If you’re looking for some tips for visiting Belfast with kids, then you have come to the right place.
Northern Ireland’s dynamic capital city is a great family-friendly destination with everything from expansive outdoor spaces to handy indoor activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours.
This article will provide you with inspiration for the best things to do in Belfast as a family, where to stay in Belfast with kids, as well as answer some common questions surrounding traveling in Belfast with children.
So, let’s dive into tips for visiting Belfast with kids.
Popular things to do in Belfast with kids
The best tips for visiting Belfast with kids begin with suggestions of the most popular things to do in Belfast with kids.
Many of the suggestions on this list are naturally aimed towards children, but that isn’t to say that adults can’t enjoy them too.
Belfast Castle and Cavehill Country Park
A great thing to do in North Belfast is the Cavehill Country Park. With an abundance of walks and play areas, it is the perfect place to let the kids use up some of their energy in Belfast.
Perhaps the most popular thing to do in Cavehill Country Park is the 4.5 mile (7.2km) Cave Hill Walk, which begins and ends at Belfast Castle. The walk takes you to the top of Cave Hill, offering amazing views over the entire city of Belfast.
Quick warning however, the Cave Hill walk is fairly strenuous, so it is only recommended for kids that are used to hiking.
Visiting Belfast Castle is one of the highlights of Cavehill Country Park. Built in 1870, the castle is a popular wedding and events venue, but the castle grounds make the perfect place to have a family picnic.
W5
W5 is an interactive science museum found in the Odyssey Pavillion, an arena and center home to the Belfast Giants Hockey team.
Set over 4 levels, W5 ‘brings learning to life’ with interactive, discovery-based exhibits that are sure to challenge your kids’ imaginations.
The award-winning science center is the perfect place to visit in Belfast with kids when it’s raining, as it even has a number of shops and restaurants on its doorstep inside the Odyssey center.
Click here to see opening times and ticket prices for W5
Titanic Museum
You can’t come to Belfast without engaging in the history between the city and the world’s most famous, ill-fated ship.
Visiting Belfast is a great excuse for teaching the kids about the history of the Titanic and, naturally, there is no better place to learn than the Titanic Museum itself.
Visiting the Titanic Museum in Belfast is a unique experience that is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Click here to see opening times and ticket prices for Titanic Museum Belfast
Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum explores the past, present, and future of Belfast and the surrounding areas. The collections of art, natural science, and history document Northern Ireland’s past and present in a fun and interactive manner.
Located next to the Botanic Gardens, itself a great place to visit with kids in Belfast, the Ulster Museum is a great introduction to Ireland’s ancient history, as well as the more recent turbulent events during the Troubles.
Click here to see opening times and ticket prices for the Ulster Museum
We are Vertigo
If you’re looking for somewhere for the kids to blow off some steam during their time in Belfast, then look no further than We are Vertigo.
Set over two sites in Newtownbreda and the Titanic Quarter, We are Vertigo is an indoor activity center equipped with inflatable play areas, climbing walls, and even an indoor skydiving center.
The new ninja warrior style course is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip to Belfast as a family – even the parents can get involved!
Click here to see opening times and prices for We are Vertigo
Lost City Adventure Golf
Mini golf is a great family-friendly activity that everybody can enjoy and thankfully Belfast has a brilliant mini golf course right in the heart of the city center.
Lost City Adventure Golf, found in Cityside Retail Park, is an amazing rainforest-themed 18-hole mini golf course that offers adventure for all ages.
The golf course is open from 10 am-10 pm, 7 days a week, making it a great activity to try in the evening when you’re visiting Belfast with kids.
Click here to see opening times and prices for Lost City Adventure Golf
Best place to stay as a family in Belfast
When visiting Belfast with kids, it is important to stay in a central location that doesn’t involve an excessive amount of walking. You don’t want the little ones getting tired before you’ve even turned up to the day’s activity.
For this reason, it is recommended to stay in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. It’s centrally located and a short walking distance from the Titanic Museum, We are Vertigo, and the SSE Odyssey Arena – home to the Belfast Giants and the W5 science center.
One of the best places to stay in the Titanic Quarter is the unique Titanic Barge, which caters to 4 people (1 double bed and 1 bunk bed), making it a fantastic place to stay as a family in Belfast.
The Titanic Barge even has a kitchenette, fridge, and toaster, helping to reduce those eating costs when visiting Belfast as a family.
FAQs about visiting Belfast with kids
What are the best things to do in Belfast with kids?
Belfast is full of amazing things to do with kids but here are a few of the main highlights: Cavehill Country Park, W5 Science Museum, Titanic Museum, We are Vertigo, and Lost City Adventure Golf.
What are the best indoor activities for kids in Belfast?
Some of the best indoor activities for kids in Belfast include W5 (interactive science museum), Titanic Museum, Ulster Museum, Lost City Adventure Golf (In Cityside Retail Park) and We are Vertigo (indoor activity center with inflatable play area and climbing walls).
What are the best family-friendly day trips from Belfast?
There are many great day trips from Belfast for families to enjoy, with perhaps the highlight being a trip to the Giant’s Causeway.
The best way to visit the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast is to join an organized day trip. Not only will it be one of the best tours from Belfast, but it’s also an easy, stress-free way of visiting the Giant’s Causeway as a family.
If you have rented a car during your visit to Belfast, then Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is a great place to take the kids for a nice, leisurely stroll.
So there we have it folks, a comprehensive round-up of all the best things to do in Belfast with kids. Hopefully, these tips for visiting Belfast with kids will help you get the most out of your trip to Northern Ireland’s dynamic capital city.
