Rainy days don’t have to mean bored kids and cabin fever.
If you’re looking for rainy day activities for kids in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, there are plenty of ways to keep toddlers, preschoolers and school-age kids entertained when the weather turns wet.
From museums and libraries to indoor play centres, bowling and family movies, here are some ideas to help families make the most of a rainy day.
Quick Rainy Day Ideas for Kids
Short on time? Here are some quick ideas for rainy day fun with kids:
- Visit Newcastle Museum
- Head to your local library
- Play at an indoor play centre
- Watch a family movie at the cinema
- Go bowling or play laser tag
- Visit an arcade or games centre
- Try an escape room
- Go swimming at an indoor pool
- Play board games at home
- Build a cubby house indoors
Free Rainy Day Activities
Visit Newcastle Museum
With free entry, Newcastle Museum is one of the best places to visit with kids on a rainy day.
Children love hopping aboard the historic tram and exploring the interactive Supernova science exhibits, which are designed to encourage hands-on play and discovery.
Older kids may enjoy learning more about the region through the Newcastle and Fire and Earth exhibitions.
Newcastle Museum also hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. The current exhibition, Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things, showcases the city’s history through detailed miniature models.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and seven days a week during school holidays.
Visit your local library
Libraries are another fantastic rainy day option.
Local libraries have shelves filled with picture books, chapter books, comics and magazines that can keep kids entertained for hours. Many also run storytime sessions for younger children, along with craft activities and workshops during school holidays.
Wallsend Library is currently the only Newcastle library open on Sundays (1:30pm – 5pm), but most local library branches are open throughout the week.
Visit an art gallery
Another rainy day option is to visit an art gallery such as Newcastle Art Gallery, Museum of Art & Culture (MAC) Lake Macquarie or the Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG). All are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Take your kids on a tour of the gallery and point out interesting artworks. Then provide them with some crayons and a sketchpad and let them create their own works of art.
On the weekend, check out Free Art Sundays at MRAG for free art activities for children and their families/carers.
If you’re close to the Lake, visit the Museum of Art & Culture (MAC) Lake Macquarie. As well as having interesting exhibitions and great views, the gallery has an outdoor sculpture garden to keep kids occupied if the rain lessens. They also run ARTSPACE, free art workshops on the third Sunday of every month, for children and their families/carers.
Indoor Play Centres
Indoor play centres are one of the easiest ways to keep kids entertained on a rainy day.
These venues offer climbing equipment, slides, ball pits and play structures where kids can burn off energy while parents relax with a coffee nearby. Most centres cater for children up to around 11 years old and include separate toddler play areas. Just remember to bring socks, as they’re usually required for play.
One popular option for younger children 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.
Another favourite is Chipmunks Playland & Café in Belmont. Their exciting indoor playground is packed with fun, colour and adventure, giving kids hours of non-stop climbing, sliding and exploring in a safe, vibrant environment.
It’s the perfect destination for everyday play, rainy days and school holiday outings. Parents can unwind in their café and restaurant with barista coffee, snacks and meals while the kids play nearby. Once you’re inside, stay and play as long as you like – there’s no time limit, so long as you don’t leave!
Other indoor play venues around the region include Kids World Playland at Green Hills, EMF Jnr at Westfield Kotara and Flip Out Junior at Charlestown Square.
Go Bowling or Play Laser Tag
Bowling is another classic rainy day activity that works well for families.
Venues such as Dullboy’s Social Co in Warners Bay and Rutherford offer tenpin bowling along with arcades and other activities. SuperStrike in Maitland and the bowling centre at Salamander Bay are also popular options for families.
If your kids enjoy fast-paced action, laser tag can be a fun alternative. Red Alert Laser Tag in Warners Bay offers exciting indoor battles, while Strike Charlestown Square combines bowling, laser tag and arcade games in one venue.
Visit an Arcade or Games Centre
Arcades can be especially appealing for older kids and teenagers. Timezone offer a wide range of arcade games along with food and other entertainment options. Dullboy’s Social Co in Warners Bay and Rutherford also include arcade machines alongside their bowling lanes. These venues are a good option when kids want something energetic and interactive to do indoors.
Try an Indoor Sports Centre
Older kids and teens may enjoy indoor sports and activity centres where they can climb, jump and test their skills. These include Ninja Parc, Climb Parc, Pulse Climbing Newcastle and Revolution Sports Park. These venues are ideal for energetic kids who need to burn off some energy on a rainy day.
Play Indoor Mini Golf
Mini golf is a fun activity for the whole family and works well on rainy days. Indoor options include Dullboy’s Social Co in Rutherford and Holey Moley at Charlestown Square.
Try an Escape Room
If you have older kids or teens, an escape room can be a fun rainy day activity for the whole family. Escape rooms are immersive puzzle experiences where teams work together to solve clues and complete challenges within a set time.
There are several escape room venues around the region, including Escape Reality in Newcastle which has a few escape rooms suitable for families including Tortuga Pirates and Jurassic island. Many rooms are suitable for families with children and teenagers, making them a great option when the weather keeps everyone indoors. Escape rooms encourage teamwork, problem-solving and plenty of laughs along the way, especially when the clock is ticking.
See A Kids Show
On a rainy day, check out what kids shows are on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter. There’s a range of kids shows for families to enjoy at the Civic Theatre, Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, The Art House in Wyong as well as other venues around town.
Check out our list of upcoming kids shows including family-friendly concerts, plays, musical shows and theatre performances. No matter what the age of your child or their interests, you’re bound to find a show to entertain them.
Go to the Movies
Watching a movie at the cinema is a classic rainy day activity for families. Across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter you’ll find plenty of options, from major chains like Event Cinemas, Hoyts and Reading Cinemas to smaller independent theatres such as Lake Cinema Boolaroo and Scotty’s Cinemas in Raymond Terrace.
Several cinemas run baby-friendly sessions during the week, including Bring Your Baby screenings at Event Cinemas and Baby’s Day Out sessions at Reading Cinemas.
For a full list of cinemas around the region, along with tips on saving money on tickets, check out our guide to places to see a movie in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Board Games and Family Game Night
Rainy days are perfect for slowing down and spending time together at home. A family board game afternoon can be a great way to entertain kids of all ages.
Classic games like Uno, Monopoly, Cluedo and Scrabble are always popular, while newer games such as Ticket to Ride or Sushi Go! can appeal to older children and teenagers. Turning it into a family game night with popcorn and snacks can make the experience feel extra special. Here’s our guide to best family board games.
Visit an Indoor Pool
A rainy day can actually be a great opportunity to go swimming. Indoor or heated pools around the region include West Wallsend Swim Centre, Charlestown Swim Centre, Lakeside Leisure Centre in Raymond Terrace and Maitland Aquatic Centre. These facilities allow kids to burn off energy and stay active even when the weather is gloomy.
Visit an Indoor Shopping Centre
Shopping centres can also be useful destinations when the weather turns wet. Charlestown Square features The Secret Garden playground on Level 2, a themed play area designed for younger children. Westfield Kotara also has a children’s play area located near Target in the Kids Precinct.
Bunnings also have indoor play areas as well as a café so you can get all your home and garden stuff, 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.
Head to a Kid-Friendly Café or Restaurant
Sometimes the easiest rainy day activity is heading out for food. Many family-friendly cafés and restaurants around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland include playgrounds or dedicated kids areas. These venues allow parents to enjoy a coffee or meal while children have space to play. You can also check our guide to venues where kids eat free around the region.
Parks with Shelter
If the kids are getting restless at home, heading to a local park with some covered seating can be a good way to get out of the house. Pop on rain jackets and gumboots and enjoy some fresh air, even if the weather isn’t perfect.
One of our favourite spots on a rainy day is Foreshore Park in Newcastle. The nearby historic railway carriage sheds provide plenty of shelter when it’s raining and offer lots of space underneath for kids to ride scooters or bikes, or even draw pictures with chalk.
Other parks with rotundas or picnic shelters include Lambton Park, Jesmond Park, Centennial Park and King Edward Park, where you can still enjoy a quick outdoor adventure while staying mostly out of the rain.
Rainy Day Activities at Home
If leaving the house isn’t possible, there are still plenty of ways to keep kids entertained at home.
A movie afternoon with popcorn can feel like a special event, while craft activities such as painting or making puppets can keep younger children busy. Baking cookies or cupcakes together is another fun activity that doubles as a treat.
Kids can also build a cubby house using chairs and blankets, organise a treasure hunt around the house or put on a dress-up show or mini concert.
We’ve put together a Newy with Kids Rainy Day At Home Guide for those wanting inspiration on rainy day fun that you can do at home.
Get outside and enjoy the rain
When all else fails, embrace the rain and go splash in the puddles with your kids.
Throw some rain jackets and gumboots on the kids and yourself and have fun jumping in puddles, counting worms and slugs, making mud cakes and catching raindrops on your tongue. Yes, you will all get wet and likely very muddy but at least you will have heaps of fun on a rainy day.
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You might also enjoy:
- Indoor Play Centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
- 30+ Indoor Places for Kids in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
- Rainy Day Activities at Home
- Family Board Game Ideas
- 100+ Best Kids Movies to Watch with your Family
- 10 Local Spots to See a Family Movie With Your Kids
- Visit Museums and Galleries in Newcastle & Hunter region