Rainy day activities in Newcastle

36 Lime Street Ltd

Newcastle upon Tyne

Drop into working artist studios for glassmaking and printmaking demos, free to wander round.

Indoor play

Adventure Valley

Durham

A big outdoor day of ponies, tortoises, net climbs and bouncy pillows just outside Durham, with soft play for when the rain wins.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféGroup bookings+9 more

Auckland Palace

Bishop Auckland · ages 5-15

A thousand years of history in one bishop's palace, from a private chapel the size of a church to Old Master paintings and a Faith Museum.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopParking+2 more

BattleKart Gateshead

Gateshead

Real electric karts racing round a projected digital track, with power-ups and game modes instead of a fixed course.

Birthday partiesCaféCard onlyCash only+3 more

Battlezone Paintball Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne

Paintball, laser tag, airsoft and quad biking on one site, booked out as parties for groups of 12 or more.

Booking requiredGroup bookingsSchool visits

Bay Games

Whitley Bay

A café where you settle in with board games, trading cards or a Dungeons and Dragons session most days of the week.

Booking requiredCaféIndoor seatingFood on site

Blackfriars Restaurant

Newcastle upon Tyne

A medieval friary building in Newcastle where you can eat a proper lunch, take a history tour, or book a children's cookery party.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsParty roomsRestaurant

Brocksbushes Farm Shop

Northumberland

Farm shop with a four-storey soft play barn, pick your own fruit, pumpkin picking and a café for the grown-ups.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféFree parking+4 more

Brocksbushes Play Barn

Stocksfield · ages 0-11

Four levels of soft play, a four-lane slide and a climbing wall under one roof, with an outdoor area for when the sun's out.

Baby changeBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+9 more

Café Mercy

Newcastle upon Tyne

A board game bar in Newcastle serving cocktails and small plates alongside shelves of games to play.

Captain Teds

Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0-10

Pirate-themed soft play in Gosforth with a toddler cove, big frame and a cafe that does proper coffee.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféCard only+6 more

CUB Play Cafe

Blyth · ages 0-6

Montessori-style loose parts play for babies and toddlers, indoors and out, with two-hour sessions in Blyth.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredIndoor play+3 more

Cullercoats Caves

North Shields

Sea caves tucked into the cliffs at Cullercoats Bay, only there to explore when the tide's out.

Delta Force Paintball Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 7+

Six themed game zones with a real armoured carrier and burned-out buses to duck behind, paintball for kids from age 7 up.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsParking+1 more

Discovery Museum

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Discovery Museum near Central Station - transport play and Tiny Tyneside for under-5s.

Birthday partiesToiletsWheelchair accessible

Dragonflies

Durham · ages 0-8

Soft play and a baby hub under one roof, with sessions for babies right up to school-age children.

Birthday parties

Dream Big Nursery

Chester-le-Street · ages 0-8

Six role play sets, a chicken coop and a mud kitchen give small kids a proper morning of pretend and outdoor mess.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesBooking requiredBreastfeeding friendly+7 more

Dunes Soft Play Area

South Shields

Soft play, bowling and arcade games under one roof, open every day from 10am with no need to book.

Empire Theatre & Cinema

Consett · ages 4-11

A local stage and screen for children's plays, family films and a weekly youth drama group, with tickets from £7.

Café

Escape Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 10+

Puzzle rooms and a hefty board game library for teens and adults, tucked just off Northumberland Street.

Booking requiredFood on site

Everyman Newcastle

Newcastle Upon Tyne

A sofa-seat cinema with Baby Club and Toddler Club screenings, plus food brought right to your seat.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareCaféFood on site+3 more

Flight Club Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 12+

A darts bar with tech-scored games, adults-only most of the week but open to families in daytime sessions.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor seating+2 more

Friction Bouldering Ltd

Gateshead

Walk-in bouldering with routes graded by ability, plus kids coaching and intro lessons for beginners.

Fun Flies Ltd

Consett

A card and tabletop games shop where you can drop in for Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! or a learn-to-play session most days of the week.

Free parking

Fun Shack

Newcastle · ages 0-14

Volcano slides, cannon-ball arenas and a toddler village keep 0 to 14s busy for a 90-minute session in Newcastle.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more

Fun Shack Gateshead

Gateshead · ages 0-14

Team Valley Fun Shack with a three-storey play frame, toddler village, volcano slide and cafe.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingGroup bookings+3 more

Fun Shack Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0-14

Walkergate Fun Shack with a huge play frame, toddler village, slides, trampolines and cafe.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCard only+3 more

Gala Theatre & Cinema

Durham

A theatre and cinema with a proper programme of family shows, plus a café to fall into before curtain up.

CaféGroup bookingsMembership scheme

Game of Throwing

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 10+

Axe throwing lanes with an instructor guiding you from safety brief through to full scoring games, minimum age 10.

Food on site

Golf Fang Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · adults only (18+)

Adults-only 18+ neon crazy golf at Hoults Yard - Soft Play N, drinks and evening putt.

Food on siteToilets

GOODS

Newcastle upon Tyne

An all-day café in Newcastle with a proper kitchen, speciality coffee and a grocer counter, open 8am to 8pm every day.

CaféIndoor seatingFood on site

Gosforth Nature Reserve

Gosforth · ages 0-16

Wildlife hides and quiet boardwalk trails through a Newcastle nature reserve, with a pound entry for kids.

Accessible toiletCaféParkingPublic transport nearby+2 more

Great North Museum: Hancock

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Newcastle museum on Barras Bridge - dinosaurs, natural history and rainy-day halls.

ToiletsWheelchair accessibleGift shop

Hall Hill Farm Lanchester

Lanchester

County Durham farm park near Lanchester - animals, indoor play and cafe for Newcastle day-trips.

CaféParkingToiletsBaby change+2 more

Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley

Forest trails for walking, mountain biking and a Room on the Broom family trail, with free entry and paid parking.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+4 more

Holmside Park

Chester-le-Street · ages 1+

A giant 100m inflatable obstacle course, mini golf, roller skating and go-karting outdoors, with a toddler zone kept well away from the big stuff.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféIndoor play+7 more

Hopscotch Play Cafe Gosforth

Newcastle upon Tyne · up to age 12

Gosforth play cafe soft play for under-5s with a baby gym, outdoor yard and proper cafe.

Baby changeBirthday partiesBooking requiredIndoor play+3 more

Hylton Castle

Sunderland

A free medieval gatehouse and grounds to explore, with a rooftop viewing gallery you climb a spiral stair to reach.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingBooking requiredCafé+3 more

Infinite Durham Multi Activity Park

Durham · ages 1+

Trampolines, football and crazy golf under one roof, plus party packages for the birthday crowd.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsFood on site

InflateSpace Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 1-18

A space-themed inflatable arena with slides, battle beams and a slam-dunk course for climbing, launching and bouncing through.

Birthday partiesCaféLockersParking+1 more

Jesmond Dene

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free woodland valley with waterfalls, mill ruins and a Pets Corner to wander round on foot or with the buggy.

Dog friendlyOutdoor playPicnics allowedPushchair friendly+1 more

Jesmond Library

Newcastle upon Tyne

Story and Rhyme Time, a children's corner stuffed with books and games, and free holiday craft sessions in a grade 2 listed library.

CaféIndoor seatingToiletsUnder-5s area

Jumbo Jim Soft Play

South Shields · ages 0-8

Age-banded soft play zones for babies through to eight-year-olds, with a café and free parking on site.

Birthday partiesCaféFree parkingParty rooms+1 more

Jump 360 Newcastle Trampoline Park

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 1-16

Bouncing across trampolines, foam pits and a dodgeball arena, with a toddler-only session for the under-fours.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféIndoor play+4 more

Jungle Pawz

Ashington

Indoor soft play with a separate under-4s area, animal visits and a café doing proper cooked breakfasts.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCaféKids menu+1 more

Laing Art Gallery

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Newcastle art gallery - British collections and rainy-day temporary shows.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+1 more

Lane7 The Gate (Newcastle)

Newcastle upon Tyne

Four floors of bowling, karaoke, pool and arcade games in Newcastle city centre, but it's an evening venue after 7pm.

Group bookingsParty roomsRestaurant

Laser Quest Sunderland

Sunderland · ages 7+

Laser tag in a fogged, catwalked arena plus VR rides, for players aged 7 and up who clear 1.1m tall.

Birthday partiesGift shopFood on siteParty rooms+1 more

Lemon Tree Softplay Middleton

Newcastle upon Tyne

Great Park soft play cafe run by local mums - bookable sessions, parties and on-site food.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféIndoor play+1 more

Lilyput Lane

Gateshead · ages 0-7

A miniature role-play town indoors, with a police station, vet, beauty salon and café for under-sevens to run.

Baby changeBooking requiredCaféIndoor play+2 more

Little Learners Playspace - Ashington

Ashington · ages 0-7

Messy play sessions built around painting, play dough and sand for babies through to age seven.

Baby changeBirthday partiesGift shopIndoor play+3 more

Little Theatre Gateshead

Gateshead

A local stage for pantomimes and children's plays, with Robin Hood among the shows on the bill.

LVLS Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 10+

Escape rooms, axe throwing and a board game café under one roof, mostly built for ages ten and up.

Millie's Magical Garden Soft Play

Washington · ages 0-10

A garden and tree house themed soft play with a four-level frame, a mini climbing wall and a toddler area with its own slide.

Birthday partiesCaféCash onlyIndoor play+2 more

Mulligans Crazy Golf Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 3+

Indoor space-themed crazy golf on Newgate Street with family tickets - Soft Play N.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor play

NEbubblefootball.co.uk

Newcastle upon Tyne · up to age 18

Zorb yourself into a giant inflatable bubble and bounce off your mates in a proper contact football match.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookings

New Adventurelands

Newcastle upon Tyne · up to age 12

Benton soft play with unlimited stay, free adult entry and free parking - pay on the door.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCaféFree parking+3 more

Newcastle Castle

Newcastle upon Tyne

Norman keep and Black Gate above the Quayside - annual-pass tickets, Soft Play N.

ToiletsCaféGift shopWheelchair accessible

No Limits Paintball and Laser

Gateshead · ages 6+

Laser tag, paintball and airsoft missions in a multi-level indoor arena, for six-year-olds up to full airsoft squads.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredFree parkingGroup bookings

Northern Alliance Games

Newcastle upon Tyne

A tabletop games café where you can hire a gaming table, dip into the board game library or join a tournament night.

CaféIndoor seatingFood on site

Northern Print

Newcastle upon Tyne

Printmaking classes and a small gallery of print exhibitions, open just a few hours a week.

Wheelchair accessible

Northumberland College Zoo

Newcastle upon Tyne

Over 100 species to spot, from lemurs and alpacas to armadillos and monkeys, with gardens to wander round at your own pace.

Bike parkingCaféGift shopParking+1 more

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park

South Shields

Free entry to a seaside ride park where kids stack up credits on a Fun Card for the log flume, Dumbos and laser tag.

Accessible toiletDog friendlyFirst aidFood on site+2 more

Override Indoor Skatepark

Jarrow · ages 0+

Ramps for scooters, skateboards and BMX under one roof, with lessons and hire kit if you turn up empty-handed.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredParty rooms

PaddlePod (Killingworth)

Newcastle

Swimming lessons, family swim sessions and sensory rooms under one roof, with a café for afterwards.

CaféSensory friendly

Paintball.co.uk - Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 8+

Outdoor mission-based paintball with a low-impact Miniball option for younger kids, running rain or shine most of the year.

Booking requiredCard onlyFree parkingLockers+2 more

Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 4-18

Weekly drama, singing and dance classes in Newcastle for kids aged 4 to 18, split into age groups from Poppets up to Red Group teens.

Booking required

People's Theatre

Newcastle upon Tyne

A community theatre putting on main stage plays and a long-running Christmas pantomime, plus a youth drama group for teenagers.

Pineapple and Bears Birtley

Chester-le-Street · ages 0-7

A supervised playhub, sensory room and outdoor area for babies through to age seven, with coffee and cake built into the session.

Booking requiredCaféGift shopIndoor play+2 more

Potters World

Durham

Wander among free flying exotic birds, reptiles and birds of prey, with a pre-school activity area and outdoor sand pit for the smaller ones.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesBlue badge parking+11 more

Prudhoe Waterworld

Prudhoe · ages 0+

An indoor pool with an aquaslide, splashpad and soft play, plus baby and toddler swimming lessons.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféIndoor play+4 more

Psycho Path

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 13+

Eleven haunted mazes, fire performers and fairground rides across an outdoor scare event for over-13s only, running 5pm to 11pm.

Booking requiredFree parkingFood on siteToilets

Quasar South Shields

South Shields · ages 6+

Two 25-minute laser tag games in a multi-level arena, plus an arcade wristband if the kids want more after.

Accessible toiletCard onlyFirst aidGift shop+4 more

Retro Bay Cafe

Whitley Bay · ages 0+

Retro consoles and arcade classics by the hour, from Sega Saturn to Super Nintendo, with a café table for whoever isn't playing.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCafé

Round the Twist

Newcastle upon Tyne

Huge Benton FEC soft play with toddler village, sensory rooms and free-with-entry crazy golf.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredFood on siteParty rooms

Ryhope Engines Museum

Sunderland

Free visit to a Victorian waterworks building with two giant beam engines you can see running on Steam Days.

Free parking

Seaton Delaval Arts Centre

Whitley Bay

A community theatre putting on pantomime and musical theatre, with a Christmas show that's clearly the big draw.

Accessible toiletCaféToiletsWheelchair accessible

Seven Stories

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Free children's book museum in Ouseburn - galleries and stories, Soft Play N.

ToiletsCaféGift shopParking+2 more

Shieldfield Art Works

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free oil painting sessions and changing art exhibitions in a small community gallery, with gardening sessions running alongside in warmer months.

Soul Ceramiks

Newcastle upon Tyne

Sit down at the wheel or pick up a brush and turn out your own ghost incense holder or pumpkin tealight, appointment only.

Booking requiredFree parking

Splatter Art Studio

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 7-13

Kids get 45 minutes with full-on splatter or pour painting on a big canvas, guided the whole way through.

Birthday parties

Spot White Chinatown

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 8+

A pool, snooker and beer-pong hall in Chinatown for over-8s, with food served until 6am.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookings+6 more

Star And Shadow Cinema

Newcastle upon Tyne

A volunteer-run cinema and community space with a monthly kids' film club, plus a café, gigs and club nights for the grown-ups.

Accessible toiletCaféChanging PlacesGroup bookings+3 more

Stephenson Steam Railway

North Shields · ages 4+

A heritage steam train ride, a railway museum, and a meet with the world's third-oldest working locomotive.

Booking requiredFree parking

Sunderland Astronomical Society

Washington

Free evenings of telescope viewing, talks and workshops under a proper dark sky near Washington.

Free parkingPublic transport nearby

TeamSport Go Karting Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 4+

Real go-karting on a 500m multi-level circuit, with a slower Mini Racers track for kids from age 4.

Birthday partiesBlue badge parkingBooking requiredCafé+7 more

The Assembly Rooms

Newcastle upon Tyne

Puppet shows and Dickens-inspired theatre in the city centre, with step-free access throughout.

Accessible toiletStep-free accessWheelchair accessible

The Biscuit Factory

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free art gallery browsing with a café and rooftop terrace, good for an unhurried wander rather than a hands-on kids' activity.

Birthday partiesCaféGift shopIndoor seating+1 more

The Fun Jungle

Washington · ages 0-12

Separate zones for babies, toddlers and juniors, plus nerf guns, rope bridges and ride-on electric bikes to fight over.

Birthday partiesCaféFree parkingIndoor play+3 more

The Montessori Playroom

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0-6

A calm, hands-on Montessori space in Newcastle where under-sixes explore and learn through proper play, not screens or soft play chaos.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playFood on site

The Play Café Sunderland

Sunderland

A Saturday morning play café near Seaburn metro with a play area, free parking and a kitchen that cooks fresh food daily.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesFree parkingFood on site+1 more

The Pottery Experience

Newcastle upon Tyne

Pick a mug, unicorn or plant pot and paint it while the studio glazes and fires it for you to collect later.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredDog friendlyGroup bookings+3 more

The Treehouse Soft Play Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay · up to age 8

Family-run Whitley Bay soft play with toddler zone, main frame up to age 8 and a proper cafe.

Baby changeBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+1 more

The WonderBar

Newcastle upon Tyne

Adults-only bar for interactive darts, live sport and gigs, open from 10am with cocktails on the go all day.

Indoor seatingRestaurant

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word

South Shields

A free library building with a Lego brick pit, digital media walls and baby and toddler sessions to build a morning around.

CaféGift shopIndoor play

Theatre Royal

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0+

Panto and touring theatre for little ones through to teens, with babes in arms let in for £2.50 on a shared seat.

Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyHearing loop+3 more

Tim Lamb Children's Centre

Newcastle upon Tyne

A members-only play centre for disabled children and their siblings, with soft play, sensory rooms and alpacas out the back.

Booking requiredCaféIndoor playOutdoor play+3 more

Tumbles

Sunderland

A straightforward soft play in Sunderland with a coffee shop, open daily and easy to reach by bus or Metro.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playParty rooms+1 more

Tweddle Children's Animal Farm

Hartlepool · ages 1+

A hillside farm where toddlers pet baby animals, ride tractors and barrels, and have a go on the go-karts.

Baby changeBooking requiredGift shopGroup bookings+6 more

Tynemouth Priory Theatre

North Shields

A local theatre club putting on a Christmas pantomime plus four family-friendly plays a year, September to June.

Card onlyFood on sitePublic transport nearby

Tyneside Cinema

Newcastle upon Tyne

An independent cinema with a Family Film Club and Parent & Baby screenings, plus two places to eat either side of the film.

CaféRestaurant

Utilita Arena Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne

A big-arena venue for touring shows and gigs, ten minutes' walk from Central Station, with accessible seating you actually need to plan ahead for.

Accessible toiletHearing loopWheelchair accessible

Vane

Gateshead

A free contemporary art gallery in Gateshead showing work by critically engaged artists, open Wednesday to Saturday afternoons.

Victoria Tunnel Tours

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 5-15

A guided walk through a real WWII air raid shelter tunnel under the city, torches and all.

Blue badge parkingBooking requiredGroup bookingsParking+2 more

War Room Laser Tag

Chester-le-Street · ages 7+

A dark, smoke-filled laser tag arena with 22 guns and UV lights, plus an arcade zone for after the game.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor seating+3 more

Whickham Library

Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne

A free local library where you can borrow books and audio books, with parking and wifi on site.

Accessible toiletParkingToiletsWi-Fi

Whitley Bay Ice Rink

Whitley Bay · ages 2+

Skating sessions with hire skates, ice frames for wobbly toddlers and lessons that start from age 2.

Birthday partiesFree parkingGroup bookingsFood on site+1 more