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Expats moving to the city with their families will be pleased to know that there are plenty of fabulous attractions and activities for kids in Dublin, not to mention a wide selection of excellent schools and education.
In fact, those expats who move to Dublin with children may find that it eases the process of meeting locals, either while exploring the city's kid-friendly attractions or by connecting with other parents through school or a playgroup.
Child-friendly activities in Dublin
When it’s not raining, pack a picnic and head down to Phoenix Park or St Stephen's Green, or take the kids to the Dublin Zoo to meet their favourite animals.
Viking Splash Tour is a great way for the little ones to discover their new city. Travelling in an amphibious vehicle, these tours are over land and water. They depart from Stephen’s Green North, and take about 75 minutes during which a ‘viking’ entertains passengers and points out all of the city’s major attractions.
Another popular attraction for the youngsters is The Ark, a purpose-built kids’ theatre and exhibition space in the cultural neighbourhood of Temple Bar. It hosts productions of theatre, music and dance, as well as workshops aimed at kids.
For a fascinating and educational day out, take the kids to Imaginosity, the famous children’s museum at the heart of Dublin. Three floors with 19 exhibit spaces, as well as a library, art studio, puppet room and kids’ theatre mean Imaginosity is a real hit with those under the age of 10.
Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory only with no oompa-loompas and no Willy Wonka – the Chocolate Warehouse is a dream come true for chocolate-loving children. Kids can take tours of the factory’s machinery, learn about the history of chocolate, take part in fascinating chocolate workshops, and of course sample plenty of it along the way. The venue also hosts birthday parties, special events and seasonal events around Christmas and Easter.
Then parents could also take the kids out to Airfield Estate to pet the animals, watch a performance at the Lambert Puppet Theatre, or visit the Fry Model Railway.
For those new to the city looking to make friends, playgroups are a great way for parents and children alike to find some new friends in Dublin. There are loads of playgroups to choose from, so it should be easy for expats to find one in their own neighbourhood. When looking for local playgroups, schools in the area may be able to offer some recommendations – otherwise, there are plenty of directories online that list Dublin's playgroups.