ZipIt Djouce Park offers adventure activities for families in Wicklow, including junior courses for children aged 3 and up. The location sits near the Wicklow Mountains with connections to walking trails and other attractions. This guide covers Djouce and other family activities across the county, including options beyond the well-known sites.
Wicklow markets itself as the Garden of Ireland. The tourist brochures show Glendalough, Powerscourt, the Sally Gap. These are fine. Worth visiting. But they are also where everyone goes.
Wicklow has more than its greatest hits. Beaches that rival anywhere in Ireland. Forests that feel genuinely wild. Villages with character. And for families with children, activities that go beyond looking at scenery.
This guide covers the range, from adventure parks to hidden beaches, from famous sites to places locals know but tourists miss.
Adventure Activities
ZipIt Djouce Park
Djouce Park sits in the northern Wicklow Mountains, approximately 45 minutes from Dublin.
The key feature for families: junior courses for children aged 3 and up. This is the only ZipIt location with courses designed for younger children. Lower platforms, age-appropriate challenges, sessions of one to two hours.
High ropes courses for ages 7+ run alongside, so families with mixed ages can all participate. Younger children on junior circuits, older children and adults on standard courses.
Amidst the stunning backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains visible beyond the trees, the course features a fantastic mix of low ropes for younger explorers and high-flying thrills for teens. Here, you’ll tackle a high ropes course and tree-top walk boasting over 20 unique elements, including balance bridges and the thrilling Djouce zipline, all soaring up to 12 meters above the ground.
Birthday parties available. Gift vouchers work at all ZipIt locations if you want flexibility on timing.
Sessions require advance booking.
Clara Lara Fun Park
Outdoor adventure park near Rathdrum. Water-based activities, go-karts, slides, adventure playground. Different from ZipIt in style: more varied activities, more infrastructure, younger age range catered for throughout.
Seasonal operation, typically April to September. Check opening times.
Russborough House Playground and Maze
The Palladian mansion has a beech hedge maze and adventure playground in the grounds. Combine with a house tour for variety, or just use the outdoor facilities for a shorter visit.
Beaches
Wicklow’s coastline is underrated. Some of the best beaches on the east coast:
Brittas Bay
The famous one, and deservedly so. Long sandy beach, dunes, space. Popular but big enough to absorb crowds. Approximately 50 minutes from Dublin, making it accessible for day trips.
Silver Strand, Wicklow Town
Smaller, more sheltered, easier to reach than Brittas. Good for families wanting beach time without a major expedition. The town nearby for lunch or supplies.
Magheramore Beach
Between Wicklow Town and Arklow. Less known, harder to find, more rewarding when you get there. A proper hidden beach. Access involves a walk.
Jack’s Hole, Greystones
Rocky cove south of Greystones with a small sandy area. Different character from the long strands. Good for rock pooling. The cliff walk from Bray to Greystones passes above.
Practical note: East coast beaches can be cold and windy even in summer. Wetsuits extend the season for children who want to swim. Lower expectations lead to pleasant surprises.
Walks Suitable for Families
Wicklow walking ranges from gentle strolls to serious mountain expeditions. Family-suitable options:
Glendalough Green Road
The path along the south side of the Upper Lake at Glendalough. Relatively flat, manageable for children, leads to views of the valley. The monastic site at the start adds historical interest.
Powerscourt Waterfall
Short walk from the car park to Ireland’s highest waterfall. Impressive after rain. Picnic areas. Can combine with Powerscourt Gardens (separate entrance, short drive away).
Great Sugar Loaf
The distinctive conical mountain visible from across Wicklow. Short but steep. Children who are comfortable walking uphill manage it. Panoramic views from the summit.
Avondale Forest Park
Near Rathdrum. Walking trails through the estate where Charles Stewart Parnell lived. Less dramatic than mountain walks but pleasant and manageable for younger children.
Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk
Coastal path with views. About 6km one way. Manageable for older children. Return by DART train makes logistics easier.
The Famous Sites
Worth mentioning even if well known:
Glendalough
The monastic settlement, the lakes, the valley. Genuinely impressive. Busy, especially in summer, but busy because it deserves to be. Visitor centre explains the history. Walking trails extend beyond the main sites.
Powerscourt Gardens
Formal gardens, terraces, views of Sugar Loaf. The garden playground gives children somewhere to run after the walking. Café on site. The waterfall is separate and requires a short drive.
Wicklow Gaol
Historical prison in Wicklow Town, now a museum. Interactive exhibits about Irish history, transportation, and prison life. Works for children old enough to engage with history. Indoors, so useful for rainy days.
Villages and Towns
Wicklow has villages worth stopping in:
Enniskerry
Pretty village at the foot of the mountains. Cafés, shops, useful as a lunch stop when visiting Powerscourt or Djouce Park.
Avoca
The weaving village. Handweavers’ mill with café and shop. More interesting than it sounds. The Ballykissangel TV series was filmed here, which may or may not mean anything to your family.
Roundwood
Claims to be the highest village in Ireland. A few pubs and cafés. Useful stop on routes through the mountains.
Blessington
Lakeside town on the western edge of Wicklow. The reservoir behind the dam is large. Boat trips available. Gateway to the western Wicklow Mountains.
Rainy Day Options
Wicklow is outdoors-focused, but rain happens:
Wicklow Gaol
Historical exhibits, mostly indoors. Educational and reasonably engaging for children.
Glendalough Visitor Centre
The exhibition explains the monastic settlement. Useful if rain hits during a Glendalough visit.
Cafés and villages
Enniskerry, Avoca, Roundwood, and other villages have cafés where families can wait out showers.
Dublin
Forty-five minutes to the city with its museums, cinemas, and indoor attractions. Sometimes the practical answer to a wet Wicklow day.
Planning a Wicklow Day
From Dublin: Most of Wicklow is within an hour of Dublin. Djouce Park about 45 minutes. Glendalough about an hour. Brittas Bay about 50 minutes.
From other directions: Wicklow is accessible from Wexford, Carlow, and Kildare via various routes.
Combining activities: A morning adventure activity (Djouce Park, Clara Lara) combines well with an afternoon beach or village visit. Glendalough plus Avoca makes a varied day. Do not over-schedule; children tire.
Food: Many outdoor locations have limited facilities. Pack snacks. Plan lunch in a village or town rather than relying on on-site options.
Weather: Mountain weather differs from coastal weather. Bring layers. Waterproofs always. Check forecasts but expect them to be wrong.
Ages and Stages
Under 3s: Beaches, short walks, villages, Powerscourt Gardens. Limited adventure activity options.
Ages 3-6: Djouce Park junior course, Clara Lara, beaches, easy walks, playgrounds. The age range where Djouce stands out because other adventure parks exclude them.
Ages 7-12: Full range of options. High Ropes course, longer walks, beaches, all attractions.
Teenagers: ZipIt (challenging courses), Bray to Greystones cliff walk, Great Sugar Loaf, beaches if framed correctly. May need persuading but usually enjoy once there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Djouce Park for adventure (ages 3+), Brittas Bay for beach, Clara Lara for variety. Depends on interests and weather.
Northern Wicklow (Enniskerry, Djouce) about 45 minutes. Central Wicklow (Glendalough, Rathdrum) about an hour. Southern Wicklow (Arklow) about 90 minutes.
Outdoor-focused, so rain limits options. Wicklow Gaol, cafés, and retreating to Dublin are the main alternatives.
Yes, but do not over-schedule. A morning adventure activity plus an afternoon beach or gentle walk is plenty. Three major activities will exhaust everyone.
Yes, in summer. Water temperature is bracing by international standards. Wetsuits help. Lifeguards at Brittas Bay during peak season.
ZipIt requires advance booking. Clara Lara does not usually require booking but check for busy periods. Most other activities are turn-up.
Book Wicklow Adventure
ZipIt Djouce Park offers high ropes for all ages in the Wicklow Mountains. Junior courses for ages 3+, standard courses for ages 7+. Tibradden Wood is another option closer to Dublin for ages 7+.
Book online or contact the team to check availability.
