ALTHOUGH THE CHANGING weather may indicate otherwise, summer has well and truly arrived.

So what’s the best way to enjoy the start of the season with your little ones? We’ve rounded up five toddler-friendly events to see you through May and June, including a new festival for children and a teddy bears’ picnic…

Pitter Patter & Paint: Hand & Footprint Session for Father’s Day: Celebrate the dads, grandads and father figures in your little one’s life by getting creative and making hand or fingerprint family trees to take home.

Suits: 0-3 years. When: 16 June. Where: CHQ Building, 1 Custom House Quay, Dublin 1. Costs: €12 per ticket. Find out more information here.

Vantastival 2019: Now in its 10th year, Vantastival is a family-friendly festival with plenty of activities to ensure that attendees of all ages will have a great weekend. There are scheduled kids activities, including workshops and comedy shows, while the jam-packed lineup of music acts will keep parents and non-parents entertained too.

Suits: all ages. When: 31 May – 2 June. Where: Beaulieu House, Drogheda, Co Louth. Costs: under 3s, free; child weekend camping (3-12 years), €12.50; adult day ticket, €50. Find out more information here.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Head along to Wells House and Gardens for a fun-filled day featuring a picnic, kids’ disco, BBQ and face-painting. Tickets are free, but you can buy a kids’ picnic bag, which includes sandwiches and snacks, for €8.50.

Suits: all ages. When: 12 May. Where: Wells House and Gardens, Ballyedmond, Gorey, Co Wexford. Costs: free. Find out more information here. 

Junior Explorer Family Tour at the GAA Museum: Get the youngest members of the family interested in GAA early with this kid-friendly, behind-the-scenes tour of Croke Park. Attendees will be greeted by the museum’s mascot Cluasóg the Irish hare, while the interactive games zone gives little ones the chance to see if they could be the next All Ireland winner.

Suits: all ages. When: 11 and 18 May. Where: GAA Museum, Croke Park, St Joseph’s Avenue, Dublin 3. Costs: under 3s, free; 3-12 years, €9; adults, €14. Find out more information here.

Right Here Right Now! Festival of Children: A three-day event full of art, theatre, dance, games and film, Right Here Right Now! is a new festival for children. With exhibitions, a games day and even a baby rave, attendees won’t be short of things to do. All events are free, although pre-booking may be required. 

Suits: varies depending on event. When: 13-16 June. Where: The Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Costs: free. Find out more information here. 

Parents, want to win a day out with lunch at Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials and Ladies Day? Enter here – and don’t forget to subscribe to our Family Newsletter below!