The Best Indoor Activities in Southampton

These are the best rainy day activities in Southampton

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There are so many indoor activities in Southampton for the whole family to enjoy. Finding things to do on rainy days isn’t always easy but we’ve come up with free and paid ideas for the whole family.

We’ve included everything from museums, amusements, castles, and soft plays. These are all within the Southampton city area.

If you are looking for more things to do near Southampton then have a look at:

The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids – This is our biggest list of things to do in Southampton with the kids. Use this if you are looking for things to do near by.

11 Fun Things to do in Eastleigh for the Whole Family – Just a few miles outside of the city of Southampton, Eastleigh has loads to do for all ages.

Things to do in Romsey with Kids – There is loads to do in Romsey with kids. Close to Southampton, Romsey is full of history and things to do.

Things to do in Hampshire Guide

Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!

If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!

This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks.

Have a look at our full guide to Things to do in Hampshire Guide here.

Indoor activities in Southampton city center

From art galleries to soft plays and museums, Southampton offers loads of indoor activities for the whole family.

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood bowl is right in the middle of center Southampton by West Quay. They offer loads of lanes for bowling and all the equipment that you’ll need for a fun day out.

You can find Hollywood Bowl at Westquay, Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1DE.

Medieval Merchant’s House

Within walking distance of Southampton city center, English Heritage ‘s Medieval Merchant’s House gives you insights into what it was like to live in Southampton in medieval times.

Think of this as a fun and quirky museum. It’s small but a great place to pair up with other city center attractions.

Get unlimited access to over 15 Hampshire attractions and over 100 national attractions with English Heritage. They offer different memberships depending on what you are looking for free parking with your membership. Join English Heritage here and see how much you could save.

You can find Medieval Merchant’s House at 58 French Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2AT.

God’s House Tower

Great for older kids, God’s House Tower is the home to local history talks and exhibits about Southampton’s local history.

You can find God’s House Tower at Town Quay Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2NY.

Solent Sky Museum

Completely inside, the Solent Sky Museum, home to the famous Spitfire is a great place to visit for primary-aged children. It has loads of interactive displays and events throughout the weekends and school holidays.

You can find Solent Sky Museum at Albert Rd South, Southampton SO14 3FR.

Southampton City Art Gallery

There is so much to do at Southampton Art Gallery for the whole family. They offer everything from clay workshops to art paintings for toddlers. Southampton Art Gallery is open throughout the week and gives the whole family a great experience of modern art today.

You can find Southampton Art Gallery at Civic Centre, Commercial Rd, Southampton SO14 7LY.

SeaCity Museum

Telling the lives of people who lived in Southampton, and their connections to the Titanic. They show what life was like for the people of Southampton and shows life on the famous ship.

This is a great museum for primary-aged children upwards.

You can find SeaCity Museum at Havelock Road, Southampton SO14 7FY.

Tudor House and Garden

Right in the center of the city, Tudor House and Garden is a great place to visit for the whole family. With over 800 years of local history, this unique museum is great for primary school children upwards who have an interest in medieval history.

You can find Tudor House and Garden at Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AD.

Jungle Jeans

Based right by Ikea and West Quay in Southampton, Jungle Jeans has everything your kids need for a great day out. They have loads of sensory toys, ball pits, and climbing equipment. Parking is very limited though.

You can find Jungle Jeans at Unit N, West Quay Industrial Estate, West Quay Road, Southampton, SO15 1GZ.

John Hansard Gallery

Great for senior school-aged children, John Hansard Gallery offers local artists the chance to display their work. You won’t find another art gallery like this one.

You can find John Hansard Gallery at 142-144 Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7DU.

Sea Life Play Centre

This soft play is great for babies right up to primary school-aged. They have great slides, and tunnels and offer craft activities during the week. This is a great place to let the children tun around and get creative.

You can find Sea Life Play Centre at Marlands Shopping Centre, Civic Centre Road, Southampton SO14 7SJ.

Injoy Southampton

Injoy is a great place to take the whole family. Not only do they have a huge soft play for older kids with great slides and a ball pit, they also have a dedicated area for toddlers too. For teens, they also have climbing walls and a trampoline park.

For grown-ups, they have loads of comfy seating and a great cafe that offers hot drinks and sweet treats. It’s completely open so you can see the kids at all times.

You can find Injoy Centres Southampton at Ocean Village, 4, Ocean Way, Southampton SO14 3TJ.

Indoor activities within the city of Southampton

These fun indoor activities are just outside the city center of Southampton. You can easily get a bus to them or are within a few minutes drive.

Netley Abbey

While parts of Netley Abbey are outside, there are many parts that are inside! Just 3 miles from the center of Southampton, this 13th-century castle is an amazing find. Walk around the ruins and explore the outbuildings.

Bring your wellies though as it is all on grass. There is a small amount of parking on-site.

You can find Netley Abbey at Abbey Hill, Netley, Southampton SO31 5FB.

Tenpin Southampton

Right in the center of Millbrook, Tenpin Southampton has everything you need for a fun day out for the whole family. You can book a lane online and enjoy a fun-filled bowl with the family.

You can find Tenpin Southampton at Auckland Rd, Southampton SO15 0SD.

Boulder Shack Climbing Gym

Offering boulder climbing sessions for all ages, Boulder Shack is a great place for older kids and adventurous families who want to spend time together and do something different.

You can find Boulder Shack Climbing Gym at Unit 4, Imperial Park, Empress Rd, Southampton SO14 0JW.

Calshot Castle

Built by Henry VIII, Calshot Castle once protected Southampton’s water from passing ships. Make sure you visit the basement, 1st-floor barracks room, and 2nd-floor gun room to get the full history of the castle. You can bring pushchairs but any of the staircases are really narrow so it’s not recommended.

You can find Calshot Castle at Calshot Road, Calshot, Southampton, SO45 1BR.

Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum

This museum is great for all ages. They walk you through how bricks were made over 200 years ago and covers loads of local history as well. During the school holidays, they run many special events.

Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum is open at limited times so please do check before you travel. They have a great coffee shop on-site as well.

You can find Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum at Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB.

Bursledon Windmill

Open on weekends, the Bursledon Windmill can be dated back to 1814 and is a working windmill. Learn how the windmill makes flour and what life would have been like to live here.

You can find Bursledon Windmill at Windmill Lane, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 8BG.

Free things to do printables

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Play Shack

This family-owned soft play is based in an industrial park in Hedge End. They have loads of parking on-site and have a hairdresser above them.

Walking in, you can instantly see the huge soft play frame and football pitch. Play Shack has a baby and toddler area that is gated off and a huge section for older kids which includes twisty slides and rope swings.

You can find Play Shack at Unit 28 Solent Trading Estate, Shamblehurst Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2FX.

Monkey Bizness Southampton

Monkey Bizness Southampton is close to the middle of the city. This is a great attraction for the whole family as they have a huge soft play for the younger kids and a lazer tag area for the older kids. They don’t have loads of seating but the cafe is great for adults who need a coffee in peace.

You can find Monkey Bizness Southampton at 234 Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0JW.

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Jumpin Jax

We love Jumpin Jax! They have loads of seating for the grown-ups and a great cafe that offers a range of food for diets. Make sure you try their cake!

They have a dedicated area for babies and toddlers and a huge soft play and net that is great for primary-aged kids.

You can find Jumpin Jax at GT House, Ashley Crescent, Sholing, SO19 9NA.

Laura x

If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.

These are the best indoor activities in Southampton that are perfect for the whole family. We've included everything from soft plays to museums by Laura at Things to do in Hampshire with kids.

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