Spring in Ireland is an absolute breath of fresh air after a long winter. The mornings brighten. The evenings linger. The air softens. And suddenly, without really planning to, families find themselves stepping outside more often.
Spring days out with children rarely need much. A warm coat by the door. A flask in the bag. A vague idea of where you might wander. And then the rest unfolds quietly with muddy shoes, tiny treasures slipped into pockets, the excitement of spotting the first lamb in a field or blossom on a branch all part and parcel of the adventure.
For us, spring has always been the season where simple days out feel like little holidays. Not rushed. Not over-planned. Just gentle exploring and the slow return of colour to the world.
If you’re looking for spring days out in Ireland with kids, beautiful places to stretch little legs, spot new life and let the season work its quiet magic then these are some of the loveliest ways to welcome spring as a family.
Spring days out that revolve around new life
Spring belongs to the farms. Across Ireland, fields soften into green again and farm parks fill with the gentle sounds of new beginnings. There is something incredibly grounding for children about seeing life unfold slowly in front of them.
Farm days out in spring don’t feel like attractions. They feel like invitations. To pause beside a lamb. To watch chicks huddle under heat lamps. To trail behind goats and wander past sleepy calves in straw-filled sheds.
Places like Fota Wildlife Park, Leahy’s Open Farm, Glenroe Farm, Clonfert Farm and Turoe Pet Farm are especially beautiful in spring. The paths feel easier after winter, animals are more active, and everything seems designed for wandering rather than rushing.
These are the sorts of days out where toddlers can move freely, where older children naturally ask questions, and where parents don’t feel the pressure to constantly entertain. The animals do that quietly all by themselves.
Spring woodland walks and quiet nature trails
One of the loveliest things to do with children in spring is simply to walk. Not far. Not fast. Just enough to notice the world stirring again.
Irish woodland in spring feels almost storybook. Soft light through new leaves. Streams running brighter. The forest floor scattered with signs of what’s coming next. These are the places where children instinctively slow down. Where sticks become wands. Where moss becomes a tiny forest. Where every bend in the path feels full of possibility.
Gentle walks in places like Gougane Barra, Glengarriff Nature Reserve, The Phoenix Park, Marlay Park, and Killarney National Park are perfect spring days out with kids. Many paths suit buggies and little legs, and there are always spots to pause for snacks, flasks, and quiet moments together.
Make sure to keep an eye on local woodland in late spring, where you might just catch a first glimpse of bluebells. Here's where to find magical bluebell woods in Ireland.
Spring walks don’t need activities planned. The season provides them. Collecting treasures. Spotting insects. Watching water. Listening to birds that weren’t there a month ago.
Gardens and heritage places that bloom gently in spring
Spring is when many of Ireland’s heritage parks and gardens quietly come back to life. Places that can feel still in winter suddenly soften with colour, scent and sound.
Visiting gardens with children in spring is wonderfully understated. It isn’t about reading signs or following routes. It’s about wandering between flowers, finding hidden benches, watching bees, and letting little ones explore open spaces safely.
Irish National Heritage Park, Muckross Traditional Farms, Altamont Gardens and Ardgillan Castle and Demesne are beautiful examples of spring days out that suit families who enjoy slower adventures. They offer animals, history, nature and often playground spaces, wrapped into wide, open grounds where days can unfold naturally.
They are perfect for those in-between days when you want to be out, but not busy. Together, but not rushed.
Coastal spring days when the sea feels gentle again
Before summer arrives, the coast belongs to spring. The air is fresh rather than heavy. The beaches are open and calm. The harbours feel unhurried. And suddenly the sea feels like somewhere you can breathe again.
Spring coastal days out with kids are rarely about swimming. They are about rock pools and shells. About watching boats come and go. About windy cheeks and warm drinks afterwards.
Places like Ballycotton Cliff Walk, Howth, Inch Beach, Lahinch Promenade and Strandhill are perfect for these sorts of gentle family outings. A short walk. A harbour wander. A stretch of beach where children can run without needing much more than pockets and imagination.
These are the days that end with tired legs, sandy shoes, and that particular kind of calm only the sea seems to bring.
Simple spring days out that cost very little
Some of the very best spring days out in Ireland are completely free. Forest parks. Beaches. Local walks. Public gardens. Places that don’t ask for tickets or time slots — only that you arrive.
Spring makes it easier to build small outdoor rhythms into family life. A weekly woodland walk. A regular park picnic. A familiar coastal path. These become touchstones through the season, grounding busy weeks and giving children something steady to return to.
Often, it is these quiet, repeated days out that children remember most.
Spring days out don’t need to be grand. They work best when they are gentle and frequent. A short walk after school. A slow Sunday farm visit. An hour by the sea before heading home.
Spring invites families back outside without pressure. It encourages wandering rather than planning. And it gives children space to reconnect with the world in a way no indoor activity ever really can.
And that, perhaps, is the real gift of spring.
