It's the last full week before Halloween, so of course this issue leans spooky: two haunted walks, three Halloween shows and a free festival in the city. If your kids scare easy, the dinosaurs in Dún Laoghaire and a free craft drop-in in Inchicore are the calm ones.
And don't forget the clocks go back on Sunday morning this week, so that's an extra hour in bed. Or an extra hour of them up before you. Plan accordingly.
What's the one Halloween thing your family won't let you skip? Hit reply and tell me, along with the area you're currently living in.
I checked every organiser's page on Sunday 18 October. The Halloween stuff goes fast this close to the day, so if something catches your eye, book it tonight.
12 PICKS · 4 AREAS
With The Kids
North, South, West and the City Centre, three picks each.
City Centre
Stokerland
St Patrick's Park, Dublin 8 · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, from 11am
Free, including the carousel and face painting · families with kids under 12 · no booking, just turn up
The Bram Stoker Festival's family day out, beside St Patrick's Cathedral. Fancy dress is encouraged, so let them pick the costume. It's all outdoors, and you can bring a picnic.
Little Red & The Big Bad Wolf
Ambassador Theatre, Dublin 1 · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 2pm, an hour with no interval
About €24 a ticket, or just under €92 for a family of four, fees included · ages 4 and up
A Halloween panto, and the kids are told to come in costume. An hour with no interval suits the ones who can't sit still for longer.
Boo at the Zoo
Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park · the trail runs all day Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, last admission 4.30pm
About €63 for two adults and two kids online, or €75 at the gate, under-3s free · all the family, under-16s with an adult · book online to save up to 15%
The trail comes with your zoo ticket. Dracula and the Boo Crew don't arrive until the Monday, so this weekend it's the animals and the trail.
North Dublin
The Haunted Trail at Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle gardens, Malahide · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October; day entry up to 4.30pm, night entry from 4.45pm
Sunday daytime comes to about €66 for two adults and two kids with fees; Saturday night is about €94 · child tickets are for ages 2 to 12 · pre-book only
Daytime is the one for little ones and anyone who scares easy. Night is the proper fright. Sunday is cheaper than Saturday, and it goes ahead in the rain, so bring what's needed if the weather is shite.
Creepy Town
The Theatre at The Helix · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 2.30pm and 5pm, about an hour
€22 a ticket plus booking fee, so €88 plus fees for four · under-16s with an adult
A Halloween family show on the northside, with two shows each day so you can fit it round naps if they're at that stage.
Kidsyard Family Rave
The Bernard Shaw, Cross Guns Bridge, Dublin 9 · Sunday 25 October, two 90-minute sessions, listed at 12pm and 3pm
Adults €12, kids €7, plus booking fee, so €38 plus fees for four · under-14s with a parent, and no adults without a child · tickets are non-refundable
A Halloween disco in the basement nightclub, and the parents are meant to dance too. Glowsticks, face painting and bubbles. The booking page shows a different start time, and the clocks go back that morning, so check your ticket.
South Dublin
Dinosaur World Live
Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire · Friday 23 October 3pm and 5.30pm (relaxed); Saturday 24 October 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm; Sunday 25 October 11am and 2pm
€21 a ticket plus booking fee, so €84 plus fees for four · ages 3 and up, everyone over 3 needs a ticket · for more than 2 tickets, call the box office
Dinosaurs on stage, then a meet and greet after the show. The Friday 5.30pm is a relaxed performance, if yours do better with the lights up a bit.
Pumpkin painting competition at the Pearse Museum
St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham · drop off on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 October, 10am to 5pm
Free to enter, you bring the pumpkin · four age groups, from 5 and under to 13 and over · no booking
Paint it at home, bring it to the Nature Room and it goes on display in the courtyard. Then let them loose in the park while you're there.
Samhain Haunted Forest Walk
Marlay Park, Grange Road, Dublin 16 · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, timed slots, last entry 8pm
€5 a ticket and each ticket gets two in, so €10 plus fees for four · all ages · pre-book only, nothing on sale on the day
The council's haunted forest walk, and the cheapest big Halloween night out on the southside. The first slot each evening is a sensory session. Parking is tight, so walk, cycle or get the bus if you can, and be there half an hour before your slot.
West Dublin
Pocus Hocus
The Civic, Tallaght · Friday 23 October 7pm; Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 2pm and 4pm; an hour, no interval
Family ticket €64 for four
The Civic's Halloween show for the whole family. It's selling well, so check availability before you promise anyone.
Bluebell Pumpkin Patch
Bluebell United FC, Carpo Park, Naas Road · Sunday 25 October, 2pm to 8pm
About €13 a ticket · a family day · book online, refunds up to 3 days before
A football club's pumpkin patch beside the Red Cow. The booking page doesn't say if that's per person or per family, or if a pumpkin is included. Ask the club before you buy for everyone.
Make and Create at Richmond Barracks
Richmond Barracks, Inchicore · Saturday 24 October
Free · all ages, kids with an adult · drop in from 2pm for 90 minutes, no booking
A craft drop-in with nothing spooky about it. There are 20 places, so get there near the start.
2 IDEAS FOR A NIGHT OUT
With the missus
For when you've a babysitter booked and no plan yet.
The Dublin Story Grand Slam
Abbey Theatre, Lower Abbey Street · Sunday 25 October, 6pm
€25 to €30 a ticket, so €50 to €60 for the two of you
Eight storytelling champions tell true stories about fear, hosted by Colm O'Regan. An early Sunday start, so you're home at a respectable hour.
Friday Night Supper Club
Dublin Cookery School, Brookfield Terrace, Blackrock · Friday 23 October, 7pm to 10pm
€115 each with drinks, so €230 for the two of you · any cooking level · book on the course page, it often fills weeks ahead
You cook the starter and the dessert after a short demo, then sit down to three courses. It's dear. The drinks are in, though, and you're done by ten.
2 PICKS · SOLO OR WITH MATES
Useful dad picks
Cheer on the Dublin Marathon
Starts Leeson Street Lower, finishes Mount Street Upper · Sunday 25 October, race starts 8.45am · free to watch
Thousands of runners past your end of the city. Pick a support zone near you, bring a flask and a sign for someone. Roads close all day, so plan around it.
A night at the dogs, Shelbourne Park
Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, South Lotts Road · Friday 23 October, gates 6.30pm, or Saturday 24 October, gates 6pm
Adult admission €10
A tenner gets you in, and the lads can split the first round. A classic venue for a memorable night.
1 PICK · COUNTY WICKLOW
Worth The Spin
Out past the county border, but worth the fuel.
Mega Monster Halloween at Emerald Park
Kilbrew, Ashbourne, Co. Meath · Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 11am to 4pm
All Access €44 a head early bird, so €176 for four, or Junior Zone €40, so €160 · best for ages 3 to 12 · book online in advance
The pumpkin trail, a Halloween panto and the characters are all in with the park ticket, along with the rides and the zoo. It's the priciest kids' day out in here. Book before midnight the night before to get the early bird price.
2 IDEAS FOR HER DAY OFF
Just for the missus
Send her one of these and take the kids out of the house to something else we've listed.
Stitch
The Boys' School, Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar · Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 7pm
€20 · strictly 18+ · latecomers won't be let in
An hour of horror theatre for the Bram Stoker Festival.
Self Care Saturday
Cross Guns Business Park, Royal Canal Bank, Dublin 7 · Saturday 24 October, 11am to 2pm
Just under €18 for yin yoga and a sound bath, or just under €29 with sauna and ice bath, plus booking fees · adults only, 18+ · book online, refunds up to 3 days before
Yoga and a sound bath, then the sauna and ice bath if she goes for the full session. She's back and refreshed by mid-afternoon.
What I did
Last week I brought the little one up to Powerscourt Waterfall and spent about an hour chasing sticks down the river. It was class.
Under-2s are free at the waterfall. So at the gate I told your man it was just me and the baby. No mention of age, but she's 3, and managed to get in for free.
Turns out it runs in the family. When I was a kid, my dad used to hide us in the boot on the way in. Me, my sister and the odd cousin, lying in the dark, listening to him chatting to the man on the gate. "Just me and the wife," he'd say.
Then we'd feel the car start up the driveway, he'd give us the shout, and the celebrations would begin.
It was probably about two pound a child back then. But it was never really about the money. It was for the story and the laughs. It's one of those childhood memories that always gives me a smile when I think back.
What are those small moments that you think your kids will talk about years from now?
I'm always looking for ideas so would love to know.
Reply and let me know if you've got a minute.
Also, if you've got a mate who's always asking what's on? Forward him this.
Or tell him to sign up at newsletter.thedublindad.com.
Word of mouth is how this grows, so I'd appreciate it.
Right, that's me for this week.
Enjoy the week, lads.
Alan,
The Dublin Dad