County Galway has a number of soft play areas for kids to enjoy. These are particularly good for those rainy days!

• Bonkers in the City Limits Entertainment Centre, Oranmore has a secure play area is a paradise of fun and exploration for the little ones from 1-6 years.

• Fun Shack is situated on the Galway side of Loughrea Town in a commercial park and offers a specially designed toddler play area includes slides, log ramps and ball pools and is completely separate from the main play area so the little ones have their own play space. There is also a cafe serving drinks and food in the centre. Loughwell Farm Park (below) also has an indoor play area.

• Monkey Business Galway is a children’s play centre in Knocknacarra (behind B&Q). It has lots of slides, climbing frames, ball pools, bouncy castles, a painting corner, baby / toddler area and café area for parents.

• Kidsplace is large indoor play area located on the 2nd floor of Briarhill Shopping Centre, in Galway. Ideal for babies, toddlers and kids up to about 7 years old, it will keep your kids entertained for hours. Facilities include climbing frames, computer interactive area, ride on equipment and an enclosed football pitch. There is a cafe with light snacks and refreshments too.

• Busy Bees is a fun-filled activity centre for kids of all ages. Located in Oranmore Business Park, close to Oranmore village just 10 minutes drive from Galway city centre. Busy Bees have combined 4 state of the art activity areas with a fine café making it an ideal venue for all the family. Areas include a baby and toddler play area, Busy Bees activity zone, Bees on Skates, Creative Art Corner, Construction Zone, Library and Teddy Mountain.

• Leisureland, Salthill is a wonderful leisure facility for all the family where there are 3 pools with the highlight for being the Treasure Cove with pirate ship with water cannons, serpents and bubbly pool. There is also a 65m water slide and 25m swimming pool. Outside there is crazy golf and during the summer a wide variety of amusement rides.

• Loughwell Farm Park also has an indoor play area and Jungle Town at Turoe Pet Farm (below) is another great option.