Leinster

1 Ar mBreacha Raheen, House of Storytelling, Ballyduff, Camolin, Co Wexford, tel 054 44148.

This is one of the rare occasions that children are encouraged to "tell stories". An open house of storytelling takes place here from 8.30 pm to 10.30 p.m. every Tuesday evening. Run by Father Jim Finn, this is a popular event with locals and foreign visitors alike who may watch or participate in pageants of war, famine and rebellion.

2 National Botanic Gardens. Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, tel 01-8377596.

Open every day of the week, these exotic gardens are worth investigating. Features include an aboretum, burren area and new alpine house. Located on the river Tolka and beside the National Stud, this will also make a nice picnic spot (but no dogs are allowed in the gardens - the only pets you can bring with you are your children!).

3 Chess and backgammon. Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, tel 01-6715717.

Between spurts of free open-air music and theatre, children can also avail of free chess and backgammon on Sunday afternoons in the lively setting of Temple Bar in the city centre. Suitable for youngsters who won't be "pawned off" with babies' board games anymore, the facility allows them to pitch their skills against other players.

4 Marley Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, tel 01-4942083. This popular lakeland park starts off the Wicklow Way but children under 10 years will be more interested in the train rides available on Saturday afternoons.

Connacht

1 Hazelwood Sculpture Trail.

Located on the north shore of Lough Gill, three miles from Sligo, the Hazelwood sculpture trail is a woodland adventure trail of 13 sculptures. When they find them, children can climb the five-foot giant mushrooms, hazel swan or wooden fisherman. Over-enthusiastic climbing and swinging however may result in Coillte hospitalisation for the battered wooden sculptures, so some may be missing.

2 Knock Airport, tel 01-094 67222.

Most children have ambitions to enter the aviation business from a young age. Generous staff at Knock Airport arrange tours, depending on flight schedules. Visitors are allowed as close as possible to aircraft and given a short history of the airport. Serious pilots can find out how the craft are powered and how they take-off.

3 Spiddal Craft Centre, Spiddal, Co Galway, tel 091 553255

Pottery, weaving, knitting, stone carving and woodcarving are among the intrigue at this centre where children can witness the professionals at work. Ideally located across the road from Spiddal beach, the centre is currently showing an exhibition of underwater photography.

4 Rinville Park, Oranmore, Co Galway.

Children can amuse themselves in the playground of Rinville's old walled orchard. The park also features 19th-century stone farm buildings and a coffee shop, but is particularly noted for its scenic walks through woodland, open farmland and seaside.

Munster

1 Killarney National Park, Kenmare Rd, N71, tel 064 31440. Swimmers can take a dip in the park's Muckross lake, while the less energetic can admire Muckross House or the Torc waterfall, while keeping an eye out for deer, badgers, otters, stoats, foxes, rabbits and squirrels. Bicycles could come in useful here.

2 Salmon of Knowledge Experience, the Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna, tel 065 74432. School may be out, but children will be spellbound by the legend of An Bradan Feasa. The process of oak-smoking Atlantic Salmon is demonstrated here and samples are available.

3 Waterford Crystal, Kilbarry, Cork Road, Waterford, tel 051 37331.

See Waterford Crystal's master blowers, cutters and engravers at work. The manufacturing process is rarely such an exciting visual experience and one-hour tours are free for under-12s.

4 Mitchelstown Open Market, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. Bargain hunters can teach their children the art of bric-a-brac at this market where toy stalls are among the brass, carpet and furniture displays. Held every Thursday, the market begins at around 8.30 a.m.

Ulster

1 Football Club Visit. Windsor Park, Belfast, tel 0801232 244198.

The chance to visit Linfield Football Club might excite grown men more than their children. Visits by appointment only give children the opportunity to see inside the trophy room, boardroom and dressing-rooms and visit the trackside.

2 Maud's Ice-cream factory, Gleno, tel 0801574 272387.

Another treat likely to smudge the gap between adult and child. Witness the manufacturing of Maud's Ice-cream - including kid's favourite Pooh Bear flavour - from a conservatory viewinggallery on-site.

3 Tannaghmore Animal Farm, Silverwood, Craigavon, tel 0801762 343244. City slickers should pay a visit to this animal farm which stocks pigs, cows, goats, poultry, ducks and geese. There is also an adventure playground and a picnic area with tables and nature walks.

4 Tayto Crisp Factory. Tandragee Castle, Tandragee, tel 01762 840249. The bad news is that tours of this factory are booked up until September. Staff recommend that serious Tayto addicts phone up to check for last-minute cancellations. The tour includes an opportunity to sample various flavours.

Source Books:

Kid's Day Out, by Bridog Ni Bhuachalla (£8.99, Marino Books 1996)

The Adventure Guide To Dublin, by Mary Finn (£4.99, Wolfhound, 1992).

Ireland For Kids by Derek Mackenzie-Hook (£10.70, Mainstream Publishing, 1997).