20 Things to do in Belfast
with kids

What is it?
It's a museum in Titanic Quarter dedicated to the history of the RMS Titanic and Belfast's maritime heritage.

Why should you go?
Titanic Belfast is one of the obligatory places to go in Belfast for any visitor. This museum occupies the former site of the Harland & Wolff shipyard that built the RMS Titanic and its sister ships, RMS Olympic and HMHS Britannic. Here, you can thoroughly explore Belfast's maritime background and its importance to the city and its history. The SS Nomadic, the last surviving ship of the White Star Line shipping company, is also on display at Titanic Belfast. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, so naval history buffs must visit this museum.

What is it?
This zoo is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Northern Ireland that hosts a variety of endangered species.

Why should you go?
When it comes to family activities, Belfast has a lot to offer, including a trip to Belfast Zoo. This enormous zoo in north Belfast is one of the most-visited attractions in Northern Ireland. The zoo is home to an impressive number of different animal species – more than 120, to be precise. Most of the animals at Belfast Zoo belong to endangered species or species extinct in the wild. Visitors can observe feeding sessions and learn more about animals. Children can play at the Adventurers' Learning Center play park area.

What is it?
It's an interactive discovery and discovery center with plenty of exciting activities and exhibits.

Why should you go?
If you don't know what to do in Belfast with kids, we recommend going to the W5 Science & Discovery Centre. This visitor attraction features many exciting interactive experiences for children and adults alike. Among the interactive exhibits at W5 are Skull Cave, The Lost Planet, MED-Lab, The Marvelous Machine, Climbit, The Studio, and Making Sense. W5 is a perfect destination for a fun and energetic day in a place full of awesome interactive installations.

What is it?
This facility is home to the only indoor skydiving simulator in Ireland, a ninja-themed obstacle course, and an inflatable park.

Why should you go?
If you're looking for a more active and exciting visitor attraction, look no further than We Are Vertigo. This place features an indoor skydiving simulator, an obstacle course, and an inflatable park. The indoor skydiving simulator is the only one in Ireland and lets you fly through the tunnel with the wind reaching the speed of 120 miles per hour. The Ninja Master Course tests your coordination and agility with ziplines, hanging doors, rolling logs, and other fun obstacles. Last but not least, the Inflatable Park is the perfect place to blow off some steam and bounce to your heart's content.

What is it?
This place is one of the most famous museums in Belfast that displays a variety of historic artifacts and art.

Why should you go?
The Ulster Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Belfast. Home to an impressive collection of art and historic artifacts, the Ulster Museum is the ultimate destination for people looking to expand their knowledge of local and international culture.

This museum has something for a child of any age, like the Discovery Centre, and several fun and educational programs. The museum regularly hosts various talks, lectures, and exhibitions. Also, there is no entry fee for the Ulster Museum, so you can spend a full day within its walls for free.

What is it?
Andersonstown Leisure Centre is the largest indoor aqua park in Northern Ireland, with water slides, a swimming pool, and an indoor surf simulator.

Why should you go?
If you like aqua parks and swimming, then don't miss a chance to visit Andersonstown Leisure Centre. This complex is the largest indoor aqua park in the country, complete with three water slides, an Aqua Play Area, swimming pools, and a surf simulator, allowing you to spend a fun day at an aqua park without worrying about the weather. It has much to offer for children and adults alike, all in one package. The complex also features a gym, several fitness studios, and football pitches.

What is it?
This park in Belfast's city center offers many fun and exciting activities for visitors of all ages.

Why should you go?
Our next entry on the list of fun family activities in Belfast is a park that offers plenty of fun physical activities of varying difficulty. Colin Glen Forest Park has three entrances; each of these entrances features different activities. For example, if you come in through the River Entrance, you can choose between Gruffalo & Stickman Guided Walk, SKYTrek Ultimate, archery, laser tag, and several others. The Mountain Entrance offers Black Bull Run, River Rapid Zipline, and Forest Flyover Zipline. Finally, the Leisure Entrance is home to Indoor TrackMan Suite, TrackMan Driving Range, 3G Dome, and Archery Tag.

What is it?
It's a farm located on the edge of the city that is one of the best family places in Belfast.

Why should you go?
Streamvale Open Farm is the perfect destination for families with kids who like animals. Here, you can cuddle puppies and rabbits, feed the farm animals (including little lambs and goats), ride a barrel, chase a dog, and even ride a tractor! Other highlights of this place include Cannon Area, Digger Zone, Play Village, Trailblazer Playground, and a zipline. If you want to spend an active and fun day on a farm, there is no better option for you in the entirety of Belfast.

What is it?
This place is a visitor attraction with two golf courses in unusual and beautiful environments.

Why should you go?
For golf fans, Lost City Adventure Golf is a must-see destination in Belfast. This visitor attraction has two unique 18-hole golf courses: Sunken Skull Ridge and Explorer Falls. Sunken Skull Ridge sees you searching for the Inca treasure while overcoming obstacles like moving rocks, Bengal tigers, and talking skulls. Explorer Falls is a trek through a dangerous jungle during a fierce storm, complete with gigantic pythons and hungry alligators. Lost City Adventure Golf is a great place to have a fun and exciting game of golf without worrying about the weather conditions outside.

What is it?
It's a quest room that offers a series of challenges that test your problem-solving and team working skills.

Why should you go?
When you think of fun kids' activities, the word "prison" isn't the first association. And yet, Prison Island in Belfast is one of the most enjoyable visitor attractions in the city. It takes the concept of an escape room and tweaks it a bit: you're not locked in any of the cells, but you need to solve puzzles to score points. Overall, there are 25 cells you can explore at Prison Island, each offering a challenge meant to test your mental and physical skills, as well as your ability to work as a team.

What is it?
This public garden in Belfast's Queen's Quarter district is a beautiful place full of exotic plants and flowers.

Why should you go?
If you prefer admiring the beauty of nature to climbing, swimming, or solving puzzles, Belfast's Botanic Gardens got you covered. Home to the Ulster Museum we've mentioned earlier, the gardens are a popular place with locals and visitors. Among the highlights of this place are the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine; both are home to a wide variety of exotic trees, flowers, and plants. Like the Ulster Museum, this attraction doesn't have an entry fee, which is a nice bonus.

What is it?
It's a square dedicated to the works of a renowned British writer C.S. Lewis in East Belfast.

Why should you go?
Clive Staples Lewis is one of the most famous British writers of all time, and his hometown of Belfast features a beautiful tribute to his most famous work: The Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis Square is a small but charming public space dedicated to the famous writer. Here, you can find seven characters from the Chronicles of Narnia book series. Aslan, the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus, and a few other characters inhabit the square in the form of beautiful bronze statues. There is also the JACK Coffee Bar – an establishment in the nearby EastSide Visitor Centre named after the writer.

What is it?
This public park in Cave Hill is one of the best places for family days out in nature.

Why should you go?
Located in the Cave Hill area north of Belfast, Cave Hill Country Park offers a breathtaking view of the city. You can explore caves, several archaeological sites, and the famous Belfast Castle. This park also offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty, which will make for a fun and active day out. Finding food and drinks is not a problem: Belfast Castle has a wonderful Castle Tavern with delicious food and tasty drinks. We recommend visiting Cave Hill Country Park to anyone tired of chaotic and busy city life.

What is it?
It's an arts venue in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast that hosts various exhibitions and performances.

Why should you go?
If you want to spend a quiet afternoon admiring art, the MAC (short for Metropolitan Arts Centre) is at your service. Located within Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, this venue is home to countless exhibitions, workshops, theater performances, comedy evenings, concerts, and other events. This place is one of the major cultural hubs in Belfast, and there's always something to check out. The MAC also has a special Family Programme that provides entertainment and fun for the whole family.

What is it?
This landmark is a large ceramic statue of a fish on Donegall Quay celebrating the regeneration of the River Lagat.

Why should you go?
If you find yourself on Donegall Quay, be sure to check out the Big Fish. This landmark is exactly what its name suggests – a big, 33-foot-long salmon next to the River Lagan. The size of the Big Fish isn't its only distinguishing characteristic, though: its scales are made of a ceramic mosaic depicting various events in the history of Belfast. Even if you're not interested in local history, this landmark is worth checking out based on its appearance alone. There is also a time capsule with photos, poetry, and information about the city inside the Big Fish.

What is it?
It's a candy shop in East Belfast and one of the best and most prominent producers of hand-made confectionery in Northern Ireland.

Why should you go?
Our next entry is a must-see destination for any visitors with a sweet tooth. Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory is a candy shop in Belfast with a staggering variety of confectionery for sale, including sweets, chocolate, jellies, and fudge. All of the products on sale are hand-made and of the highest quality. This shop is the perfect place to buy some sweet treats for yourself or friends and family at home. Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory also regularly hosts various workshops and shows where kids and adults can make candies and chocolate.

What is it?
This public park is one of the most famous green spaces in the city, and it offers plenty of fun things to do in Belfast with kids.

Why should you go?
Another prominent public park in Belfast, Victoria Park is home to many paths, beautiful floral arrangements, a serene lake, and a wide variety of wildlife (mainly birds). It's a wonderful island of peace, calm, and greenery in the Connswater area of Belfast. There are also several football pitches, a bowling green, a playground, a few hiking trails, and a Poetry Trail, which has several metal plaques with poems about nature written on them. Aircraft from the nearby airport frequently fly over the park. Oh, and one more thing: don't feed the birds.

What is it?
It's an unforgettable experience that sees you explore caves, witness the power of nature, and admire the views along the way.

Why should you go?
For those looking for a more active physical experience, the Gobbins Cliff Path Walk is one of the best options. This path was formed over millions of years by the raging sea. Today, the path offers a spectacular view of the waves crashing against jagged rocks from several bridges along the trail. You can also take a break in the Sandy Cave along the path or take a photo of the iconic Tubular Bridge – the symbol of this visitor attraction. Other highlights include a spooky dark tunnel, rock pools full of marine life, and the Swinging Bridge.

What is it?
This visitor attraction is an entertainment center that features many fun physical activities for all visitors.

Why should you go?
In terms of kids activities, Belfast has many options to choose from. One of the best is the Dundonald International Ice Bowl. This sports complex has three activities to offer: ice skating, tenpin bowling, and Indiana Land. You can enjoy ice skating on a huge Olympic-size ice rink; the center also offers ice skating aids for its less experienced visitors. The Xtreme Bowling Centre lets you test your bowling skills in the dark with glow balls, pins, and ultraviolet lights for the ultimate challenge. Indiana Land is a play area for children with tunnels, slides, and rope bridges.

What is it?
It's a large 19th-century cemetery in West Belfast in the townland of Ballymurphy.

Why should you go?
While a cemetery isn't the first option in mind for exciting family activities, visiting Belfast City Cemetery is an educational and somewhat morbid experience for families with teens. This cemetery is one of the oldest in Belfast, and it offers a glimpse into the history of the city during different periods. To get as much value as possible out of your visit to Belfast City Cemetery, we recommend exploring it with the self-guided audio tour.