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NASA
Event Guide

9 great events to keep the kids busy this weekend - from astronauts to 3D printing

Whether you’ve got budding archaeologists or expert watersliders, there’s something for you.

DUBLIN

Ground Control To Astronaut Dan: Real life Space Explorer and NASA Astronaut Dan Tani will be taking the stage of the Edmund Burke Theatre at Trinity on Saturday to chat to Rick O’Shea about what it’s really like to do a space walk.

Suits: Children aged 7 +. Time: 3.30pm. Tickets: Child €8.50; Adult €12.50; Family €40. More info.

98FM Big Slide Festival: 98FM are bringing a 260ft waterslide to Dublin’s city centre this weekend, where it will run down Winetavern Street. To gain access you have to have a wristband, so log onto 98fm.com to find out how to get your hands on one.

Suits: Children aged 7+. Time: All day. Tickets: Free when you register online.

The Big Dig: The School of Irish Archaeology is running a replica Viking excavation this weekend in St Anne’s Park, Clontarf. Kids will have an opportunity to dig for Viking treasures and artefacts dating back over 1,000 years and pick up some tips from real archaeologists.

Suits: Children between the ages 5 and 12. Time: 11am-5pm. Tickets: Free but register here.

The School Of Irish Archaeology The School Of Irish Archaeology

WICKLOW

Drop In Workshops At Kilruddery: Kilruddery House & Gardens are running drop-in arts and crafts workshops for kids every Sunday throughout the summer. The workshops, which focus on a different aspect of the Kilruddery ecosystem each week, are a fantastic way of spending a few hours. Parents are required to stay with their kids, so they might pick up a few tips too!

Suits: All ages. Time: 3pm. Tickets: €5. More info.

CORK

DesignerDojo Cork: Book yourself and the kids into a 3D modelling workshop with DesignerDojo today at the Webworkhouse in Cork, where you will learn how cool it is to print your own toys. Last week they tweeted a fidget spinner they had printed… so who knows what’s next?

Suits: children aged 6+. Time: 10am-1pm. Tickets: Free but register here.

West Cork Literary Festival: The kid’s programme at this year’s West Cork Literary Festival has lots on offer. From a clinic to help children find their next favourite author to a writing workshop with Sibéal Pounder, this is a bookworm’s paradise.

Suits: Kids aged 5+. Time: All weekend. Tickets: Mostly free. More info. 

Laya Cork City Spectacular: The City Spectacular rolls into Cork this weekend when Fitzgerald Park will be overrun by circus and street performers who are determined to grab your family’s attention. Well worth a visit.

Suits: Big and little kids of all ages. Time: 12pm – 8pm. Tickets: Free. More info

GALWAY

Make Your First Green Guitar: As a part of the Galway fringe, musicians and artists are helping kids to make their own guitars this Saturday. Bring along a plank of wood and an empty soup can and get set to make some music!

Suits: Kids aged 3+. Time: 10am. Tickets: €3. More info

MAYO

The Ballina Salmon Festival: Every year 20,000 people descend on Mayo for the annual Ballina Salmon Festival and lots of them are families. With over a third of its programme dedicated to family activities, there are kids art classes, fishing expeditions and lots of live music.

Suits: All ages. Time: All weekend. Tickets: From free. More info

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Parents Panel: What’s one thing you tried to get your little one off to sleep?>