Amanda PhillipsThings to do in Belfast
As the Easter holidays begin to beckon, parents will be wondering what to do to keep the children entertained during the two weeks. While the kids might be glad to be out of school but will soon run out of things to do, they’ll probably start to moan of boredom in a few days. Many families leave the big yearly holiday to the summer months, but a quick trip away during the Easter holidays can help relieve any cabin fever kids might be developing.
Families are usually looking for somewhere quick and cheap at this time, and we reckon a trip to the city of Belfast fits in with most family’s quick vacation criteria. Not too ambitious to travel to but far enough that it feels like a holiday and plenty to keep the kids entertained. Below we’ve rounded-up ten of our favourite family activities in the capital city of Northern Ireland.
1. Aunt Sandy’s Candy Factory
Aunt Sandra’s is a sweet shop in Belfast opened in 1953 and has held its reputation for making delectable hand-made treats. The shop attracts visitors from across the globe and the shop also offers candy and chocolate workshops.
2. Coca-Cola HBC Visitors Experience
Take your little sweet-toothed monster along to experience the making of one of the best loved drinks in the world. The Coca-Cola experience in Co. Antrim emerges visitors in the production of the drink, including the company’s heritage, environmental efforts and even career opportunities if your kids are dreaming of what they want to be when they grow up.
3. Ulster Museum
Set in the Botanic Gardens of Belfast, the Ulster Museum takes families on a tour of past and present. Walk with dinosaurs and stand next to a mummy – all for free!
4. Steam Trains Ireland
Travel back in time with your kids on a steam train. Weekend train trips regularly run between Belfast and Dublin, with stops along the way allowing for a family day trip. There is also a museum if you don’t fancy venturing on the train, and the entire centre is a not-for-profit run by volunteers with all money being funnelled back into the project.
5. The Alice Clock at Fountain Centre
Built to celebrate the millennium, the bells play every hour from 9am to 6pm and on every second hour Alice, The Mad Hatter and The White Rabbit emerge to see in the new hour, while religious figures commemorate the birth of Jesus every other hour.
6. W5 at Odyssey
Science Centres always end up on a family to-visit list and most cities have one, Belfast being no exception. The W5 at Odyssey is an award winning discovery centre with over 250 interactive exhibits and hosts a rotation of events, shows and exhibitions.
7. Colin Glen Forest Park
Located in Dunmurry at the base of the Belfast Hills, the Colin Glen Forest Park is a woodland glen with an abundance of outdoor activities. Take your kids along for some bubble ball football, outdoor laser tag and kayaking.
8. The Jungle
Another outdoor adventure park to take any sporty kids to is The Jungle, 45 minute west of Belfast. Activities on-site include archery, segways, llama treks and annual events including an Easter egg hunt.
9. Dundonald International Ice Bowl
While the name might suggest that this complex is simply an ice rink, there’s more on site to keep kids busy. If your kids aren’t into ice skating they can instead play in the jungle inspired indoor playground or have a go at ten-pin bowling.
10. Belfast Zoological Gardens
On the north-eastern slope of Cavehill, creating a tranquil zoo environment. The zoo has a host of animals from across the world, many of which are endangered and the zoo has breeding programmes and conservation programmes to help with their survival.