Christmas holidays 2025: indoor fun when it's cold

When the Christmas holidays turn cold, wet and dark by four, indoor play is the easiest way to keep children happy: soft play for little ones, trampoline parks and climbing walls for older kids, and free museums for everyone. With most schools breaking up for Christmas in the second half of December, here are our favourite indoor ideas across the UK, from London and the Midlands to Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, plus tips for avoiding the crowds.

When indoor play helps most this Christmas

Indoor play is a lifesaver on the long days between Christmas and New Year, when everyone is full of energy and new toys have lost their shine. Short daylight hours and wintry weather make parks less inviting, and a couple of hours of climbing or bouncing helps children sleep well.

• Babies and toddlers (0–3): soft play with a fenced baby zone and baby sensory areas at museums.
• Pre-schoolers (3–5): big soft play frames, inflatable parks and hands-on discovery centres.
• School age (6–11): trampoline parks, climbing walls and science centres.
• Tweens (11+): high climbing routes, dodgeball and interactive museum galleries.

Indoor play and winter days out at a glance

Soft play and trampoline parks are everywhere, while big museums and science centres anchor a day out in each UK nation. Check holiday opening hours and prices on the official website before you go, as many venues close or shorten hours over Christmas.

Price per child: free = no charge, £ = under about £8, ££ = about £8–£20, £££ = over £20. Rough guide only, prices change.

Find indoor play in London on the Kid.ooo map

Soft play

Gambado, Kidspace and Snakes & Ladders are well-run London favourites with toddler zones and cafés. For more options across the country, see our list of the best soft play centres in the UK.

Trampolines, inflatables and climbing

Flip Out and Inflata Nation are perfect for burning off Christmas chocolate, and Clip 'n Climb lets children try colourful climbing walls safely. Our ranking of indoor play for autumn compares them in detail.

Discovery centres and museums

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester mix building and soft play. Eureka! The National Children's Museum in Halifax is hands-on everywhere. In London, Young V&A and the Science Museum are free to enter.

Find indoor play in Manchester on the Kid.ooo map

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Glasgow Science Centre, Techniquest in Cardiff and W5 in Belfast are brilliant all-day indoor adventures, with planetarium shows and hands-on exhibits.

What to look for: safety, cleanliness, toilets and café

Choose venues with clear age zones, clean facilities and a café where you can sit and still see the kids.

• Safety: padded floors, netting and separate areas for under-threes.
• Cleanliness: tidy ball pits and toilets, especially in winter bug season.
• Facilities: baby change, lockers and space for coats and wet boots.
• Café: a hot drink and a seat with a view of the play area.
• Booking: timed sessions are common in the holidays.

Toddlers vs. older kids

Toddlers need small, enclosed spaces; older children want height, speed and a challenge. For under-threes, a soft play baby zone, a museum sensory space or a toddler trampoline session is ideal. Go first thing in the morning, when it's calmest.

For six-to-twelves, trampoline parks, climbing walls and science centres hold attention for hours. With siblings, choose a venue with zones for each age or split up for an hour and meet for lunch.

Avoiding the crowds. The days between Christmas and New Year are the busiest of the year for indoor attractions. Try to book the first session of the day, avoid the first weekday after Boxing Day if you can, and consider smaller local centres, which are often quieter than big-name venues. Bring hand gel and wipes, as winter bugs spread quickly in busy play areas.

Combine indoor play with a day out or lunch

Pair a morning of play with a lunch out and an evening of festive lights. Our guides to winter light trails and science museums for kids have more ideas for the holidays.

Find kid-friendly cafés near your venue on the Kid.ooo map. For London days out, take a look at @kidrated on Instagram.

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