Rainy day activities in Southampton

1st Base - Batting Cage and Activity Bar

Southampton · ages 8+

A batting cage with proper HitTrax stats, plus basketball, shuffleboard and a bar for the grown-ups watching on.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsFood on siteParking+5 more

Active Adventurers Soft Play

Winchester · up to age 12

Winchester leisure-park soft play - multi-level frames for under-12s near Southampton.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredFree parkingIndoor play+4 more

Ambush Activities

Southampton · ages 8+

Outdoor airsoft skirmishes for ages 11 and up, plus a junior version for 8 to 11 year olds, in woodland kit and gear.

Booking requiredFood on site

Applemore PlayZone Soft Play Dibden

Southampton · up to age 12

Four-storey soft play at Applemore Dibden - baby zone, slides and SEN sessions.

Birthday partiesCaféBooking requiredToilets+3 more

Arches Studios

Southampton

Free exhibitions and talks in a gallery space, an easy wander if you're near Woolston or Southampton Central.

Army Flying Museum

Stockbridge

Wander among more than 35 real aircraft, from helicopters to gliders, with an outdoor play area and soft play to burn a rainy afternoon on.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingBooking required+14 more

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre

Christchurch

Zip wires over a lake, tree climbing, archery and canoeing on a big outdoor site with accommodation to match.

Accessible toiletBike parkingBooking requiredCafé+8 more

Axeology Axe Throwing

Southampton · ages 11+

A supervised hour of axe throwing and apple smash games for groups aged 11 and up, minimum age applies.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsFood on site

Big Mouth Theatre - Totton

Southampton · ages 5-16

Weekly drama classes where kids build their own characters, costumes and sets, then perform in two full productions a year.

First aid

Board on the Waterside

Southampton

Hire a table and work through a stack of board games, or book the themed room for a storytelling session with a projector.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredParty rooms

Boom Battle Bar Southampton

Southampton · ages 0+

Axe throwing, AR darts and shuffleboard in a games bar that switches to 18+ only after 7pm.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCard onlyGroup bookings+2 more

Boulder Shack Climbing Gym

Southampton · ages 4+

Bouldering walls for climbers aged 4 and up, with shoe hire, birthday parties and fitness classes on the side.

Birthday partiesCaféGift shopIndoor seating+4 more

Bowl Central Fareham

Fareham · ages 6-17

Ten-pin bowling and an arcade prizes counter under one roof, with party packages built around both.

Birthday partiesFood on siteParty rooms

Breamore House

Fordingbridge

A timed tour round an Elizabethan mansion from 1583, a thousand-year-old yew tree outside, and a farm shop and countryside museum to wander after.

Café

Carisbrooke Castle

Newport

A hilltop castle where you climb to a Norman shell keep and watch donkeys turn a working water wheel.

CaféGift shopGroup bookingsFood on site+4 more

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm

Salisbury · ages 0+

Hand-feed rare breed animals, go pig racing, and try Guinea Pig or Highland Cow fishing on a working farm outside Salisbury.

Birthday partiesCaféDog friendlyFree parking+10 more

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

Coastal Gallery

Southampton

A quiet weekend browse round contemporary artwork by local and leading artists, open Saturdays and Sundays only.

Delta Force Paintball Southampton

Southampton · ages 7+

Themed paintball battles across bunker, castle and post-apocalyptic zones, with a lightweight Miniball option from age 7.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsSchool visits

Dice & Dumplings

Southampton

A trading card game spot on Southampton's high street for Magic: The Gathering draft nights, prereleases, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh play.

Booking requiredFood on site

Edison's Coffee & Wine Southampton

Southampton

A brunch, coffee and wine café in Southampton you can hire out for a birthday, baby shower or family get-together.

Allergy awareCaféParty rooms

Exbury House

Southampton · ages 3+

200 acres of woodland gardens plus a steam train that runs six times a day, with proper rhododendrons in spring.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféCard only+9 more

Fareham Live

Fareham · ages 4+

Pantomimes, family musicals and drama classes on stage, with audience participation baked into the shows.

CaféFood on site

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

Flip Out Soft Play Chandlers Ford

Chandlers Ford

Chandlers Ford indoor park soft play zone - slides and toddler options.

ToiletsCaféBirthday partiesIndoor play+3 more

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

Harbour Lights Picturehouse

Southampton

Baby-friendly and toddler screenings, relaxed showings for neurodivergent audiences, and even dog-friendly sessions at this Southampton cinema.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more

Haven Street Station

Ryde

A steam train ride out to Wootton and back, with a Discovery Centre where kids can dress up as driver or guard.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+12 more

HIADS Station Theatre

Hayling Island · ages 3-93

A 144-seat community theatre on Hayling Island putting on family pantomime, a Christmas show with Santa, films and live music.

Accessible toiletCaféFree parkingHearing loop+2 more

Houdini's Escape Room Experience - Southampton Tenpin

Southampton · ages 8+

A 60-minute puzzle room at Tenpin where your team is locked in together to crack riddles and escape before time runs out.

Booking requiredCard onlyFree parkingGroup bookings+1 more

Ironsight Activities

Andover · ages 5-70

Outdoor combat games in Andover, from gentle Mini Laser Tag for five-year-olds up to full paintball and airsoft for teens and adults.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsSchool visits

Isle Of Wight Observatory

Sandown

Free Thursday-night stargazing through telescopes, with a fixed dome scope alongside portable ones you can look through outside.

Itchen Valley Country Park

Southampton · ages 0-14

Five free play areas, woodland trails and an alpaca walk to try, all in a park where entry costs nothing.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBike parkingBlue badge parking+15 more

Jenna's Art Studio

Southampton

Guided paint sessions where every step's talked through, no experience needed and no judgement either.

Birthday partiesGroup bookingsIndoor seatingToilets

John Cattle's SkateClub

Ryde · ages 0-60

Structured skate lessons for everyone from wobbly toddlers to teens chasing tricks, booked in advance rather than turned up to.

Booking required

Jumpin’ Jax Soft Play & Party

Southampton

Soft play sessions with music, dancing and sensory play, plus a separate tots' room for the smaller ones.

Party rooms

Kings Theatre

Southsea · ages 8-16

Live musicals and pantomime in a proper old theatre, with the odd bit of admin around unaccompanied teens and card-only bars.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+10 more

Knightwood Leisure Centre

Southampton · ages 5-18

Junior gym sessions, sports classes and a girls-only membership scheme for 9 to 15 year olds at a leisure centre with proper accessible facilities.

Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyHearing loop+2 more

Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre

Ringwood

Bird flying shows, animal talks and a sandpit play area at a centre built around owls, raptors and reptiles.

Accessible toiletCaféFree parkingGift shop+8 more

Marwell Adventure Barn Soft Play

Owslebury · up to age 10

Marwell Resort three-level soft play for under-10s - slides, runway and toddler zone.

Indoor playOutdoor playBirthday partiesParty rooms+6 more

Marwell Zoo

Winchester

Zoo near Winchester - big animals for Southampton day-trips. Soft Play N.

Allergy awareBike parkingBirthday partiesBooking required+18 more

Maskers Theatre Company

Southampton · ages 12+

A studio theatre in Southampton staging plays like The Breath of Life, with tickets at a flat £16.50 and no under-12s admitted.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredFood on siteToilets+1 more

Mighty Adventures Crazy Golf Hedge End

Hedge End, Southampton · ages 4+

Hedge End 18-hole dinosaur crazy golf - floodlit course, cafe and toddler soft play.

ToiletsFree parkingCaféFood on site+4 more

Monkey Bizness Soft Play Southampton

Southampton

Empress Road jungle soft play - walk-in sessions, parties and laser arena.

ToiletsCaféBirthday partiesIndoor play+3 more

Mythic Tabletop Games (MTG)

Winchester

A games café and bar in Winchester city centre with board games, D&D nights and Warhammer tournaments, plus a Christmas party menu.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféGroup bookings+2 more

New Forest Heritage Centre

Lyndhurst

Free museum trails and activity sheets on the New Forest's history, with sensory bags to borrow and a dog-friendly café to finish in.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBike parking+14 more

Oli's Roller Disco

Ferndown · ages 0+

A sports hall turned roller rink on Sundays, with a slower family session and a faster one for confident skaters and adults.

Birthday partiesFree parking

ON ICE Westquay

Southampton · ages 3+

A 45-minute skate session on a real ice rink, with weighted push-along aids for younger kids who need the wobble support.

Group bookingsParking

Other World Escapes - Escape Room Portsmouth

Portsmouth · ages 5+

You've got an hour (or 90 minutes) to solve puzzles, climb, crawl and slide your way out, no locked doors involved.

Booking requiredCard onlyParking

Pallant House Gallery

Chichester · ages 0-18

An art gallery in a historic house and modern wing where under-18s get in free and there's a trail to hunt for hidden objects.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyCafé+9 more

Parthian Climbing

Southampton

Bouldering, lead climbing and auto belay walls indoors, with taster sessions for 7 to 15 and a Wild Climbers class for 3 to 6 year olds.

CaféGift shopGroup bookingsIndoor play+3 more

Piecaramba!

Southampton

A pie and mash restaurant with proper vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on the menu.

Places Leisure Soft Play Eastleigh

Eastleigh · up to age 12

Eastleigh leisure-centre soft play - toddler 0-3 and junior 5-12 zones with slides.

ToiletsCaféBirthday partiesParty rooms+5 more

Play Shack Soft Play Hedge End

Southampton

Hedge End soft play with under-3s zone, three-level maze and Costa cafe.

Free parkingCaféFood on siteBirthday parties+4 more

Portsmouth Natural History Museum

Portsmouth · ages 0-13

A dinosaur, a Butterfly House and an A-Z of natural history under one small Southsea roof.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingFree parking+5 more

Portsmouth Player Ready VR Centre & Alternative Provision

Portsmouth · ages 7+

Group VR stations, a free-roam VR arena and an Xbox console section for kids seven and up, open weekends only.

Booking requiredGroup bookingsIndoor playParty rooms

Putt Club Crazy Golf Eastleigh

Eastleigh · ages 5+

TeamSport Eastleigh motorsport-themed mini golf - indoor crazy golf near Southampton.

ToiletsFree parkingCaféIndoor play+1 more

Qube Soft Play

Winchester

Three tiers of slides, a ball volcano and a toddler corner, with weekday mornings for the quieter crowd.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesCaféFree parking+4 more

Richmond Leisure

Southampton · adults only (18+)

An 18+ arcade with reel and touchscreen gaming machines, free tea and biscuits, and a coloured wheel that pays out credit every half hour.

Cash onlyFood on site

Rocket Ronnies Limited

Southampton

Darts, pool, snooker and a basketball machine under one roof, with under-18s allowed until 9pm.

Dog friendlyFood on siteParkingWheelchair accessible+1 more

Round About Cafe

Southampton

Free kids' lunches, music sessions and instrument-making mornings at a budget-friendly community café.

Accessible toiletBreastfeeding friendlyCaféFirst aid+2 more

Royal Armouries: Fort Nelson

Fareham · ages 0-15

Free entry to a real 19th-century fort stuffed with enormous cannon, including a 200-tonne railway howitzer, up on the hill above Fareham.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+4 more

Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum

Winchester

Try on a real uniform and handle genuine artefacts while tracing the regiment's history from 1702 to now, free of charge.

Gift shopGroup bookings

Santo Lounge

Southampton

An all-day café bar in Southampton with a full menu from breakfast to burgers, open 9am to 11pm and easy to just turn up to.

Dog friendlyFood on siteWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi

Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum

Newport

Cabinets full of gold coins, cannon and diving gear pulled from real shipwrecks, tucked inside a craft village near Newport.

Free parking

Sound Pop Academy

Southampton · ages 2-17

Weekly singing and performing arts classes for kids aged 2 to 17, with parties and holiday workshops thrown in too.

Booking required

South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre

Chichester

Sit under an 11 metre dome for a show on the heavens, then get a go on solar telescopes by day or star-gazing telescopes after dark.

Southsea Skatepark

Southsea

Sessioned skate, BMX and scooter time on ramps and rails, with marshals on duty and spectators let in free.

Birthday partiesCaféGift shopGroup bookings+3 more

Studio Theatre

Salisbury · ages 14+

Stage plays and thrillers with a 14+ guidance on some shows, so this one's for older teens and adults rather than little ones.

TeamSport Go Karting Southampton

Eastleigh · ages 4+

Real electric go-kart racing for over-8s, a Mini Racers session for 4 to 7s, and indoor crazy golf on the side.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredFree parkingGroup bookings+5 more

The Brickworks Museum

Southampton

A working brickworks turned museum, with a Penny Arcade, a 3D tour and 125 years of brickmaking history to poke around in.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféFree parking+3 more

The D-Day Story

Portsmouth

A Second World War museum with a family trail on the French Resistance, plus a real tank landing craft to climb aboard on Southsea seafront.

Accessible toiletAllergy awareBlue badge parkingCafé+10 more

The Goblins Nook

Southampton

A tabletop games café where you paint miniatures and play Blood Bowl or Necromunda most days of the week.

Indoor seatingFood on site

The House of Splatter

Southampton · ages 4-15

Kids get a canvas, paints and a splatter session for an hour, protective gear included, while you stay in the studio with them.

Booking required

The Nature Discovery Centre

Thatcham

Free lakeside reserve for feeding ducks, exploring an adventure playground and walking signposted trails around the water.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+7 more

The Pavilion On The Park

Eastleigh

A community park base in Fleming Park with a sensory suite, stay and play sessions, and adapted cycling on specialist bikes.

CaféChanging PlacesDog friendlyFree parking+4 more

The Play Park Romsey

Romsey · ages 0-12

Slides, tunnels and a ball pit for a 2.5 hour session, with a separate area for the under fours.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playParty rooms+1 more

The Race Centre

Eastleigh · ages 8+

Strap into a professional racing simulator rig and lap real circuits with proper physics, no motion sickness, just very serious pedals.

Birthday partiesFree parkingGift shopGroup bookings+1 more

The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre

Havant

A theatre, gallery and workshop space in Havant with dance classes, life drawing, comedy and touring shows under one roof.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingCafé+1 more

Thornden Hall

Eastleigh

A community theatre and cinema venue putting on touring shows, music, dance and screenings, with tickets from £29.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCard only+4 more

Tiny Treasure Town

Winchester · ages 0-7

Themed role play stations, from a mini shop to a space station, for pre-schoolers who like pretending more than climbing.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBottle warmingCafé+6 more

Totton Arcade

Southampton · ages 0+

Unlimited freeplay on retro and modern arcade machines, in 50-minute sessions, from £5.99.

Birthday partiesGift shopGroup bookingsSchool visits+1 more

Trago Lounge

Southampton

An all-day café-bar with a kids' menu and board games on the table, open from breakfast until late.

Allergy awareBirthday partiesDog friendlyGroup bookings+4 more

Tsunami Beach Bars

Southampton

A beach bar and kitchen doing burgers, pizza and bottomless brunch by day, with live music and big screens taking over most evenings.

Indoor seatingRestaurant

West End Parish Centre

Southampton

A community hall running baby and toddler classes like Gymtots and Music Bugs, with a playpark and café on site.

Blue badge parkingCaféFree parkingOutdoor play+2 more

Wight Military and Heritage Museum

Cowes · ages 5-15

Guided tours, an air rifle range and a chance to operate a bomb disposal robot make this a hands-on military museum rather than a look-don't-touch one.

Gift shopFood on sitePublic transport nearby

Wild Wonderland Gosport

Gosport · ages 0-9

Indoor soft play with a multi-storey frame, slides and a gymnastics sprung floor, split by age so crawlers stay clear of the big kids.

Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playFood on site+3 more

Winchester City Museum

Winchester · ages 5+

A three-floor trip through Winchester's past, from Iron Age trade to a huge Victorian model of the city.

Dog friendlyGift shopSchool visitsToilets+1 more

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

Winchester · ages 3-12

Two floors of hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium show and outdoor Play Wild exhibits, with explosive live demos thrown in.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingBooking required+12 more

Winchester's Military Museums

Winchester

Six separate regimental museums on one site in Winchester, covering medals, uniforms and military history from cavalry to Gurkha regiments.

Public transport nearby

YMCA Weston Community Library

Southampton

A small community library with baby groups, craft sessions, a toy library and a stay-and-play morning for under-fives.

CaféToiletsWi-Fi