Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Bristol: Soft Play and More

Bristol has plenty to fill a wet or cold day with children. The choice runs from big museums and an aquarium to soft play, climbing walls, bowling alleys and multiplex cinemas, spread across the city and its leisure parks. Below, the venues are grouped by type so you can pick something to suit the ages and energy levels in your group.

Soft play for younger children

For toddlers and primary-age children who need to burn off energy, Bristol has several soft play options.

• Noah's Ark Play Centre in Brislington has climbing frames, slides and activity zones, plus a dedicated space for younger children. It is rated 4.2 from 427 Google reviews.
• Wacky Warehouse - Wishing Well is in Aspects Leisure Park and has an onsite restaurant, baby changing areas and accessible toilets. It is rated 4.1 from 351 Google reviews.
• Wild Things Play Project is on Level 2 of The Mall. It is an inclusive venue with wheelchair and pushchair access, baby facilities and on-site refreshments, rated 4.1 from 267 Google reviews.
• Jump Bristol Soft Play & Party Centre at Cribbs Causeway has climbing structures, bouncy inflatables, football and a dedicated toddler space, with refreshments on site.
• PlaySpace has seven adventure zones, a parents' lounge, onsite parking and freshly prepared meals. Outside food is not permitted.

Active and sporty

For older children who want to run, jump or climb, these venues use up a lot of energy.

• AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park Bristol has a large trampoline arena with foam pits, dodgeball courts and parkour zones, plus challenge activities. It is rated 4.4 from 3,336 Google reviews.
• Planet Ice Bristol offers public skating sessions and refreshments on site, with wheelchair access. It is rated 3.7 from 996 Google reviews.
• Laser Fusion on Silver Street runs laser tag for players aged 9 and over, with an onsite restaurant. It is rated 4.6 from 564 Google reviews.
• Laser Combat Bristol is aimed at older children and teens, and is rated 4.5 from 314 Google reviews.
• Redpoint Bristol is a climbing centre with routes for all abilities, a café and baby-changing facilities. It is rated 4.7 from 296 Google reviews.

Creative activities

If you want something calmer, painting ceramics is an easy way to spend an hour or two indoors.

• Wot Pots is an accessible pottery studio where everyone can paint their own ceramics, with parking and facilities onsite. It is rated 4.9 from 47 Google reviews.
• Flying Saucers The Painting Pottery Cafe in Clifton lets you decorate from a large selection of ceramic pieces, with refreshments and snacks on site.

Museums and aquariums

Bristol's museums suit a slower day, and several are strong choices for curious children.

• Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a free museum on Queens Road with collections covering art, natural history and world cultures. It has family facilities and onsite dining, and is rated 4.6 from 6,967 Google reviews.
• M Shed is a waterfront museum on Bristol's history, with interactive displays and exhibits. It is rated 4.5 from 6,710 Google reviews.
• Bristol Aquarium has sharks, piranhas and tropical species, a walk-through tunnel and a botanical glasshouse. It is rated 4.2 from 6,180 Google reviews.
• Aerospace Bristol covers a century of flight and includes the final Concorde to take to the skies. It is fully accessible and rated 4.7 from 5,746 Google reviews.
• We The Curious is an interactive science centre with experiments, demonstrations and hands-on displays. It is rated 4.4 from 753 Google reviews.

Bowling and cinemas

These are the dependable options when the weather is bad and you want an easy plan.

Bowling

• Hollywood Bowl Cribbs Causeway on Merlin Road has lanes for all ages and an onsite restaurant. It is rated 4.1 from 2,283 Google reviews.
• Tenpin Bristol combines bowling lanes with laser combat, escape room challenges and arcade games. It is rated 4.0 from 1,740 Google reviews.
• Hollywood Bowl Bristol (Longwell Green) in Aspects Leisure Park has arcade entertainment and dining options. It is rated 4.1 from 1,335 Google reviews.

Cinemas

• Vue Bristol Cribbs Causeway is a 12-screen multiplex with dining options, baby changing rooms and pushchair-friendly facilities. It is rated 4.2 from 5,086 Google reviews.
• Vue Bristol Longwell Green is a 13-screen cinema at Aspects Leisure Park with refreshments and baby-changing facilities. It is rated 4.2 from 3,177 Google reviews.
• Showcase Bristol Avonmeads on St Philips Causeway has 3D screenings, wheelchair access and onsite parking. It is rated 4.2 from 2,012 Google reviews.

Tips for an indoor day out

• Book weekend and school-holiday slots ahead where booking is offered, as wet days fill up quickly.
• Check the venue's own page for opening times and any age or session rules before you set off.
• Soft play centres often ask for socks, so pack a spare pair for everyone.
• Pair one active venue with one calmer one, such as a trampoline session followed by a museum visit, so nobody runs out of steam.
• Bring a change of clothes and a few snacks, and allow extra time for the journey on rainy days.