Planning a family holiday in Galway? This vibrant part of the West of Ireland offers some of the best family-friendly activities to keep your children entertained! Check them out here…
From exciting outdoor adventures to educational and interactive activities, Galway is home to top-rated family attractions perfect for all ages. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s no better place to create unforgettable memories with your kids. So, stop waiting? Start planning your family getaway to Galway today!
Wildlands
What is it? - Adventure centre with both indoor and outdoor activities
Best for: all ages. Wildlands has phenomenal play options from ages 3+ right up to activities which will entertain teens and parents too.
Cost: prices vary depending on activity (free play spaces available also)
Surrounded by nature, Wildlands is more than just an activity centre, it’s an adventure haven for all ages! Little explorers (ages 3 to 8 years) will adore Baile Beag, a charming mini-village that’s been designed just for them, complete with a dedicated play area for the tiniest tots too. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers of older ages can dive into an exhilarating lineup of activities, from scaling fun walls to testing their aim in archery, or soaring through the skies on Zip ‘n’ Trek. For those families who love some friendly competition, family challenges await in the Ninja Course or Challenge Rooms, where teamwork meets adrenaline. And, if you’re not ready to say goodbye to the fun? You can opt to stay the night in one of their cosy wooden cabins, where nature meets comfort.
Address: Ballyquirke, Moycullen
Check out their website here
above: Wildlands
Slieve Aughty Centre
What is it? - Activity centre with horse-riding facilities
Best for: ages 2 to 12
Cost: prices vary depending on activity (free play spaces available also)
Providing a family escape that feels straight out of a storybook, Slieve Aughty Centre delivers in every way. This eco-conscious retreat blends nature, adventure, and a touch of enchantment, inviting all visitors to explore its Enchanted Fairy Forest, craft room, organic garden, and outdoor kitchen. Your children can befriend their resident pot-bellied pig, pet the ponies, or saddle up for a horseback ride. It's an unforgettable experience for both children and adults alike (suitable for ages 5+). When it’s time to refuel, indulge in farm-fresh flavours at the Slieve Aughty Woods Café, or for a truly special treat, join their Friday pizza nights, where you can make your own organic pizza and watch it cook to perfection in a wood-fired oven.
Address: Kylebrack, Loughrea
Check out their website here
Kylemore Abbey
What is it? - Historic house on large estate with Victorian walled gardens and woodlands
Best for: all ages
Cost: Adult - €18, Student + Senior- €15.50, Family- €45, Junior Student - €9, Child u12 - free
Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Connemara landscapes, Kylemore Abbey is a destination where history, nature, and discovery come together for the entire family. Younger members can step into the role of Kylemore’s History Hunters, navigating the estate with a specially designed map, uncovering secrets and solving clues as they go. For all children, whimsical fun awaits; from whipping up a fairy stew, letting their imaginations run wild in the Wild Play area, and calling by to meet Gloria and Ken, the resident Kune Kune pigs, as well as the playful Connemara ponies and their foals who frolick in the paddock. No visit would be complete without a stop at Kylemore’s Chocolate Kitchen, where sweet chocolatey delights are made daily - because what day of discovery would be complete without a bit of sweetness to end it?!
Address: Kylemore, Connemara
Check out their website here
above: Kylemore Abbey
Brigit’s Garden
What is it? - Gorgeous Celtic gardens with kid-friendly activities
Best for: ages 5+
Cost: Adult - €10/€8, Student + Senior- €9/€7, Family of 4 - €29/€22, Family of 5 - €33/€26, Members + Child u3 - free
A hidden gem on the gateway of Connemara, the award-winning Celtic Gardens at Brigit’s Garden are a beautiful fusion of myth, nature, and adventure. Spanning 11 acres of native woodland and wildflower meadows, this elegant retreat invites young and old to immerse themselves in its rich landscape. For little ones, the Kid’s Trail is an exciting quest, which will lead them through the four gardens in search of hidden clues. Elsewhere, the natural play area and Fairy Village both offer endless fun - whether that involves scaling the lookout tower, weaving through willow tunnels, or making memories in the sandpit or on the slide. If you’re planning in advance, make sure to look out for the family-friendly events that Brigit’s Garden hosts regularly throughout the year in celebration of the seasons.
Address: Pollagh, Rosscachill
Check out their website here
VR World Galway
What is it? - Galway’s only virtual reality activity centre
Best for: ages 8+
Cost: €20 for 25 minutes / €35 for 55 minutes
Step into the future of family fun at VR World Galway, a cutting-edge playground where reality meets the extraordinary. Designed for all ages, interests, and skill levels, this high-tech venue features custom-built virtual reality booths, Ireland’s first Katwalkers VR Racing Cars, and thrilling VR Escape Rooms - all powered by the latest technology. You and your family will be transported to exotic landscapes, seated behind the wheel of a high-speed racing car, or battling through a zombie apocalypse. They even offer family-friendly multiplayer experiences to bring everyone together for incredible shared adventures. Ready to make sure your holiday is out of this world? VR World Galway awaits!
Address: Unit 3 Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Road
Check out their website here
above: VR World Galway
Galway City Karting
What is it? - Galway’s only indoor karting track
Best for: ages 7+
Cost: Kids - €25 for 20min/€45 for 40min // Adults - €30 for 20/€55 for 40min
If your family has a need for speed, a race around the track at Galway City Karting is an absolute must. It’s the perfect activity for ages seven and up, however they also have double karts with two steering wheels, so younger children (minimum of 4 years) can join in the fun of steering while a supervising parent has control of the pedals. All visits begin with a safety briefing, followed by the exhilarating ride on the track. Each lap is tracked with precision by their Tag Heuer professional timing system, ensuring that bragging rights are up for the taking at the end of the race. With karting sessions available in 20 and 40-minute intervals, and reduced rates for larger groups, Galway City Karting is the ideal choice for family days out in Galway.
Address: Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Road
Check out their website here
Eye Cinema
What is it? - Cinema with fantastic range of child-friendly screenings
Best for: all ages
Cost: family bundle is €59.95 (more on that below)
For the ultimate family cinema experience, Eye Cinema offers the best of both worlds for both older and younger moviegoers. In addition to their impressive selection of kid-friendly films, the Eye Cinema also hosts Parent & Baby mornings every Wednesday morning, ensuring that new parents can enjoy a trip to the movies without worrying about their baby. For those days when the whole family wants to come along to see a new film, the family combo deal is phenomenal. For only €59.95, you’ll enjoy a family 2D ticket (for either 1 adult + 3 kids/teens or 2 adults + 2 kids/teens), paired with your choice of their two family food and drink combos. So, whether it’s a cosy family outing or a rainy day escape, a trip to the cinema as a family is where memories are created.
Address: Wellpark Retail Park, Wellpark Road
Check out their website here
above: Eye Cinema
Galway Atlantaquaria
What is it? - Ireland’s largest native species aquarium
Best for: all ages
Cost: various family tickets available ranging from 1 adult & 2 children for €32, to 2 adults & 4 children for €59
The Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill is always an enjoyable way to spend a day with your children. It offers a truly unique journey into the depths of the sea. Open year-round and fully accessible, this captivating attraction combines education and fun for all ages. Spanning two floors, the aquarium is home to hundreds of marine species with stunning exhibits that are guaranteed to thrill even the youngest family members. Best of all, if the weather is cooperating, there’s no better way to cap off your visit than with a classic 99 ice cream and a leisurely stroll along one of Salthill’s scenic beaches, the perfect finale to a day of aquatic exploration.
Address: Seapoint Promenade, Salthill
Check out their website here
Turoe Pet Farm
What is it? - Farm and leisure park with both indoor and outdoor activities
Best for: ages 2 to 12
Cost: standard prices are adult €9.50 & children €14 (under 2 years go free), various family bundles are available also see here for more on those
Equal part rural charm and thrilling family fun, Turoe Pet Farm is a haven for children with too much energy. It’s home to Europe’s largest indoor bouncy castle, Inflatable City, where your kids can jump, hop and skip to their hearts’ content. Beyond the bouncy castle, the sprawling Jungle Town play area will test their climbing skills, while outdoors there’s plenty of farm just waiting to be discovered. You’ll also get the opportunity for your little ones to meet friendly farm animals too. With endless activities to experience, Turoe Pet Farm is the perfect place for creating long-lasting memories on a family holiday in Galway.
Address: Turoe Bullaun, Loughrea
Check out their website here
Delphi Adventure Resort
What is it? - Outdoor activity centre
Best for: ages 4+
Cost: prices vary depending on activity (free activities available also)
If your family are big fans of the great outdoors, Connemara’s Delphi Adventure Resort will provide you with all the high energy excitement you could possibly want! This resort is a playground for thrill-seekers, with over 20 exhilarating activities on both land and water. Each experience can be carefully curated to challenge your family’s abilities, encouraging you to test yourselves while building bonds through teamwork and individually. Whether that’s on a kayak, or navigating an obstacle course, Delphi specialises in creating memories that will last a lifetime. We recommend spending as much time here as possible so check out their family holidays page here and start preparing for an unforgettable escape.
Address: Leenane, Connemara
Check out their website here
above: Delphi Adventure Resort
Feature photo courtesy of Brigit's Garden
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