Things to do in April in Dublin and surrounding areas

I have put together a list of things to do with your family in April in Dublin and surrounding areas. I find sometimes when you are looking for things to do you totally forget what is on so this is a handy guide that you can keep coming back to. Some events are a little drive outside Dublin but I have linked all events so you can see where they are and what suits you best. Hope it gives you some ideas of things to do!

National Museum of Ireland

Monday 1st April – Tuesday 30th April 2019

We bring history to life for over a million visitors every year. At our three Dublin sites and one in Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) holds the national collections of Archaeology, Decorative Arts, History, Ethnography, Folklife and Natural History in trust for the people of Ireland. Our mission is to put people – visitors, staff and partners – at the centre of all that we do, and engage with them in new and creative ways. And with over four million objects in our collections, we have a continual source of inspiration for our programmes.

Please click on the link below to discover all the events taking place across the four Museum sites.

https://www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events

Explorium Ireland

Opening Hours:

Science & Sport: Mon – Fri 3pm – 6pm.

Sat + Sun 10am – 6pm.

Junior : Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5pm.

Sat + Sun 10am – 6pm.

Find us just off exit 13/14 on the M50 South or Northbound OPPOSITE LAMB DOYLES, Blackglen Road, Sandyford, Dublin D18 N1F2

A key philosophy at Explorium is to challenge both mind and body so we have also created sporting areas that will encourage our visitors to push their limits.

Find more information on their website below:

https://www.explorium.ie/?fbclid=IwAR1OyIu3fPH6H0zuH5F7qp2vNCVheH4j872xert1d8ZYDXYhy2h2JG7N-7s

Babies love Books – Tallaght Library

Every Thursday 10.00am – 11.00am

Tallaght Library

Tallaght

Dublin 24

Join us in the library every Thursday at 10.00am for our Babies Love Books sessions. Come along for this free hour of songs, stories and play! All welcome.

https://m.facebook.com/Tallaghtlibrary/photos/a.430553871702/10157057044211703/?type=3

Grandparents go free at Imaginosity each term-time Tuesday

Tuesday 2nd, 9th and 30th April 2019

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandyford

Dublin 18

Don’t forget Grandparents go FREE each term time Tuesday at Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum!

https://www.facebook.com/events/303347713843520/

Dublin Zoo: Parent and Toddler Sessions

Wednesday 3rd and Wednesday 17th April – 10.00am – 11.30am

Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park

Dublin 8

Join our Parent and Toddler mornings in Dublin Zoo where toddlers will get an opportunity to learn more about our wonderful wildlife through stories, crafts and visits to some of our habitats. Book early to secure your spot!

Age: recommended for up to 3 year olds.

To book: http://bit.ly/DZParentToddler

Further details: e-mail education@dublinzoo.ie or telephone 01 4748932

Meeting Point: Farmhouse

https://www.facebook.com/events/592480237877809/?event_time_id=592480251211141

Easter Drop-By Kids’ Activities – Botanic Gardens

Sunday 4th – Sunday 28th April – 11.00am, 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm

Botanic Gardens

Glasnevin

Dublin

Join us for fun spring time garden activities in the dedicated Children’s Erasmus Education Garden! Check out our main Facebook page to find out the week’s activity in advance.

Suitable from ages 4 and up. All children must bring their own grown up

Time:

No bookings required, first come first served

https://www.facebook.com/events/564403784044597/?active_tab=about

Early Years Music Show: Smile – The Ark

Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April – 10.30 – 11.20 and 12.00pm – 12.50pm

The Ark

11a Eustace Street

Dublin 2

oin us for a delightful performance of magical chamber music for little ears performed by three exceptional musicians.

Filled with fantastic music by well-known classical composers including Bach, Bartok, Ravel, Copland and more played on cello, violin and viola, Smile will take you on a delightful musical adventure to help Augustus the Tiger find his smile again.

Smile is a show by MishMash Productions from the UK and is based on Catherine Rayner’s book Augustus and His Smile.

This show has been programmed with the approval of the children on the BIG BANG Dublin Festival Ambassador team!

BIG BANG Dublin is presented by The Ark in collaboration with Zonzo Compagnie with the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

https://www.facebook.com/events/330111020945539/

Young Growers – Airfield Estate

Sunday 7th April – 10.00am – 12.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

This NEW class is designed for enthusiastic gardeners aged 5-8!

7th April: In our first workshop, children will tour the gardens of Airfield to learn about what’s growing at this time of year. They will learn about gardening routines and gardening tools and make their own mini terrarium to take home.

23rd June: In this workshop, our budding gardeners will learn how to identify herbs and other plants by sight, taste and smell. They will learn the culinary and medicinal uses of flowers and herbs and will make their own herbal infusion.

7th July: Bees and insects play a really important role in making sure we have delicious fruits and vegetables to eat. In this workshop, we will go into the garden to observe the world of bees, and learn how they make honey and why it is so important for us to protect them. We will also plant a bee-friendly flower to take home and hunt for bugs in the woodlands.

1st September: Most of the food we eat comes from the soil, so every aspiring gardener needs to know about the earth beneath our feet. In this workshop, we will investigate all things soil including carrying out a soil experiment and painting with soil.

If you would like to book all 4 classes at a reduced rate of €95 (€85 for members) please phone us on 01 969 6666, select option 1.

https://www.facebook.com/events/407862353126586/?event_time_id=407862356459919

Tiny Tots Tuesday: Bump Baby and Me Yoga – EPIC

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10:30 AM – 12 PM

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Custom House Quay

Dublin D01 T6K4

Calling all Parents and Tots! We all need a break from the chaos every now and then, and this EPIC Tiny Tots Tuesday, we’re taking a moment to relax with our little ones.

Join Kathy from Bump Baby and Me for a fun and energetic yoga class, focusing on stretching, strengthening and balancing your body while connecting you to your breath and baby. Babies are natural little yogis so let’s encourage this along with entertaining them with some songs & rhymes too! Tea and coffee will also be provided by the lovely Bakehouse CHQ.

This class is suitable for all levels of fitness (& after postnatal check-up) and for babies from approx. 6/8 weeks up until pre-crawling.

Bring your baby’s essentials, some water and a mat if you have one (some spare mats will be available).

Spaces are limited so early booking is advised! 1 Ticket includes entry for one baby and one accompanying adult.

Participants at this event can also avail of a 20% discount on tickets to our museum and 20% off in our gift shop (discount does not apply to items already discounted). Just present your Eventbrite ticket or email at the check-out!

A little about Kathy:

Kathy is the proud mum of two little girls and her third baby is her Pre & Postnatal Business Bump, Baby and Me! She teaches Pregnancy Yoga, Baby Massage, Postnatal Mum & Baby Yoga, and co-runs MumFit – a specialised Postnatal fitness class, based in her husbands gym, Performance Therapy Ireland. Kathy is also a Birth and Postpartum Doula and offers Antenatal & Postnatal consults to couples and parents nationwide. For more information or to get in touch with Kathy, visit www.bumpbabyandme.ie.

https://www.facebook.com/events/424338644804650/

Children Art Classes – Botanic Gardens

Saturday 13th April 11.00am – 12.30pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm

*10 Euro per child. Booking Essential Call 01 857 0909*

Budding Artists

Join our ‘budding’ artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the attentive eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art-making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds.

Time: 11.00am-12.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

Hardy Annuals

Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world where you can observe, engage, and be inspired by your surroundings. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin. Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds.

Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

https://www.facebook.com/events/814105692265935

Luggwoods Epic Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday 13th – Monday 22nd April at 10.00am

Luggwoods

The Lugg

Saggart

Dublin 24

Come visit the Easter Bunny @ Luggwoods again this year. Our Easter Egg Hunt is back From 13th -22nd April.

Tickets on sale this Friday 8th March @ 9am.

Keep an eye on our social media for a competition to win family passes.

We are soo egg…cited here at Luggwoods.

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https://www.facebook.com/events/345187179678134/

Rathwood’s Easter EGGperience

Saturday 13th April – Wednesday 24th April 11.0am – 5.00pm

Rathwood Garden Centre

Rathwood

Carlow R93 X3F9

This year the Easter Train will be super EGGciting. Follow Little Red riding hood through the enchanted forest and help her find the mischievious Freddy Fox!

You will also meet the Easter Bunny and get that well-deserved chocolate EASTER EGG!

https://www.facebook.com/events/412996952789297/

Forest Families at Dublin Zoo

Saturday 13th April 10.00am – 12.00pm

Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park

Dublin 8

‘Forest Families’ is a new programme which takes place in our wonderful mini-forest called the Wild Space in Dublin Zoo. It is a fun hands-on family learning experience where you will discover lots about nature. Each session is different, so it is a good idea to come to all four, but individual sessions can be booked too. You and your little ones can learn about trees, biodiversity, pollinators and birds.

Forest Families is open to families with children aged between 4 and 12. In each session you will have facilitation from an expert teacher, work from a bespoke family worksheet and have lots of follow up activities to do in your local park. In each session you will be given a set of resources to help you discover more in nature.

Tickets can be bought in a bundle of 4 sessions

or on an individual basis.

Bundle: http://bit.ly/ForestFamiliesBundle

Individual dates: http://bit.ly/ForestFamiliesIndividual

https://www.facebook.com/events/2280602975305024/

Young Chef 2019 – Airfield Estate

Sunday 14th April 10.00am – 12.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

Is your child a budding chef or do they love to help you out in the kitchen?

Our kids’ cookery classes might be right up their street! All classes are suitable for 8-12 year olds who love all things food! Each class is based on a seasonal theme and will begin by exploring what’s available in the garden and will then move on to prepare and cook a selection of themed recipes.

Classes will be led by our education team in a relaxed and fun environment which will allow the children to see the process of food from farm to fork and get hands-on, learning kitchen safety and correct utensil care.

There is a charge of €25 per workshop (€22 for Airfield Estate members) and the day will run from 10 am – 12.30 pm.

If you would like to book all 11 classes for a reduced rate of €250 and €220 for Airfield Estate members, then please phone 01 969 6666 (options 1)

https://www.facebook.com/events/370494277039602/

Easter Kids Camps – Airfield Estate

Monday 15th April 10.00am – 2.30pm

Tuesday 23rd April 10.00am – 2.30pm

Airfield Estate

Overhand Way

Dundrum

Dublin 14

Airfield Estate’s Easter Camps are back for 2019 and are packed with exciting adventures!

This Easter we have three camps, all of which will be hands-on and action-packed, with campers exploring, building, experimenting and investigating Airfield’s fields, farm and gardens.

Our education team will guide campers through a very active and exciting week of getting their hands dirty and their boots muddy.

NEW for 2019, is after-camp care which means your child is with camp at Airfield until 5.30pm. This afternoon part of the camp is essentially a continuation of camp activities and could include forest skills, cooking, crafts, play, storytime etc.

You can book as many or as few days of aftercare as you wish.

https://www.facebook.com/events/269232413994355

Imaginosity – Hop-A-Long Easter Camp

Monday 15th – Friday 19th April – 9.00am – 2.30pm

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandy ford

Dublin 18

Join the Imaginosity Funstigator Team this Easter holidays for ‘Hop-A-Long Easter Camp’ and explore the very best Imaginosity has to offer with different daily themes and fun-packed activities. Camp will run from Monday 15th – Friday 19th April and campers will explore topics including; Science, Engineering, Drama & Movement, Art and much much more, alongside daily supervised play in Ireland’s only interactive children’s museum.

Camp runs daily from 9.00am-1.00pm (4-6 years €120 per week) and 9.00am-2.30pm (7-8 years €135 per week) – daily options are also available. Book your child’s place now by calling 01-2176130.

https://www.facebook.com/events/423463801734577/

Giddy Studios Easter Art Camp Week 1 and Week 2

Week 1: Monday 15th April – Thursday 18th April 10.00am – 3.00pm

Week 2: Tuesday 23rd April – Friday 26th April 10.00am – 3.00pm

Giddy Studios

Dun drum

Dublin 14

We run a gorgeous art camp on mid term breaks and school holidays.

Come and enjoy some creative arts and crafts projects and of course lots of pottery painting too!

Perfect way to get a break from screen time and make new friends in a lovely environment!

Projects include pottery painting, foam clay, beads, fabric etc. On 1st day of each camp week glazed pottery project is done. All others days have acrylic pottery projects. Each of the days are themed. Pottery will vary from the image attached – you can always be assured that the quality of the projects is of equal value.

Suits Age 5 to 11. Bring a packed lunch. Wear pre-loved clothes. For Drop-off & Collection – if you are in and out of the car park in 15 minutes you don’t need to pay parking fees.

Price: €30 per day. Camp day runs from 10am to 3pm (early drop from 9am & late collection is charged at €5 p/hr p/person).

This is a very flexible camp – you can book just one day or multiple!

Email enquiries to helena@giddystudios.com

Call 01 2960303 – Payment is taken by credit card over the phone at time of booking.

https://www.facebook.com/events/527918757704095/?event_time_id=527918767704094&active_tab=about

Easter Hunt 2019 – Clonfert Pet Farm

?Thursday 18th – Monday 22nd April

? Slots : 10am -12pm, 12.30pm – 2.30pm & 3pm – 6pm.

Clonfert Pet Farm

Clonfert

Mynooth

Co. Kildare

?EASTER HUNT 2019?*

Join us this Easter for a fun filled day out celebrating the opening of our brand new area at the farm and say hello to all our new arrivals along with some very special guests!!

?Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny,

?Face Painting and much more!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1003071036570348/

Egg-cellent Easter Characters: An Easter Craft Workshop EPIC

Saturday 20th and Monday 22nd April – 11.00am – 12.00pm

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Custom House Quay

Dublin D01 T6K4

Join us for part of our Easter programme at EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum as we explore the Irish legend of the Púca with a series of fun activities. A mischievous shapeshifter, the Púca often appears as a rabbit or hare to teach humans a lesson or two!

In this workshop inspired by Irish storytelling culture and the Easter tradition of displaying colourful eggs around the house, we’ll create our very own Púca and friends egg-themed characters for you to take home.

Event will last for 1 hour and is suitable for children aged 4 – 8 years. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times during the event.

Special offer: Want to see EPIC Museum while you’re here? Kids get free entry to the museum with this ticket! We will also have storytelling sessions taking place in the museum at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm on the 20th and 22nd of April, so be sure not to miss out.

https://www.facebook.com/events/423441151741051/?event_time_id=423441158407717

Easter Egg Hunts – Greenan Maze

Saturday 20th April – Monday 22nd April 11.00am – 5.00pm

Greenan Maze

Gretna

Rathdrum

Wicklow A67 D789

Easter Bunny hops madly in the maze with super Maze Egg Hunts from 11am to 5pm on those three days.

Easter Bunny and the Cheeky Chicks will be hopping about the mazes entertaining all the kids, and helping to find eggs for the well behaved. Crack the clues and solve the puzzles to find the middle of the maze where the Easter Bunny will give you a chocolate reward. Find the special golden eggs and claim a big Easter Egg prize. Face Painting from 12pm to 5pm will be available to entertain the tots in the craft shop and/or tea rooms.

Please Note: Easter Sunday and Easter Monday Admission Costs: €10.00 per person (plus €1.00 booking fee) this also allows entry to the farm for the day.

Online Bookings only:

https://www.greenanmaze.com/index.php/events/easter/

An Easter’s Tail – The Púca: A Creative Craft & Storytelling Workshop – EPIC

Saturday 20th and Monday 22nd April – 2.30pm – 3.30pm

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Custom House Quay

Dublin D01 T6K4

Calling all budding writers and artists! Join us for part of our Easter programme at EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum as we explore the Irish legend of the Púca with a series of fun activities. A mischievous shapeshifter, the Púca often appears as a rabbit or hare to teach humans a lesson or two!

In this workshop inspired by Irish storytelling culture, you’ll learn how to write and illustrate your very own story. Using simple prompts, stamps and stencils, prepare to take the Púca on a fun-filled Easter adventure!

Event will last for 1 hour and is suitable for children aged 8 – 13 years. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times during the event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2112199278860242

The Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt! – Wells House

Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd April 1.00pm – 5.00pm

Wells House

Ballyedmond

Wexford

Get your little bunnies ready for our annual Easter Egg hunt complete with map, Mr Easter Bunny himself and of course, chocolate! Live music & BBQ on the terrace.

Tickets for the Easter Egg Hunt are €5 per child to include a chocolate surprise and fun, egg-citing egg hunt. Tickets bought on the day only.

For more information contact info@wellshouse.ie Entry per car applies.

https://www.facebook.com/events/426291118155580/

Earth Day: Kid’s Drop-by Activities – Botanic Gardens

Monday 22nd April – 11.00am, 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm

As part of Earth Day’s ‘Protect Our Species’ campaign, come along to the Children’s Education Garden and plant some bee-friendly seeds in recycled pots. Bring them home and plant in your own garden to feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators!

Suitable from ages 4 and up. All children must bring their own grown up

No booking required, first-come first-served

https://www.facebook.com/events/429902051089217/

Imaginosity Slimy Science Camp

Monday 22nd – Friday 26th April – 9.00am – 2.30pm

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandy ford

Dublin 18

Join the Imaginosity Funstigator Team this Easter holidays as our ever popular ‘Slimy Science Camp’ returns! Camp will run from Monday 22nd- Friday 26th April and campers will get ‘hands-on’ as they explore the wonderful world of Slimy Science at Ireland’s only interactive children’s museum.

Camp runs daily from 9.00am-1.00pm (4-6 years €120 per week) and 9.00am-2.30pm (7-8 years €135 per week) – daily options are also available. Book your child’s place now by calling 01-2176130.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2260571964264020/?event_time_id=2260571967597353