Wet, rainy days can be tough when you have children. There are some fantastic indoor places to take children on our doorstep and a short journey away, below are some suggestions. If you have any other suggestions for an indoor day out that you have enjoyed, or you want to feature your attraction, please contact me here.
As Covid restrictions ease, please check directly with destinations listed here before travelling to find when they are open and what Covid policies they have in place, for example booking in advance only.
Beetle’s Sensory Den at Little Monkeys on Harpings Road, Hull, is a small room perfect for developing cognitive, motor, language and problem-solving skills. It’s suitable for babies and toddlers and children with SEN. It can be booked on any weekday between 10am and 4pm.
Only people from the same house or in an existing support bubble will be able to book currently. The same rigid Covid Policy is in place as before, with the room disinfected with an anti-viral fogging machine in between each session. Takeaway hot and cold drinks will be available.
Sessions are pre-bookable for up to 3 babies or toddlers and 2 adults. Prices are £5 per child. Please call 01482 447766 or book direct on their website here. Or follow their facebook page here.
We are on a mission to share our love for all things geeky – from games and superhero movies to anime and sci-fi. Geek Retreat is the friendliest place to meet, eat, shop and play.
We have a variety of events to cover different ages, experience levels and interests (from new parents, to young children, primary age and secondary age children). We have board games to play, a Nintendo Switch to chill out on and cater to hobbyists and duellists. We love expanding our inclusive community with new members constantly.
Come to an event, or just drop in to use the cafe and play games. We serve quality coffee, amazing milkshakes, pizzas, burgers and cold drinks. We provide a cheery atmosphere for all to enjoy, and have step free access and disabled bathroom to cater for all.
Add us on Facebook to keep up to date with our events and new releases. Find us at 19 Whitefriargate, Hull, open Monday-Saturday 10-9, and 10-6 on Sundays.
Trampoline park located on the top floor of St Stephens (entry outside next to Next or via the car park).
Lots of fun for children and grown ups! A floor of trampolines and bouncy activities. Sessions include Open Jump for all ages, SEN specific sessions, fitness classes. They also hold toddler sessions where only under 5s can bounce (must be over 18 months old), look out for themed toddler sessions!
You can also hold your child’s Birthday Party or special occasion at a Gravity Party.
For more info and bookings call 0330 1595815, email enquiries.hull@gravity-uk.com, or find out more on their website here.
St Stephens Shopping Centre, Ferensway, Hull, HU2 8LN
Perfect for budding explorers and adventurers of all ages, The Lost City houses two incredible 18-hole indoor adventure golf courses in the centre of Hull. Putt your skills to the test against towering rockfaces and incredible obstacles – perfect fun for all ages and occasions.
Nestled between the courses, you’ll find the incredible Tiki Bar – the best spot to reward yourself after a game of golf or just pop in to enjoy freshly made pizzas, hand crafted cocktails and soak up those tropical vibes.
Open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm and located on the first floor (Leisure Terrace) in St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, Ferensway, Hull. Suitable for players aged 3yrs+ with both courses being wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
Turn up and pay on the door, or book online here.
Open, advance booking required (free entry).
Great day out for children. Large display of trains and old steam engines some of which children can get on, historic station, activities, outdoor play area and miniature train, good cafe. Steam Rides are available for a small fee, running most Saturdays (can book online). Free entry but donations are welcome.
Open daily 10am-5pm in Winter, 10am-6pm in Summer. Located next to York Railway station so a good place to get the train from Hull to or there is a car park across the road from the museum (£10 for parking but you can park all day and get the land train from here into York city centre).
Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ. 0844 815 3139. For more info and booking visit their website here.
Thrilling climbing for all ages with walls towering over 8m in height and over 70 challenges to get stuck into, there are new ways to climb every time you visit!
We run climbing for all ages and abilities. From ages 4 and over the whole family can enjoy mountains of fun! Under 4’s can enjoy our Toddler Climb sessions where we offer smaller harnesses and more hands-on help to get them Reaching New Heights.
Open on selected days, days may vary, please check website for latest opening. For more information and booking please visit their website here.
Rock Up, St Stephens Centre, Ferensway, Hull.
Hull’s only dedicated retro arcade, on the Ground Floor of Princes Quay, Hull. From Space Invaders to Sega Rally, Pinballs to Point Blank. We have something that you will remember.
Just pay entry fee and then play for as long as you want. Light snacks available plus hot & cold drinks. Email arcadehubhull@gmail.com or call 07713 993435 for more info and bookings. Currently open Wednesday & Thursday, 3.00-9.00pm, Friday and Saturday 10.00am-10.00pm, and Sunday 11.00am – 9.00pm. Please check latest before visiting.
Grade 1 listed building with stunning Georgian courtroom, plus 2 exhibition rooms with local items. Specifically for children are:
Free admission. Open Wednesdays & Fridays 10am-4pm.
Register Square, Beverley, HU17 9XX. 01482 392783.
Walk around the beautiful Beverley Minster, which has been a place of prayer for over 1300 years. You can walk around yourself admiring the architecture, or alternatively for a fee, floor and roof tours are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from April onward (booking essential). The guides are very experienced and great with children, they will guide you around the history of the Minster, and show you amazing things normally hidden from public view.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm, Sundays 12-4pm.
Minster Yard North, Beverley, HU17 0DP. For more information about the tours call 01482 868540.
Come and discover Barnsley’s hidden treasure – the island paradise that is Calypso Cove Waterpark. Calypso Cove is home to fantastic flumes, sensational slides and wonderful waves – making it a great day out for the whole family! Splash your way through the slides, flumes and pools before retreating to The Hideout on poolside to refuel and relax with some hearty grog ‘n’ grub!
The Metrodome Leisure Complex, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN. 01226 730060.
Visit Dinostar – Hull’s Dinosaur Experience – the exciting, interactive dinosaur museum. A children’s museum with dinosaurs! Highlights include a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, Triceratops bones you can touch and our unique Dinosaur Sound Box. Our dinosaur and fossil shop offers genuine and replica fossils plus a range of dinosaur toys, all at reasonable prices. Ideal for children of all ages!
Open every weekend 11am – 5pm, and some school holidays.
28-29 Humber Street, Hull, HU1 1TH. 01482 320424 info@dinostar.co.uk
An interactive children’s museum approximately 1 hour 20 mins drive from Hull. A great family day out, lots of interactive, hands on exhibits for children that are fun and educational. Eureka also has the annual pass option – pay once and visit as many times as you like in the following year. Pre-book tickets online.
Open term time Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm (5pm on weekends), open daily in school holidays 10am-5pm
Discovery Road, Halifax, HX1 2NE. 01422 330069
Free art gallery in Hull city centre. Explore a magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures, plus there is a regular program of temporary exhibitions and events. Includes a very good children’s area to play in and get creative (currently closed – Jan 2022) and a good child friendly cafe (Cafe Venue Hull). They hold regular children’s activities and events, Mini Masterpieces and Gallery Expedition are sessions for the under 5s and sessions are available for older children during school holidays (see our school holiday section for more information).
Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3RA. 01482 300300.
Temporarily Closed.
Set in the old Grammar School where William Wilberforce studied, a history museum including the history of Hull. This gallery is home to a genuine 2,600 year old mummy and unique replicas of King Tutankhamen’s treasures. Free entry.
Opening times – 12 to 4pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month
South Church Side, Hull, HU1 1RR General Enquiries – 01482 300 300
Hedon Museum is located behind the Town Hall, accessible by a small alley between Watmough’s Arcade and Iveson Close Car Park. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-4pm. Closes for Winter.
Museum all about the town of Hedon and it’s heritage, includes a children’s corner. Free entry.
For more info call them on 01482 890908 or email kmiller.hedonmuseum@miller3.karoo.co.uk.
Hull’s Hollywood Bowl has 26 lanes to choose from, and there is also a bar and diner on site, as well as an amusement arcade. Family packages are available and they sometimes run themed competitions or family fun weekends. Open daily from 10am. Online booking is recommended but not essential, and a max of 8 players per lane.
Kingswood Leisure Park, Gibraltar Road, Hull, HU7 3DB 0844 826 1461
If you’re looking for a fun family day out why not head to Hornsea Freeport. There are 2 great children’s attractions there, along with the usual range of shops and discount outlets.
Discover Beach Cove, the fantastic play experience at Hornsea Freeport. Swing, slide, zip, bounce, climb, dig and twirl in the AWESOME outdoor activity park… and explore the AMAZING soft play zone indoors. Time for a break? Relax in the Rockpool Café and terrace overlooking the play areas. Open every day 10.00am – 4.00pm. No need to advance book.
Head into Bugtopia, the hands-on tropical nature attraction featuring Huge Bugs, butterflies, birds, spiders, and MORE! INCREDIBLE leafcutter ants have arrived at Bugtopia too! Open every day and no need to advance book.
Hornsea Freeport, Rolston Road, Hornsea, HU18 1UT. 01964 534211
There are several cinemas in Hull, some of which do special children’s discount sessions –
Cineworld – Offers include Family Tickets, Junior Prices and Cinebabies (under 18months are free). Gibraltar Road, Kingswood Retail Park, Hull, HU7 3DB. 0871 2002000.
Vue Cinema – ‘Mini Mornings’ – Children’s discounted films on Sat & Sun mornings and week days in the school holidays. Princes Quay, Hull, HU1 2PQ. 08712 240 240.
Odeon Luxe – ‘Odeon Kids’ – Children’s discounted films on Sat & Sun mornings and week days during the school holidays. Kingston Park, Hull, HU1 2TX.
Reel Cinema – ‘Kids Club’ – Children’s discounted films on Sat & Sun mornings, plus week days in the School holidays. St Stephens Centre, Hull, HU2 8LD. 0870 801 0870
Walk through various ages of history. 235 million years of history is brought to life, with mammoths, Saxon invaders, an Iron Age village, a Roman bath house and stunning mosaics. Located in the Museums quarter next door to the Streetlife Museum. Free entry.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
36 High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
January 2022 – Temporarily closed.
Hull History Centre holds all of the cities archives. Also runs children’s activities (usually the 1st Saturday of the month) and family events – see Events Calendar for details
Open Tuesday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm and on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month 9am – 4.30pm
Worship Street, Hull, HU2 8BG. 01482 317500
Hull’s Ice Arena has lots of different skating sessions including:
Kingston Park, Kingston Street, Hull, HU1 2DZ. Call them for latest times and prices on 01482 325252.
Hull’s most historic church, very friendly and welcoming and open most days to have a look around inside. Hull Minster is located in the heart of the Old Town Hull. They regularly run the following for families:
A cafe is available onsite and entry is free for all to enter. General opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Parish Centre, 10a-11 King Street, Kingston upon Hull HU1 2JJ
A real factory tour of this local, famous rock producer. Touch, hear, smell, see and taste the secrets of rock and chocolate production. They are a seasonal tourist location and the hours do vary depending on whether it’s the school holidays or term times. (No tours on a weekend).
It is recommended that factory tours are booked in advance to guarantee a place, with a maximum of 6 people per booking.
Also at the site – John Bull’s Candy Kingdom, soft play centre for ages 0-12.
Lancaster Road, Carnaby, Bridlington, YO15 3QY. 01262 678525.
A trip to the library to choose and take out children’s books is a great activity to do for free. Below is a list of all the libraries in our area. Many libraries run Toddler Times, see Weekly Classes for listings.
Hull:
East Riding:
Jan 2022 – Temporarily closed.
Museum of Hulls maritime past. Free entry. Often holds children’s events.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3DX. 01482 300300
Play Avenue is a safe and spacious indoor role play setting in Messingham, Scunthorpe designed to fuel imaginations. At our bespoke play centre, your little one can explore life as a builder, an actor, doctor or shop assistant. Our wonderful themed role-play areas are filled with props and furnishings to create a stimulating, fun and educational environment. All that play can be tiring, so there’s a café with drinks and snacks to help recharge little batteries.
Also do Kids Parties! Contact us for details.
For more information and booking email hello@playavenue.co.uk.
Trampoline Park in Hull with open jump sessions, toddler sessions, fitness, dodgeball, SEN sessions. Advance booking is highly recommended. Open 7 days a week Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm and Friday-Sunday 9am-9pm (8pm Sun).
Unit 2 Malmo Park, Stockholm Road, Hull, HU7 0XW. 01482 826228. Owned by and adjacent to Monkey Bizness
Climbing: Rockcity has a range of adult and children’s climbing walls. There are 3 bouldering rooms ideal for children from 2 years +. Bouldering allows children (and grown ups) to climb without ropes in a safe area with different rooms to explore. There is a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children (aged 2-13). Over 14s can use the facilities unsupervised. Pre-booking is essential. Rock-It and Group sessions are currently unavailable.
Skatepark: The Rockcity Skatepark is suitable for ages 13+ and can be viewed from inside Rockcity. Also must be booked in advance.
They also offer a range of weekly clubs which follow the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS). Ages start at 7, and we have something for all levels if skill and experience for young climbers!
Opening times: Full Centre open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-7pm.
For more info or to book a session call 01482 223030 or email info@rockcity.co.uk.
Rockcity, Hawthorn Avenue, Hull, HU3 5GL.
History brought to life with live combat demonstrations, dramatic performances, talks and tours throughout the exhibition. Explore arms and armour from across the world and through time over five floors of stunning displays. Pre-booking tickets is recommended.
Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Large sea life centre with various enclosures, including turtles, penguins, seals, sharks, and otters. Also an outdoor play area and mini golf. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Tickets must be pre-booked before visiting.
Scalby Mills, Scarborough, YO12 6RP. 0871 4232110
Museum inside the working windmill with children’s activities. Specifically for children are (please note children’s activities are temporarily withdrawn Jan 22):
2021 opening times – Opening times will be Saturday to Tuesday, 10.00am-5.00pm, closed for lunch 12.30-1.00pm, last admissions at 4.15pm. Closed Wednesday to Friday.
Skidby, HU16 5TF (follow the brown signs from the A164). 01482 848405
Soft Play Centres are a great place to take the children on a rainy day. You can find full details of all the Soft Play Centres in the Hull and East Riding Area on Mumbler here.
If you decide to stay at home on a rainy day check out our guide with our Top 10 ideas to do at home to keep the kids entertained at home!
From treasure hunts to making slime, read the full article here.
Old buses and trams that children can climb on and scenes from olden day Hull to explore. Experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940’s high street, board a tram or enjoy the pleasures of our carriage ride. Usually hold children’s events during the school holidays, see Events calendar for details. Located in the Museums quarter next door to the Hull & East Riding Museum. Entry is free.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
Superbowl UK offers a concourse for players of all ability levels. 12 state of the art lanes including a unique VIP Bowling Experience. The latest scoring system along with bumpers and ramps are provided to make ten-pin bowling more enjoyable and engaging than ever. There is also Laser Quest and soft play, as well as an arcade prize zone. It is recommended to book tickets in advance.
Special offers are available throughout the week, they also do parties and group bookings. Open daily, 9am til late.
Lower Deck, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Hull, HU1 2PQ. 01482 231053
Swimming is a great rainy day activity. Mumbler has full details of all the Swimming Pools and Leisure Centres in the Hull and East Riding area. Find them here.
Pottery painting studio and cafe. Excellent with children, have a variety of pottery for children to paint or to put hand/footprints on. Cafe has a good range of children’s drinks and snacks.
Studio open Wednesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm, Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm. Pre-booking recommended. Paint at home parcels available.
155 Kingston Road, Willerby, Hull HU10 6AL. 01482 653611
Fantastic day out in Hull with large aquariums and displays to see.
Find out more on their website.
Tower Street, Hull, HU1 4DP (Sat Nav HU9 1TU). 01482 381000.
Huge swimming pool with multi-pool wonderland and lagoons, slides and rapids. Also a big ice rink, soft play centre and cafe. Great wet day activity, approx 40 mins drive from Hull. Advance booking is essential.
The Dome, Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Road, Doncaster, DN4 7PD. 01302 370777
Historic building and home of art and sculpture exhibitions including the Hull Tapestry. Entry is free.
Guildhall, Hull, HU1 2AA. 01482 300300
Step into a village of imagination, where your little ones can be a Vet, Firefighter, an Actor in the latest theatre production, shop in the village supermarket, make yourself at home in the cosy cottage and much more. Through the magic of role-play The Secret Village will provide endless opportunities to play and create. There is a maximum capacity for each 90 minute session, this means each child will have the ability to play freely in a safe environment. Open every day apart from Monday & Wednesday.
There is also a lovely cafe serving hot and cold drinks and snacks that you can enjoy while you watch your little ones play.
For more info email info@thesecretvillage.co.uk
Ringrose Centre, Pryme Street, Anlaby, HU10 6SH. 07709 469090.
Heritage centre and museum with plenty of activities for children, including hands on interactive exhibits, historical costumes to try on, and colouring sheets. Also a great view of Beverley from the tower. Beverley Library is also in the same building. Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am, admission is free.
Champney Road, Beverley, HU17 8HE. 01482 392780
Temporarily closed.
This house is William Wilberforce’s birthplace, inside is now a museum telling the story of the slave trade and galleries about West Africa.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
23-25 High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
Tuesdays 1-5pm, and Thursdays 9.15am-12pm, the World of Wonder is open for families to use for free. Magical rooms with various imagination play equipment including a play kitchen, a faraway tree, a hobbit hole, sensory room and narnia props. Plus large hall with ride-ons to use. Free tea, coffee and toast and access to fairshare foods too.
Please note that only families can use the world of wonder room but anyone can come in and use the rest of the facilities. Please check times and sessions with them prior to going, different sessions on in school holidays.
For more information email welcome@hullcommunitychurch.com
Hull Community Church, 310 Newland Avenue, Hull, HU5 2NB
Lots to do for all the family at Xscape – Golf, Cinema, Funstation, Gravity Aerial Adventures, Gravity Rocks & Trampoline Parks, Laserzone, Bowling, Snozone (artificial snow slope for skiing and sledging, they run children’s ski lessons for 3 years and above), and Volcano falls crazy golf which is also good for young children.
Open daily 6.00am-midnight.
Colorado Way, Glasshoughton, Castleford, WF10 4TA 01977 664 794
