Things to do in Galway with kids
27 family days out across Galway, from the arts and buzz of the city to the islands, forests and wild Connemara coast. Ideas for bright days and rainy ones alike, loved and added by home educating parents.
Days out & things to do
23
Galway City Museum
FREE admission! 3 floors at Spanish Arch. Exhibitions: Sea Science, Medieval Galway, The Claddagh, Galway Hooker boat, Revolution…
Galway Atlantaquaria
Ireland's largest aquarium with 170+ species. Touch pools, ray pool, ocean tank, fin whale skeleton. Summer Science workshops (11…
Wildlands
Indoor and outdoor activities - climbing, adventure courses, nature trails.
Slieve Aughty Experience
Pet farm, self-guided walks, arts & crafts, toddler playground, Enchanted Forest.
Knockma Wood
Ancient woodland with Queen Maeve's legendary burial place. Trails and folklore.
Aran Islands
Unique cultural experience, ancient forts, Irish language, cycling.
Connemara National Park
Visitor centre, walking trails, nature activities. Diamond Hill climb.
Brigit's Garden
Award-winning Celtic gardens in 11 acres of woodland & meadows. SFI Discover Science Centre with STEM trail. Seasonal school works…
Cong Forest & Nature Trail
Quiet Man filming location! Forest trails (30 mins to several hours). CAVES to explore: Teach Aille, Pigeon Hole (descend into ear…
Spraoi sa Choill - Clonbur Woodland Playground
One of biggest village playgrounds in Galway! In old walled garden at entrance to Clonbur Woods. Tunnels, climbing forts, LONG SLI…
Loughwell Farm Park
An indoor and outdoor activity park near Moycullen, Co. Galway, with friendly farm animals, a play village, slides and plenty to k…
Tuam Library
A busy regional library in Tuam, free to join, with storytimes and children's events for all ages — plus Summer Stars each summer,…
Ballinasloe Library
A community library in Ballinasloe with programmes for all ages, free to join — storytimes, Summer Stars reading, the Book It! fes…
Athenry Library
Athenry's free public library at Swan Gate — books, digital resources and children's storytimes, with Summer Stars, the Book It! C…
IMC Galway (Headford Road) Kids Club
IMC Galway's Kids Club at Headford Road — great-value weekend-morning family film screenings for younger children. See the IMC sit…
WhenWeekend mornings (see site for films & times)
IMC Oranmore Kids Club
Weekend-morning kids' screenings at IMC Oranmore, Co. Galway — budget-friendly family films, an easy outing for little ones. Check…
WhenWeekend mornings (see site for films & times)
Emerald Knights Chess Club (Doughiska)
A weekly chess club for children and teens at the ARD Family Resource Centre in Doughiska, run by Emerald Knights Chess Club. Two…
WhenTuesdays — Junior 6–7pm, Youth 7–8:15pm
Smart Art Children's Art Classes (Tuam)
Creative, confidence-building children's art classes in Tuam, taught by local artist Kathy Ross and running for over 10 years. Kid…
WhenJuniors (6–9): Tue 5.15–6.15pm & Thu 5.30–6.30pm; Seniors (9–12): Mon 6.30–7.30pm
What's on in Galway
4
Baboró's 30th Festival
Baboró marks 30 years with its 2026 international arts festival for children — performances, exhibitions and workshops across Galw…
When9–18 Oct 2026
Slieve Aughty Halloween Festival
A family Halloween festival at the Slieve Aughty Centre near Loughrea. Spooky story rooms in the stables, scary face painting, fir…
WhenDaily from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Bookings 12pm to 3pm; café open 12pm to 5pm.
Howling Halloween at Brigit's Garden
A Samhain weekend at Brigit's Garden with a ghostly treasure hunt, storytelling and potion-making with the Wacky Witch, plus face-…
WhenSaturday 24 to Monday 26 October, 12pm to 4pm
Macnas: Fiáin
Macnas's spectacular free street parade returns to Galway on Sunday 25 October — giant puppets, fire, music and wild imagination c…
When25 Oct 2026
Groups & meet-ups in Galway
3
HEN Connemara Contact
Sarah Mc Loughlin - unschooling family in Connemara. Wellness coach & former secondary teacher. 4+ years home-ed experience.
Galway Home Ed (Under 8s)
A Galway group for families home educating younger children, roughly under 8. It's geared to the early years: playdates and park m…
Galway Home Education and Surrounding Areas
A private Facebook group for families home educating in Galway and the surrounding areas, whether you home school or unschool. It'…
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