Rainy Day Summer Holidays: Indoor Things To Do Near Me With Kids

Easy indoor activities, rainy-day back-up plans and family days out when the weather changes

One day you are planning a picnic, splash park or beach trip. The next day, the forecast changes, the rain starts, and parents are suddenly searching for rainy day activities near me or things to do indoors with kids.

Indoor summer holiday activities can be active, creative, educational, exciting or calm depending on what your family needs that day.

You might choose soft play for younger children, bowling for a family challenge, mini golf for something fun and easy, cinema for a calmer afternoon, a museum for a free or low-cost day out, an aquarium for an all-weather adventure or an indoor activity centre when children need to burn off energy.

How to choose the right rainy-day activity

Before you book, think about what kind of day your family actually needs.

1. If the kids are full of energy, choose something active.
2. If everyone is tired, choose cinema or a museum.
3. If the rain is heavy, choose somewhere with easy parking or good public transport.
4. If you are trying to save money, choose a free museum, library or low-cost indoor option.
5. If you want a bigger treat, choose an attraction or immersive experience.

Ask yourself:

• How far do we want to travel?
• Is it suitable for all ages?
• Do we need to book?
• Is there parking nearby?
• Can we eat there?
• How long will the activity last?
• Is it buggy-friendly?
• Is there somewhere for adults to sit?
• Are Kids Pass offers available?
• What is our rainy-day budget?

Rainy-day plans work best when they are simple, flexible and easy to swap if the weather changes again.

1. Soft play for younger children

Soft play is one of the easiest rainy-day activities for younger children.

It gives kids space to climb, slide, crawl, run and burn off energy while parents can stay indoors and keep the day contained.

Soft play works well for:

• toddlers
• younger children
• wet mornings
• hot or rainy days
• last-minute plans
• birthday treats
• meeting friends
• mixed-age siblings if there are separate play zones

Before visiting, check session times, age areas, booking rules, food options, parking and whether socks are required.

Kids Pass families can check current soft play and indoor play offers before booking, as participating venues and savings can vary.

Good Kids Pass-style indoor play ideas may include venues such as Kidspace, Spaceworld, Flip Out Canary Wharf, Oxygen Activeplay and selected indoor activity parks where offers are available.

2. Bowling for easy family competition

Bowling is a classic rainy-day family activity because it suits different ages and does not rely on the weather.

It is simple, social and easy to turn into a family challenge.

Make bowling more fun with:

• kids vs grown-ups
• funniest bowling pose
• best celebration
• first strike challenge
• family leaderboard
• arcade games afterwards
• food before or after the game

Kids Pass offers are available at selected bowling venues, helping families save on rainy-day plans.

For example, Bowl Central Reading and Hollywood Bowl are weather-proof options with bowling, arcade games, food and drink under one roof, making them useful choices for school holidays, weekends and rainy days.

Always check the latest offer details before booking, as participating venues and savings can vary.

3. Mini golf for a relaxed indoor activity

Mini golf is a great rainy-day choice when you want something fun but not too tiring.

It works well for families, mixed-age siblings, grandparents and children who like a little friendly competition.

Mini golf is good for:

• rainy afternoons
• school holiday treats
• family challenges
• birthdays
• low-energy days
• combining with food
• older children and teens

Kids Pass mini golf offers may include venues such as Jungle Rumble, One Under, HUKD Golf and Waterworld and Adventure Mini Golf, depending on current availability.

Jungle Rumble offers themed courses and a playful family experience, while One Under combines glow-in-the-dark mini golf with arcade-style fun. HUKD Golf in Bury includes neon crazy golf, sports simulators and interactive games, making it useful for rainy-day family plans.

Offers and participating venues can vary, so always check Kids Pass before booking.

4. Cinema trips for calmer rainy days

Sometimes rainy days call for something simple.

A cinema trip is ideal when children need a quieter activity, parents need an easy plan, or the weather makes outdoor adventures difficult.

Cinema works well for:

• wet afternoons
• school holiday film releases
• family time without too much planning
• a simple treat after a busy week
• combining with lunch or dinner

Kids Pass cinema savings may be available at selected cinemas, including Vue, ODEON, Showcase, Cineworld, The Light Cinema, Reel Cinema and Picturehouse Cinema.

To keep costs down, check family screenings, off-peak times and the latest Kids Pass cinema offers before booking.

You can also make the day better value by planning snacks, drinks or a family meal around the cinema trip. Before you go, check Kids Pass for nearby dining offers, including selected family-friendly restaurants and Kids Eat Free deals where available.

5. Aquariums for all-weather family days out

Aquariums are brilliant rainy-day attractions because they feel exciting, educational and fully weather-proof.

Children can walk through underwater tunnels, spot sharks, rays and colourful fish, follow activity trails and learn about marine life without needing outdoor space.

Kids Pass aquarium options may include:

• Blue Planet Aquarium
• Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay
• Bristol Aquarium
• Deep Sea World
• Hastings Aquarium
• Oceanarium Bournemouth
• Tynemouth Aquarium
• selected SEA LIFE locations

Blue Planet Aquarium is a strong rainy-day option for families, with over 100 marine species, shark tunnels and hands-on experiences. Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay can also be a useful wet-weather family day out, especially for families in Cornwall looking for an indoor activity.

Many aquarium offers on Kids Pass include Kids Go Free, Child Goes Free or selected web-price savings, making them a helpful option for rainy summer holiday plans.

Check current Kids Pass offers before visiting, as voucher rules, participating locations and savings can vary.

6. Museums for free or low-cost rainy-day learning

Museums are one of the best indoor activities with kids because many are free or low-cost, and they work well in both rainy weather and heatwaves.

They are ideal for children who enjoy dinosaurs, science, transport, animals, space, history, art or hands-on exhibits.

Good museum ideas include:

• science museums
• transport museums
• natural history museums
• children’s museums
• local history museums
• art galleries
• immersive museums
• railway museums
• entertainment museums

Kids Pass museum and discovery offers may include places such as Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Eureka! Science + Discovery, Showtown Blackpool, Museum of Illusions London, Paradox Museum and Twist Museum.

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is designed for younger children, with interactive learning zones and playful exhibits. Eureka! Science + Discovery on the Wirral is useful for children interested in science, technology, creativity and hands-on learning.

Showtown Blackpool offers an indoor museum experience based around entertainment, seaside culture and showbiz, making it a strong all-weather option.

7. Free indoor places to visit with kids in the UK

Not every rainy-day plan needs to cost money.

Free museums, galleries and libraries can be brilliant during the summer holidays, especially when families need indoor activities without adding another paid day out.

Free indoor family ideas include:

• Natural History Museum, London
• Science Museum, London
• V&A South Kensington, London
• Tate Modern, London
• British Museum, London
• Museum of London Docklands, London
• Manchester Museum
• Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
• National Football Museum, Manchester, if free entry applies for your visit type
• World Museum, Liverpool
• National Museum Cardiff
• National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
• Riverside Museum, Glasgow
• Ulster Museum, Belfast
• Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
• Library of Birmingham children’s library
• local libraries across the UK

These places are useful because they give families somewhere dry, educational and flexible to visit without always needing a big budget.

Always check opening times, booking rules, exhibition charges and event details before travelling, as some museums are free to enter but may charge for special exhibitions, events or activities.

8. Trampoline parks and active indoor play

When children are full of energy, active indoor venues can be a lifesaver.

Trampoline parks, inflatable parks and activity centres let children move, jump, climb and challenge themselves without relying on good weather.

Kids Pass active indoor options may include:

• Oxygen Activeplay
• Gravity Active
• Gravity Max
• Elev8
• Bounce House
• Flip Out Canary Wharf
• selected Ninja Warrior-style venues where available

Oxygen Activeplay offers trampoline and activity sessions across multiple UK locations, while Gravity Active includes bouncing, dodgeball, climbing and obstacle-style fun at selected venues. Elev8 offers a mix of bounce park, inflatables, soft play and interactive activities, while Bounce House in Liverpool focuses on giant inflatables, slides and obstacle-course fun.

These venues are especially useful during school holidays, but they can get busy, so book ahead where possible.

9. Immersive experiences for something different

Rainy days can be a good excuse to try an indoor experience that feels more memorable than a standard activity.

Immersive attractions can work well for families who want colour, puzzles, illusions, storytelling or something photo-friendly.

Kids Pass immersive ideas may include:

• Bubble Planet
• The Paddington Bear Experience
• Museum of Illusions London
• Paradox Museum
• Twist Museum
• Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition
• Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
• SENSAS London
• Prison Island London
• Boom Lab
• Activate

Bubble Planet is a colourful multi-sensory attraction with themed rooms, bubble landscapes and immersive installations. The Paddington Bear Experience is a story-led family attraction where children can step into Paddington’s world. Museum of Illusions London, Paradox Museum and Twist Museum are strong options for families who like interactive exhibits, photo moments and mind-bending rooms.

For older children, teens or active families, places such as Activate, Boom Lab, Prison Island London and SENSAS London offer group challenges, puzzles, movement and teamwork.

Check age suitability carefully, as some experiences may be better for older children or groups.

10. Creative rainy-day activities

Rainy days are not just for running around.

Some children love hands-on, creative activities where they can make something, experiment or get a little messy.

Creative indoor ideas include:

• slime workshops
• pottery painting
• craft cafés
• art galleries
• family workshops
• library craft sessions
• home craft boxes
• baking
• drawing challenges
• build-your-own activity kits

Kids Pass creative ideas may include Gootopia Slime Workshop, where children can mix, stretch and create their own slime with colours, glitter and textures.

Creative activities are especially useful when you want something quieter than soft play but more interactive than sitting at home.

How Kids Pass can help with rainy-day summer holidays

Kids Pass can help families find indoor things to do with kids across the UK, from active play and bowling to museums, aquariums, cinema trips, mini golf, indoor attractions and family meals.

That means rainy days do not need to feel like the plan has failed.

The best rainy-day summer plans are simple, flexible and easy to book.

Not a Kids Pass member yet? Start your £1 Kids Pass trial today and discover family days out, cinema savings, dining offers, indoor activities and rainy-day things to do with kids across the UK.