21 rainy day activities for families and kids around Liverpool and beyond

There's nothing worse than being locked inside during the summer.

Luckily, come rain or shine, the region has plenty of activities to keep young ones entertained. From climbing walls and ice skating rinks to hands-on art experiences and jungle gyms - you'll be spoiled for choice.

We've pulled together a list of some great indoor places for families in and around Merseyside and some a bit further afield too.

READ MORE: Free and cheap things to do with the kids around Liverpool

READ MORE: Toddler and baby-friendly days out around Liverpool

Ninja Warrior course

Adventure seekers can expect to encounter duelling podiums, as well as tackle the famous Warped Wall and obstacles. These courses are not for the faint-hearted, although unlike on the show, people trying out the course won't soaked if they fall.

Address: Unit L3, New Mersey Retail Park Speke, Speke Rd, Speke, Liverpool L24 8QB

Booking information: Here

Imagine That!

In each zone – the Imagination Village, Artbeatz, Bright Sparks and Slime Factory – visitors can enjoy a range of activities, shows and workshops guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained. Children can take home everything they make including their fridge magnet, crafts, never-melting snow, souvenir photos and a pot of gooey slime.

Address: 26-32 Faraday Rd, Liverpool L13 1EH

Booking information: Here

Splash Art

Kids can run rampant at creative painting facility Splash Art which includes a dart art game and a spin art experience with an opportunity to blast each other in the dark with neon paint-filled guns. Everybody also leaves with two canvases each.

If you want to enjoy all the benefits of painting, making a mess, and letting your creativity loose without any of the cleanup, Splash Art is the place to be.

Address: 78 Duke St, Liverpool L1 5AA

Booking information: Here

Gravity Max

Families can go head-to-head on the multi-level E-Karting track, enjoy augmented reality (AR) bowling or darts, or take on 18 holes of Urban Street Golf, plus many more activities for all ages.

The food hall on the first floor has enough delicious options to keep everyone satisfied whether it's for a quick break or to fuel up for the day.

Address: Chavasse Park, Liverpool L1 3DF

Booking information: here.

Knowsley Safari

The star of the Channel 4 'Secret Life of the Safari Park' docuseries is inviting guests to experience the lions, buffalo and baboons first-hand alongside hundreds of other animals that call the park home.

A great rainy day activity as families can remain in their cars to experience the animals in their natural habitats. In case you're worried about the baboons damaging your car, a specially equipped bus covered in ropes and ladders is available too.

Address: Prescot L34 4AN

Booking information: here.

Planet Ice

Show off your ice skating skills on the rink at Planet Ice in Widnes. There are various events during the week including family skate, disco skate and parent and toddler skate.

They often have special offers during school holidays.

Address: The Hive, Earle Road, Widnes WA8 0TA

Booking information: Here

Blue Planet Aquarium

Visit the Blue Planet Aquarium and get up close to sharks, starfish and seahorses. Take an all-access tour or see animals including otters being fed.

There's so much to do with daily talks and shows in the Aquatheatre that are bound to keep all of the family entertained.

Address: Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire

Booking information: Here

Little Acorns

Little Acorns of Formby is a soft play centre and sensory room designed for children under the age of five. There is also a cafe which has a range of food and drink available to purchase.

Tickets for one child and one adult are £8, with a range of add-ons available.

Address: Redgate, Formby, L37 4EN

Booking information: Here

Bounce Tots

Bounce Tots in Speke is hosted by a qualified coach for preschool children (0-four years). The class is designed to help enhance infants' early-stage motor-skill development through exposure to new body movements, sights, sounds and touch in a fun and safe gymnastic environment.

Parents can book online and enjoy some time with their tots.

Address: Liverpool Trampoline Gymnastics Academy, Viscount Centre, Gaskill Road, Hunts Cross, L24 9GS

Booking information: Here

Kidzcove

This is an under-fives-only play area. At Kidzcove there are sand pits, messy play, homes corner, roll play area and sensory corner.

There is also a story corner, ball out, bouncy castle and slide for children to enjoy. Food and drink are available for both children and parents if they need a break from all the play.

Address: Unit 5, Cheshire Lines, 100 Sefton Lane, L31 8BT

Booking information: Here

The Storybarn

The Storybarn is a multi-purpose family space at The Reader’s home in Calderstones Park.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of the park (and crucially, next to the Ice Cream Parlour), the Storybarn is a one-of-a-kind reading retreat for children and their grown-ups. Little ones can let their imaginations run wild, discovering new stories to share, and taking part in unique experiences, alongside arts and crafts.

The Storybarn is where you’ll find Tiny Acorns, Incy Wincy Rhymers, Storybarn School Holiday Club and Open House, as well as lots of other seasonal events.

Address: The Storybarn, Calderstones Park, L18 3JB

Booking information: Here

Little Legends

Little Legend’s Playhouse is an under-five play centre and café. The play area has lots of different activities, including a soft play climbing frames, role-play areas and a dedicated baby area.

There is also a sensory room filled with lots of different sensory equipment to help aid play and development. The sensory room is also the space used to host baby and toddler classes provided by both Little Legend’s Playhouse and also outside baby and toddler classes such as Moo Music.

Address: 2 High Street, Prescot, L34 3LD

Booking information: Here

Awesome Walls

Awesome Walls in Liverpool can be found in a former 150-year-old church with over 1,000 square metres of climbing with hundreds of routes. Whether you're an absolute beginner wanting to learn how to climb or an experienced outdoor climber Awesome Walls has lots to offer.

Address: St Albans Church, Athol Street, Liverpool.

Booking information: Here

Velocity Inflatable Park

The park has transformed from an indoor trampoline park to the UK's biggest indoor inflatable arena spanning 15,000 square feet. The inflatable park features two extreme drop slides, a giant slide into the UK’s largest ball pool, a gladiator arena with podiums to battle from, high climbing wall and Total Wipeout-style giant bouncing balls.

There is also a dedicated arena for under fours which includes a slide and a ball pool. There’s also a large and spacious café to watch the kids having fun while enjoying a coffee and a snack or try the full menu for hot food and cold drinks.

Address: Unit 1, Easter Park, Bennetts Lane, Shell Green, Widnes

Booking information: Here

Merseyside Maritime Museum

The Merseyside Maritime Museum has all sorts of exhibits about the social and commercial history of the port of Liverpool.

Highlights include ship models, maritime paintings, colourful posters from the golden age of liners and even some full-sized vessels. The Seized exhibition also offers hands-on fun for kids and there are plenty of events on for kids to do including visiting The Piermaster's House which is open daily 10am to 4.30pm.

Address: Albert Dock, Liverpool.

Booking information: Here

World Museum

The World Museum in Liverpool is an ideal day out for the family with plenty to see, do and get your hands on including different events.

The museum has extensive collections covering world cultures, sciences, animals and bugs. With everything from dinosaur exhibits and aquariums to sections about Ancient Egypt, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Address: World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool.

Booking information: Here

Tate Liverpool

There are lots of things to see and do at Tate, so try different things each time. Under 12s can visit any special exhibition for free if they are with an adult. Collection displays change regularly, so you won't see the same things year after year.

There are also family-friendly activities such as puppet-making workshops and sculpture-making sessions. Along with this, the gallery offers families Rocket Backpacks filled with a number of arty activities, just collect one from the foyer.

Address: Albert Dock, Liverpool.

Booking information: Here

New Palace & Adventureland

Take a ride out to New Brighton in Wirral for fun and games at this indoor arcade and children's adventure and soft play centre.

You'll also find a bouncy castle, ball pond and climbing wall plus an outside fairground at New Palace and Adventureland. There's also a separate disco room with music smoke and laser lighting, a football area to shoot and score goals and giant inflatables including a huge bouncy rainbow slide and a ship being wrestled by a giant octopus.

You'll have lots of fun in the big, bright and colourful amusement arcade too.

Address: New Palace & Adventureland, Marine Promenade, New Brighton

Booking information: Here

Croxteth Hall

There is plenty to see at Croxteth Hall from a working farm to some gorgeous flowers in the Victorian walled garden or learn how the Earls of Sefton, their families and servants, lived in the hall in Edwardian times. There are also various events throughout the year.

When the weather is nice, check out the local wildlife and explore woodlands, pastures and ponds in Croxteth Local Nature Reserve.

Address: Off Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool

Booking information: Here

The World of Glass

Try your hand at being a sculptor at The World of Glass in St Helens and watch expect glass blowers create some fantastic pieces.

The contemporary and innovative building houses the history of the glass industry and allows you walk back in time through its two galleries to the world of St Helens during the Victorian times.

After you have had the chance to soak in all the history, you can enjoy something to eat and drink at St Helen’s only canal-side café

Address: Chalon Way East, St Helens.

Booking information: Here

Hollywood Bowl

You can't beat a few games of ten-pin bowling to while a way a few hours on a rainy afternoon.

Hollywood Bowl has amusements too, so if you get tired of throwing a ball you can take to the wheel and go head-to-head on the latest racing games, try and get your score to the top of the arcade leader boards, or even challenge members of your family to the incredibly fast-paced ‘Pacman Smash’

Address: Edge Lane Retail Park, Montrose Way, Wavertree, L13 1EW

Booking information: Here