If you are looking for activities for a rainy day in Sligo for the kids or need some ideas for things to do to keep the kids occupied when it’s wet outside, then we have lots of suggestions here to make your job a little easier! Here is our pick of Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Sligo.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
Indoor Activities for Kids in Sligo
From soft play to arts to splashing, we’ve got lots of ideas for ways to spend a rainy day with kids in Sligo.
Funny Bones House of Fun
Funny Bones House of Fun is a Children’s Activity and Play Centre based in the Toberbride Business Park in Collooney, just outside Sligo town. Kids can have hours of fun between the soft play area and try out their go karts and laser zone. They also have Vertigo, a climbing wall and high ropes adventure course for older kids.
Babies and toddlers can play safely in there own dedicated play area. There is also coffee shop on site for parents to sit and relax while the kids play, and they run special toddler mornings with a range of activities for little ones.
Happy Days Adventure Play Centre
Happy Days Adventure Play Centre at Cleveragh Business Park in Sligo is an ideal location for a rainy day for all the family within a safe environment. There are 2 separate soft play areas, one for babies and toddlers and one for older children. Both have a variety of slides, ball pools and other activities. You will also find car track cars, train tables and brick tables for additional play experiences. Wheelchair access available.
While the kids are having fun, parents can relax on comfy leather sofas with complementary newspapers and magazines, or enjoy something from their cafe. They also run Parent & Toddler Mornings on Thursdays and Fridays.
Boda Borg @ Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
Though not in Sligo, Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Boyle, Co. Roscommon is set in the grounds of the old King-Harman Estate on the shores of island studded Lough Key, and is well worth a detour. You can spend fun filled hours experiencing the quests in Boda Borg at Lough Key, a totally unique activity to Ireland, suitable for adults and children over 7 years and it’s completely weather independent!
The Boda Borg is divided into 15 Quests which contain up to 47 individual challenges. To survive the Quests you will need to employ many different skills you may not even be aware you have – teamwork, ingenuity and trial and error! Solving one challenge opens the door to the next, and another blast of curiosity, laughter and excitement. The only requirement is a minimum of 3 people per team & maximum 5. Pre-Booking recommended.
Arts and Crafts for Kids
Sligo has a rich artistic and literary tradition, so why not play your part in continuing that tradition by engaging the children in creative activities?
- Hullabaloo offer mobile ceramic painting/craft parties and workshops across Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon and Sligo.
- The Model Sligo, home of The Niland Collection, is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres. It is a bright open airy space and is very welcoming to children. Its toddler programme, The Big Draw, and Art Trap programme for older children always book up quickly. They also show family films and have activity sheets to help younger visitors get the most from their visit. Bring your own crayons and paper to let children interpret the art works they have seen as they enjoy home baked treats and hot chocolate in the coffee shop at the end of their visit.
Get Reading!
There’s nothing nicer than curling up with a nice book on a miserable day! Most of the libraries in Sligo have an extensive range of children’s materials and many have inviting children areas with sofas a desks, and many often offer story-telling sessions, arts and craft groups and other special events on for children too.
Sligo County Museum & Library
Sligo County library on Stephen Street is also home to the Sligo County Museum which runs exhibitions throughout the year. The museum contains a fascinating collection contains a fascinating collection of exhibits detailing Sligo’s rich history. Make sure to check out a the Yeats Room and the display of artefacts and memorabilia associated with Countess Constance Markievicz and Eva Gore-Booth. Admission is completely free.
Go Swimming
- Waterpoint in Enniscrone has an an indoor heated pool, a separate children’s pool, a health suite comprising of a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as a fully equipped gym and café. Children are sure to have a great time here with their 65-metre flume waterslide. Outdoors, there are 3 Astroturf pitches and a playground, so if the weather does brighten up they can have a run about outside before the journey home.
- Take a splash at Sligo Regional Sports Centre in the 25m heated indoor swimming pool and the little ones will have a ball in the heated children’s pool which is just 18 inches deep and ideal for confidence building and fun. There is also a jacuzzi and steam room, as well as a fully equipped gym. The centre also has a sports hall and astroturf.
Lissadell House
Lissadell’s historic house and gardens is famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz, her sister Eva Gore-Booth and her brother Josslyn Gore-Booth. The great poet W. B. Yeats stayed at Lissadell twice and even immortalised the estate in his poetry. You can get a guided tour of the house to experience its rich history. If the weather does improve, it’s worth having an explore of the lovely gardens. The tea rooms at Lissadell for lunch or a light snack. Admission fee applies.
Head to the Beach!
Sligo has a wide range of beautiful beaches, and an idea for a rainy day is to go surfing at Strandhill or Enniscrone. You are going to get wet anyway so you won’t notice the rain! Both villages have a great choice of surf schools which provide wetsuits, boards and lessons to get you riding the waves in no time.
And afterwards you can enjoy hot chocolate, pancakes and other yummy treats in the great selection of coffee shops and restaurants in both villages.
Catch a movie
Who doesn’t love popcorn and a good movie? Take in a movie with lots of popcorn and ice creams at the cinema. The Omniplex Cinema Sligo is a modern, 10-screen cinema located on Wine Street, Abbeyquarter North. The cinema also has a Kids Party Zone.
Alternatively, why not enjoy all the fun of the cinema, without ever leaving home, by creating your own home cinema experience! Get the kids involved in setting up the cinema, arranging seating, making tickets etc. then sit back and relax!
Get Outside
Sometimes, you have just got to get out and get wet! Put on the raingear and wellies and go for a walk in the rain. Most kids love splashing in puddles, and sometimes it’s a great way to release pent-up energy from being cooped up inside. See our Top 10 Things to do Outside in Rain for inspiration!
Warm up afterwards with a hot bath/shower, dry clothes and hot chocolate. Then, why not pull out a board-game or snuggle up on the couch with a movie – a perfect end to a wet day!
You May Also Enjoy: 50 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids
About the Author: Jill Holtz
