I have a bumper blog post of things to do in Sligo, but I thought I’d do one for those of you with children. I know not all children like the same things, but hopefully this might give you some ideas. Please check the opening times of places before you arrive, as some are only open during the summer.
For Christmas 2025 events – click here: https://magnumlady.com/2025/11/26/christmas-in-sligo-2025/
There are a number of animal adventures for all the family to enjoy.
Talk to the animals
Quarryfield Farm Experience, walk alpacas and meet the animals on this working farm. Atlantic Sheepdogs, this whole experience is just brilliant and great for all ages. Atlantic Way Alpaca Farm, walk an alpaca and meet the other animals. Also on the border of Sligo and Leitrim you’ll find Glencar Alpacas, photo above, a stunning location overlooking Glencar Lake. Full blog post about Glencar Alpacas. Close by is Knockvicar Alpacas, visit the farm, feed the alpacas, or take one for a walk.
Also check out The Donkey Sanctuary in Castlebaldwin. Open to visitors – April to October. Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00am – 4.00pm.
All other times by appointment please. Find out more on the website, and read my longer blog post here.
Go horseriding. Check out Iceford Stables in Enniscrone, Lough Gara Stables, and Lough Bo Equestrian.
The Sligo Playgrounds. You can download the The Playground Passport, or pick up a copy at one of the Sligo libraries. This is a convenient, pocket-sized guide to all the playgrounds in County Sligo. The Playground Passport displays a blend of photography, graphics, focused research and creative content. Find out more and download your free copy: https://sligo.ie/sligos-playground-passport/
The County Sligo Libraries host regular events for children. Pre-booking is essential, and you can check out the library calendar here: https://sligolibrary.ie/events/
Check out some history. The OPW sites in Sligo: Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery (temporarily closed – July. 25) and Sligo Abbey. There’s Parkes Castle, just over the Sligo border in Leitrim. There’s also Sligo County Museum in Sligo town.
Take to the water. The National Surf Centre is home to some of the Strandhill Surf Companies. Strandhill Surf School also run children’s surf lessons. Go stand up paddling with Harbour SUP. Wild Wet Adventures also run stand up paddling, kayaking, and canoeing sessions.
Step back in time at Sligo Folk Park. This really is not to be missed and is the perfect place to visit on a rainy day too. The cafe there is pretty special too. Read my longer blog post here: https://magnumlady.com/2021/07/03/sligo-folk-park-revisited/
Indoor Play Centres
Five Star Fun is located in Grange, and Funny Bones is in Collooney. The kids can have fun, while the parents grab a coffee.
The ImagiNation is a colourful pretend play village for children, upstairs in Henry Lyons, Sligo. Explore mini play zones like the café, supermarket & vets. Imaginative screen free fun! Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/the.imagi.nation
Grab the buckets and spades and head to the beach. Sligo is home to so many beautiful beaches and is located on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. Look out for the Wild Atlantic Way signs and visit one of the many beaches.
Go for ice-cream! Check out Fabios Homemade Italian Ice Cream in Sligo town and Mammy Johnston’s in Strandhill, both are excellent and well worth a visit.
Make a splash! WaterPoint is in Enniscrone. They have a 65-metre flume water-slide, a separate children’s pool, a health suite with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. https://waterpoint.ie/ Sligo Regional Sports Centre is in Sligo town, the most up to date information is on their Facebook page. Sligo Splash Swim School run swimming camps and lessons, there’s also the Splash Pool in nearby Ballaghaderreen. Nearby is Waterworld in Bundoran, this is a water park that is suitable for all ages, re-opening in mid-July 2025: https://waterworldbundoran.com/
There’s crazy golf, go-karts and a playground in Enniscrone. I can’t find out opening days and times, but their Facebook is here.
Get your skates on and head to Zero Gravity Skatepark. Enter the world of skateboarding, scooter riding, and rollerblading: https://www.facebook.com/zerogravityskateparksligo/
Watch a movie. Sligo Omniplex is a ten screen cinema in the heart of Sligo town. Check them out here. Close by is Eclipse Cinema in Bundoran, they have special offers, a directors lounge, and more. There’s also bowling, amusements and a funfair in Bundoran.
Go walking. Sligo is home to so many beautiful walks, and Sligo Walks have all the details. You can also climb up Knocknarea Mountain and see Queen Maeve’s final resting place. Did you know she was killed by a lump of cheese? But that’s a whole other story.
Find the Ballisodare Gnomes. A gorgeous short walk, with a little library too. Read the dedicated blog post for details and directions. https://magnumlady.com/2025/04/18/the-ballisodare-union-wood-walk-and-the-gnomes-of-union-wood/
Visit the markets. Sligo is home to a number of markets that take place weekly – most open from March to December (except the Sligo Farmers Market, which is all year round) – so check the dates. It’s always lovely to meet stallholders and locals and find foods and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else. Every Saturday you will find Beltra Country Market 10.00am – 12.30pm, The Farmers Market at the ATU Sligo 9am – 1pm. Rathcormac Market is on from 10-3 on Saturday. Cliffoney Market is on the first and third Sunday of the month from 11am – 1pm. Strandhill People’s Market is on every Sunday from 11am – 4pm (closed at the time of writing – March 2025). There’s a blog post dedicated to the Sligo Markets with a handy map here.
Get on your bikes. The national mountain bike centre is in Coolaney. The route uses multiple sections of forest roads and crosses many walking trails, you will need your own mountain bikes. There is also a Pump Track in Coolaney Community Park.
Parkrun. A 5km timed run and walk every Saturday morning, there’s one in Sligo town (Doorly Park) and one in Tubbercurry (Forest Trail). You need to register to take part but it’s free.
The Model, Sligo, have regular workshops taking place for children and young people. Find out more https://www.themodel.ie/learn-and-explore/children-and-young-people/
I hope this blog post has given you a few ideas of places to bring the kids to. The blog isn’t sponsored by any business or company. If you like what I do and would like to leave me a tip, or buy me a cake, I’d be very grateful: https://ko-fi.com/magnumlady
Magnumlady Blog 
kudos !
Thank you