50 FREE DAYS OUT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Because the best memories don’t have to cost a thing!

Northern Ireland is packed with wild landscapes, historic treasures, and open spaces , perfect for exploring with little ones without spending a penny. Whether you're chasing waves, climbing castle walls, or getting muddy in forests, here's my pick of the best free days out with kids across Northern Ireland. (Some car park charges)

Explore the Giants at the Giant’s Causeway (County Antrim)

Yes it’s free! If you park in the town of Bushmills and walk the coastal path, you can enjoy the Giant’s Causeway and its 40,000 basalt columns without paying for the visitor centre. Kids will love hopping along the rocks and hearing the legend of Finn McCool.

Get Wild at Crawfordsburn Country Park (County Down)

With a beach, forest trails, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife, Crawfordsburn is a hit with kids of all ages. There’s even a play park and open grasslands for ball games or kite flying.

Scarva Park (County Armagh)

A peaceful, fun-filled spot that’s perfect for a relaxing day out with the kids. A fun playpark, lake walk and space to kick a ball.

Explore Antrim Castle Gardens (County Antrim)

This historic gem has ornamental gardens amd woodlands to roam. The paths are buggy-friendly and great for toddlers learning to scoot.

Castle Park (County Tyrone)

The New Castlederg Adventure playpark is brilliant for wee adventurers, with peaceful parkland around Castlederg Castle it is ideal for exploration or picnicking.

Fairy Hunting in Slieve Gullion Forest Park (County Armagh)

The Giant’s Lair is a magical trail filled with fairy houses, talking trees, and storybook creatures. It’s completely free and a must-do for little adventurers. Don’t forget the adventure play park and scenic lake views. (Car park charges)

Botanic Gardens & Ulster Museum (Belfast)

Technically two freebies in one! The Botanic Gardens are beautiful to roam, with wide open lawns, tropical greenhouses, and space to run. Just next door, the Ulster Museum offers dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, and hands-on exhibits, all for free.

Beach Day at Portrush (County Londonderry)

Let the kids paddle, build sandcastles, and hunt for Shells the possibilities are endless on a beach. Take a picnic to save some pennies. Parking fees apply if you're bringing a car.

Glenariff Forest Park (The Queen of the Glens – County Antrim)

Waterfalls, forest trails, and panoramic views. Glenariff is a treat for older kids who love hiking. There are shorter trails for younger walkers too, all winding through some of Northern Ireland’s most breathtaking scenery.

Picnic and Play at Lurgan Park (County Armagh)

One of the largest urban parks in Ireland, Lurgan Park boasts lakes, a large play area, and wide-open green spaces. It’s ideal for a relaxed, no-pressure day out.

Ballycastle Beach & Marina (County Antrim)

Soft sand, calm waves, and a harbour wall for a scenic walk. Ballycastle is ideal for a beach day. Free to explore, and close to cafes if you fancy a treat.

Castlewellan Forest Park (County Down)

While there’s a small fee for parking, entry to the park is free for walkers and cyclists. There’s a fantastic Peace Maze, forest walks, and a play park for all ages.

Bangor’s Pickie Fun Park (free areas only)

While the pedal swans and train ride cost money, the large play area, splash pad (in summer), and coastal walk are all free. A great place to burn off energy.

Stormont Estate (East Belfast)

Kids can run wild on the huge lawns, woodland trails, and at the brilliant play park. It’s a peaceful place for family walks with tons of space to roam.

Derry/Londonderry Walls Walk (County Londonderry)

Walk the historic city walls and take in views across the city. There are plaques and murals to explore, and it’s a great opportunity for older kids to learn some local history.

Tollymore Forest Park (Newcastle, County Down)

While parking has a fee, the walking and exploring are totally free. Think stepping stones, tree covered paths, and Game of Thrones-style scenery.

Ormeau Park (South Belfast)

One of the city’s best urban parks with a fantastic play area, wide paths for scooting or biking, and loads of green space for picnics or football.

The Dark Hedges (Ballymoney)

Famous from Game of Thrones, this hauntingly beautiful road is free to walk along and fun for imaginative kids. (Think fairy woods or spooky stories!)

Margery Country Park (County Armagh)

A small but cheerful play area suited for toddlers and young children, plus a multi-use games area perfect for football, basketball, or tag. With woodland and lakeside walks.

Ballyronan Marina & Nature Reserve (Lough Neagh)

With a great play park, small beach, a forest walk, and a jetty to watch the boats, Ballyronan is a peaceful spot for a gentle family day out.

Kilbroney Forest Park (Rostrevor)

This one's a forest playground dream, giant climbing structures, fairy glens, and even Narnia-themed sculptures. Parking fees apply, but entry is free.

Cave Hill Country Park (Belfast)

Explore the castle grounds, stroll to the caves, or hike up to Napoleon’s Nose. Kids will love the views and sense of adventure and the adventure play park on offer.

Loughgall Park (County Armagh)

If you're looking for an outdoor spot that combines playful trails, lakeside rambles, games, and space to roam, Loughgall Country Park is a fantastic choice for a family day out (car park charge)

Dungannon Park (County Tyrone)

A scenic lake, ducks to feed, a play park, and woodland walks. A peaceful retreat for all ages.

Holywood Beach & Coastal Walk (County Down)

A sandy shoreline and fun playground just off the town centre. The coastal path offers great views and space to stretch little legs.

Donaghadee Coastal Walk & Lighthouse (County Down)

Walk the scenic harbour, explore the rocky shore, and spot the iconic lighthouse. Kids can watch boats or climb around the harbour wall.

Roe Valley Country Park (Limavady)

Woodland trails, riverbanks, and old mills make this a quiet, nature-packed day out. Great for walking and exploring.

Belfast Hills, Division and Black Mountain

If your kids enjoy climbing and epic views, this one’s for them. The ridge trail is manageable and offers sweeping views over Belfast.

Hillsborough Forest Park (County Down)

Large woodland playground with tractor‑styled structures, picnic areas and a lakeside walk with sculpture trail. Don’t forget to download the free app.

Marine Gardens Play Park (Carrickfergus)

Ship-themed play equipment, zipline and toddler areas make this play park a lot of fun.

Peatlands Park (County Armagh)

A hidden gem with buggy-friendly boardwalks, forest trails and a small playpark to enter the wee ones.

Delamont Country Park (County Down)

You do have to pay a parking charge, but this park has it all. Swings, slides, and lots of trails. Think big walks and tall stones. Perfect spot for tiny explorers with big energy.

Gortin Glen Forest Park (Omagh)

Woodland trails, animal sculptures, and panoramic views from the driving loop. The play park here is fantastic as is the cafe.

Dundrum Castle (County Down)

Free to visit the castle ruins, kids love climbing and exploring the coastal views with interpretive boards.

Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm (Craigavon)

A fabulous Forest-themed playground suitable for all ages. With the added bonus of animal encounters on the their small free farm.

Newcastle beach & Park (County Down)

With views of the Mourne mountains this beach and park has the most scenic backdrop.

Oxford Island (County Armagh)

With nature trails wild walks and scenic views of the Lough. A brilliant play park makes this free day out the perfect spot.

Explore Davgh Forest (County Tyrone)

Perfect for little explorers Davagh Forest us it all. A great play park, pump track for the keen bike riders, nature trails, a giant sculpture and head to the OM observatory to learn about space.

V36 Valley Park (Belfast)

Another brilliant playpark for all ages. With a sculpture trail around the park and lots of areas for a picnic.

Down Country Museum (County Down)

Learn about the rich local history in the museum set in an old gaol of 1796. There's plenty of interesting exhibits and hand on activities.

Wallace Park (Lisburn)

With an excellent children’s play area, some beautiful walks and duck pond to feed the ducks.

Ballymena People's Park

A fantastic enclosed play park, lake with ducks, and open space for play. Check out the sensory garden and the sleaze park also.

Palace Demesne Public Park (Armagh)

Sensory playground, tunnels, climbing walls, and historic gardens make this free park a fabulous day out.

Drum Manor Forest Park (Cookstown)

Great woodland walks, a pond to feed the ducks, amd a play park make a great day out. (Parking Charges apply)

Gosford Forest (Armagh)

Parking charged at £5 per car. This forest park has many trails. With a great play park for all ages and by following the play trail you will come across some stunning sculptures.

Moira Demesne (County Down)

Great enclosed play park, short walks, and picnic zones. Another free day out to tick off on the list.

Warrenpoint Seafront (County Down)

Warrenpoint’s seafront promenade is a brilliant place for little legs to run free. There’s a lovely play park right by the water where kids can climb, swing, and slide with views of the sparkling sea all around.

Ballyarnet Country Park (County Londonderry)

Ballyarnett Park with a modern playground suitable for kids of all ages. It’s also a nature-filled wonderland great for scenic walking.

Iniscarn Forest (County Londonderry)

Iniscarn Forest, think towering trees, mossy logs, and the sound of birds overhead. With a new playpark recently installed if the wee ones dont want to climb to the top of Sleive Gallion.

An Creagàn (County Tyrone)

It’s a mix of forest, bogland, nature trails, and hands-on fun, with something for every age. With a natural play area, the wild woods and a boardwalk trail.

Northern Ireland is full of opportunities to get outdoors, connect as a family, and spark kids’ imaginations, without breaking the bank. So grab your rucksack some snacks, and a sense of adventure!