[Updated Oct 2023] Come rain or shine, Harrogate has some fantastic activities for kids but its always trickier to keep them entertained when the weather turns so here are our top go-to indoor activities in Harrogate.
Creative Capers
This is one of our favourite places to go when we are feeling crafty. Creative Capers is a family run arts and craft centre located on Tower Street (HG1 1HS).
They offer workshops, drop in sessions, after school clubs and ladies nights where you can try out various art and craft styles without any mess at home!
We’ve been a couple of times recently, the first time we tried out decopatch and most recently Izzy painted a Jubilee themed canvas. With prices starting from £3 its not going to break the bank and kids will be spoilt for ideas with what to create.
Visit their website to find out more: https://www.creativecapers.co.uk/
Little Bees Harrogate
It wouldn’t be a list of rainy day activities without featuring a soft play!
Previously known as ‘Kidzplay’, Little Bees Harrogate Is 8,000 sq ft of play space with exclusive pods to hire, extensive soft play frame, role play village, baby sensory area, toddler zone, and ride-ons. They have an on-site cafe too offering a great selection of hot & cold food and drinks.
Admission prices: 1 child (2+) £8.50, 2 + children £7.50 each. Under 2’s £5.50.
Book in advance at: https://kidzplay.co.uk/home/kidzplay-play-centres/little-bees-harrogate/
Painting Pots
Home of The Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt! In the heart of Knaresborough, a stones throw from castle, you can find Painting Pots Knaresborough, a ceramic and craft studio. Here you can find pottery painting, Foam Clay modelling and Teddy Mountain bear making, as well as a huge range of craft workshops and special events that take place throughout the year.
Painting Pots offers a wide selection of bisque wear to paint including plates, mugs, vases, cookie jars, money boxes, keepsake decorations and special seasonal pieces, amongst the many quality designs. Prices start from just £4 and includes glazing and firing.
Visit their website here
Pump Rooms Museum
When did Harrogate become famous as a spa town? How much of the sulphur water did they say you should drink to cure illness? How is Harrogate linked to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb? Answer these and so many more questions with a visit to the Pump Room Museum.
Top tip: Under the Ancient Egyptian display there are draws which are full of activity sheets and interactive props designed for kids but they are not very well signposted.
The Pump Room Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4pm.
Admission: £3.80 Adult, £2.20 Child (5-16yrs) and a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children is £11.10.
This is such a good value activity, it’s featured in my recent blogs ‘Visit Harrogate on a Budget‘ and Low cost activities in Harrogate. Be sure to check these out for even more money saving ideas.
Stump Cross Caverns
I don’t know about you, but I love a day out where the kids are learning and have no idea! Stump Cross is an ideal indoor activity in Harrogate or should I say ‘underground’ activity? It’s nice and cool in the caves so it can be a welcome day out at the height of summer too.
The caves offer a great way to explore underneath the dales, winding your way through the limestone caves. You might even spot a fairy door or two!
If you have older children or brave little ones, I highly recommend going to one of the UV afternoons where they turn out all the lights and you explore using a UV torch. Amazing!
There is a café on site which caters very well for adults and children and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. And good luck not spending any money in the very well-stocked gift shop.
Admission: Adults (14+) £14, Children (3-13) £10 includes trail and prize, Infants (0-4) FREE.
Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre
Honestly I preferred ‘The Hydro’ lol.
After a £13.5 million refurbishment the council run swimming pool is now reopen. I’m not quite sure where all the money went? We normally go for the swimming rather than the gym and the pools are pretty much the same but the reception and changing rooms are a bit fancier.
What’s that saying? If kids aren’t happy put them in water? I would have laughed at that before I was a parent but it’s 100% fact.
Swim sessions are £2.85 for children and £5.45 for Adults. Family tickets are £14.40 (2A and 3C).
Parthian Climbing
If the bad weather has you all stuck in the house, climbing the walls, then this could be a great option.
Situated right at the end of Hornbeam Park, Parthian Climbing is Harrogate’s very own climbing wall. It’s a bit more serious than a clip and climb but the kids (and you) will still have loads of fun. You can book them in for introductory sessions from £12.00. Check out their website for all times and prices.
Are there any other indoor activities we should explore in Harrogate? Let me know!
