Most school holidays are based around traditional and seasonal events like Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
But the school break in February is just that. A break.
You are not tied to a speific event type and can instead plan some fun days out with your family.
Below are a selection of things to do around Ireland during the February mid-term break.
Spring into Action - Virtual Quiz
Follow this online trail with a National Museum of Ireland - Natural History Educator as you explore the museum using the 3D Virtual Visit and find out more about the animals you’ll see in action this spring. Along the way they will test your knowledge with a short quiz, so grab a pencil and some paper!
- Venue: Natural Museum of Ireland Online
- When: The links to view the online trail on YouTube or Facebook will be made available at 11am on Tuesday, 22nd February.
The popular Playcentres in Kingscourt and Trim will be open daily over the mid-term break offering their usual mix of fun child's play and relaxing parent time. A perfect day out in any weather. Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: The Playcentre, Cavan & Trim
- When: Open Daily
- Admission: Pay on arrival
Kidspace Rathfarnham & Rathcoole
Kidspace Playcentres, located in Rathcoole (suitable for 0-10 year olds) and Rathfarnham (suitable for 0-8 year olds) have been designed with both parents and children in mind, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable visit for the whole family. The Nest Café located in each venue serves delicious coffees, meals, snacks and offers free wifi.
They are running lots of different events over the mid-term including Drop Off Pamper session, lego session, slime session and the popular Frozen breakfast. Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: Kidspace Rathoole & Rathfarnham
- When: Open daily; mid-term break activities Tuesday-Friday in Rathcoole and Wednesday-Friday in Rathfarnham.
- Admission: Online, in advance
While many of us hibernated over winter, Castleview Open Farm have been very busy and completely revamped their Maze, added an outdoor Berg Go-Kart track and a Petting Paddock. Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: Laois
- When: Open daily 11-6pm during the weekends and school holidays
- Admission: Pay on arrival
The mid-term provides the perfect opportunity to have a family adventure. Why not try the high adrenaline octagon with high ropes challenges split over two levels followed by Ireland's longest Zipline! There is also a new and extended low ropes course, which can offers an exciting experience for your smaller adventurers ( 3-8 years old). Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: Castlecomer Discovery Park
- When: Park open daily for walkers. Adventure activities open 25th, 26th & 27th February
- Admission: Online, in advance only
Featuring two indoor soft play areas to welcome children of all ages, two outdoor play areas to welcome smaller and bigger kids as well as an indoor petting barn, outdoor padlocks and an enclosed duck pond, The Ark Puddenhill has something for every family this mid-term.
- Venue: The Ark, Puddenhill
- When: Open Daily
- Admission: Pay on arrival. No need to book
Illustrate your own story book.
Illustrations and pictures can tell a thousand words but have you ever wanted to try your hand at it yourself? In this layered illustrations and simple no-sew book-making workshop with artist Kim Sharkey, you will get that chance to do just that!
- Venue: Temple Bar, Dublin
- When: 25th & 26th Feb @ 11am (Ages 5-7) & 2pm (Ages 8-12)
- Admission: Pre-book online
Mid-Term Activities at Airfield Estate
Get back to nature by exploring the seasonal trails, meeting the new lambs and calves on the farm at Airfield Estate this mid-term. A perfect day out in the heart of Dundrum.
- Venue: Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Co. Dublin
- When: Open daily from 19th - 27th February 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Admission: Prebook online or pay on arrival
One of Ireland's most popular tourist destinations continues to expand offering it's visitors a thrilling experience. Featuring animals that used to freely roam the Irish countryside including bears, wolves, lynx, monkeys, deer, goats and more. Take a walk on the wild side this mid-term break!
- Venue: Wild Ireland, Burnfoot, Donegal
- When: Open daily for morning and afternoon sessions during mid-term
- Admission: Booking online, in advance
Enjoy a day out in the sunny southeast and experience wildlife from around the world at Secret Valley Wildlife Park. Get to hand feed the Llamas and Alpacas, have a go on the Quad Train and bottle feed the baby goats! They have everything from creepy crawlies to pony rides with plenty of hands on activities with the animals for you to enjoy. Special 'Kids go Free with a paying adult' offer available this week.
- Venue: Secret Valley Wildlife Park
- When: Open daily during mid-term
- Admission: Online, in advance
Tearaway's Pet Farm & Activity Centre
There are lots of indoor and outdoor activities to keep all the family happy and active, whatever the weather next week. There is a huge indoor activity centre with slides, crawling tunnels, ball pits and a separate toddler area. Tearaways also has a coffee shop for you to relax in whilst your kids play and have fun.
- Venue: Tearaway,Clonmona, Rathcabbin, Co. Tipperary
- When: Thursday-Sunday during mid-term
- Admission: Online, in advance
Mid-Term Bowling and Indoor Fun
Leisureplex offers you the ultimate bowling experience, where strikes and spares are the name of the game! They also have kiddie ramps and ball walls for the youngest bowlers so they can strike out too!
Leisureplex also offers fun indoor playtime in the Zoo Playland to run off some energy if the weather turns. The soft-play adventure zones are a maze of slides, tunnels and ball pools with comfortable seating areas for Mum and Dad to relax and watch the kids play. Height restrictions apply.
- Venue: Leisureplex Tallaght, Leisureplex Charlestown, Leisureplex Coolock, Leisureplex Blanchardstown and Leisureplex Cork.
- When: Open Daily – Bowling 10am-10pm, Zoo Playland 10am-7pm (last entry 5.30pm)
- Admission: Pay on arrival or book online
The National Wax Museum Plus is located in the heart of Dublin's city centre and offers a museum experience unlike any other, whether you are young or old, a culture vulture or fun seeker. A fun family day out. Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: National Wax Museum, Dublin.
- When: Open Daily, 10am - 7pm
- Admission: Pay at the door or book in advance online
SkyPark is the largest aerial adventure course in Ireland with more than thirty obstacles and seven zip wires. But, it is not all about heights as they also have some fantastic Land Activities including FootGolf, Frisbee, Mini-Golf and Ireland's Ancient East Maze. Special YourDaysOut 2-1 offer available this week.
- Venue: Sky Park, Carlingford, Co. Louth
- When: Daily
- Admission: Online, in advance
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Make the most of your time with the children and plan a fun day out for the whole family in Dublin’s Docklands!
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum – voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2019, 2020 & 2021 – and The Jeanie Johnston are offering FREE entry to children aged 17 and under, when accompanied by a paying adult.
EPIC is a fun and interactive experience for kids, adults and grandparents alike. Whether children are exploring the 200 year old vaults, swiping through the interactive quizzes, dancing to Riverdance or getting their mugshot in the Rogues Gallery, they’re sure to be entertained and educated.
- Venue: CHQ Building, Dublin
- When: Open Daily
- Admission: Book online or pay on arrival
Originally published on Lifestyle on RTE.ie
