Great Free (or low cost) days out for Kids in NI - Where are they?

Ex-Spendaholic

Just looking suggestions for days out over the summer which are either free or low cost. Have already done:

Stormont Park

Seapark, Holywood

Loughshore Park, Jordanstown

Ormeau Park

Mookieworld

Streamvale Farm

Lady Dixon Park

Portrush

Ikea

Cinema

All suggestions welcome.

caz2703

You could train the kids to womble receipts in Tesco carparks! If lucky, the receipt will have unclaimed clubcard points which can be taken in-store, added to your account and then redeemed for days out. Bit late for this summer though but you could start saving for next year. Be careful though as you can only add 2 receipts per day to your account and I'm not 100% sure what rewards are available in NI but a free day out for the kids and a lesson in money saving

Or if you want something more interesting, there's Crawfordsburn, Pickie Pool in Bangor, Castle Espie, Ark Open Farm and Snakes & Ladders in Bangor (near Jolleys pet store on the outer ring). On a nice hot day (depending on the age of the kids) you could go to Donaghadee and have fun in the mini splash pool down by the harbour then get an ice cream to die for across the road in The Cabin.

mollypoppy

Delamont Country Park in Downpatrick. Went last week excellent play park, railway for the kids, walks etc £4.00 for car parking but I think it is worth it.

ooo000ooo

There's a great park for the kids at Chaine Park as you head out the coast road from larne, car park is just at the top of the hill on the right as you follow the coast road out of larne.

Ex-Spendaholic

Thanks for the suggestions. Have been to most of them before but had actually forgot about them. Actually remembered a few others myself too. So now on the agenda we have:

Donaghadee Paddling Pool - Free :j

Snakes and Ladders - Probably £10ish

Castle Espie

Carnfunnock - Probably a fortune but like the sounds of it :rotfl:

Ark Farm (I actually have a voucher for a free family ticket) :j

Delamont - £4

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

butterflymum

National Trust have announced a 'Kids go Free' offer for August...including NI.........details at:


http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-kidsgofree.htm?campid=NT10079V1

Also, there were some money saving vouchers on the go recently for Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (last on your list in previous post). Might be worth looking out for them.

edit:

ok, try here for the discount voucher (and other ones too)

http://www.irelandvisitordiscounts.com/index.php

mmm....just realised, this page lists UF & T Museum:

http://www.stickyfingerstravel.com/Visitor_Discounts/Visitor_Discounts.653.html

but http://www.irelandvisitordiscounts.com/index.php?cat=17 doesn't....still, some of the other discounts may be of interest.

lazer

Castlewellan forest park - it has a peace (hedge) maze which kids love!

CL

Lurgan Park has a good childrens play area and when the weather is hot, there is a water area where children can run through jets of water. It is beside the lake where you can feed the ducks and has huge grass areas for picnics. It is free.

Tannaghmore Gardens just outside Lurgan has a children's play area, a petting farm and lots of room for picnics. Also free.

Oxford Island just outside Lurgan has a play area, walks by Lough Neagh with bird spotting hides and a Discovery centre with a cafe. Also free.

happy_gardener

If you park at the shore and take the short wlk up into Carnfunnock then you do not have to pay the parking/entrance fee. I think it is about £5 but when the weather is good the place is packed and parking I found was always a nightmare. The walk is not too far and is nice The bits you pay for are the train rides etc. But if you do the maze and walk about the garden there is plenty to look at. The climbing area is great for under 9yr olds...but I guess if you have older kids then the place would be too young for them and they would think it -baby-ish.

Take them to Benone beach and you can take the car on to the beach for free. There are toilets just before you go onto the beach. We have spend many fab trips there. Take wet suits (on sale in Sainsburys) and boby boards..as the water is cold...but what would you expect for NI!!