What to Do With Young Kids,
Bigger Kids and Teens

Planning a family trip to Dublin and wondering what there is to do with children? The good news is that Dublin is an incredibly family-friendly city. It’s compact, easy to explore without a car, and full of simple activities that don’t require expensive tickets or complicated planning.
Some of the best memories are not necessarily made inside major attractions, but during simple moments: taking the DART by the sea, watching street musicians in Grafton street, spotting deer in the park, or eating chips on a windy beach.
Here are some genuinely kid-friendly activities in Dublin, divided by age group to help you plan your stay more easily.

Family, Solo & Couple Ideas

There’s something rather special about that moment after a photo shoot. You’ve taken a breather and caught your breath together. You’ve had a laugh, and just enjoyed being present with each other in a new place.
Instead of rushing off to the next “must-see”, this is the time to keep that feeling alive and take in Dublin in a way that feels like a gentle stroll.
Here are a few really simple ideas for things to do in Dublin after a photo shoot, to get the most out of that moment as a couple, on your own or with your family.

Being pregnant with a toddler running around at home is this totally surreal, crazy, wonderful time.
You’re not quite a family of four yet, but you’re definitely not just a little family of three anymore. As a family, newborn and maternity photographer in Dublin, I totally get how special it is to capture this moment before things change.

Your days are still all about the energy of your toddler: snacks on the go, cuddles at random, little hands grabbing at you… But meanwhile, there’s this whole other thing going on; you’re growing a whole new tiny human inside you.
And yet, that in-between stage is the one that so often goes undocumented.
When you hear ‘maternity photos’, people usually think of all calm and posed and just about the baby bump. But when you already have a little kid, the story is so much bigger than that.
It’s in the way your toddler just leans in against your bump, in the snuggles, in all the little moments that are just ordinary right now… but will mean the whole world later.

Family photo shoots can be an absolute nightmare, especially when the kids are bouncing off the walls, shy or easily distracted. But can you imagine having a whole family photo session that’s fun, relaxing and stress-free for everyone? That’s what a kid-friendly family photo shoot is all about: capturing those real, joyful moments without making anyone pretend to be happy or pose in a cheesy way.

With this approach, the focus is on making sure your little ones are comfy, your family’s natural rhythm is intact and you get to create memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.

More info about my family photo sessions in Dublin

Why do so many children dislike being photographed?

So often, photography asks children to perform: to sit still, to smile on cue, to behave a certain way for the camera. From their point of view, it can feel intrusive, overwhelming, or simply boring. Even when it’s well-intended, there is adult pressure to pose, to smile, to do it right. For many children, being asked to pose for a photo means being interrupted in what they were deeply engaged in: playing, exploring, daydreaming, moving. That interruption alone can feel frustrating or intrusive, and it’s often one of the main reasons children resist being photographed.

But what if we did it differently?

What if photography adapted to children instead of asking children to adapt to photography?
This is where child-led photography begins: by giving children space, agency, and trust. Fear not, this is not about letting chaos take over. Rather, it’s about meeting children where they are, and allowing real moments to unfold naturally. As a documentary family photographer in Dublin, I’d love to share more about this child-led approach and why it matters so much to me.

Moving to Dublin with kids: a life-changing family chapter

Moving to Dublin with your kids is an adventure filled with excitement, hope, and a fair amount of uncertainty.

There are boxes everywhere, suitcases half-packed, and that strange feeling of being suspended between two lives. One foot still in what you’re leaving behind, the other already stepping into something new. Your children might be curious, nervous, thrilled, upset, or all of that at once.

And in the middle of the logistics, paperwork, schools, and housing searches, something often gets overlooked: how quickly this chapter will pass.

So the question is: How do you keep memories of your new life, while everything is still unfolding?

Read more: why I chose to become a documentary photographer

If you’ve ever thought “I’d love family photos at home… but my house is a mess”, you’re not alone.
As a family photographer in Dublin, I know that many parents worry about having a small or messy home. The good news? It doesn’t stop you from having beautiful, natural photos! My approach to small and messy home family photos in Dublin focuses on capturing the real moments that matter, and the joy of everyday life.

This is, without a doubt, the number one worry parents share with me before an in-home family photo session.
Toys everywhere. Dishes in the sink. Laundry waiting to be folded. Crumbs on the table.
And often, a quiet fear: “Will my home be good enough?”

Let me tell you this first, gently, honestly, and without hesitation:

yes, absolutely, you can have a photo session in a small / lived in home.
Chances are, your home is much less messy than you think. Social media has trained us to only see the “good angles,” which can distort our expectations of real life. And honestly, a lived-in home makes perfect sense: it’s a sign of a family in motion. What matters most are the bonds, the affection, and the light, which I carefully use to bring those moments to the forefront.

Explore at-home family photography sessions in Dublin

What is the best time of year for your family session?

Planning a family photo session can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out the best time of year to book a family photoshoot in Dublin. As a family photographer in Dublin who works exclusively with natural light, I’ve learned that the season you choose has a real impact on the mood, colours, and overall feel of your images.

Here’s a simple, honest guide to help you choose the moment that suits your family best.

More info about my family photo sessions

Hot drinks, cool air, and warm memories: winter sessions in Dublin

I love outdoors family sessions on a crisp winter morning! They are so special, and you can make it a real treat by bringing in a cup of your favorite hot drink to enjoy while walking.
As a Dublin family photographer who loves outdoor sessions year-round, I had the pleasure of photographing a delightful family in the serene beauty of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, located near Dublin’s Phoenix Park. This 1.5-hour documentary-style session captured genuine moments of family bonds and joy, set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most renowned memorial gardens. Does winter mean you can’t enjoy a walk in the park? Absolutely not, and I’m here to show you how much fun an outdoor session can be during the colder months. Keep reading if you’re considering a family photography session in the Memorial Gardens, Dublin.

Documentary newborn photography vs studio

When you’re expecting a baby, it’s natural to look for a way to remember those first precious days.
You might find yourself comparing two very different experiences: the studio newborn session, and the documentary newborn session at home.
Both create beautiful memories, but what you get, how it feels, and what the photos mean to you later on are worlds apart.
Let’s explore the key differences of documentary newborn photography vs studio, so you can choose the approach that truly fits your family.

More info about my newborn photo sessions