Some Personal Favourites
NI 4Kids - This site http://www.ni4kids.com/ is a great resource for all kinds of kids' activities (including some listed below). It provides information about leisure centres, performing arts, parks, toddler activities – tons of ideas for things to do!
Playing & Science - We *love* W5 www.w5online.co.uk/. Their toddler/young person floor is fabulous and includes a “house” kids can built, tons of train tracks, a castle, musical activities, etc. And they have several other floors of fun, interactive science exhibits. All of this – with musical stairs , a coffee shop, gifts shop and regularly scheduled workshops for kids.
Football - Our son also adores toddler soccer http://www.toddlersoccer.org/ , a programme for 2-4 year olds that includes skills training (all done via games) and matches (free form playing with gentle help from the coaches).
Playing & Gymnastics - Another favourite in our house is Salto http://saltogymnasticsni.com/home.html . In addition to gymnastics classes, Salto offers toddler mornings where kids can enjoy playing with toddler toys and gymnastics equipment. My son’s favourite is the sponge pit. Abbey Gymnastics http://www.abbeygymnastics.com/ in Mallusk also offers similar play mornings and classes.
Beach – We love heading up the Causeway coast… http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/causeway/ beautiful… so is Crawfordsburn Country Park http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/places/parks/crawfordsburn.shtml
Beach/Park - Carnfunock Country Parkvhttp://www.carnfunnock.com/ is full of stuff for kids - miniature rail way, mini golf, bouncy castle, etc.
Playgrounds – The Adventure Playground http://www.belfastcastle.co.uk/Adventurous.asp at Belfast Castle is fantastic. It has two parks – one for younger kids and one for older kids. Loughshore’s renovated park http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Jordanstown-Loughshore-Park-Newtownabbey-P7550 is also superb (and has a section for young kids and a great section for older kids), and Stormont’s Mo Mowlam Children’s Park http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Stormont-Parliament-Buildings-Belfast-P3060 also offers a section for young children and a great section for older kids (no pics in this link, but it’s close to Parliament Buildings).
Zoo http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk/ – Always great fun
Historical Trips – You’ll need a full day to see everything at these parks which show life as it used to be… http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Ulster-Folk-and-Transport-Museum-Holywood-P2856 and http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Ulster-American-Folk-Park-Omagh-P8406
Halloween and Christmas – Hillside Nursery www.hillsidenurserycentre.com/ offers great Halloween and Christmas displays that kids adore. The Landscape Centre (Donnegore) has a yearly Santa Trail that is also fun. More on Halloween here: http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Halloween-in-Northern-Ireland-T16833
A few things I want to try
Whalley Gallery – Love their art and want to take my son to their kids’ art programme http://www.whalleygallery.com/
Streamvale Open Farm – Have meant to visit this for years - http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Streamvale-Open-Farm-Belfast-P2799
St George’s Market – Would love to go try some of the goodies on show here some early morning http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/St-Georges-Market-Belfast-P3230
Ice Bowl – mini-golf, soft play, bowling – lots of stuff to do here - http://www.theicebowl.com/home.asp
And for train fans - http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/events/
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