10 Free things to do in Belfast with kids

Half term has been and gone and after the January we all had, we’d like to watch the pennies, right? I hear you! So, I’ve put together this post about 10 free things to do with the kids in Belfast.

Belfast is such a beautiful city and if the kids and I aren’t going in for a mooch around the shops, we’re eating out or going on a Pokemon Go walk! There are so many beautiful things to see and the buildings are so pretty to look at. Over the decades, Belfast has had its fair share of dark times but I cannot tell you how she has blossomed into a place that we’re very proud to call ‘our City’. 

So, if you live here and need a few ideas for a free afternoon out, I hope this helps! Or, if you’re planning a visit from across the pond, I hope this post helps you too! If you’ve never visited Belfast with kids before, a totally biased opinion, but add it to your travel bucket list. I have yet to meet a person who has visited and didn’t fall in love with the place. 

10 free things to do in Belfast with kids

Belfast City Hall

The Belfast City Hall stands in the centre of Belfast City, on Donegall Square. It is open to the public 5 days a week and it also hosts the Bobbins Cafe, City Hall tours and even a gift shop. Not forgetting the beautiful Titanic Memorial Garden at the entrance. This commemorates the 1512 people whose lives were tragically lost on the RMS Titanic in 1912. 

It is a beautiful place to visit with the kids and more so because it holds so much history and information about Belfast City. After all of the walking, pop into Bobbins Cafe for a wee bun and a cup of tea {juice for the kids} and then you’re done. If the weathers good, you could even have a picnic out on the lawn – we love doing this in the summer and it’s such a popular spot when the sun comes out. It’s such a lovely place to relax and watch the world go by. 

C.S.Lewis Square

Now, this is one attraction that we have yet to visit. I don’t know why we’ve never made it here, but I plan to this half term {weather permitting!}. If you’re a fan of any of C.S.Lewis books, specifically the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, then you & your children will love walking around this square. 

C.S.Lewis Square is located at the intersection of Connswater and Comber Greenways {beside the Eastside Visitor Centre}. The square is free to enjoy, is open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week and even becomes illuminated at night. Oh, if it snowed that would be one hell of a magical place to visit, right? We hardly ever get thick snow here in Northern Ireland, however, we can hope! We’d have our own Narnia walkthrough! 

Botanic Gardens

This is a major hot spot when the weather is nice and throughout the year there are all kinds of fun events hosted in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast. Such as the Spring & Autumn fairs {which are so much fun – crazy busy – but fun!}. We love going in the Autumn especially as it has the best conker trees in the City! 

The gardens are huge and the perfect place to lay down a picnic blanket, enjoy a day with the family and even bring a few games to play. We love bringing our frisbees, football and even some bubbles – no matter your age, you love some bubbles!  

It also has the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine to explore and enjoy, too! 

Cavehill Country Park

If you love a good walk with the kids, then the Cavehill Country Park is the place to go. A beautiful walk with breathtaking views. It is also home to the Cavehill Adventure Playground, has archaeological sites to enjoy {if you like that sort of thing} and even caves to explore. 

It is a lovely afternoon out with the kids and can easily be made into a day if you bring a picnic along to enjoy at the top! 

St.Georges Market

This is {shockingly} another venue we have never visited {and I am Belfast born & bred!}. I cannot tell you why I have never been here, but I can tell you that I have always wanted to go! I hear nothing but good things! 

Lots of delicious food to be enjoyed, the atmosphere is something else {so I hear} and loads of local stalls to browse. We’ve added a visit to St.Georges Market to our half term bucket list and we cannot wait to pop by and sample everything it has to offer. 

The Tropical Ravine

The Tropical Ravine has been recently renovated and we’ve not made it into the new attraction. However, we will be visiting this half term and we will, of course, report back! 

I understand this attraction, which was once a single level tropical ravine house, has now been split into two levels. The building itself has also been built to be more energy-efficient, with triple-glazed windows. Which not only helps to retain heat but it also maintains the perfect environment for the tropical plants inside. There are also new interactive exhibits to help

Belfast Castle

We are no strangers to Belfast Castle. It is a beautiful place to visit on a gorgeous day. You can enjoy everything from the gorgeous surrounding woodland or you can search for all of the cats in the Castle gardens. 

From throwing a penny into the fountain to make wishes, getting dirty knees from rolling down the hills or even climbing any trees around the area – you’ll be sure to have a gorgeous day. If you get hungry? Pop into the castle for a bun and a drink or a full delicious meal.

Colin Glen Forest Park

We visited here last summer and ever since? The kids have been asking to go back! So I think we will be adding this to our Easter bucket list for next month. The Colin Glen Gruffalo trail is a lovely area to walk around and of course, if you have a Gruffalo fan? They’ll be overjoyed! 

If the weather hasn’t been great prior to your visit, my advice? Bring wellies! We didn’t and paid the price with mucky shoes. But the kids have the biggest smiles on their faces so I didn’t care. 

It’s a really lovely walk around the woodland and to see all of the Gruffalo characters. We all enjoyed it and it took us longer than expected because the kids were having too much fun. After your walk, it’s nice to have the wee cafe on-site, that also has books for the kids to enjoy, a cafe with nice food on offer and a little gift shop too. It’s on the expensive side, but even for a nosy, it’s a cute little store. 

Linen Hall Library

My two girls love a good book, myself included. Needless to say, it’s easy to assume that we love a library and we do! I thought, taking them all to the gorgeous and very old Linen Hall library at the centre of Belfast would be ideal. For any book lover, of any age! 

Cathedral Quarter

The Cathedral Quarter in Belfast is a popular spot for those who like a great meal and a drink or three! Obviously, that’s not the scene I am aiming to surround my children with. However, the Cathedral quarter is still a gorgeous part of Belfast City to marvel over. 

From the pretty wall murals and umbrellas on the ceiling, not forgetting how beautiful it looks at night when it’s all lit up. A cute part of the City to explore, even if it is for a few photos for the gram! 

Sheep on the Road

The Sheep on the road is a fun sculpture that is just outside the Waterfront Hall. It’s a cute piece of art and well placed {in my opinion}. My lot love to run rings around the sheep, sit on them and pretend they’re having a race or just generally being silly. 

What is also nice is that they appreciate it for what it is. A piece of art. It’s different and quirky and anytime we are in that area, we always make time for the sheep on the road. 

Have you ever been to Belfast? If not, I highly recommend! And if you have, what’s your favourite thing/place to do/visit in Belfast with kids? 

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy this evening at Lost City Adventure Golf in Belfast post. 

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