Traveling with kids can be both a blessing and curse when it comes to cities. While you can’t deny that their excitement and enthusiasm helps to keep the momentum of the day going, you can often find that it can be difficult to keep their attention span while enjoying the activities you have arranged for the day.
Science Gallery Trinity — Photo courtesy of infomatique
One plus point of Dublin is that the city centre has many accessible activities in close proximity to one another, so you can plan a day jam-packed full of exciting things to do without having to travel for long periods of time. The Science Gallery in Trinity is a free, innovative and enthralling start to a day of sightseeing that is sure to offer an element of education as well as fun. Past exhibits have included ‘Biorhythm: Music and the Body’ and an exhibition based on bubbles and their properties. Once you’ve enjoyed the Science Gallery you can take a walk around Trinity’s historic grounds on your way to another child-friendly venue the National Gallery of Ireland.
National Gallery of Ireland — Photo courtesy of Chris Duffin
The National Gallery is only a two minute walk from Trinity’s Lincoln Gate and offers a wide range of tours as well as child-oriented activity packs and worksheets to complete so you can relax and enjoy the art while the kids become immersed in culture with no extra effort needed from you. The gallery’s café is also a lovely place to take a break and refuel before the little rascals run off again.
Merrion Square — Photo courtesy of infomatique
Finally, if the weather is nice or you simply want to get some fresh air then take a five-minute stroll into Merrion Square. The gardens here are lush and fabulous in the sun, but also feature a statue of Oscar Wilde and some old forms of Dublin streetlamps. While you enjoy the surrounding Georgian Architecture the kids can take to the playground and tire themselves out. If you choose to visit the square on a Sunday you’ll be confronted with a fabulous open-air art collection as over 200 artists seek to sell their work around the park’s railings. By the time you opt to head home for a nap or onwards to dinner you’ll have taken in some of Dublin’s best architecture, art and learnt something too. All without having to get in a car or spending the day pounding the pavements in order to keep the little critters interested.
