Northern Ireland has a ton of family activities and adventures to enjoy and we promise they won’t burn a hole in your wallet or purse. Here are a few budget friendly ideas for starters.

Paddle, pedal, putt and pet in Belfast

Spend Saturday morning or afternoon at Shaw's Bridge in south Belfast where Mobile Team Adventure offer open canoeing sessions for families. It costs around £20 per person and no pre-booking or experience is necessary – just rock up and their top-notch team will give you all the equipment and confidence you need for hassle-free fun for everyone. Of course, the towpath under your feet and all the fun stuff at nearby Lagan Valley Regional Park means a great family day out needn’t cost you a penny! You could swap paddles for pedals at Barnett Demesne Mountain Bike Trails. Their green, blue and red trails are free to use and ideal for beginners, families or your more experienced or adrenaline-seeking jump riders.

For indoor fun, all ages can get their skates on with family packages from around £25 at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Or for £26 for a family of 4, try Lost City Adventure Golf with rainforest-themed adventure courses… yes, indoors! 

Zipline and zap lanes in County Londonderry

A 40-minute drive west of Belfast is the town of Magherafelt, home of Jungle NI. Here, they can master wibbly-wobbly bridges and swing on cargo nets on the Mowgli treetop adventure course for around £15 per child but check out their weekly special offers for the time you’re visiting as they may have deals on your kid’s fave activity.

Nearby Carrowmena Activity Centre in Limavady is a hot spot for adrenaline junkies with great value activities like zip lines, climbing walls, abseiling and canoeing on offer. A half-day package for a family of 4 is around £30 per person for their climbing wall, zip line and archery combo while group rates are also available at Limitless Adventure Centre out Limavady way - depending on your activity - where buggies and go-karts rule!

Catch air and waves on the Causeway Coastal Route

A visit to the Causeway Coastal Route is a must-do for fun seekers and sightseers alike. Don’t miss Giant’s Causeway for a wondrous experience of nature and volcanoes - with mythical stories of Cú Chulainn thrown in for good measure! There are two walking trails to the stones so you and your gang will need to be reasonably fit. A Visitor Experience ticket (£32.50 for a family of 5) is a great-value option at busy times and includes parking, guided tours as well as access to the Visitor Centre exhibition, shop, café and facilities. Or you could take a boat trip to Rathlin Island for special family memories. Watch razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes in their natural habitat, or the famed puffin colony from April. Not forgetting the ’upside-down’ lighthouse, West Light, or the gorgeous guided walks and cycles around this stunning island. Round trips with Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd are super value at around £12 for adults, £6 for kids (age 5-15) while under-5s go free. Unmissable at those prices.

Water, water everywhere in Fermanagh’s lakelands

For a different mode of transport on the water why not try the Hydrobikes or e-boards around Enniskillen Castle with Erne Adventures. For something a bit more leisurely, take a kayak trip to explore lovely Lough Erne and its islands with Blue Green Yonder in Enniskillen or hire a boat in the gorgeous Crom Estate and let your worries just float away. Or explore free of charge the gorges, waterfalls and woodlands of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark’s landscape outside. This UNESCO status geopark is also home to prehistoric tombs, early Christian monasteries and Iron Age forts so there’s something for all explorers or budding Indian Joneses. 

Step back in time in County Tyrone

Follow the emigrants trail at the historic Ulster American Folk Park. Start at the thatched Ulster cottages of Ulster, board the life-sized emigrant ship, help out a blacksmith, teach in the old schoolhouse or dress in period costume for a photo. Or simply relive your own childhood with a family picnic at Gortin Glen where its five-mile scenic drive or five waymarked walking trails nestled in the spectacular Sperrins are the best garnish for any sarnie. There aren’t many things that will gladden the heart more than the views or the memories you’ll have here…but a cup of tea and a treat is heading on the right track.

Magic and sparkle in County Armagh

Enjoy family walks, mountain bike trails and playparks at Gosford Forest Park - a complete adventure paradise for all the family.  Perfect for a gentle stroll and spotting some local wildlife, like the majestic red deer.  Or for something a bit more exhilarating check out the challenging trails and treks. At the Giant’s Lair and Adventure Playground in the beautiful Slieve Gullion Forest Park, a magical living storybook comes to life through a trail of intertwined fairy houses and art features. At story’s end, all ages – typically up to 11 or 12 but whatever age and ability works for you - can all have the craic in the huge adventure play park or specially designed toddler area.

Forest fun and seaside sport around County Down

The team at Life Adventure Centre in Castlewellan Forest Park have a variety of both land and water based family activities for you to try.  Why not give a family Stand Up Paddle Boarding experience, family canoe or biking, a go?  Take in the beautiful surroundings on the sheltered waters of Castlewellan Lake - stay in the Castle Bay or venture along the Lake Trail, the choice is yours.  But fun is guaranteed!

At Bike Mourne, based in 3 separate locations, Castlewellan, Rostrevor and Newcastle their speciality is all things bikes.  With e-bikes, kids bikes and special seats for children, they cater for and offer a full range of family activities.  Set in dramatic mountains and forests and with stunning landscapes, this is perfect for that family day out exploring the tracks and trails!

There are so many woodland wonders to keep the kids engaged like Kilbroney Park, Crawfordsburn Country Park and Tollymore Forest Park in the Mournes foothills where they can hop over the famous stepping stones, cross ancient bridges or have a blast at the Big Deer play area. If you’re into trekking or hillwalking, don’t forget you can head into the majestic Mournes, climb the highest peak in the country - Slieve Donard – or for families with kids aged 8-15 there’s wet bouldering at Bloody Bridge where an expert guide with East Coast Adventure literally leads you up a river without a paddle…or a canoe!

Content sourced from Discover Northern Ireland (discovernorthernireland.com).