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family event guide

Another rainy day? 5 fun-filled indoor spots to bring your mini explorers to this summer

Educational days out for curious young minds – from aquariums to dinosaur museums.

SUMMER MEANS LONG days spent outdoors in the park, at the zoo, at the beach… or indoors as rain pours down.

While we wait for last year’s heatwave to make another appearance, we’ve rounded up five fun indoor spots where the little ones will be kept entertained, they’ll learn something new – and you all might even forget the rain outdoors.

DUBLIN

Natural History Museum: For a free day out with lots to look at, head to the Natural History Museum. Visit the temporary exhibition Jurassic Skies – When Dinosaurs Took To The Air, discover the animals native to Ireland at Irish Fauna and be amazed by skeletons and stuffed specimens such as elephants and whales at Mammals of the World.

Suits: all ages. When: Monday – Sunday. Where: Natural History Museum, Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2. Costs: free. Find more information here.

Imaginosity: With three floors of interactive, educationally designed exhibits (from supermarkets to doctor’s surgeries) and daily workshops, hours will fly by at Imaginosity. There are two baby/toddler only areas, while the museum as a whole is catered to under 9s and their parents.

Suits: under 9s. When: Monday – Sunday in July and August, Tuesday – Sunday otherwise. Where: The Plaza, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Costs: €6 for toddlers, children and adults, €2 for over six months, free for under six months. Find more information here.

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GALWAY

Galway Atlantaquaria: Learn about life under the sea at Galway Atlantaquaria, with fresh water fish feeding, rock pool tours and big fish feeding, plus two floors of exhibits.

Suits: all ages. When: Monday – Sunday. Where: Galway Atlantaquaria, Seapoint Promenade, Galway. Costs: €13 per adult, €8.50 per child, free for under 2s. Find more information here.

CORK

Blackrock Castle Observatory: Go stargazing at Blackrock Castle Observatory, learn about the universe and get hands on at the Discover Zone for a day trip that’s out of this world.

Suits: all ages. When: Monday – Sunday. Where: Blackrock Castle Observatory, Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork. Costs: €7 per adult, €5 per child, free for under 5s. Find more information here.

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BELFAST 

W5: With over 250 interactive exhibits, six exhibition areas and live science demonstrations daily, visitors of all ages will be kept busy at W5. You might even learn a thing or two yourself.

Suits: all ages. When: Monday – Sunday. Where: W5, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast. Costs: £10.80 (€12.13) per adult, £8.50 (€9.55) per child, free for under 3s. Find more information here.

Plus, want to win a getaway to Kilkenny’s luxurious Lyrath Estate? Enter right here – and don’t forget to subscribe to our Family Newsletter in the box below!

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