19 things to do at Easter in Dublin

If your kids love animals, Dublin Zoo is a great place to spend the day. The good news is it’s open throughout the school holidays (including Easter Sunday) and is running a series of workshops during the break, including their DINO-MITE Junior Workshop for kids aged 6-12. Keep an eye on the daily schedule of keeper talks while you’re there, so you can learn about the Asian elephants or gorillas from the experts. 

Media captionGet the kids involved in the Junior Easter Workshop in Dublin Zoo.

Set in the Dublin Mountains just outside of Saggart, Luggwoods Forest is a place where kids can run wild and explore the great outdoors. During the Easter holidays, there’s extra entertainment laid on, with a puzzle to be solved on the trails and a chocolate egg for those who crack the code. There are fairytale characters along the way to lend a helping hand and kids will be able to see the alpacas, goats and pigs in the petting farm. It’s running from April 12 to 21.  

Family-friendly activities are often geared towards older kids, but the Hugh Lane Gallery is holding special Parent and Baby tours which explore different collections and displays. If your kids are between four and six and you want to treat them before they head back to school, head to the Collage for Little Ones workshop where artist Kim Jenkinson will help them craft their own unique collage pieces. 

Media captionSpend your Easter getting creative at Hugh Lane Gallery.

Easter is a great time to visit Newbridge House & Farm – the bluebells are in bloom, the animals are spending more time outdoors and you may even see some ducklings or piglets running around. Stop by the working farm to get a good look at the Shetland ponies or follow some of the nature trails through the parklands. If you get hungry, relax on the outdoor terrace and tuck into tasty pastries and desserts at Brambles Café.

Media captionFrom bluebells to foals, Newbridge House & Farm Easter camp is great for kids.

On April 19, the West Lawn of Malahide Castle and Gardens will host the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, where little ones can head on a scavenger hunt through the "enchanted forest," meet and greet with the Mad Hatter and Alice and dig into a picnic inspired by Wonderland. Then on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, The Great Easter Escapade begins. Catch a film of your choice at the Movie Marquee and venture on a scavenger hunt on the Fairy Trail.

Prefer to stop by another day over the Easter holidays? Bring the kids on a guided tour to learn a bit about the castle, enter the Butterfly House and admire the beautiful colours of over 20 species of butterflies, or enjoy the Fairy Trail on a quieter day and immerse yourselves in Irish folklore. If the kids are still too hyper for the trip home, check out the award-winning playground where they can swing and slide away their excess energy. 

Media captionFollow the Easter trail through Malahide Castle and Gardens.

Until April 26, The Ark is running a totally free exhibition in partnership with Cartoon Saloon where Oona and Baba of Puffin Rock teach little ones about the different coastal habitats around Ireland. Fans of the show will love seeing their puffin friends on the "big screen" – pair it with a trip to one of the towns on the Dublin Coastal Trail to see the habitats in real life. 

The Phoenix Park alone makes for a great family day out, but an added plus is Farmleigh House and Estate, right in the middle of the park close to the Castleknock Gate. For families with older kids, make your way to their Food and Craft Market on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Kicking off at 10am, enjoy delicious sweet treats while browsing crafted pieces made by local artists. Once you're done, feel free to explore the entire park to find the wild deer that call it home - just don't get too close to them! 

You'll find creative workshops for kids of all ages over the Easter break on at the Chester Beatty. Bring the little ones to their Silk Worm Families Drop-in sessions, where they can celebrate Earth Day by making paper flower crowns using recycled materials. Or opt for their Creative Springtime Adventure and help your child create their own ant tunnels.  

Older kids can also get involved in the fun at the Creative Lab for Teens. They can pick up the ancient art of paper-folding at the Origami Pencil Case Workshop, or connect to their emotions through paint, pastels and writing at the Creative Journaling for Wellbeing session.

Media captionAwaken your kid's inner artist at the Chester Beatty.

On the Saturday before Easter, little ones get the chance to meet Beatrix Potter's own Peter Rabbit in Malahide. They can say hello and snap a photo with the bunny while watching the model trains whizz by at the Casino Model Railway Museum. 

Media captionBring the little ones for a full day out at the Casino Model Railway Museum.

School might be out for the holiday, but the learning doesn't stop at Sandyford's Explorium. With over 300 interactive exhibits split across three different sections, there's something for every kid to discover. Open every day during the Easter break (except Easter Sunday), kids can create their own crystals and escape to the VR Planetarium in the Science Section, or test their speed, strength and agility in the Sports Section. For kids between the ages of two and six, the Junior Section has its own multi-sensory room and an interactive aquarium. Once their curious minds have been satisfied, treat the kids to a tasty meal in one of the cafés onsite.  

Media captionDive into different dimensions at Explorium.

Get the kids involved in the great outdoors over the holidays with a visit to the Airfield Estate in Dundrum. From April 15 to 27, the Estate will be hosting their very first Fairy Trail in celebration of Easter. With the little ones in tow, discover tiny fairy homes hidden amongst the trees before meeting the magical creatures up close in the Fairy Village. 

Want a more hands-on experience? Book a slot in their Parent and Child Cooking Workshop on April 19, where kids aged five and older (with the help of a parent) can craft their own delicious spring rolls and zesty lime cookies. Little ones interested in the great outdoors will also love the Bat Walk Series, taking place on April 18 and 25. When the sun goes down, join your guide on a nighttime nature walk to say hello to Airfield Estate's resident bats and learn all about their navigation skills.  

Alongside the Estate's special events, the kids can greet the farm's array of animals, help collect eggs, watch the cows being milked and explore the gardens. Afterwards, feed their appetites in the Overends Kitchen, a restaurant overlooking the grounds that serves up dishes made with ingredients plucked from the garden.  

Media captionThe Airfield Estate is packed with fun.

Out in Ballymun, the Rediscovery Centre is part of a creative movement to encourage sustainability and they have a workshop of fun planned on April 12. Their Easter Activity Day features themed events like egg science experiments and games, as well as the chance for kids to get outside and enjoy nature in the spring.

Another museum in the city centre opening its doors on Easter Sunday is the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. For an Easter trail with a cultural twist, stop by Hop into History! Easter Trail to solve riddles and hunt for artefacts. If you want to take in the Museum's collections as a family, they are also hosting free tours over the Easter bank holiday weekend. 

Media captionUncover artefacts in National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

For more museum fun, bring the kids to the National Print Museum for family-friendly tours and kids craft workshops. Learn about the history of print, experience the traditional craft of typesetting and printing, make your own press out of LEGO, craft a printer's hat and more in this unique museum in Beggar's Bush throughout the Easter break.

Media captionLearn a truly unique skill at the National Print Museum.

If you’re a family of adventurers, the zip-lining and climbing course at Zipit in Tibradden Woods is a great day out. Set among the pine trees in the Dublin Mountains, the series of circuits range from one to 20 metres high, increasing as your skills (and confidence) build. If you have some residual adrenaline afterwards, go for a hike at the Hellfire Club which is a 10-minute drive away. It’s suitable for kids from the age of seven and is open every day of the school holidays.  

Media captionFor the adventurous family, Zipit in Tibradden wood is a great day out.

For families who love all things GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), check out the Teidí Tours in the GAA Museum in Croke Park. With the help of your tour guide, you'll have the chance to enter the teidí (teddy) workshop in Cú Chulainn's Den where you can create your very own GAA Museum teidí. Follow that up with an in-depth tour of the stadium; from the dressing rooms to the pitch, you can see it all. If you opt for one of their Skyline Tours, you can see even more of the stadium from 17 storeys high. There's also a Junior Explorer Trail woven through all of the exhibitions, so, if the kids pay close attention they may be able to find a clue or two along the way. 

Media captionGet a sports education on a Teidí Tour of Croke Park.

Go behind the scenes into the heart of all things chocolate with a tour of Butlers Chocolate Factory for their Easter Experience Tour. Running the first two weekends of April and then daily from April 14 to 19, you can bring the kids on a tour of the entire factory, decorate your own Butlers souvenir made out of chocolate, meet the Easter Bunny and – if the weather is on your side – go on an outdoor Easter egg hunt. 

On Easter Sunday, start your morning with a visit to the National Gallery of Ireland for a family-friendly workshop led by professional artist Amelia Caulfield. Inspired by some of the work in the gallery's collection, you and the kids can create colourful drawings that will hopefully take pride of place on your fridge. The two-hour long session is drop-in only so there's no need to book in advance. 

Media captionSpend Easter Sunday getting artsy at the National Gallery of Ireland.

Why not get the kids involved in an Easter egg hunt with a twist? World of Illusion in Temple Bar are adding a sprinkle of Easter spirit to their usual blend of science, wonder and the arts with Leg it for the Eggs Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. With three different time slots available, kids can search through mind-bending illusions and interactive exhibits to find the coveted eggs, as well as solve Easter-themed riddles to win tasty prizes. 

Media captionGet involved in the fun at the World of Illusion.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the capital with the kids, so here’s our guide to the ideal family day out in Dublin.