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The school holidays are here, and if you're wondering how to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks, we've got you covered. Whether the sun is shining or the Northern Ireland weather has other ideas, we have five indoor and outdoor activities to get you and your family out of the house this summer!
So pop on the sunnies, grab the kids (and an umbrella, just in case) and get going! Whichever adventure you choose, don't forget to bring along a few Dale Farm favourites. Whether it’s a refreshing packet of Fruit Blasts on the go or a delicious Planet Pop grabbed from the shop on the way home, every great summer’s day out needs a sweet ending.
If there's one thing we can count on during a Northern Ireland summer, it's that the weather will keep us guessing! Unfortunately, not every day can be a beach day, but we have the perfect indoor activities for the whole family, rain or shine!
This summer, Cinemagic is bringing free family film screenings to communities across Northern Ireland. On July 8th, families can enjoy Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers at the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy, or catch the Irish animated classic The Secret of Kells, which comes to the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre in Limavady on August 1st . Both screenings are free to attend, and guests are invited to bring a food donation to help support the local food banks. It's a lovely way to enjoy a family day out while supporting your community and keep the kids entertained over the school holidays.
On August 5th, the movie magic continues as part of the Belfast Fleadh, with a celebration of Irish animations including screenings of The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers at the Belfast Barge. Of course, no movie day is complete without some cinema snacks, so grab a multipack of Fruit Blasts for your kids to enjoy during the film. Check the latest Cinemagic programme and book your free tickets in advance - they're sure to be popular!
This summer, you and your little ones can embark on a space adventure at W5 in Belfast. From now until the end of August, W5 has transformed into a Space Explorer Academy, which takes kids on an exciting astronaut training mission where they can take part in activities and challenges to earn their prestigious Mission Accomplished Certificate!
When you arrive at Cosmic Kids HQ, your kids will suit up for their mission before building their own rockets and boarding the space shuttle to take them to the W5 Space Station! Along the way, you’ll see genuine space artefacts including a real moon rock and astronaut space suit - how cool is that? When you reach The Bridge in the space station, you’ll be surrounded by 360-degree views of the galaxy. Here, your kids will have the chance to draw their own robots, rockets and aliens and see them come to life on the big screen!
Once you’re past The Bridge, budding engineers can put their creativity to the test by building and launching their own air-powered rockets to earn their Cosmic Launcher Award. For the explorers, the mission is simple: get your Mars rover across the rocky, uneven terrain to get your Rover Engineering Award! Before heading back down to Earth, make sure to stop in for a space keepsake at their zero-gravity photo station to remember the day long after the mission ends! After all that strenuous space exploration, there’s only one mission left: head to Spar Titanic for a Dale Farm Planet Pop - your little ones will be over the moon! Its colourful planet shape and out-of-this-world flavour make it the perfect treat to end your space journey.
When the sun does decide to make an appearance, make the most of it with a family day out at Let’s Go Hydro. Located in Carryduff, just a 20-minute drive from Belfast city centre, it’s the perfect place to get your kids away from their screens and out into the sun. Let your little ones burn off some energy by racing across the giant inflatable Aqua Park, while your even littler ones splash around in the Puddle Park.
For those fancying something a bit more adventurous, try tackling the Hydro Circuit. This all-day pass lets you take on the Aqua Park, wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding all in one day - the kids will definitely get a good night’s sleep after that! The best part is, you probably won't hear a single "Are we going home yet?". In fact, you'll likely have trouble convincing the kids it's finally time to leave.
It's not just the children who'll have all the fun. If getting soaked isn't your thing, why not take yourself over to the padel courts and play a game or two while everyone else makes a splash? After a full day in the sunshine, there's only one way to cool off…stop in at the Centra just across the road and treat your little ones to a refreshing multipack of Fruit Blasts. Each pack contains three full-size bags that are bursting with fruity flavour. After all, nothing says summer quite like an ice lolly after a day by the water!
If the sun’s out and you’re looking for a family day out that has a little bit of everything, we have just the place. Head to Pickie Funpark in Bangor - it’s the perfect place to spend a summer’s day taking in the coastal views and fresh sea breeze. Entry to Pickie Funpark is free and comes with access to the play park and splash pad. For all other activities, you can choose to purchase an all-day pass covering unlimited use of attractions for £15 or tokens for individual rides and attractions, making it easier to plan a day out that suits your family and your budget.
Your little ones can start by climbing aboard the Pickie Puffer miniature train for a spin around the park, before pedalling around Swan Lake on the famous Pickie Swans. If you haven’t got your seaside fix yet, why not try out Pickie’s nautical-themed 18-hole mini golf course? If you want to make things interesting, have the winner pick which Dale Farm ice cream the family gets to enjoy after the day’s over!
If the kids aren’t tired yet, take them to the large adventure playground for a run around or the splash pad if you’ve packed a change of clothes. With the Pickie Flume ride, carnival games and lots more, there’s something fun for everyone in the family to enjoy!
Pickies is located right beside Bangor Marina, making it the perfect spot if you want to head for a relaxing picnic or take a stroll along the waterfront - just make sure you’ve packed some Dale Farm lollies to appease your little ones after all the running about. Check out our brand new range of picnic favourites!
If you're looking for a budget-friendly family day out that's filled with adventure (and a little bit of magic), Slieve Gullion Forest Park should be top of your summer’s day out bucket list. Located in the Ring of Gullion in County Armagh, Slieve Gullion is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Not only can you enjoy some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful scenery, you can also participate in a mix of outdoor activities, as well as learn about local myths and legends!
Start your adventure at the Adventure Playpark, where there's something for every age; your little ones can explore the dedicated toddler area, while your older children tackle the climbing frames and zoom down the famous Slieve Gullion Zipline. There's even an outdoor gym for grown-ups if you fancy joining in!
Once the kids have slid, climbed and zoomed to their heart’s content, step into the magical world of Fionn's Giant Adventure. Follow the woodland trail, where you’ll come across giant sculptures, fairy houses, dragons, and witches, all while learning about the famous mythical giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill and going on a mission to save him from the wicked witch. They even have an app that lets you take photos with Fionn Mac Cumhaill as you make your way along his magical trail. It's the perfect way to get little legs going without anyone noticing they've trekked over a mile through the forest!
If you're not quite ready to head home, there's even more to discover. Take a stroll along one of the forest trails or hop in the car for the 10km Scenic Forest Drive, where you'll be treated to beautiful views across the Ring of Gullion and Mourne Mountains. And of course you’ll have to stop at one of the many Centra, Eurospars or Tesco’s along the way to grab a multipack of Fruit Blasts for the kids to enjoy during the car journey home. After all, you’ll be famished from all that walking!
If scenic drives are your thing, check out our blog for more family road trips you can take this summer!
