Family Indoor Activities

A top, free attraction in Belfast, the Ulster Museum captures the imaginations of old and young visitors alike. Home to rich collections of art, history and natural sciences all set within the beautiful surroundings of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens. Don’t miss Takabuti, the Theban mummy.

The Titanic Experience spans 9 galleries telling the story of the Titanic through interactive special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative features. Explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began.

Irish FA Tours tells the unique story of Northern Ireland football from 1880 to present day using a variety of media, interactive displays, key artefacts and behind the scenes access. A tour of the iconic grounds of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and visit to the Education and Heritage Centre allows visitors to relive their favourite moments following Northern Ireland and walk in the footsteps of footballing legends.

Immerse yourself in majestic locomotives, horse-drawn carriages, vintage motorbikes and cars, along with exhibits of historical materials, including photographs of the Titanic. You can easily reach the museum via NI Railways on the Belfast to Bangor line, getting off at Cultra Halt which is a 2 minute walk to the museum.

Prison Island is a MUST for the Bucket List for your visit to Belfast. With FOUR exciting activities in one venue, this is one place you won’t want to miss! Sink some steel with interactive axe throwing, put your teamwork to the test with 31 prison themed challenge cells, have a battle of the brains in a TV-style quiz or crack codes and solve puzzles in THINKBOX.

Exploris, Northern Ireland’s only Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary, has lots to see and do. View Asian Short Clawed Otters, Humboldt Penguins and Hector the Capybara up close! The centre also has a kids’ soft play area suitable for babies, toddlers, and juniors up to eight years old.

Nature and Nurture is an imaginative play centre just 15 minutes from the centre of Belfast in Lisburn Square. Does your little one want to be a doctor? Run a Café? Or perhaps work in a salon? They can explore the themed areas within the role play village which is sure to keep them entertained for the whole session!

There’s fun for all ages at Airtastic Belfast! Why not enjoy their massive Inflata Park, a 12 lane ten pin bowling alley, space themed 18 hole adventure golf course, soft play centre or prize winning amusement arcade on your next family day out?

W5 is Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre and provides a unique experience as well as fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. With exhibits and experiences covering everything from climate change and nature to film and TV production, optical illusions, built engineering, medical science and much, much more.

Owned by local Formula One racing legend Eddie Irvine, Eddie Irvine Sports has been delivering thrills and excitement to individuals, friends and families since 2003. They have a wide range of activities suitable for all ages. Feel the thrill of their indoor karting track, or immersive yourself in their virtual reality Formula 1 experience. As well as motor sports, Eddie Irvine’s also has football pitches, roller disco, padel tennis and more!

Go bowling with friends or family, the ideal activity for a rainy day. Try your hand at Xtreme Bowling at Dundonald International Ice Bowl, with glow balls and ultra violet lights for the extreme bowling experience.

High Rise is an adventure centre in Lisburn with lots of activities for all the family. Clip ‘n Climb is for kids aged 4+ (and adults!) and soft play is for little adventurers up to age 8. The centre has been designed to be inclusive and accessible to allow the whole family to enjoy outings together, and includes a Changing Places accessible toilet. Located just 10 minutes from Belfast and just off the M1 at Sprucefield, High Rise should be top of the list for anyone planning a family day out in Northern Ireland.

Airtastic Ultimate Challenges is Northern Ireland’s unmissable, interactive and state-of-the-art team game experience, exclusive to Airtastic Lisburn. Play as a team of 2-6 people as you navigate your way through 30 unique and fun challenge rooms which involve a mix of physical, mental and skill-based tasks. You can choose the difficulty level for each challenge – the harder the difficulty level you choose, the more points there are up for grabs! The aim of the game is simple – to gain maximum points for your team and become the Ultimate Champions!

Get your skates on at Dundonald International Ice Bowl with public sessions 7 days a week. Northern Ireland’s only public Olympic sized ice rink, Dundonald is the training ground for the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team. There is a 30 lane tenpin bowling centre with glow in the dark extreme sessions and Indiana Land, a wild, jungle inspired playground for under 12s.

Enjoy an epic adventure at The Lost City Adventure Golf – food, drinks and indoor fun for all ages. Open seven days a week from 10am, including Sundays, experience two indoor 18-hole jungle themed adventure golf courses, complete with incredible special effects and interactive obstacles. A great activity for the whole family on a rainy day!

This indoor family-run 21-hole golf course + a BONUS HOLE has been designed with only the golfer in mind. Golfers of all ages and sizes, regardless of talent, should feel like they can bring out their inner child and get that rivalry to an all-new high! This is the perfect boredom cure for a rainy day.

Don’t let bad weather spoil your plans, head to Northern Ireland’s first TrackMan Driving Range at Colin Glen – complete with a state-of-the-art Indoor Suite, 15 heated outdoor bays, 27” touchscreens and elite golf simulation software. TrackMan is also jam-packed with family-friendly interactive golf games for beginner and seasoned golfers alike, so bring the kids along and enjoy a different day out! 

Stay out of the rain and go swimming instead! Based in the heart of Lisburn City, the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex boasts the largest leisure pool in Northern Ireland. Dominating the vast free form family fun pool area is a great sunken pirate ship complete with water cannons and mast.

Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park is the largest centre of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering three high speed water slides, a surf simulator and children’s adventure aqua play area. This is the home of Surf Belfast,  Ireland’s only indoor surf simulator. Experience the thrill of catching a wave, whatever the conditions outside.

Visit Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex, leisure waters with flumes and sidewinder slide and three swimming pools.