Summer is here, though, calling it summer is a stretch with so much rain! Luckily, there are fab movies, like IF and Inside Out 2 in cinemas. Kids clubs are great value for money and www.ArcCinema.ie has excellent deals for families too!

Painting stones or seashells to decorate your garden is a cheap and fun way to keep kids busy. You can also let them help plant flowers – it’s lovely when they see what they planted growing.

Pyjama days are cosy for watching movies when its rainy outside. Back to the Future, Guardians of the Galaxy and anything Pixar are favourites in our house.

Newbridge Farm is ideal for getting kids outdoors. See the animals and birds on the farm, visit the playground and grab snacks and ice-cream, at the café. Lookout for the peacocks, they’re magnificent!
Follow the Fairy Trail, explore the Butterfly House and enjoy the beautiful Botanic Gardens at Malahide Castle & Gardens. Pack a picnic or stop at Avoca café. From daytime exploring to nighttime concerts, this has become a very popular place to visit.

Love trains? The Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide is fascinating. From steam trains to locomotives to diesel trains, find out everything about the history of trains! Ideally located close to Malahide train station, you can also get there by train! Very cool!

Titanic Belfast is a wonderful experience if you haven’t been. Full of interesting facts, it’s a really enjoyable day out for the whole family and Belfast is a lovely city to explore too.

If your children love music and singing, The National Concert Hall has choir and song school summer camps during July, find out more at www.nch.ie

For budget friendly family dining, Shake Dog Diner is brill. Irish, affordable with a great menu from breakfasts to burgers. My favourite combo is onion rings, club sandwich and milkshake!

We are blessed with beautiful beaches in North Dublin but please, be careful, especially when swimming with children. Don’t swim out far and always go to beaches with lifeguards. When leaving, please take your rubbish with you. With a little more effort, we can keep our beaches cleaner and safer for everyone.
For more ideas on places to go and things to do this summer, visit www.mams.ie