tickets for the Dublin Zoo can be bought at the entrance, but if you want to avoid standing in the queue, you can buy them online. There is little need for that unless it’s a particularly busy weekend.                                                                                     

Dinner

For the best lamb you’ve ever tasted, go to Fire. For a fantastic restaurant that happens to be a vegetarian restaurant (vegetables the way they should be eaten), try Glas (Irish for ‘Green’). 

For something unusual, especially one that the kids might enjoy, try an Ethiopian restaurant, Gursha, where you don’t need cutlery—you can use the endemic bread to scope your food.

More tips on visiting Dublin with kids

Visiting Dublin pubs in the evening

Remember, kids aren’t typically allowed in pubs after 9 PM (pubs that serve food will generally allow kids until the kitchen has closed), so plan your pub visits during the day. 

Where to stay in Dublin with kids

Prices for family-friendly accommodation may vary significantly depending on the date, location, additional services, and other conditions. Explore this selection to find the option you like the most. 

Weather in Dublin

In Ireland, wearing layers, bringing a raincoat, and carrying an umbrella is always a good idea, regardless of how sunny and beautiful the morning appears.
With our itinerary, your family trip to Dublin will be a memorable adventure. Ready to explore more? Check out our tours for even more exciting experiences in Dublin!

How about some more ideas? 

Our guide, Garvan, discusses things to do in Dublin with Jody Halsted from Ireland Family Vacations. This episode has become one of Jody’s most popular, if not the most popular, of her podcast, “Travelling in Ireland.”