Things to do in Belfast with kids

Planning a city break with kids? Considering a family holiday in Belfast? You could not choose a better place. This vibrant, family-friendly city is a wonderful place to explore with children of all ages. There are plenty of kids activities in Belfast & Belfast attractions for families.

We’ve taken the hard work out of keeping the kids entertained with our guide of best attractions and things to do in Belfast for the whole family from toddler activities to teenagers activities there is so much to see and explore in Belfast City.

Things to do in Belfast with toddlers

There are lots of toddler activities in Belfast to keep wobblers entertained whatever the weather. There are some great indoor and outdoor attractions in Belfast.

Streamvale Open Farm

Are your little ones learning the names of animals or the sounds they make? What a better way to learn than with a visit to an open farm. Streamvale Open Farm is only a short drive from Belfast. It is also home to cows, sheep, ponies, and lots of small animals. During cuddle time, your children will have a chance to pet rabbits, chick’s or even puppies. This is a fun thing to do in Belfast with your little ones. What a lovely way to spend some quality family time.

Roar and Explore Belfast

Roar and Explore is the perfect place to bring young children on a rainy day in Belfast. It has separate play areas for toddlers and older children. Toddler adventurers can enjoy clambering to the top of the safari hut, exploring the sensory ball pit and flying down the toddler slide. It’s a great day out with the kids.

Even better news, the bottom levels of both play areas are entirely wheelchair accessible so everyone can join in the fun!

Go to the park

Belfast is a city full of parks. There’s nothing toddlers love more than running around an open meadow. For added excitement, choose one of the many parks with a children’s playground and bring a picnic. Park’s close to the city include:

• Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
• Victoria gardens
• Ormeau Park

Top tip: Victoria Gardens is also home to a duck pond. If you want to feed them with your toddler, remember bread is bad for them, instead bring peas, oats, or birdseed.

Things to do in Belfast with kids

If you are looking for family friendly activities in Belfast with kids, we have come up with some great ideas that will suit the whole family from science museum to adventure golf. A great way to keep the whole family entertained during your city break.

Belfast Zoological Gardens

A visit to Belfast Zoo is a fantastic treat for older children. The 55-acre site is home to more than 120 species of animal, from tiny golden mantillas to giant Asian elephants and plenty in between. Make the most of your day at the zoo by arriving early and attending one or more of the daily talks or feeding times to find out even more about your children’s favourite animals.

Ulster folk and transport museum

Are your children fans of Thomas the Tank Engine? Or have you watched the classic ‘Back to the Future’? The Ulster Transport Museum allows you to take a trip back in time and jump aboard an original steam locomotive or see a DeLorean car – like the one Doc and Marty use to time travel!

W5

W5 at the Odyssey is an interactive science centre with 6 themed exhibition areas and over 250 interactive activities. This is one of those places that is enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Children of all ages can try:

• Space exploration
• Virtual Reality experiences
• Interactive journey through the body
• Climb-it (a multi-story climbing structure)

This award-winning visitor attraction is a fantastic option for a rainy day in Belfast with the family.

As a precautionary measure in response to Coronavirus, W5 is temporarily close to the public and have cancelled or postponed all public outreach and events for the foreseeable future.

Botanic Gardens

Only a short walk from Clayton Hotel Belfast is the beautiful Botanic Gardens, just south of Belfast city centre, it’s a lovely way to pass a few hours. Opened in the 1800’s the gardens are home to some of the oldest seed plants in existence today. You and your children will find banana, cinnamon, and orchid plants in the tropical ravine. The Botanic Gardens are also an important venue in the city for concerts and festivals, particularly during the summer months.

Lost City Adventure Golf

Does your family have the next Rory McIlroy in its midst? Find out in a fun way with a round of crazy golf at Lost City Adventure Golf. This is a fun thing to do in Belfast for the whole family. There are two courses, both are jungle themed where you must battle it out to find the hidden Inca gold. A fun family day out in Belfast.

Aunt Sandra’s Homemade Candies

This is the perfect stop at the end of your day after doing things in Belfast. A perfect sweet treat. Tour Aunt Sandra’s Homemade Candies not far from the city centre to see how her range of confectionery is made and of course to sample some of the best honeycomb, fudge and macaroon in Northern Ireland. A lovely treat for all the family.

A lovely way to end the family holiday is to organise some afternoon tea at the Clayton Hotel Belfast, a great way to discuss the holiday.

Things to do in Belfast with teens

If your children are a bit older, there is an endless list of things to do in Belfast with teens here are some top suggestions:

We Are Vertigo

Burn off some of that teenage angst at ‘We are Vertigo’, Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment complex. They can try their hand at everything from the inflatable park, and ninja master course to indoor skiing. There really is an activity for everyone. The great news is, adults can take part too, so this is an activity in Belfast for the whole family.

Titanic Belfast

This award-winning museum and visitor centre must be seen to be believed. Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest visitor experience, located in the docklands where the ill-fated ship was built. Across 9 interactive galleries you and your family will experience:

• Belfast in the early 1900’s
• The construction of Titanic
• Life on board
• The story of its maiden voyage
• Original Titanic and White Star artefacts

Truly one of the highlights of any visit to Belfast, make sure you have lots of time to enjoy this informative, exciting, and emotional attraction.

George Best Trail

If you have a football fan in your midst, why not find out a bit about Northern Ireland’s football hero George Best by taking the George Best Trail. Starting in the Cregagh Estate, where George grew up the trail will take you on a journey around East Belfast as it was in George’s day.

Family Hotel Belfast

After all the family activities from a day in the park, to the W5 museum, to learn more about the Titanic, you will be worn out and hungry, have a look at our recommendations of family friendly restaurants, taking the stress away from choosing where to eat.

Complete your trip to Belfast with the kids by booking a family room that allows you to stay together. Travelling with teens? No problem, we also have interconnecting family rooms at Clayton Hotel Belfast which is located in the centre of the city.

We look forward to welcoming you to Clayton Hotel Belfast, your chosen destination for a family break in Belfast. When planning your trip make sure to look at our city guide the list of things to do in Belfast is endless.