Dublin local family event guide. Friday 1st – Thursday 7th November 2019
Tags: Children's activities Dublin, Event Guide Dublin, This weekend in Dublin, Weekend fun in Dublin, Whats on Dublin
Take a look at the family friendly events happening in and around Dublin over the next week for you to enjoy.
Please check that they are still running before setting out, as sometimes even the best events have to be postponed.
Seedlings Early Years Workshops
When Fri 1 Nov @ 10.15am & 2pm
Sat 2 Nov @ 10.15am & 11.45am
Where The Ark, Temple Bar
How much? €11.50/€8.50 per child (20% off for members)
Ages suitable for? 2-4 year olds
We continue our monthly early-years programme Seedlings with a special workshop perfect for children ages 2-4 to get creative with their older relatives.
Combining drama, story, play and props, this interactive drama workshop invites little ones and their grown-ups to enjoy imagining together. So if you’re a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunty, godparent or carer, come along with a 2 to 4 year old and join in the fun.
Scarecrow Exhibition
When until November 4th
Where Pearse Museum, St. Enda’s Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Everyone
This is our third year in a row to run a Scarecrow Exhibition as part of our Halloween festivities in the Pearse Museum and St Enda’s Park.
It has proven to be one of our more popular events, with entries in 2017 and 2018, coming from local Primary/Secondary/Montessori schools, Girl Guides groups and many entries from families who visit the Park regularly.
The entries have been so diverse, ranging from Egyptian Mummies to Headless Horsemen to Minions and we are very much looking forward to seeing this years entries with much anticipation!
The talent and ingenuity that has been delivered in previous years entries have brought so much enjoyment for staff and visitors alike.
Festival del Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead Festival
The Festival is almost here and we want to share with you our amazing program full of dance groups, musicians and theatre!
Inspectorium: Fearsome Fangs!
When 2nd November, drop in between 11am – 1pm
Where National Museum of Ireland, Merrion Street (Natural History)
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Families
Drop in to the Wonder Cabinet to sharpen your knowledge about all things toothy for Halloween! What’s scarier, the tarantula’s fangs or the vampire bat’s canines? Inspect these up close using our microscope, and touch more real terrifying teeth from our collection. No booking required but there may be short waiting time. Wheelchair accessible.
When Sat, 2 November, 1st Rave – 1:30pm – 3:00pm, 2nd Rave – 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Where Wigwam, 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin
How much? €7 children €10 adults + booking fees. Under 1 year olds require a free ticket.
Ages suitable for? Families!
Dublin City Mum and Bodytonic are once again teaming up to bring you Kidsyard Family Rave. Expect neon crafts, face painting, bubbles and parchute games on the dance floor for the kids with decent coffee for the grownups with the best dance tunes for everyone.
Queuing with kids is a totally pain in the ass so we’ve booked lots of face painters to ensure more dancing and less waiting!
We’re also taking a more sustainable approach to this one and cutting out balloons. Single use plastics aren’t much fun and I’m more conscious than anyone that we’ll still have glow sticks (as no rave would be complete without!) but we’re reducing the number by half. We’re also introducing paper straws and using reusable plastic cups for the free kids drinks.
Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles are all encouraged to have just as much fun as their little ones. Dancing with your kids is the ultimate sensory experience as kids love seeing the grownups in their lives letting loose and having fun.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Face Painting
- Bubbles
- Parachute Games
Music at safe levels (we recommend ear protectors for children under 2 years)
INFO
- Babies under one year are free of charge. All other children require a child ticket.
- No adults admitted without a child.
- Tickets are non-refundable are and not to be resold.
- Parents remain responsible for children at all times. Children must remain under supervision.
- Buggies should be kept in buggy park area and not taken onto the dance floor.
- A licensed bar will be available.
Sam and the giants breakfast
When Saturday 2nd November
Where National Concert Hall, Ballsbridge
How much? €12, discounts available
Ages suitable for? aimed at 6-12 year olds and their adults
Sam is bored, so very bored. He complains about it all the time. People are bored of hearing how bored he is.
On Halloween, a witch’s elf overhears him and decides to teach him a lesson…
Join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for a Halloween adventure, where the world of classical music is brought to life through storytelling and imagination.
Start with some fun foyer activities, then take part in one of our interactive workshops with members of the RTÉ NSO, and explore our musical treasure hunt.
Then make your way to the main auditorium where the orchestra will bring Sam’s adventures to life with presenter Jonathan James in an interactive family concert, featuring some of the most spectacular works in classical music.
Fancy dress is encouraged; a great time is promised!
Designed for ages 6-12 years, all are welcome.
Dinosaur Discovery at Dublin Zoo – Kids Only!
When Saturday 12 – 1.15pm
Where Dublin Zoo
How much? To book: http://bit.ly/DinosaurDiscoveryKids – cost includes entry to Dublin Zoo
Ages suitable for? 6-10 year olds
Calling all budding palaeontologists!
Dress like a palaeontologist and delve into our dig site to uncover fossils of some fearsome dinosaurs. Meet Stan, our full size t-rex skeleton and learn about his many living relatives on earth today.
Drop in family workshop – Sparkling Sunshine
When Sunday drop in between 11.30-1.30pm
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Children of all ages and their adult
At our weekly drop-in workshop, children and their parents/guardians/carers are encouraged to work together on creative projects. Drop-in and stay for as long (or as little!) as you wish.Paragraph
Suitable for children of all ages, these workshops take place in the Maples Group Creative Space in our Atrium.
Join us for a brand new term!
Are you looking for some fun to enjoy with your baby, wobbler or toddler? Then why not join ClapHandies and enjoy a weekly PlayLabs in one of our many venues.
This week we are starting term 2 in the following venues;
- Monday in Sandymount and Raheny.
- Tuesday in Clonskeagh.
- Wednesday in Rathmines and Blackrock.
- Thursday in Stillorgan, Newbridge House, Dundrum and Marino.
- Friday in Malahide Castle, Terenure (baby class full).
- Saturday in Malahide Castle and Mount Merrion for wobblers and toddlers (no baby class).
In other venues term 2 starts later, however you can join us and pay pro-rata for the end of term 1.
Never been to a PlayLab before? Here are some of the key benefits –
- Make new friends that are local to yo
- Great maternity leave activity
- Helps transitioning to creche or play school
- Toddlers enjoy being challenged
- 100’s of play ideas to inspire you to play more at home
- Happy child, happy parent
Please visit the ClapHandies website to learn more and book your space to join in the fun!.
Pre book the events below for future family fun
Exploring Sound & Music with Eamon Sweeney
When Friday 8th Nov at 10.15 and again at 11.30
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? €5 call to book – 01 8852622
Ages suitable for? 2-4 year olds and their adults.
See and play music in a free and open environment with musician Eamon Sweeney, using gongs, chimes, bells, ocean drums, simple percussion instruments and song.
This series of individual monthly workshops is intended to allow you and your child to explore different art mediums in an open and undirected way. There will be mess but there will also be fun! Cost: €5 per child per workshop (accompanying adult is free). Box Office on 01-8852622.
WORKSHOP NOTES
These workshops are designed for children aged 2-4 years. Please respect age limits as each workshop has been designed especially for this age range. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. These sessions are only suitable for one parent/guardian and accompanying child (without siblings).
Make Your Own Mini Francis Bacon Studio
When Saturday 9 November, 2-3.30pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Fee €10, booking through eventbrite.ie is required here.
Ages suitable for? 7-11 year olds
Animal Tracking Fitzsimon’s Wood
When Sunday, 10th November, 12:30-2pm
Where Corkagh Park.
How much? Supported by South Dublin County Council – a free event.
Ages suitable for? Families
Want to attract butterflies to your garden? Why not try making your own colourful feeder to encourage these beautiful insects! This is a fun and easy craft activity involving the whole family, especially children 4 years and up.
Email Mouse at info@owls.ie to book a place or for more information
Are you the parents of a baby? or maybe have a friend or colleague who has just given birth? Have you ever thought about joining a short baby massage course?
It’s a great way for you to meet other local parents at the start of their parenting journey PLUS pick up some fantastic tips and advice.
Our instructors are all members of Baby Massage Ireland and the cost of the course is covered by most health insurance providers
We have classes starting on:
- Tuesday November 11th in Sandymount,
- Friday November 15th in Malahide and Glenageary
- Tuesday November 26th in Dundrum.
These are the last few courses for 2019, courses starting in 2020 are available to book on our website now.
Find out more and book now on the ClapHandies website.
Science Week Slime Labs
When Saturday November 16th, 11-12 or 12.30-1.30 or 2.30-3.30
Where EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1
How much? €8 per child, with 1x ticket required for each child attending. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times during the workshop.
Ages suitable for? This workshop is suitable for ages 6 – 12 years old
There’s a slime and a place for getting messy and it’s here with us at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum this Science Week!
Come on down to the museum for a seriously sticky science lab. Discover your messy side, get creative, get a little green, and learn something new in this fantastically disgusting workshop. Yuck!
Click the picture above and take a look at the Children’s programme at Dublin book festival today as some of the events have nearly sold out!
The Dublin Book Festival is happening on Saturday November 16th and Sunday November 17th.
Donal Vaughan Science Magic
When Sun 17th Nov at 2pm
Where dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 16
How much? €9
Ages suitable for? children 5+ and their adults
Triple-award-winning Irish comedian and scientist Donal Vaughan brings his hugely popular science and comedy show back to dlr Mill Theatre. With some brand new tricks and some old favourites too, learn about science using everyday objects and laugh your pants off while you do it. You too can become a science wizard and amaze your family and friends.
Free Family Day: Winter Printer
When Saturday 23rd November 12-3pm
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? Free but space is limited
Ages suitable for? Designed for 5-10 year olds although younger/older siblings welcome
Create your reindeer and print him green, etch an elephant and add a red nose, stamp a tree with purple snow. Our artists will be on hand to show you the techniques to print a Christmas Card and you can show us just how crazy your festive imagination can be!
FAMILY DAY NOTES:
Sessions Are Free, But Space Is Limited. Max 50 per workshop.
Session 1: 12PM-12.50PM
Session 2: 1PM-1.50PM
Session 3: 2PM-2.50PM
Dress for Mess. Unless otherwise stated workshops are designed for children from 5-10 years, though younger and older siblings are welcome to take part. Please be aware that Draíocht’s Family Days are not designed for groups. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child!
We hope that you have a great week.
ClapHandies run regular baby massage courses suitable for babies 6 weeks – 9 months. As well as benefits for your baby, it’s a really great way to make some new friends at the same stage of parenting as you are.
ClapHandies PlayLabs happen around the Dublin area during term time. If you have a baby, wobbler or toddler, why don’t you book and join one of our PlayLabs?
If you are looking to organise a party for your little one maybe we can help?
We offer classic parties for pre-schoolers, then once your little one is at school we offer themed parties that children seem to LOVE!
Take a look at RealParties for more details.
Do you have an event you would like us to promote?
Please email marie@claphandies.com giving as much notice as possible and if suitable we will try our best to add it to our weekly event guide.
