We’re not saying it’s definitely going to rain all the way through the next school holidays and beyond. Just in case, however, here are some of the best activities to see soggy kids and their grown-ups through the great British autumn and winter.
ALL-WEATHER WONDERS TO SEE FAMILIES THROUGH TO SPRING
- Explore museums, galleries and theatres: As mentioned above, Hull’s museums are havens of fabulous free entertainment all year round. Also check out the Treasure House and Beverley Art Gallery in Beverley, where there are interactive exhibits for young children alongside permanent and touring collections. A round-up of museums, galleries and theatres across Hull and East Yorkshire can be found here. Please note that one of Hull’s two floating museums, the Spurn Lightship, has been temporarily moved and is currently closed for renovation work. Fruit and Kingston Art Group (KAG) are no longer located in Humber Street, but the celebrated artists of Kingston Art Group are currently exhibiting their work at the University of Hull’s Brynmor Jones Library. Their exhibition, We Are Here, runs until Sunday 4 November.
Independent galleries including Humber Street Gallery, Artlink and the Museum of Club Culture in Hull, while Pocklington Arts Centre in Pocklington and The Ropewalk arts and exhibition space in Barton-on-Humber have some incredible exhibitions and regular activities that will appeal to all ages.
- Rock’n’roll: Here’s a treat day out for children of all ages. John Bull World of Rock is open all year round, with extended opening times during school holidays. Find out how classic seaside rock is made on a self-guided factory tour (tickets: adults £4; over-fours £3, under-fours free), and stop off to roll you own stick of rock filled with a letter of your choice, or make your own chocolate lollipop (£1.50 pp, per activity). There’s also a soft-play area called Candy Kingdom that caters for children aged 0-12. Exit via the factory sweet shop for maximum sugar rush opportunities.
- Make a splash: When the weather’s awful outside, burn off some energy at the pool. By the coast, Bridlington’s Leisure World has an interactive Splash Zone with two slides, and just outside Hull city centre, Woodford Leisure Centre fits the bill with a wave machine, beach-style pool, slide and more.
- Prepare for battle: Hull Blast says it is Yorkshire’s first indoor interactive foam dart battle arena. And who are we to argue? Once inside, choose your battle: Apocalyptic Zone; or Space Zone. £10 pp, per hour of play. It’s bound to be a blast and is equally popular with children, students, and groups
- Bounce, bounce, bounce: Trampoline parks are another indoor play activity that have really taken off and are suitable for all ages. Loads of fun and there are usually SEN and disability-friendly sessions, disco sessions, dodgeball and assault course sessions as well as standard open bounce sessions. If you’re planning to take young children, look out for the cheaper parent-and-toddler, or family activities. An additional, one-off cost for trampoline parks is that you also have to buy branded trampoline socks to be able to bounce. Try: Rebound on Stockholm Road, on the outskirts of Hull, or Gravity in St Stephen’s shopping centre in the heart of the city centre. Prices vary.
- Don’t forget the old favourites: Soft play zones are probably not most parents’ favourite places to be, but there’s no disputing that younger children love them and they’re brilliant when the weather’s too bad to play in an outdoor park or playground. Hull and East Riding Mumbler’s excellent blog has a comprehensive list of venues all over East Yorkshire.
- And finally… embrace the muddiness! From an outdoor mud kitchen, to mountains and molehills; sand slide to suspended platform; and amphitheatre to tyre swing, William’s Den is an award-winning outdoor play centre that encourages children to enjoy the great outdoors, rain, mud and all.
