Rainy day activities in Brighton

AR Kartz

Burgess Hill · ages 8+

Indoor go-karting with timed 15-minute races for kids from age 8, up to full F1-style race formats for adults.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsParty rooms

art-ful Pottery Café

Worthing · ages 0+

Pick a blank piece of pottery, paint it however you fancy, and come back in a fortnight to collect it fired and food safe.

Birthday partiesCaféGroup bookingsHigh chairs+7 more

art-K Hove

Hove · ages 5-18

Weekly art classes and holiday workshops where kids paint, sculpt clay and build 2D and 3D projects with proper teacher input.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsToilets

Battle Abbey

Battle

Ruins to climb, a battlefield to walk and a gatehouse rooftop with views over the whole site.

CaféGift shopGroup bookingsIndoor play+3 more

Bewilder Box Escape Room Brighton

Hove · ages 0+

A comic sci-fi escape room in Hove where you puzzle your way out as a team, with a pub and beer garden downstairs to wait in first.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredParkingRestaurant+2 more

Blackberry Farm Park

Lewes · ages 2+

Pony rides, llamas and a farm walk that gets properly muddy after rain, with indoor play for when it doesn't dry out.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBirthday parties+16 more

Boulder Brighton

Brighton · ages 7+

Indoor bouldering with walls, overhangs and a cave section, plus instructed sessions for climbers aged 7 to 15.

Accessible toiletBike parkingBooking requiredCafé+9 more

Brighton Little Theatre

Brighton

Watch a pantomime or family show in a small, characterful theatre in a building that's over 190 years old.

Brighton Seafront Gallery

Brighton

An upside-down house where every room is built for gravity-defying photos, done and dusted in twenty minutes.

Booking requiredWheelchair accessible

Brighton's Murder Mystery - Escape Room

Brighton · ages 7+

A 45-minute race to solve a murder mystery in an old mansion set-up, upstairs in a Brighton pub.

Booking required

Brighton's TV Game Show! | North Laine Brewhouse

Brighton · ages 16+

A live TV-style game show booked out just for your group, with brewhouse games like shuffleboard and darts thrown in.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsFood on site

Chequer Mead Theatre

East Grinstead

A local theatre with family shows, free arts and crafts sessions, and a Teddy Bear Storytime for the smaller ones.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+5 more

Church of Scientology of Brighton

Brighton

A free self-guided tour of multimedia displays and a personality test, open daily in Brighton for anyone wanting a look inside.

Toilets

Clarence Pier

Southsea

A seafront fairground of rides, arcades and adventure golf, paid for by the token or the wristband, whichever way you fancy losing money.

Baby changeIndoor playKids menuFood on site+3 more

Demolition Paintball - Brighton

Brighton · ages 8+

Full day or half day paintball battles across the site, with a splatmaster version for 8 to 10 year olds who aren't ready for the real thing yet.

Birthday partiesBooking required

Drusillas Park

Alfriston, East Sussex · up to age 12

Family zoo near Alfriston - animals for Brighton day-trips. Soft Play N.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesBooking required+16 more

Duke of York's Picturehouse

Brighton

A proper old cinema in Brighton with a bar for a drink before the film and a sensory-friendly setup for anyone who needs it.

Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyHearing loop+4 more

Dukes at Komedia Picturehouse

Brighton · ages 1+

Two-screen cinema in the centre of Brighton with £3 child tickets, a Thursday baby session and a Tuesday toddler club.

Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyFood on site+2 more

Escape the Cell - Brighton's Great Escape Room

Brighton · ages 7+

A 40 minute police station lock-up in Brighton, entry-level enough for a first escape room but still fun for veterans.

Booking requiredCaféFood on site

Escape the Vault - Escape Room

Brighton · ages 7+

Forty minutes to crack an old bank vault, dance to disco lights, or break out of a cell before the clock runs out.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor play+2 more

Fishers Farm Park

Billingshurst · ages 0-12

A working farm turned adventure park with zip lines, a log flume, splash zone and animal barns to fill a whole day.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBirthday parties+22 more

Flight of the Pterosaur

Romsey · ages 4+

A suspended coaster with your feet dangling over Lost Kingdom, plus over 70 rides across themed worlds including Peppa Pig World.

Allergy awareBaby changeBooking requiredFree parking+7 more

Fort Fun

Eastbourne · ages 0+

A Wild West themed soft play fort with multi-level slides, ball pools, net walks and an aerial runway to conquer.

Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféIndoor play+1 more

Fun Abounds Trampoline & Gymnastics Centre

Uckfield · ages 0-18

Free play on trampolines, the foam pit and gymnastics kit for pre-schoolers up to teens, from £6 a session.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféPram storage

Funland Amusement Parks

Hayling Island

A seafront fairground with 18-plus rides, a log flume and a coaster, plus soft play if the little ones can't do the big stuff yet.

CaféGift shopIndoor playFood on site

Funplex Soft Play Brighton

Brighton

Bevendean soft play with multi-level frames, toddler zone and cafe - Brighton's dedicated indoor option.

ToiletsCaféParkingBaby change+2 more

Get Your Skates On

Brighton

Roller skating to a live DJ, with games and prizes thrown in, for £10 a double session.

Birthday partiesIndoor play

Ghost Walk Of The Lanes

Brighton · ages 16+

An evening walking tour of eight haunted spots around the Lanes, with actors in Victorian dress, for over-16s only.

Card onlyCash only

Go Wild! Trampoline Park

Heathfield · up to age 16

Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits and a dodgeball court for an hour or two of proper bouncing, plus a rainforest course and under-5s soft play.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+11 more

Happyscamps Play Café

Horsham · ages 0-5

A soft play café built for under-fives, with a bespoke adventure frame, slides and ride-on toys, plus coffee for you.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playIndoor seating+2 more

Helm Gallery

Brighton

Free contemporary art gallery with a bar serving craft coffee and cocktails, open late Fridays and Saturdays.

CaféFood on site

Hope Hive

Worthing

Role-play stations, a sensory room and messy play under one roof, with a café for the grown-ups' coffee.

Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféEV charging+7 more

Ifield Barn Theatre

Crawley

Live pantomimes and plays staged in a genuine 700-year-old barn, with free parking right next door.

Accessible toiletWheelchair accessible

Indelible Fine Art

Brighton

A working gallery space where you can view a piece in person or ask for a private appointment outside normal hours.

Jumpin Fun Inflatable Park Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill · ages 0-21

Bouncy castles turned into a whole park, with a mega slide, a ninja course and an air bag to launch yourself onto.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféGroup bookings+6 more

Just Race

Worthing · ages 6+

Sim racing in proper bucket seats, with challenges to beat a mini stig or a real BTCC driver.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsIndoor playIndoor seating+1 more

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

Horsham

Grade I listed gardens with seven lakes, wallaby feeding and a Dolls' House Museum to explore over a good three to four hours.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBirthday partiesBlue badge parking+14 more

Lighthouse

Brighton · ages 16-30

An arts charity space for 16 to 30 year olds, running exhibitions, workshops and mentoring on art, tech and society.

Booking required

Lighthouse Soft Play Worthing

Worthing · up to age 10

Worthing seaside-themed soft play - three levels, climbing wall and community cafe.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+5 more

MasterPiece

Lewes

Paint your own pottery from over four hundred shapes, or have a go at the potters wheel or glass fusing.

Monkey Bizness Soft Play Lewes

Lewes

Lewes jungle soft play - walk-in sessions and parties near Brighton.

Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféIndoor play+4 more

New Venture Theatre

Brighton · adults only (18+)

An 18+ theatre in Brighton with adult acting classes and a full year of productions.

Step-free access

Observatory Science Centre & Museum

Herstmonceux · ages 0-16

Telescope domes, a science playground and water play areas to poke about in for a good half a day near Herstmonceux.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more

OHSO Social

Brighton · ages 0-18

A beach terrace café on the Brighton seafront with sea views, a kids menu, and a firm 9pm curfew for under 18s.

Birthday partiesCard onlyHigh chairsKids menu+3 more

Old Police Cells Museum

Brighton

A one-hour guided walk through Brighton's old underground police cells, tucked below the town hall.

Booking required

One Under Brighton

Brighton · ages 0-17

Two mini golf courses under LED lights, with fried chicken and cocktails to keep the adults happy too.

Out of Bounds Soft Play Angmering

Angmering · ages 0+

Angmering soft play at Out of Bounds - Soft Play Y day-tripper from Brighton.

Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféCard only+7 more

Paint Pots Brighton

Brighton

You pick a plate, mug or novelty piece and paint it by hand, then leave it to be fired ready for collection.

Birthday partiesBooking required

Paradise Park

Newhaven · ages 0+

Glasshouses, a dinosaur trail and a mini train to ride round gardens, ponds and museum bits, with under-3s in free.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesCafé+12 more

Parkside Pottery

Brighton · ages 0+

Paint a mug or plate at the table, come back a fortnight later to a proper glazed piece, no experience needed.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCard onlyFree parking+4 more

Paxton+Glew Contemporary Art Gallery

Brighton

Free wander round contemporary paintings, prints, photography and sculpture in a ground floor gallery just off Brighton Place.

Dog friendlyStep-free accessWheelchair accessible

Phoenix Art Space

Brighton

Free wander through changing contemporary art exhibitions in a big gallery space just past St Peter's Church.

Baby changeCaféParkingToilets+1 more

Pier Pressure Escape Rooms

Brighton

An hour trapped in a fright-free puzzle room, with your host ready to let you out if the clock beats you.

Players Brighton

Brighton

An 18+ games bar in Brighton with axe throwing, shuffleboard, karaoke and a rage room for letting out the day's frustrations.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsFood on siteParty rooms

poponin - make art, crafts & pottery

Hassocks · ages 3+

Painting, pottery and clay sessions where kids pick their own project and work at their own pace for an hour.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredParkingToilets

Pottery Gagliano

Brighton

Wheel-throwing and pottery courses for beginners and experienced potters, plus an Open Studio to pay by the hour.

Free parkingPublic transport nearby

Pretty Neat Gallery & Studio

Brighton · ages 6-16

Age-banded craft workshops, from felt sewing and dotty mandalas for younger kids to macrame and clothes refashioning for teens.

Booking requiredFree parkingGift shopFood on site+2 more

PUCK

Brighton

A café in Brighton with board games on tap and coffee, cake and sausage rolls to fuel the play.

CaféVegetarian options

Roedean Cafe & Mini Golf Course - Brighton beach

Brighton

A round of mini golf on the seafront followed by a full English at the café next to it.

CaféDog friendlyIndoor seating

Romud Ceramics

Brighton

Hands-on clay sessions in Brighton where kids get stuck into the pottery wheel or hand-building, then decorate what they make.

Royal Hippodrome Theatre

Eastbourne

A proper seafront theatre doing pantomime the traditional way, Dick Whittington included, with Santa's grotto on before Christmas shows.

Food on siteParkingPublic transport nearbyToilets+1 more

Royal Pavilion

Brighton

Brighton Royal Pavilion palace - onion domes, music rooms and timed-ticket interiors.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+2 more

Salty Dog Pottery Studio

Pulborough · ages 14+

A pottery wheel studio best suited to teenagers and adults, where you throw your own piece and it gets glazed and fired for you to keep.

Booking required

SEA LIFE Brighton

Brighton

Historic seafront aquarium in Brighton - turtles, rays, jellyfish and an ocean tunnel by the pier.

ToiletsAccessible toiletGift shopBirthday parties+4 more

Seaside Splatter

Brighton and Hove

Splatter a canvas with brushes or water pistols, or go full neon under UV lights.

Shoreham Pottery

Southwick, Brighton

A marina-side studio where kids hand build, throw on the wheel or paint ceramics, with birthday parties on offer too.

Birthday partiesGift shop

Space Station Soft Play Ltd

Lancing · ages 0-12

A multi-storey frame with slides and a ball pit for climbers up to 12, plus a gated area for the crawling ones.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCaféFree parking+5 more

TeamSport Go Karting Brighton

Brighton · ages 8+

Electric go-karting on a multi-level indoor track, with a Mini Racer option for younger kids and free spectating from the bar.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingBooking required+7 more

The Bevy

Brighton

A community pub with a garden, pool and darts, plus a Thursday session where families eat for free.

Indoor seatingFood on site

The Book Nook

Hove

A children's bookshop with a pirate ship to climb into, story times and author events, plus a little café for coffee while they browse.

Baby changeBooking requiredCaféGift shop+1 more

The Brighton Box Gallery

Brighton

A small gallery for a quiet browse round changing exhibitions, with a gift shop and food on site.

Accessible toiletGift shopFood on siteWheelchair accessible

The British Engineerium

Hove

A Victorian engineering hall in Hove where you walk through a coal tunnel and pump room, but you'll need to book ahead.

Accessible toiletBike parkingBlue badge parkingPublic transport nearby+1 more

The Doves Play Barn

Uckfield · ages 0-5

A soft play barn built for the under-fives, with rope bridges, slides and an inflatable course sized to small legs.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playIndoor seating+2 more

The Grange

Brighton

A free art gallery and museum with exhibitions to wander round, no ticket needed.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingToiletsWheelchair accessible

The Mud House

Brighton · ages 6-16

A pottery studio where kids from 6 to 16 get their hands on a wheel or build with clay, no experience needed.

Booking required

The Oaks Poultry Farm (Farm Shop)

Hassocks

A small children's farm with chicks, donkeys and goats to pet, plus indoor sand and soft play for wet days.

CaféDog friendlyGift shopIndoor play

The Open Studios

Brighton

Free galleries you can wander into off the street, no ticket and no booking required.

The Painting Pottery Cafe

Brighton · ages 0-18

Paint a mug, plate or animal figurine and pick it up glazed a couple of weeks later, with wheel throwing for older kids in school holidays.

Baby changeBirthday partiesBooking requiredBreastfeeding friendly+8 more

VRROOM virtual race room

Brighton · ages 12+

Full-motion F1 simulator racing in Brighton, built for over-12s who want a proper race, not a toy.

Gift shopIndoor seatingFood on site

Whitehawk Library

Brighton

Free local library with wheelchair access, toilets and wifi to duck into on a Brighton day out.

ToiletsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi

Worlds End

Brighton

Arcade games, a racing circuit and an escape room under one roof, with a restaurant for when the credits run out.

Food on site