Limerick is a great little city and there is plenty to do for families. When you’re planning a day out with your kids you have 3 priorities. That your kids will have fun, be entertained and be so tired at the end of the day they’ll go to bed without a fight. The places we’ve chosen do all three. Happily, they are also things parents will enjoy doing too. From educational activities to just plain jumping around hopping off the walls fun activities, we have something great to suit any family day out.
5. Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum is a great way to entertain your kids for the afternoon, get them interested in art and educate them. The Hunt Museum preserves and exhibits original artefacts gathered, over a lifetime, by John and Gertrude Hunt. The Hunts were antique dealers and advisors to collectors. The Museum was officially opened by An Taoiseach, John Bruton, on 14 February 1997.
Sometimes kids can get a little bored at museums but there is some really cool art here, with artefacts from Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Olmec civilisation. They also have a great gift shop. Have a look at their event guide before your visit because it could coincide with one of their fantastic events.
They have a Kids’ Arts and Crafts club on the first Sunday of every month. They have lots of other events for kids such as summer camps, where the museum guarantees that make new friends, learn new art techniques and explore their heritage in a fun and interactive way.
Address: The Hunt Museum, The Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick.
4. King John’s Castle
Kids love castles. There’s just something magical and fairy-tale like about them and King John’s medieval castle in the heart of Limerick is no exception. The castle is ideal for kids, as it has interactive features to stimulate children’s interest in the medieval castle’s history, such as 21st-century touch-screen technology, 3D models and discovery drawers.
Explore the castle turrets and meet characters from the past such as the stonemason. They also have tunnels, a special underground passageway for kids only, so they can learn the history of mining in Limerick. There are plenty of games for kids and interactive features in the riverside castle, as well as costumed guards stationed around to keep them entertained. It should be a great day out for the whole family.
Address: King John’s Castle, Nicholas Street, Limerick.
3. Milk Market
Take a weekend trip to Limerick’s famous Milk Market. The Milk Market has been a part of Limerick life since 1852. Your little ones will be fascinated by the collection of stalls, selling everything from homemade jam and knitted clothes to colourful flowers. You can easily spend a few hours here browsing the stalls and aisles, examining what the market has to offer and if the kids get tired you can stop for a bite at one of the many creative food stalls.
Browsing at the market is also a great way for kids to learn about the trade and distribution of local produce first hand. It gives them a taste for what life was like in Ireland, where going to the market was a social and necessary event, before people did their big shop in Aldi and Tesco every week.
Address: The Milk Market, Market House, Mungret Street, Limerick.
2. Jumplanes Indoor Trampoline Centre
You can’t get any better than Jumplanes, just on the outskirts of Limerick. Lanes and lanes of indoor trampoline heaven, you can bounce away for an hour for only €8 an hour. Ireland having the climate that it does it also makes for a great rainy day activity. Floors and walls made out of trampolines, a kid’s dream.
Address: Jumplanes Indoor Trampoline Centre, 1, Delta Retail Park, Ballysimon Rd, Garryglass, Limerick.
1. Stonehall Wildlife Park
Wildlife parks are a great day out for families and luckily we have one right here in Limerick! Allow your kids to learn about colourful parrots and fall in love with cheeky alpacas. As well as these the park hosts both wild and domestic animals, including Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Wallaby’s, Meerkats, Birds of Prey and tortoises. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
The park also has a nature trail where if you’re lucky you can spot red squirrels. There is also an indoor play area, included in the price, to enjoy with a bouncy castle and go-karts guaranteed to have your kids leaving the park exhausted and smiling.
Address: Stonehall Wildlife Park, Curraghchase, Kilcornan, Limerick
Written by Sarah Talty
