• Viking Splash Tour: This entertaining tour by land and sea led by a costumed guide gives an amusing take on the city, touching on its Viking history and also pointing out historic highlights. Traveling on a "Duck"—a 7-ton amphibious World War II tank—kids (and adults if they wish) get to wear Viking helmets and roar at passersby.
  • St. Stephen's Green: This bucolic expanse is a must for young kids to run around—and all enjoy feeding the ducks: Walk to the pond, to the left of the Fusiliers' Arch entrance, and dispense with your leftover sandwiches. There's also a children's playground near the center of the green. It's easy to visualize when this was once prime pram-pushing territory back in Georgian times, such are the lovely willows, flowerbeds, and the general benefits of a green oasis in the city.
  • The Ark: A Cultural Centre for Children: This is a great option for children who are makers, thinkers, doers, listeners, and watchers. Age-specific programs are geared to small groups of kids from 2 to 12 years old. Mini courses (one to two hours long) are designed around themes in music, visual arts, and theater; there are also workshops in photography, instrument making, and architecture. 
  • Dublinia: Covering the history of Dublin from the Viking age through medieval times, this child-friendly history "experience" is presented as a series of interactive tableaux—complete with sound effects, smells, and audio "reconstructions" of olde worlde Dublin.
  • Leo Burdock's: Ireland's most famous fish and chips shop now has several branches. Join the great and the good who have come before you to sample the tasty traditional treat.
  • Dublin Zoo: If you've got kids, and they're in need of a change from castles, churches, and history, here's the antidote. This modern, humane zoo in Phoenix Park provides a home for more than 235 species of wild animals and tropical birds. The critters live inside a series of realistic habitats such as African Savanna, Gorilla Rainforest, Asian Forest, the South American House, and the Pacific Coast.
  • Butlers Chocolate Experience: Ireland is awash with brewery tours, but rare is the chance to look around a real-life chocolate factory. These world-famous chocolatiers, whose cafes are scattered throughout Dublin, has been based in the city since the 1930s. The tour takes you around the factory to see the luxury chocolate makers in action. Don't worry—there are plenty of tastings.
  • Castle Dracula: One for older kids only (under 14s are not allowed), this part-museum, part-live show is certainly a novel way to spend a Saturday night. It's all presented as an homage to Dublin-born author Bram Stoker, as your tour takes you through a series of elaborately constructed sets and tunnels. Costumed actors try to scare you and make you laugh in almost equal measure while you learn more about the titular vampire and his creator.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.