Europe's best indoor attractions for kids: aquariums, science centres and play

The best indoor attractions for kids in Europe are hands-on science centres, big aquariums and play museums where children can touch, build and explore for hours. In January, when days are short and cold, they are the perfect plan for a city break or a rainy weekend. Here are 14 favourites, from Lisbon to Copenhagen, with tips for every age.

When indoor attractions help most

Indoor attractions are a lifesaver in winter, on rainy days and on long city breaks when children need a change from walking. They also work well as a reward after a morning of sightseeing, or as a warm base on days with strong wind or snow.

• Babies and toddlers (0–3): aquariums and toddler zones in children's museums.
• Preschoolers (3–6): water play, building blocks and simple experiments.
• School kids (6–12): science centres with real experiments, workshops and shows.
• Teens: big science centres with technology, physics and robotics exhibits.

14 indoor attractions for kids at a glance

Science centres are strongest in Northern and Central Europe, while the biggest aquariums are in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Check opening hours and prices on the official website before you go, and book timed tickets for weekends.

Price per person: budget = under about €12, mid-range = about €12–25, premium = over €25. Approximate values, prices change.

Find indoor play and attractions in Amsterdam on the Kid.ooo map

Science centres

NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam is a green ship-shaped building full of experiments, with a roof terrace that has great views. In Paris, the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie has the Cité des enfants, a separate area for children from two years old with water games and building zones. Experimentarium in Copenhagen is packed with interactive exhibits for all ages.

Near Zurich, Technorama in Winterthur has hundreds of experiments with light, magnets and water. phaeno in Wolfsburg is a striking building with a giant fire tornado and lots of hands-on stations. In Munich, the Deutsches Museum has a children's area called Kinderreich, plus planes, ships and mines for older kids. Universeum in Gothenburg combines a science centre with an indoor rainforest and aquarium.

Aquariums

The Oceanogràfic in Valencia is often called the largest aquarium in Europe, with sharks, belugas and a dolphin area. The Oceanário de Lisboa is built around a huge central tank you see from every level. The Acquario di Genova sits in the old harbour, and Den Blå Planet near Copenhagen airport has a giant ocean tank with hammerhead sharks. In Vienna, Haus des Meeres fills an old flak tower with fish, reptiles and a tropical house.

See aquariums and attractions in Lisbon on the Kid.ooo map

Play museums

Explora in Rome is a children's museum where kids play at being shop owners, doctors or firefighters. In Denmark, LEGO House in Billund is a dream for young builders, with huge brick creations and zones for building, coding and storytelling.

What to look for: safety, space, toilets, café

A good indoor attraction for families has clear age zones, a cloakroom, toilets with baby change and a café or picnic area. Before you go, check:

• Age zones: separate areas for toddlers so they are not run over by older kids.
• Cloakroom and lockers: winter coats and bags get heavy quickly.
• Pram access: lifts and pram parking, especially in older buildings.
• Food: a café with simple dishes, or a room where you can eat your own snacks.
• Quiet corners: busy science centres can be loud, so a calm spot helps.

Toddlers vs. older kids

Toddlers love aquariums and toddler zones, while school-age children want to experiment, press buttons and build things. For under-fives, the Cité des enfants, Explora, Universeum and any of the aquariums are ideal. Keep visits to about two hours.

Older kids and teens will get the most from NEMO, Technorama, phaeno and the Deutsches Museum, where a full day is easy. With siblings of different ages, Experimentarium and LEGO House have something for everyone.

Combine it with a day out or lunch

Plan the indoor attraction for the morning, when kids are fresh, and a playground or walk in the afternoon if the weather allows. In Amsterdam, combine NEMO with a walk along the harbour. In Valencia, the Oceanogràfic sits at the end of the Turia Gardens, near Gulliver Park from our list of Europe's most spectacular playgrounds.

Most of these attractions have a café, but kid-friendly restaurants nearby are on the Kid.ooo map. If you are heading north for snow this winter, see our guide to Lapland with kids.

For travel ideas with older kids and teens, take a look at @wyld_family_travel on Instagram.

Add your favourite indoor play spot to Kid.ooo

Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share indoor play centres, playgrounds, museums and cafés across Europe. Before your next city break, look up things to do with kids in your destination and save a few rainy day options.

Find indoor play on the Kid.ooo map

Missing a place you loved? Add your favourite indoor attraction to Kid.ooo and help the next family on a rainy day.