10 Great Indoor escapes for bad weather

Whether you have restless school children getting bored by day two of the school break, or a toddler who just won’t put up with another day indoors watching the rain on the windows, it’s essential to always have a few bad weather activities to fall back on.
Here are a few tips for things to do, and some perfect places to try them out around the country.

10 great things to do when the weather isn’t at all great

1. The LC, Swansea
   The LC is an impressive leisure centre, situated within Swansea’s Maritime Quarter. The Edge is the LC’s state-of-the-art indoor waterpark. It has all kinds of slides and whirlpool effects which will please older children, but also a wonderful separate shallow pool for little ones, with things to clamber on and huge water wheels to make sprinkles and showers with. Plus the family changing rooms are really big. There is also a soft play area within the LC complex.
   LC, Oystermouth Rd, Swansea
   SA1 3ST
   Tel: 01792 466 500
   www.thelcswansea.com
    
2. National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon
   The layout of Plymouth’s aquarium means that children can always find a tank to get close to, no matter how busy it is – often a problem with other aquariums. The Atlantic Reef gallery is a real favourite – a gigantic wall of floating delights to gaze at, while elsewhere spiky spider crabs, elegant seahorses and over 70 species of shark will delight budding marine biologists and toddlers who love to be scared from a safe distance! Plus the aquarium is free for under-5s.
   National Marine Aquarium,
Rope Walk,
Coxside,
Plymouth
   PL4 0LF
   Tel: 01752 600 301
   www.national-aquarium.co.uk
    
3. Museum of London Docklands, London
   London might be spoilt for museums with activity corners for children, but few cater for really little ones quite as well as this place does. Older children will enjoy creeping around the dark alleys of ‘Sailortown’, a recreation of the dangerous streets on the banks of the Thames in Victorian times. For younger ones, the Mudlarks gallery on the ground floor has a themed soft play section (with a height restriction for toddler safety), things to pull and make noises with, and a little landscaped stream where infants can move blocks and gravel around to force the water in new directions.
   Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse,
West India Quay,
London
   E14 4AL
   Tel: 020 7001 9844
   www.museumindocklands.org.uk
    
4. MAGNA Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
   If you’re worried that most museums and galleries like children to be seen and not heard, have no such fear at MAGNA. This vast former steelworks is all about discovering, ‘wow’ moments and strange things to play with. Older children might accidentally learn something as they tour the various galleries, but younger ones will just enjoy the sheer scale and bustle of the place. It’s worth taking spare clothes because some exhibits spout water, and also bear in mind that this cavernous museum can be quite chilly, so make sure everyone has plenty of layers on. Under-4s go free.
   Magna Science Adventure Centre,
Sheffield Rd,
Templeborough,
Rotherham

   S60 1DX
   Tel: 01709 720 002
   www.visitmagna.co.uk
    
5. ‘Autism Friendly’ screenings at GFT, Glasgow
   Going to the cinema is a great option in bad weather, especially for children over 3 years, but not all children are comfortable in a hushed environment. The Glasgow Film Theatre has family films all the time, but a particular feature is their monthly screenings of great films that suit children with autism spectrum disorders and/or sensory hypersensitivity. Issues which can make movie watching uncomfortable for children with autism have been addressed – the volume is lower, the films selected do not have any subtitles, and when the house lights are up, they are not too bright. Also in these screenings children are free to make noise and run around. The screenings are at 12.30pm on the first Saturday of each month and each child ticket admits one adult free of charge.
   Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose St, Glasgow
   G3 6RB
   Tel: 0141 352 8604 or 0141 332 6535
   www.gft.org.uk
    
6. Adventurelands, Newcastle
   Often parents feel like they’re ‘cheating’ by heading for the nearest indoor play centre when the weather is bad, but you don’t have to just leave the children to it and sit back with a coffee… especially at this amazing indoor centre in Newcastle, where you’ll want to get stuck in yourself. There are large areas dedicated to different ages, so while the big boys are ‘cave climbing’ or playing computer games, small ones can enjoy the watery-themed soft play area (complete with its own fish tank). Plus the food in the café goes far beyond the usual sorry-looking sausage and fries.
   Adventurelands, Benton Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne
   NE7 7DT

   Tel: 0191 259 9966
   www.adventurelands.com
    
7. Splatterdays at Unity Theatre, Liverpool
   For children aged 5 and over, these Saturday sessions bring theatre to life. Children get to put together their own plays – creating stories, modelling and painting their backdrops and props, and acting on stage. Sessions are £4.50 or £4 each for two siblings. There are workshops for older children, too.
   Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool
   L1 9BG
   Tel: 0151 709 4988
   www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk
    
8. Little Angel Theatre, London
   Puppet shows are a gentle way to ease children into the experience of live theatre, and the Little Angel in Islington is a beautiful setting. It’s busy programme always has productions of familiar stories and simple themes, plus each week there are baby-friendly sessions if you are worried about a younger sibling making too much noise during the show.
   Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, London
   N1 2DN
   Tel: 020 7226 1787
   www.littleangeltheatre.com
    
9. Doodle Tots at The Lowry, Manchester
   The Lowry arts centre is a big child-friendly gallery and theatre – complete with escalators that toddlers love. They have a dedicated art corner that’s brightly decorated for drop-in play, and have special crafty sessions where children over 2 and under 5 can explore art, sound, texture and materials. They also have Under 5s First Steps sessions where little ones can burn off some energy in dance and exercise.
   The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester
   M50 3AZ
   Tel: 0843 208 6000
   www.thelowry.com
    
10. Family Fun at Lakeside, Nottingham
    Lakeside arts centre have a busy schedule of family-friendly events every month, including the regular Munch Bunch session for 2- to 4-year-olds where children can make funny characters out of vegetables and stick-on faces with googly eyes, then act out silly improvised stories, led by a performing arts workshop. There are creative workshops (animation, fashion design etc) for older children too.
    Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park, Nottingham
    NG7 2RD
    Tel: 0115 846 7777
    www.lakesidearts.org.uk