Let’s be honest — getting kids to put down their phones and step away from the PlayStation can feel like a herculean task. But the secret weapon? Ireland’s great outdoors! With its forests, lakes, coastlines, and wildlife, Ireland is basically one big natural playground waiting to be explored.
If you’re looking for screen-free Irish family adventures, Zipit has just the solution. Check out our guide to the top five ways to get your kids off screens and into nature, including our very own Forest Adventure Parks in Ireland!
1. Go Soaring Through the Trees at Zipit
If your kids think nothing can beat video games, wait until you send them flying through the canopies! At Zipit, the whole family can tackle obstacle courses, ziplines, and climbing walls, enjoying the ultimate adventure outdoors.
We have locations across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Roscommon, and Wicklow. Our circuits are designed for everyone. Kids ages seven and up can start on the lower courses, while teens and adventurous parents can take on dizzying heights above the forest floor. And if you’ve got little ones, our Wicklow park has a low ropes course designed especially for adventurers as young as three!
Zipit isn’t just about thrills. Up in the trees, kids will build confidence, learn teamwork, and discover their resilience. You can also learn more about How Outdoor Adventures Improve Mental Health with our blog!
2. Enjoy Family Hikes and Nature Trails in Ireland
Sometimes the simplest adventures are the best. Ireland is crisscrossed with family-friendly hiking trails that can turn a simple walk into a real adventure. And since our courses are located in Coillte forests, you’ll find hikes to enjoy before or after your time at Zipit!
In Tibradden Wood, the 2.4-kilometre Tibradden Mountain Trail leads to a scenic summit and an ancient cairn. If you visit our course in Farran Park, you can enjoy the leisurely Woodland Loop around the park. Lough Key Forest Park has numerous walking trails to choose from, and there are plenty more Outdoor Adventures in Roscommon’s Beautiful Forests. And should you join us at Djouce Park, you won’t want to miss taking a hike to Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland’s highest waterfall!
3. Come Face-to-Face with Wildlife in Ireland
If you want to get your kid to look up from their phone, a lion or tiger might just do the trick. Down in Cork, the Fota Wildlife Park is always a hit — where else can you see cheetahs up close or even feed giraffes? And in the Irish capital, the Dublin Zoo in Phoenix Park offers a one-of-a-kind outing, where you can see an extraordinary diversity of animals, including snow leopards, wolves, elephants, and gorillas.
Around Ireland, kids can enjoy encounters with more gentle creatures. Also in Phoenix Park, you’ll come across a herd of fallow deer roaming freely, while in Farran Park, a red deer enclosure lets you admire these beautiful animals up close.
4. Hit Ireland’s Waters
Ireland’s lakes, rivers, and coastlines are perfect for some family fun. At Lough Key, you can make a whole day of it: climb through the treetops at Zipit in the morning, then paddle a kayak across the sparkling lake in the afternoon! Over in Cork, you can join a boat cruise from the harbour and maybe even spot some whales. If you want an even more immersive experience, going kayaking in Dingle will see you paddling past cliffs, coves, and possibly dolphins.
Of course, you can always enjoy a leisurely dip in the sea if you can brave the Atlantic waters. For a more thrilling experience, try your hand at surfing at popular spots like Donegal or Sligo. A little rough and tumble in the waves certainly beats sitting in front of a screen!
5. Discover Ireland’s Adventure Zones
For families who want action-packed variety, Ireland’s adventure parks are unbeatable. Clara Lara FunPark in Wicklow is a paradise for kids, with water slides, rafts, obstacle courses, and even mini-golf tucked into a forest setting. In Cork, Fota Island Adventure takes fun to the next level, with challenging activities like archery and bushcraft, where you learn to start a fire, build a shelter, and cook in the bush. If you still need more help convincing to get the kids outside, check out our blog about Why Every Family Needs an Outdoor Escape!
Join Zipit and Trade the Screens for Scenes!
The glow of a phone may be hard to compete with, but getting the family outside for even just a few hours every week can do a world of wonders. Whether you go kayaking, hiking, or zipping through the trees with us, few things are as beneficial as breathing some fresh air and getting your heart pumping.
And with Zipit’s locations across Ireland, we offer plenty of opportunities for you and the family to get outdoors! Book your spots online ahead of time to enjoy special family discounts and avoid any disappointment on the day. If you have any questions about our courses, don’t hesitate to contact us. The outdoors are waiting!
