The Halloween break is close, and parents across Northern Ireland are asking the same question: what can we do that keeps the kids busy, tires them out and does not depend on the weather? Luckily, there are plenty of good options, from big soft play frames in Belfast to a trampoline park in Banbridge and a family-run play centre in County Tyrone.
This guide pulls together the indoor activities for kids in Northern Ireland that are listed on LinkUp NI’s Arts, Leisure & Entertainment directory. For each venue, we cover where it is, who it suits and what to know before you book. Prices and opening hours come from each venue’s own website and can change, so always check before you travel.
Quick Guide to the Venues
- Roar and Explore, Belfast: soft play for ages 0 to 10, with a toddler area and a cafe
- We Are Vertigo, Belfast: inflatable parks, adventure centre and an indoor skydiving tunnel
- Global Adventure Play, Ballynahinch: themed soft play from baby zone to ninja course
- Infinity Adventure Park, Banbridge: trampolines, ninja obstacles and soft play
- Duff Land, near Beragh: soft play, a diner and an action zone for ages 6 and over
- Forest Fitness NI, Carrickfergus: woodland activities for ages 8 and up
Roar and Explore, Belfast
Roar and Explore is a soft play centre with two Belfast sites, one at Dairy Farm Shopping Centre and one at the Kennedy Centre. It is open from 9:30am to 6pm every day, and admission lasts 90 minutes. The maximum age is 10, and last admission is at 4:30pm.
The junior play frame has a tiger slide, rope bridges and a jungle theme, while the toddler area for under 3s has a sensory ball pit and a toddler slide. Standard entry at Dairy Farm is £7.95 per child, and babies under 12 months pay £2. Toddler mornings run from 9:30am to 12pm on weekdays and include free juice and toast. Roary’s Cafe gives adults somewhere to sit, and the centre is a social enterprise that reinvests its profits locally.
You can view the Roar and Explore listing or call 028 9061 9588.
We Are Vertigo, Belfast
We Are Vertigo describes itself as Northern Ireland’s leading indoor activities destination for all ages. Its Newtownbreda centre has an inflatable park, which the venue calls the world’s largest, along with an Alpine-themed adventure climbing and soft play village. The Titanic Quarter centre has a second inflatable park, a Ninja Master Course and what the venue calls Ireland’s only indoor skydiving tunnel.
This one suits older children and teenagers as well as little ones, so it works well when your group has a mixed age range. The venue recommends booking online, and its live availability checker shows current opening hours. Check it before you set off. See the We Are Vertigo listing for more.
Global Adventure Play, Ballynahinch
Global Adventure Play is based at Pinewick Business Park on the Magheraknock Road in Ballynahinch. Its multi-level play frame takes children on a journey through themed zones, including Ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, the Wild West, Vikings, space and knights and dragons. There is also a multi-sports court, a toddler zone and a baby zone for pre-walkers.
The centre lists opening on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. At weekends, children aged 4 to 11 pay £9.50 with one adult, and children under 1 go free. The cafe serves fresh food made by a resident chef, and the whole venue is a nut-free zone. Booking is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Call 028 9756 8481 or read the Global Adventure Play listing.
Infinity Adventure Park, Banbridge
Infinity Adventure Park sits just off the A1 at Waringsford Road in Banbridge. It combines trampoline zones, a giant air bag, ninja obstacles, a battle beam and a soft play area for under 6s. Astronaut Academy sessions are for the little ones, Open Mission suits ages 4 and up, and the Inclusion Mission session has a lower capacity for children with additional needs.
The park has published special Halloween opening hours from 27 October to 1 November. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, mostly from 12pm to 6pm, with earlier sessions for under 5s on some days, and it is closed on Mondays. Booking online is advised, as sessions can be full. The park also has a cafe and can host groups of up to 80. Read the Infinity Adventure Park listing or call 028 4062 7941.
Duff Land, Near Beragh
If you live in Tyrone, Fermanagh or Mid Ulster, Duff Land is your closest option. This family-run centre is at Cooley Road in Sixmilecross, just outside Beragh. A Play Pass gives children up to 11 years old a 90-minute session in the soft play area, and babies in prams enter free.
For older children, The Junk Yard is a separate attraction for ages 6 and over, with Nerf Warz, laser tag and cage soccer. Note that The Junk Yard is not included in standard Play Pass admission. The Duff Diner serves burgers, wraps, loaded fries and hot drinks. Normal opening is Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, and school holiday times are posted on the venue’s Facebook page. Call 028 8075 1352 or view the Duff Land listing.
Forest Fitness NI, Carrickfergus
Not every child wants soft play, and older kids often want something more adventurous. Forest Fitness NI runs activities on a 30 acre woodland site on Marshals Town Road in Carrickfergus. It is outdoors, so it suits a dry day, but it is a strong option for ages 8 and up.
Activities include airsoft with rentals, laser combat, gel blaster and Nerf wars, axe throwing, bushcraft and an assault course. Prices range from £7 to £32, depending on the activity, and sessions run from an hour to a full day. Most tactical experiences have a minimum age of 10 to 12, so check the age for your chosen activity when you book. Online booking is available, or call 07799 533248 between 10am and 6pm. See the Forest Fitness NI listing.
Planning a Party at Home?
Several of the venues above run birthday parties, including themed party rooms at Roar and Explore and Duff Land. If you would rather host at home or at your own venue, Bounce NI hires out bouncy castles, soft play, sensory equipment and games across Northern Ireland. All of its inflatables are PIPA tested, and it also offers winter indoor party packages. Equipment starts from around £80 for games, and bouncy castles start from around £140.
For more ideas, Wee Adventurers runs its own directory of kids’ activities and family days out across Northern Ireland, and it also has a Play Hub with bookable sessions. Here is its listing on LinkUp NI.
Tips for a Smoother Half-Term Visit
- Book online first, because half-term sessions fill up
- Check the current opening hours, as many venues change them during school holidays
- Look at the age limits, since they differ from one venue to the next
- Ask about adult entry, as some venues charge adults and others do not
- Tell the venue about any allergies before you order food
- Allow for the session length, which is 90 minutes at several venues
Frequently Asked Questions
Which venues suit toddlers best?
Roar and Explore has a dedicated toddler area and weekday toddler mornings. Global Adventure Play has a toddler zone and a baby zone, and Infinity Adventure Park runs Astronaut Academy sessions for little ones.
What can older children do?
We Are Vertigo, Infinity Adventure Park, The Junk Yard at Duff Land and Forest Fitness NI all have activities for older children and teenagers. Check the age limit for each activity.
Do I need to book in advance?
It is wise to. Infinity Adventure Park and We Are Vertigo both recommend booking online, and Global Adventure Play recommends it too, although it welcomes walk-ins.
Which venues have a cafe?
Roar and Explore, Global Adventure Play, Infinity Adventure Park and Duff Land all have a cafe or diner on site.
Where can I host a children’s party?
Roar and Explore, Global Adventure Play, Infinity Adventure Park and Duff Land all offer party packages. Bounce NI covers parties at home or at your own venue.
Find More Family Days Out
Browse more kids’ activities, venues and local services in the Arts, Leisure & Entertainment category. Run a family business in Northern Ireland? You can add your business to LinkUp NI for free, or choose a Featured Listing for £47 for 12 months.