10 Best Family Things to Do in Belfast

Titanic Belfast is a fascinating museum dedicated to the ill-fated vessel, which was the largest ocean liner of its time. She was built in Belfast in the early 20th century and captivated people across the world, both for her size and her promise of luxury.

When she sunk on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, it created a furore. Over 1,500 people perished in the icy waters, and the stories of those on board are told in dramatic detail at this museum in the docklands of Belfast, close to where the ship was originally built.

W5 Belfast has over 250 interactive exhibits spread across 4 galleries, focusing on science and discovery. The centre’s mascot is Robothespian, a life-sized robot that can move, speak, and interact with visitors.

Here, you can learn about the human body at MED-Lab and enjoy simulated scenes at VR Zone. Spacebase is excellent for curious young minds (3–11 years old) to learn about the universe. The activity zone has a launchpad and rocket, along with spiral slides and foam hills to keep them entertained.

The Ulster Museum is a family-friendly venue showcasing art, history and natural science from across the world. Many of the artefacts on display are significant finds from Northern Ireland, such as Bronze Age gold jewellery and early Celtic art.

Notable exhibits at the Ulster Museum include an Egyptian mummy named Takabuti, a near-complete skeleton of an Edmontosaurus, and Neolithic-era stone axes. You can find 3 interactive discovery zones and regular programmes to keep things interesting year-round. Located in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum offers free admission for all ages.

We Are Vertigo Titanic Park is an indoor adventure park within walking distance of the iconic Titanic Belfast museum. It’s home to the only indoor skydiving centre in Ireland. A safety instructor guides your position as you fly inside a vertical wind tunnel. This fun activity is suitable for kids aged 4 and above.

There’s a massive inflatable park with climbing towers and slides, as well as a 110-ft obstacle course that challenges your skills with a warped wall, jungle bars, and rolling logs. There’s another outlet of We Are Vertigo in Newtownbreda Industrial Estate, about 4 miles south of central Belfast.

Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory is one of Belfast’s oldest and most popular confectionaries. Established in the early 1980s, it produces high-quality chocolates and hard candy using century-old recipes.

You can see how the factory makes its candies through a viewing window, join workshops to make your own sweets, and sample some of Aunt Sandra’s best-sellers. Make sure to stop by the onsite gift shop and stock up on delicious treats such as honeycomb, fudge, and macaroons.

HMS Caroline is a restored World War I-era warship that serves as a floating museum in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. Nautical fans get to step onboard and explore the captain's quarters, sickbay, decks and engine rooms.

You can watch an 11-minute film about The Battle of Jutland, which took place in 1916. There are also plenty of interactive exhibits throughout the museum, where you can learn how to crack codes and communicate at sea. A naval-themed play park and picnic area can be found in the Caroline’s docking area.

The Whitehead Railway Museum has 5 galleries dedicated to the history of steam locomotives. Established by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, you get a chance to explore its collection of historic locomotives. One of its most popular exhibits is the footplate of a steam engine, which dates back to 1879.

Restoration work often takes place at the museum, where you can see a team of professionals fixing up engines and carriages. There’s a play area for children to dress up in Victorian-style costumes, as well as a tearoom serving a range of fresh scones, cakes and buns. The Whitehead Railway Museum is on the Causeway Coastal Route, about 17 miles northeast of Belfast.

The Streamvale Open Farm offers families a hands-on experience of farming in Belfast. Upon arrival, you can grab a map that has a list of activities that take place at the dairy farm. Some of the most popular things to do include feeding baby lambs, grooming ponies, and milking cows.

For something more exciting, your little ones can enjoy pedal go-karts, barrel train and tractor rides. There are also indoor and outdoor playgrounds, so it’s pretty easy to spend a whole day here. The Streamvale Open Farm is about 6 miles east of central Belfast.

Belfast Zoo is an award-winning landmark in Belfast, housing more than 140 animal species from various continents. It occupies the north-eastern slope of Cavehill, spanning 55 acres of enclosures that mimic the animals' natural habitats. Families often pack a picnic to enjoy by the zoo’s lakeside when the weather is nice.

You get to see rare and endangered wildlife such as Asian elephants, red pandas, the Bali sterling, and Malayan sun bears in the zoo. Kids aged 8 to 16 can enjoy interactive programmes year-round, one of which is Belfast Zoo’s junior keeper for a day experience. Perks include free entry to the zoo, animal encounters, and helping out at feeding times.

Joining a guided tour of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park is an excellent way for sports fans to learn about Irish football. The stadium is widely known as the home ground of the Linfield Football Club and Northern Ireland national football team.

The 45-minute tour takes you to players’ changing rooms, hospitality areas, media centres, and the pitch. There are several interactive sections during the tour, one of which lets you strike a penalty kick against Pat Jennings (a computerised version of the footballer, of course). Note that you’ll be walking for about half a mile, so wear comfortable shoes.