10 Rainy Day Activities in Liverpool for Kids

Liverpool is a brilliant city for families, but the Merseyside weather does not always cooperate. Fortunately, the city has an outstanding selection of indoor attractions, from world-class free museums to creative play spaces and immersive experiences. Here are our top picks for keeping kids entertained when the rain sets in.

Why Liverpool Is Great for Rainy Days

• Free museums - Liverpool has more free museums and galleries than almost any UK city outside London
• Compact waterfront - the Albert Dock area alone has enough indoor attractions to fill an entire rainy day
• Good public transport - Merseyrail makes it easy to get around without battling traffic and parking
• Budget-friendly - many of Liverpool's best family attractions are completely free

Albert Dock and Waterfront

1. World Museum Liverpool

Part of National Museums Liverpool, the World Museum on William Brown Street is completely free and covers everything from dinosaurs and ancient Egypt to space exploration and the natural world. The Bug House has live insects and spiders, the aquarium features tropical fish, and the planetarium runs regular family-friendly shows. Children could spend an entire day here without getting bored.

Best for: Ages 3+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free entry, nearest station is Lime Street Tip: The planetarium shows are free but ticketed - collect tickets from the ground floor desk when you arrive as they go quickly.

2. Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock

Tate Liverpool on the Albert Dock is free to enter and runs excellent family programmes. The main galleries feature rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, and the gallery provides free family activity packs at the front desk. During school holidays, they run drop-in workshops where children can create art inspired by the current exhibitions.

Best for: Ages 4+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free entry (charges for some special exhibitions), Albert Dock parking nearby Tip: Pick up a family activity pack at the entrance - it gives children drawing challenges and questions that make the visit interactive.

3. The Beatles Story, Albert Dock

The Beatles Story is the world's largest permanent Beatles exhibition, and while it is primarily aimed at adults, children aged five and above often enjoy it more than expected. The immersive recreation of 1960s Liverpool, the yellow submarine walk-through, the recreated Cavern Club and the discovery zone with instruments to play all appeal to young visitors.

Best for: Ages 5+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, gift shop, baby-changing, paid entry, Albert Dock parking Tip: Children under five go free. The Discovery Zone at the end has instruments children can play - allow extra time for this.

4. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock

Another free National Museums Liverpool attraction, the Maritime Museum tells the story of Liverpool's relationship with the sea. The Seized gallery (about smuggling and customs) fascinates older children, the ship models are impressive, and the Titanic exhibition - Liverpool was the White Star Line's home port - adds genuine drama. The International Slavery Museum on the upper floors is powerful and important for older children.

Best for: Ages 5+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, free entry, Albert Dock parking Tip: The Seized gallery on the ground floor, featuring real smuggling stories and confiscated goods, is often the most popular section with children aged 8+.

City Centre

5. Mattel Play!, Liverpool ONE

Located in Liverpool ONE shopping centre, Mattel Play! is an indoor play experience themed around classic Mattel brands. Children can explore a Bob the Builder construction zone, a Fireman Sam fire station and a Thomas and Friends railway. The play spaces are immersive and creative, blending physical play with storytelling. It is particularly well suited to younger children.

Best for: Ages 2-8 Facilities: Toilets, baby-changing, cafe within Liverpool ONE, Liverpool ONE car park Tip: Sessions are timed - book online to guarantee your slot, especially during school holidays and weekends.

6. Ghetto Golf, Cains Brewery Village

Ghetto Golf is a crazy golf experience with a twist, set inside the historic Cains Brewery. The course is elaborately themed with street art, neon lighting and inventive hole designs. While the evening sessions are adult-only, family sessions run during the day at weekends and school holidays, with toned-down content suitable for children.

Best for: Ages 6+ (family sessions only) Facilities: Toilets, bar area (soft drinks available), paid entry, street parking nearby Tip: Check their website for family session times - they are limited, so booking in advance is essential. The evening sessions are not suitable for children.

7. TeamLab Liverpool

TeamLab Liverpool is an immersive digital art experience near the waterfront. Children walk through rooms filled with floor-to-ceiling digital projections that respond to movement and touch. Flowers bloom, waterfalls cascade and sea creatures swim around visitors' feet. It is mesmerising for all ages and particularly magical for younger children experiencing it for the first time.

Best for: Ages 2+ Facilities: Toilets, baby-changing, cafe area, nearest parking at waterfront car parks Tip: Wear white or light-coloured clothing - the projections show up beautifully on lighter colours and make for stunning photographs.

Beyond the City Centre

8. Acorn Farm, Kirkby

A short drive from Liverpool city centre, Acorn Farm in Kirkby is a community farm with indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor barn allows children to meet and feed small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. During rainy weather, the covered areas and indoor activity space mean a visit is still worthwhile. Entry is free, though donations are welcome.

Best for: Ages 1-8 Facilities: Toilets, small cafe, baby-changing, free parking, free entry Tip: Bring coins for the animal feed dispensers - children love feeding the goats and sheep in the covered yard area.

9. Hollywood Bowl, Liverpool

When the rain is relentless and you need a reliable option, Hollywood Bowl at Edge Lane Retail Park delivers. Ten-pin bowling works for all ages, the lane bumpers can be raised for younger children and the arcade area provides additional entertainment. The food is standard bowling alley fare, but the experience is consistent and children enjoy it.

Best for: Ages 3+ Facilities: Toilets, restaurant, baby-changing, free parking, accessible lanes Tip: Book online for cheaper lane prices. Weekday afternoons outside school holidays are the cheapest and quietest times.

10. Escape Hunt, Liverpool ONE

For older children, Escape Hunt in Liverpool ONE offers themed escape rooms where families work together to solve puzzles and crack codes within a time limit. Rooms are themed around different scenarios and difficulty levels, making it possible to find one that suits your family's experience level. It is a brilliant team-building activity for families with children aged ten and above.

Best for: Ages 10+ Facilities: Toilets, briefing room, Liverpool ONE parking, accessible Tip: A team of four to five people works best. Younger team members often spot clues that adults miss, so give everyone a role.

Planning Your Rainy Day

Getting Around

Liverpool city centre is compact and most of the attractions listed above are within walking distance of each other - even in the rain. The Albert Dock cluster (Maritime Museum, Tate, Beatles Story) is connected by covered walkways, so you can hop between venues without getting soaked. For venues further out, Merseyrail is reliable and covers most of Merseyside. A Saveaway day ticket gives unlimited travel across the network and is much cheaper than paying for individual journeys.

Budget Planning

One of Liverpool's great strengths is the number of free attractions. The World Museum, Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Walker Art Gallery and Museum of Liverpool are all completely free. You could easily fill three or four rainy days without spending anything on entry fees. For paid attractions, booking online in advance nearly always saves money compared to walk-up prices.

Best Rainy Day Combos

If you want to make a full day of it, here are some combinations that work well together:

• Morning: World Museum, then walk to the Albert Dock for Afternoon: Tate Liverpool or Maritime Museum
• Morning: Beatles Story, then Afternoon: Mattel Play! in Liverpool ONE (a short walk away)
• All day: Combine Ghetto Golf (morning family session) with lunch in the Baltic Triangle and an afternoon at TeamLab

Tips for Rainy Days in Liverpool

• Start at the Albert Dock - you can visit the Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story without ever going outside, as they are all connected by covered walkways.
• Use Merseyrail - driving and parking in Liverpool city centre on a rainy day is stressful. The train network covers most of the area and a day pass is good value.
• Bring layers - even indoors, some older buildings like museums can be cool. A light jumper is always useful.
• Check free museum events - National Museums Liverpool runs free family events most weekends and every school holiday. Check their website for the latest schedule.
• Download museum apps - several Liverpool museums have family-friendly apps with trails and activities that enhance the visit.
• Pack snacks and lunch - museum cafes can be expensive. Bringing your own snacks and drinks saves money and avoids hangry meltdowns.
• Keep a rainy day bag ready - waterproof jackets, a change of socks and a reusable water bottle in a bag by the door means you can head out at short notice.
• Check for school holiday specials - many venues run additional activities, workshops and performances during school holidays that are not available the rest of the year.

Find More Indoor Activities in Liverpool

Looking for more rainy day options? Browse our full directory of indoor play centres in Merseyside to find your next family adventure.