It’s over! You got through January and now you can look forward to brighter days. Okay, so it’s still pretty wintry out there, but cheer yourself and your family up and organise an outing or two to keep yourselves going until spring finally arrives. Here are some events that took our fancy.

1. National Botanic Gardens Creative Workshops for Kids

Venue: National Botanic Gardens, Dublin 9
Date: Saturday, 11th of February 2017, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (4-7 years)
2pm-4pm (8-12 years)
Cost: €10
Contact Booking Essential
+ 353 1 804 0300

Cultivate your kids’ creativity with one of the art workshops at the National Botanic Gardens. Artist Niamh Synnott runs two cleverly titled workshops once a month—Budding Artists for 4 to 7-year-olds and Hardy Annuals for 8 to 12-year-olds. Children are encouraged to examine the natural world around them for inspiration for fun artistic activities.

2. 5th Annual Turlough 8km Fun Run

Venue: Turlough Park, Gortnafolla, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Date: Sunday February 12th
Cost: Entrance costs €15 for adults or €25 for couples and families
Contact: See Mayo AC Facebook page

Keep those resolutions to get active and join the fifth annual Turlough 8km fun run and walk at the Museum of Country Life in Mayo. Organised by Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA, in association with Mayo Mental Health and the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, this is a family-friendly event that is enjoyable for everyone from strollers to racers. Refreshments are served on the day. While you’re there, take the opportunity to visit the free, award-winning exhibition galleries of the Museum of Country Life
Registration on the day is in the marquee at the rear of Turlough Park House from 10.30 to 11.45am.

3. Kids’ Arts and Crafts Club Hunt Museum

Venue: Hunt Museum, Limerick City
Date: Sunday, February 5th
Cost: Free
Contact: Call 061 312833 or email: [email protected]

The Hunt Museum in Limerick City is a wonderful place to bring your children whatever the occasion, but make a special effort to make it to the Kids Arts and Crafts club. With a different theme for every session, your children are sure to be inspired. Even better, at this budget-conscious time of year, the events are free. Get crafty with your kids this Sunday. Suitable for ages 4 to 8 years old.
Advance booking recommended.

4. Dunmore Gardens Artisan Food Fair

Venue: Dunmore Gardens, Carrigans, Co. Donegal
Date: Sunday, February 12th, 11am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Contact: See Dunmore Gardens website

To mark the opening of their newly renovated barn, Dunmore Gardens is launching an Artisan Food Fair on Sunday the 12th of February. Everyone in the family, young and old, will love the delicious treats on store (home-made marshmallows, anyone?). And there is plenty of healthy, home-grown produce as well, with the best of what Donegal and the North West have to offer on show.

5. MineVention Plus

Venue: RDS, Dublin 4.
Dates: 18th and 19th February 2017
Cost: General admission €22.90; under-threes are free; family tickets available
Contact: Booking

If you have a Minecraft fan in your house, you won’t want to miss MineVention Plus at the RDS Dublin on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th February 2017.

Some 50,000 children have attended MineVention events during the past two years, and this is the first time it has come to Dublin. Aimed at gaming families with a special love for the game Minecraft, MineVention also caters for children with sensory difficulties.

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