Kids craft activity.

Things to do in Cork with Kids

Image: Courtesy Chester Beatty

🕐 Last updated: March 27, 2025

Wondering how to create unforgettable adventures with your children in Cork without breaking the bank? Don't let a bit of rain worry you – this vibrant city and county are brimming with family fun, come rain or shine! Our local guide is here to unveil Cork's best-kept secrets for families: from expansive wildlife parks where little ones can marvel at animals from around the globe to fascinating historical sites where the past comes alive through engaging stories and interactive experiences.

Discover ancient castles that will spark your children's imaginations, or find the perfect indoor activity centre for those days when staying dry is a priority. As local parents ourselves, we've carefully selected the most kid-friendly destinations across Cork, and we've included up-to-date information to help you plan your adventures with ease.

Attractions

Kids dressed up to sell in the Clonakilty Black Pudding, Visitor's Centre.
Image: Courtesy Clonakilty Blackpudding Visitor Centre
Clonakilty Black Pudding, Visitor's Centre, Butcher Shop, Co Cork
Activity Description Location Age Range Price Website
Fota Wildlife Park 100-acre park with free-roaming animals from around the world, including cheetahs and kangaroos. Offers VIP tours. Fota Island, Carrigtwohill All ages (VIP tours 4+) Adults €21.70, Children €15.00, Family tickets available https://www.fotawildlife.ie/
Monkey Maze Large indoor activity centre with multi-level play maze, soft play area for toddlers, and sports areas. Glanmire, Co. Cork Up to 10 years (main maze), 1-4 years (soft play) Refer to website https://www.monkeymaze.ie/
Trabolgan Holiday Village Holiday village with wave pool, entertainment, kids' clubs, playgrounds, sports, go-karts, and adventure sports. (Currently refurbishing) Whitegate, Midleton, Co. Cork Wide range of ages Not available https://www.trabolgan.com/
Oysterhaven Activity Centre Watersports centre offering kayaking, windsurfing, sailing camps, inflatable rafts, and jungle quest. Oysterhaven Centre, Cork 4 years to teens (activity dependent) From €30-€50 (activity dependent) https://oysterhaven.com/
Zipit at Farran Woods High wire forest adventure park with zip lines and aerial trails. Farran Woods, Co. Cork Refer to website Refer to website https://zipit.ie/locations/farran-wood/
Mardyke Entertainment Complex Bowling, pool, ping pong, karaoke, retro arcade, bars, and restaurants. Children's activity camps available through Mardyke Arena UCC. Sheares Street, Cork City All ages (minors supervised) Activity prices not available https://www.mardyke.com/
Planet Cork Bowling, laser tag, pool, games, soft play area (Cosmo Funworld), and 9D cinema. Refer to website All ages (Cosmo Funworld for younger kids) From €20.00 (Note: May refer to Portugal location) www.planetcork.ie
Blackrock Castle Observatory Science centre with interactive astronomy exhibits, planetarium shows, and guided castle tours. Offers birthday parties. Blackrock, Cork All ages (parties 4-12) Adults €9, Children €6, Family €26, Students/OAPs €7 (€5 weekend rate during refurbishment) https://www.bco.ie/
Toy Soldier Factory Family-owned factory where guests can make and paint their own toy figures from rubber moulds. Offers workshops, parties, and tours. Kilnamartyra, Co. Cork Wide range Workshops €10.95-€22.50, Parties/Tours from €8 per person https://www.toysoldierfactory.ie/
Cork Sea Safari Boat tours from Cork Harbour and Cobh offering scenic views, history, and dolphin watching on high-speed RIBs. Departs from Cork Harbour, Cobh, Aghada, or Cork City Marina Generally 10+ (private tours may vary) From €60 per person (some tours), private hire available https://www.oceanescapes.ie/
Blarney Castle and Gardens Famous for the Blarney Stone. Also features extensive gardens, poison garden, and Rock Close. Blarney Village, Co. Cork All ages Adults €23, Children (6-16) €11, Family (2+2) €60, Under 6 free https://blarneycastle.ie/
Spike Island Historic island with a history as a monastery, fortress, and prison. Offers tours, museums, and walking trails. Cork Harbour, Cobh All ages Adults €27.95, Child €14.95, Family €74.95 https://www.spikeislandcork.ie
Camden Fort Meagher Well-preserved Victorian coastal artillery fort with tours of mining areas, torpedo areas, and barrack rooms. Crosshaven, Cork Harbour All ages Adults €8, Child/Student/OAP €5, Family tickets available https://camdenfortmeagher.ie/

Parks and Playgrounds

Family cycle at Blackrock Castle, Blackrock, Co Cork
Image: Courtesy Failte Ireland
Blackrock Castle, Blackrock, Co Cork
Activity Description Location Age Range Price Website
Fitzgerald Park 18-acre park with gardens, sculptures, playground, "Shakey Bridge," Cork Public Museum, and cafe. Mardyke, Cork City All ages Free https://www.corkcity.ie/en/things-to-do/parks-outdoors/cork-city-parks/fitzgeralds-park/
Ballincollig Regional Park 54-hectare park with walks, trails, large playground, skate park, sports facilities, and gunpowder mill ruins. Ballincollig, Co. Cork All ages Free https://www.corkcity.ie/en/things-to-do/parks-outdoors/cork-city-parks/ballincollig-regional-park/
Shalom (Peace) Park Small city park with children's playground, lawn, seating, and herbaceous borders. Monerea Terrace, Albert Road, Cork City Younger children Free Refer to Cork City Council website
The Lough Natural lake with wildlife, walking paths, and a boat-shaped playground. The Lough, Cork City All ages Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Tory Top Park 7.5-acre park with walkways, playing pitch, multi-user games area, small skate park, and playground. Tory Top Road, Ballyphehane, Cork City All ages Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Loughmahon Park Park with a playground. Mahon, Cork City Younger children Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Kilmore Park Park with a playground. Kilmore Rd, Knocknaheeny, Cork City Younger children Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Jerry O'Sullivan Park Park with a playground, nice for toddlers. Colmcille Rd, Churchfield, Cork City Younger children, especially toddlers Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Pophams Park Playground with swings, slides, climbing frames, basketball court, and field. Pophams Rd, Farranree, Cork City All ages Free https://www.purecork.ie/things-to-do/playground-pophams-field
Glenamoy Lawn Park Fenced playground, basketball court, and exercise area. Mayfield, Cork City All ages Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Meelick Park/Kempton Park Park with a playground. Ballyvolane, Cork City Younger children Free Refer to Cork City Council website
Bishopstown Park (Murphy's Farm) Well-maintained and fenced playground with diverse equipment for toddlers and older children. Murphy's Farm, Bishopstown, Cork All ages Free Refer to Cork City Council website or community pages
Doneraile Wildlife Park Over 400 acres with wildlife, walking trails, playground, picnic areas, and Doneraile Court. Doneraile, Co. Cork All ages Parklands free, House tour fees apply https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/doneraile-court-and-estate/
Glenbower Wood Large forest park with walking trails, fairy trail, picnic areas, and playground. Known for bluebells. Killeagh, Co. Cork All ages Free https://www.glenbowerwood.ie/
Gougane Barra Forest Park Scenic forest park with walking trails, island church, waterfall, and picnic areas. Parking fee applies. West Cork Mountains All ages €5 parking fee https://www.coillte.ie/site/gougane-barra-forest-park/
Lough Hyne Marine nature reserve with swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and walking trails. View from Knockomagh Hill. Near Skibbereen, West Cork All ages Free (kayak tours have fees) https://www.purecork.ie/things-to-do/lough-hyne
Castlefreke Woods Woodland with walking trails and ruins of Castlefreke. Near beach and lake. Near Clonakilty, Co. Cork All ages Free Refer to Heritage Ireland or Coillte websites
Ballinamona Woods Mature woodland with walking trails, stone walls, ruined cottages, and bluebells in spring. South of Midleton, Co. Cork All ages Free https://www.coillte.ie/site/ballyannan-wood/
Knockomagh Wood Woodland overlooking Lough Hyne with walking trails and a viewing platform. Near Baltimore, Co. Cork All ages Free Refer to Discover Ireland website
Cycle from Marina Market to Passage West Greenway Family-friendly 9km cycle route along the River Lee and old railway line. Bike hire available. Starts at Marina Market, Cork City All ages comfortable cycling Bike hire from €12.50-€50 per day https://corkbikehire.com/routes/greenway-pedal-to-passage-west/

Museums and Historical Sites

Family play at Inchadoney Beach.
Image: ©Tourism Ireland
Family fun at Inchadoney Beach
Activity Description Location Age Range Price Website
Cork Public Museum Museum in Fitzgerald Park covering Cork's history, with archaeological and social history exhibits. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Fitzgerald Park, Mardyke, Cork City All ages Free https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-public-museum/
The Butter Museum Museum on the history of the Irish butter trade. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Offers demonstrations. Shandon, Cork City All ages Adults €5, Children €2, Under 12 free (with family) https://thebuttermuseum.com
Nano Nagle Place Heritage centre on Nano Nagle's story. Museum, gardens, historic buildings. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Cork City All ages Free (tomb & gardens), Heritage Experience fees apply https://nanonagleplace.ie/
Old Cork Waterworks Experience (Lifetime Lab) Visitor centre in Victorian waterworks with history of water system, science playground, sensory garden. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Along the River Lee, Cork City All ages Website inaccessible during research https://www.oldcorkwaterworksexperience.ie/
Cork City Gaol Former prison turned museum depicting 19th/20th-century prison life. Waxworks and stories. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Sunday's Well, Cork City All ages (8+ recommended) Adults €11, Children €7, Family €34 http://corkcitygaol.com/
Elizabeth Fort 400-year-old star-shaped fort with city views. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Disability access restricted. Barrack Street, Cork City All ages Free https://elizabethfort.ie/
Shandon Bells and Tower (St. Anne's Church) Historic church with iconic tower. Climb to ring bells and enjoy city views. Shandon, Cork City Ages 5+ Adults €6, Children €3, Family €15 https://www.stanneshandon.ie/
St Fin Barre's Cathedral Impressive cathedral with Neo-Gothic architecture and stained glass. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Bishop Street, Cork City All ages Adult €6, Seniors/Students €5, Children under 16 free https://www.corkcathedral.com/
St. Peter's Cork Free visitor centre in deconsecrated church with history and art exhibitions. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Medieval heart of Cork City All ages Free https://www.stpetercork.ie/
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery Art gallery featuring Irish art. Hosts temporary exhibitions and family events. Part of Playful Culture Trail. Emmet Place, Cork City All ages Free https://crawfordartgallery.ie/
Fota House & Gardens Regency-style country house with guided tours, arboretum, and extensive gardens. Near Fota Wildlife Park. Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork All ages Guided tour fees apply https://fotahouse.ie/
Titanic Experience Cobh Visitor experience retracing the steps of Titanic's last passengers in the historic White Star Line Building. Cobh, Co. Cork Wide age range Adults €12, Child €8, Family €32 https://www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie/