There are lots of family friendly and child friendly things to see and do with the kids. Have a look also at our Family Events section for forthcoming family friendly events to entertain the kids.

The “Skellig Experience” on Valentia Island is an exciting visitor centre located on Valentia Island, just off the main Ring of Kerry route. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the building blends into the landscape and offers superb views of the fishing port of Portmagee. The centre illustrates four main themes associated with the Skellig UNESCO World Heritage site using graphics, models, exhibition items and reconstruction. The four themes interpreted are: The history and archaeology of Skellig Michael’s Early Christian Monastery; The seabirds of coastal southwest Kerry, the Little Skellig and Skellig Michael; The underwater marine life of the Skelligs; and the history of the lighthouses and lighthouse keepers of Skellig Michael. The centre has an 80 seat auditorium with a 16 minute audio-visual presentation which explains the background of the monastic occupation of the island, as well as the life of the monks that live there. The Centre also includes a gift shop and café. Boat trips are also available.

Have a look at a readers account of some great things to see and do with the kids in Kenmare here.

Crag Cave in Castle Island is a unique all weather visitor attraction at the gateway to County Kerry. Crag Cave is formed of limestone; it is a colourful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over one million years old, this natural attraction has dramatic sound and lighting effects. A visit to Crag Cave will delight and enthral all ages and the friendly guides can explain the origins of the Cave describe its many beautiful formations and introduce visitors to a world older than mankind. The Visitor Centre is very family friendly also offers a large indoor adventure centre for children from 0-12 years The Crazy Cave.

Kerry County Museum brings to life the story of Kerry from the earliest times to the present day. Priceless treasures are on display in the Museum, illustrating the rich heritage of the county. Each artefact has its own story to tell, whether it is a beautiful sunflower pin worn by the fashion-conscious in the Bronze Age, or duelling pistols used by the Liberator, Daniel O’Connell, in the early 19th century. Travel back 600 years in the Geraldine Experience and you will see, hear and smell medieval Tralee.

Take a sea safari with Seasafariireland from Kenmare. This is a friendly family boat which will guide you around Kenmare Bay's sheltered waters. You can see tropical plants, prolific birdlife including Sea Eagles and observe close Ireland's largest Harbour Seal rookery including proud mums feeding their pups. Binoculars and guidebooks can be provided as can free lollipops, tea, coffee, cookies and sweets. (Always going to be a big hit with the kids).

The exhilarating beauty of the spectacular Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park and Lakes are a huge visitor attraction and for families there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about and enjoy the stunning scenery. This is one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions and attracts rather large crowds in high season. Your children will still enjoy the magical beauty of this giant park which encompasses the three Lakes of Killarney which are set within a lush landscape and thousands of acres of mountains. You can hire a traditional jaunting car or a horse drawn sidecar if you like. There are also ample opportunities to walk or cycle the expansive grounds of the park or simply enjoy the views and have a picnic.

Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms is worth a visit. The House is a splendid Victorian museum where children can absorb and enjoy a past life. They can watch an informative film about the environment and the genealogy of the park and in the summer months watch blacksmiths, bookbinders and other craftsmen working at the trade. There is a good cafe restaurant in the craft centre. There are also three traditional working farms where actors reconstruct day-to-day farming life and children can also experience a trip on a vintage coach.

Take a trip out to meet Fungi the Dolphin with departures leaving from the pier in Dingle. It is an experience that your children will thank you for. Fungi is a dolphin and has chosen to live in Dingle harbour since the mid-1980s and he regularly comes to meet the boats that go to see him.

Take a trip to the Blasket Centre and then visit the Blasket Islands where you and the family can learn about life on the islands whose last inhabitants left for the mainland in 1953. The most famous island resident was Peig Sayers whose book is on the Irish National curriculum. The beaches here are deserted and amazing and well worth a trek to with the kids.

The Derrynane National Historic Park is the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell and is in beautiful surroundings beside Derrynane Bay and sand dunes. You can take a tour with the kids and after the tour wander the grounds or walk along the beach (bring a towel as you can also swim in the nearby blue flag beach).

Take a cruise on the Lakes of Killarney with entertaining folklore and history from a guide.

Exploring the Dingle Maze which consists of six acres of growing corn maze incorporating everything from mirrors to water.

Take a trip on the Tralee and Blennerville Steam Railway which runs daily between May and September. You can ride in the old carriages between Ballyard Station in Tralee to the Blennerville windmill.

Dingle aslo has a great adrenlin rush by way of a climbing challenege in Play at Height in Ballinaboola and rope courses are on the way this year for some more high powered family fun. 

Explore the Dingle Peninsula by bike or horse riding and delight in the stunning coastline. This is also a walker's paradise.

Muckross Friary and gardens are free and an enjoyable day out.

The landscape simply is stunning and you should spend as much time with your family enjoying this is possible. In Dingle a climb to the Pilgrims Lake is a great way to spend a family afternoon. There are miles of other family friendly tracks and walks around the Killarney National Park and the Dingle Peninsula.

There are pleasant walks around the streams, lakes, woodlands and waterfalls of Glen Inchaquin Waterfall Park in Kenmare.

Kerry's beaches are some of the finest in Ireland and we do not have a space to list them all. Top of the list are those on the Dingle Peninsula including Ventry beach, Beenbawn, Cappagh Strand, Wine Strand and Slea Strand and Stradbally. There is also good surfing at Inch Strand and Srudeen Strand.

In the Ring of Kerry Waterville is the main beach resort and beach is beautiful. Derrynane beach has beautiful sand dunes and Ballinskelligs and Kells Bay are also fantastic. In the north of Kerry you could try Ballybunion, Banna and Ballyhegue.

Adopt a sheep at Kissane Sheep Farm, Molls Gap, Kenmare. This is a working mountain farm with approximately 1000 sheep and their lambs. Families can experience the hard work on the farm: sheepdog demonstrations, sheep shearing (in shearing season), feeding pet lambs, 3 marked (mountain) walks with magnificent views.

Buddies in Killarney has a children’s indoor soft play and party centre with cafe. Junior area includes astra slide, sports arena, ball cannon, interactive lights and much more. The toddler area includes car track, slide ball pool, cosy corner and more.

Toby World in Tralee is one of Ireland’s largest children’s indoor entertainment centres. The centre includes 3 play-frames, Go-Karts, a four-lane astra slide, spiral slides and indoor sports court. The baby and toddler area for under 4’s has its own spiral slide, ball-pond and pedal cars, a special needs sensory room, kiddies disco, ceramics room, kids quasar zone and a café.

Coolwood Wildlife Sanctuary and Children’s Zoo in Coolcaslagh is a 50 acre wildlife sanctuary situated about 3km from Killarney Town. It is a great place to take the family for a visit while on holiday in the area, with 3km scenic walks, a coffee shop, children’s playground, ample parking space and toilet facilities.

Ireland visitor discounts is a fantastic free downloadable discount voucher for leading Irish cultural and heritage visitor attractions. You should download a form for each member of the family and bring this with you when you are travelling. Discounts include two for the price of one in leading tourist attractions, free admission at some attractions and between 10 and 20% off other attractions. This really could make a considerable saving for your family.

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

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