Welcome to Lee and Pea’s pick of the best things to do in Dublin with kids this March. It’s a bumper selection this month as the city (literally) goes green for the five-day St. Patrick’s Day Festival. From 2nd to 3rd of the month, immerse yourself and your little people in a multilingual experience courtesy of the Mother Tongues Festival. Close out the month by heading to the coast for the Mountains to Sea Book Festival. Space doesn’t permit us to include all of the fabulous family friendly events from these festivals. We’ve selected some of our favourites here but be sure to check out the full programme for both festivals so as not to miss out.
1st & 2nd, times vary: Seedlings Early Years Workshop – The Last Straw! @ The Ark
Draw and create shapes with hundreds of paper straws and contribute to a sculpture that will fill the gallery space. Participants will also be able to create smaller constructions to take home.
Please note at the time of writing the workshop on Saturday 2nd is fully booked but a waiting list is in operation.
€11.50
Ages 2-4
Dublin 2
2nd at 11.00am & 2.30pm: Everyday Engineering @ Rediscovery Centre
Join the Rediscovery Centre to celebrate Engineers Week and discover how engineering is an essential part of our lives in this exciting workshop. Different engineering challenges will put your mathematical, problem solving and analytic skills at test.
€10
Ages 6-12
Dublin 9
2nd at 11.00am: Nature Detectives @ Dublin Zoo
Using Dublin Zoo as a living classroom, children will learn about native species found all around them.
€7 Annual Pass Holders, €13 Non-Pass Holders
Ages 8 – 12
Dublin 8
2nd at 3.00pm: Mother Tongues festival – Paper Theatre Stories @ Rua Red
This family workshop will explore stories using visual arts design, spoken and written work in Arabic, Japanese & English using the Kamishibai art form.
FREE (booking recommended)
All ages
Dublin 24
3rd at 2pm: Mother Tongues festival – Yoga Connecting Generations @ Rua Red
In Portuguese and English, this workshop brings children and the elderly together through yoga and laughter.
FREE (booking required)
Under 18’s & over 65’s
Dublin 24
5th, 12th, 19th & 26th at 10.30am: Tiny Tots Tuesday – Singaling for Spring! @ EPIC
Explore music and play in these workshops filled with fun, songs and dancing. Free tea and coffee provided by Bakehouse CHQ and ticket holders can avail of a 20% discount on admission to the museum.
€12
Ages 6 months – 3.5 years
Dublin 1
5th at 3.30pm: Musical Storytime with Music Generation @ dlr LexIcon
Enjoy storytime with a difference. Dance, sing and enjoy wonderful stories and their musical accompaniment!
FREE
Ages 3 – 6
Dun Laoghaire
6th & 20th at 10.00am & 11.30am: Parent and Toddler Session @ Dublin Zoo
Toddlers will get an opportunity to learn more about the zoo’s wonderful wildlife through stories, crafts and visits to their habitats.
€5 Annual Pass Holders, €10 Non-Pass Holders
Ages 1 – 3
Dublin 8
6th at 10.30am: Greek Myths and Legends @ Chester Beatty Library
Come along and discover the magic world of Greek myths in Greek and English. In association with Mother Tongues.
FREE
Under 6’s
Dublin 2
From 6th at 3.30pm: Junior Herb School @ Dublin City Farm
6 week series of classes introducing the herbs and medicines that grow all around us. Learn how to make herbal teas, oils, natural cleaning sprays and relaxing herbal pillows to aid sleep.
€30 for the 6 week course
Ages 7 – 14
Dublin 5
9th at 2.00pm: RHA KIDS – Making Sense @ RHA
Explore the senses through experiments with materials with artist Ali Kirby.
€12 (plus booking fee)
Ages 8 – 12
Dublin 2
9th at 3.00pm: Making Connections – Family Connections @ Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
Material memories – a workshop using drawing and light with artist Sophie Behal.
FREE (booking required)
All Ages
Dublin 2
16th- 18th, 23rd – 24th & 30th – 31st from 10.00am: Paint with Mum and Granny March Weekends @ Giddy Studios
Pop in to the pottery painting studio and make some special memories. Mum’s can paint a free tile (minimum spend applies).
€ Pay for what you paint, minimum €20 spend for free tile
All Ages (Drop-off option for ages 5+)
Dublin 14
16th at 11.00am: Follow the Clues – Seek and Find @ Dublin Castle
Join tour guide Patricia Irvine for a family treasure hunt for our national symbols in the State Apartments of Dublin Castle
FREE (booking required)
Ages 6+
Dublin 2
16th at 11.00am & 2.00pm: Children’s Art Classes @ National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
Take a closer look at the natural world to inspire fun art-making activities. With artist Niamh Synnott.
€10 (Booking essential)
Ages 4 – 7
Dublin 9
16th – 18th from 11.00am: City at Play: Funfairs!
Part of the St Patrick’s Festival, enjoy colourful carnival attractions for all the family at Custom House Quay.
€ Varied
All Ages
Dublin 1
18th at 11.30am & 2.15pm: Treasures from the Bog – Storymaking Workshop @ The Ark
Enjoy a creative and fun story-invention workshop with writer Kate Heffernan and illustrator Duffy Mooney-Sheppard inspired by the interesting things found in Irish bogs!
€11.50
Ages 5-7 & 8-12
Dublin 2
16th at 12.00pm: Under the Sea – Family Story Generator @ EPIC
Mum Tribe Ireland 