If your kids are bored and you’d like to get them out of the house here’s our list of indoor places in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter that you can take them to burn excess energy on a scorching hot day or a cold and rainy day or to make some fun family memories. Let them learn, play and have fun indoors!
Museums & Art Galleries
The Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region is full of educational and entertaining museums. Enjoy a family day out with your kids to learn more about aviation at Fighterworld, life in the early 1900’s at Miss Porter’s House, Hunter history at Newcastle Museum, life as a prisoner at Maitland Gaol (CURRENTLY CLOSED) and more.
Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed, but there’s lots on offer for kids and families at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG), Lake Macquarie Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima) and the Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture (MAC). MAC always have a creative space or activity for kids (usually set up right next to the cafe. Everyone is welcome and entry is free!
Read more about Visiting Museums and Galleries in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Libraries
Enjoy an outing with your child/children to a local library where you can borrow books, toys and more. Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter libraries offer free programs for families such as Baby Book Time and Story Stomp sessions.
There’s also lots of school holiday activities to keep school-aged kids entertained. Best thing of all, library membership is free. Read more about Visiting Your Local Library for Fun, Educational Baby and Kids Programs.
Bookshop and Second-hand Book Shops
On a rainy day, gather the family and browse a local bookshop. Some of our favourites are Harry Hartog (located at Stockland Greenhills and Westfield Kotara), MacLean’s Booksellers, Hamilton and Betty Loves Books at The Station in Newcastle. There’s a great selection of second-hand bookshops located along Beaumont Street, Hamilton as well as Cooks Hill Books near Newcastle City Library.
Escape Rooms
Experience the adventure of an escape room with your kids. For those unfamiliar with escape rooms, these are a fully immersive experience where teams of 2 to 6 players are “locked” in a room and must solve a series of challenging puzzles to escape a themed set in just 60 minutes. There’s a variety of escape rooms including Escape Reality, Escape Zone in Broadmeadow and Sutton Estate Hunter Valley. Some rooms are suitable for players as young as 6 while others suit tweens and teens.
Ice Skating
If it’s a hot day, cool off and go ice skating at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to ice skate, there are skating frames available as well as a designated area for beginners to help get them comfortable on skates.
Indoor Climbing Centres
When the kids start climbing the walls at home, it’s time to get them out. Take them to one of the four climbing centres in our region.
You’ll find Climb Parc at Cooks Hill, located in the same building as Ninja Parc (but separate to it). Climb Parc features 19 climbing walls of varying difficulty, each with an auto self-belay making transitions between walls simple. Climb Parc is for children aged 6 and over and all children under 8 must have a paying, supervising adult with them.
Pulse Climbing is located at Adamstown, Maitland and Warners Bay. They cater to all climbers, from beginner to advanced level, in a relaxing and welcoming environment. The minimum climbing age is strictly 5 years old and kids must be aged 12 and over to belay (hold the ropes). With climbing walls from super easy to outrageously hard, Pulse Climbing has the perfect challenge for everyone with experienced staff always on hand to assist.
Indoor Adventures at Dullboy’s Social Co
For a memorable indoor adventure visit Dullboys Social Co, Rutherford or Warners Bay.
At Dullboy’s Social Co Rutherford families can enjoy tenpin bowling, lose touch with reality on the virtual reality rides, play classic arcade games or play a round or two of mini golf. Eat, drink and unwind afterwards at Charlie’s bar and cafe.
Dullboy’s Social Co Warners Bay features a SuperStrike tenpin bowling alley, dodgem cars, mini golf, games arcade and a private karaoke room. After all the fun and excitement, enjoy the laid back vibes at The Diner, Dullboy’s modern take on the classic American Diner. Please note: Dullboy’s Warners Bay mini golf course is outdoors.
Indoor Go Karting
Xtreme Karts Warners Bay is a huge indoor centre, purpose-built for go kart racing. Their high powered electric karts combine with a multi-level race track that allows for racing in any weather in a safe, controlled environment.
Indoor Golf
Chase away the heat or the rainy day blues by whacking a golf ball around a putt putt golf course. There’s an 18-hole undercover putt putt course at Newcastle Supa Putt, Broadmeadow and two nine-hole courses at Holey Moley, Charlestown Square.
Or keep an eye out for snakes and creepy crawlies at the arcades and desert-themed mini golf course located at Dullboy’s Rutherford. It’s sure to delight kids big and small with Pacman, Space Invaders, Air Hockey, UFO’s and more! Read more about Where to Play Mini Golf in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Indoor Play Centres
Indoor play centres are a great choice for babies, toddlers and younger kids. Here’s our list of Indoor Play Centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter. They’re also an ideal destination for a rainy-day playdate or a family day out.
If you’re looking to combine your day out with a spot of shopping, our three major shopping centres all house indoor play centres; EMF Jnr at Westfield Kotara, Flip Out Jnr at Charlestown Square and Kids World Adventure Playland & Cafe at Stockland Green Hills. There’s also Chipmunks Playland and Cafe, an indoor centre in Belmont.
A new play centre is Pixie Play Café, a boutique indoor play space in Rathmines that’s been designed for kids aged 0 – 6. The pastel-filled centre features a ball pit zone, sensory play area, climbing zone, and imaginative play areas including a Pixie Market and play kitchen. With thoughtfully designed play zones, high-end facilities, and plenty of magical touches, Pixie Play is all about sparking imagination, encouraging creativity, and giving families a safe, welcoming space to connect and play.
A quality café on-site offers frozen yoghurt, wholesome snacks, and dietary-friendly options. Sessions run for 90 minutes to keep numbers comfortable – bookings are strongly recommended.
Indoor Sports Parks / Trampoline Parks
If it’s too hot or too cold and rainy, and the kids are complaining that they’re bored, take them to Revolution Sports Park at Maryville or Gravity X Indoor Trampoline Park at Rutherford. Both of these indoor parks have cafe/rest areas.
At Revolution Sports Park kids can trampoline into giant airbags, shoot hoops in the trampoline basketball lanes or test their agility on the ninja courses. There’s also bubble soccer and inflatables as well as a dedicated younger kid’s playground.
At Gravity X Indoor Trampoline Park, there’s a free jump space for trampolining, a giant air bag, a wall trampoline and a trampoline games space. Gravity X is the perfect venue to take bored teens, although little ones aren’t forgotten with a junior trampoline space for 3-8 year olds and the Little Astronauts Playground for kids aged 3-5.
In the Lake Mac area, try a casual bounce session at Springloaded, Gateshead. A trampoline, gymnastics and parkour park in one, a casual session allows one hour of all access play for all ages across the trampolines, foam pits, ninja-style obstacle course, parkour zones, gymnastics equipment and more.
Inflatable World
Find Inflatable World at Rutherford, inside Maitland Indoor Sports Centre and at Warners Bay inside Newcastle Indoor Sports. Inflatable world suits kids of all ages and there’s a dedicated under-5’s area. Both venues encourage adults to join in the fun alongside their kids. Kids can jump and bounce for a two hour session per single entry fee.
Laser Tag
Kids can test their combat skills at Red Alert Laser Tag, Warners Bay. Their interactive arena is multi-level and features laser lighting and glow in the dark murals to create a fantastic atmosphere. It’s also fully carpeted and air-conditioned for the warmer months. There’s also an amazing laser tag arena at Strike Bowling, Charlestown.
Movie Cinemas
In these modern times of Netflix and home movie theatres, a trip to the cinema is a real treat. On a scorching hot day or a rainy day (or night), settle in with a tub of popcorn to watch the latest flick on the big screen at one of these 9 Places to See a Family Movie with Your Kids Around Newcastle.
Ninja Parc
On the corner of Darby Street and Tooke Street in Cooks Hill, kids can swing, jump and climb like a ninja at Ninja Parc. Suitable for kids of all ages and abilities, Ninja Parc features a soft-fall padded obstacle course with over 20 obstacles. Kids under the age of 8 require a supervising adult unless they are attending one of the Mini-Ninja or Little-Ninja classes. If your kids are over the age of 8 you can choose to join them or observe from the seated cafe area. Read more about Ninja Parc.
Other Indoor Play Areas
If you need to do some shopping, let the kids play in the playgrounds inside shopping centres. Charlestown Square has an indoor playground, The Secret Garden, on Level 2 conveniently located near children’s shops. This playground is for kids aged 1 to 6.
Westfield Kotara has Playworld, located outside Target on Level 2 in the Kids precinct as well as The Little Spot for babies and Toddlers (also located on Level 2, near Target). All children are welcome and entry is free, however, children must be supervised at all times.
At Stockland Green Hills kids can play in two inclusive play areas designed in collaboration with the Touched By Olivia Foundation. Near Harry Hartog’s you’ll find a play area inspired by the history of the Hunter River and in The Courtyard, The Enchanted Forest Play Area is inspired by East Maitland’s Historical Flora and Fauna.
Located on the Ground floor, Stockland Green Hills also has a Youth Precinct with 80s-style arcade games including an air hockey table, giant chess pieces, a foosball table and comfortable seating area.
Bunnings have indoor play areas as well as a café so you can get all your home and garden needs, entertain your kids and grab a coffee.
You can also visit your local Maccas or Hungry Jacks with an indoor playground and let the kids play while you enjoy a coffee and/or a snack.
Cessnock PCYC
Cessnock PCYC also has great indoor facilities. With rock climbing, skate Park and an indoor playground, they also offer gymnastics and other sports.
Tenpin Bowling
Take the family tenpin bowling at one of the bowling alleys in the region. You’ll find bowling alleys at Dullboy’s Warners Bay and Dullboy’s Rutherford. There’s also Superstrike at Salamander Bay and Strike Bowling Charlestown. StrikeZone Raymond Terrace is another great indoor venue and, with balls that fit into the palm of your hand, Mini Bowling at Timezone Stockland Green Hills is great for littlies.
Toboggan Hill Park
Take a drive up to the Bay and visit Toboggan Hill Park at Salamander Bay. There are lots of indoor activities to do there on a rainy day including rock climbing, roller skating, jumping castles, Kiddie Karz (bumper cars) and remote-control boats. Read more about Toboggan Hill Park.
Timezone
If the kids are feeling cooped up at home visit Timezone. With locations at Charlestown Square, Stockland Greenhills and Westfield Kotara. Besides games, Timezone at Westfield Kotara has bowling, laser tag and bumper cars. Stockland Greenhills has bowling and laser tag.
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