Rainy Day in North Shields: Indoor Things to Do

This is the North East coast, so a bit of rain is all part of the deal, and happily North Shields has plenty to keep the whole family entertained when the weather turns. From an award-winning soft play in an old church to bowling, an aquarium a short hop away and the cosy cafés and restaurants of the Fish Quay, here are the best indoor things to do in and around North Shields on a wet day.

Kiki's Kabin

The go-to for families with younger children, Kiki's Kabin on Albion Road is a multi-award-winning soft play spread over 10,000 square feet inside a converted church. There is a three-tier play frame, toddler areas, a ball pool and a bouncy castle, plus a huge café where the grown-ups can sit out the downpour in comfort. It is one of the best soft-play venues in the whole of North Tyneside.

Best for: Best for burning off energy with the under-12s while parents enjoy the café.

Bowling and soft play at The Parks

The Parks Sports Centre on Howdon Road is a proper rainy-day all-rounder, with ten-pin bowling, a soft-play Play Den and a sports hall under one roof. It is an easy way to fill a wet afternoon whatever the ages in your group, and it is all run by the council so prices are reasonable.

Best for: Best for a mixed-age group — bowling for the big ones, Play Den for the little ones.

The Fish Quay: eat your way through the rain

There is no better place to sit out a storm than a warm restaurant looking over the harbour. The Fish Quay is packed with cafés, bars and restaurants, from the acclaimed Staith House to fish-and-chip favourites and independent coffee shops. Watching the rain on the river with a plate of fresh seafood is a North Shields rite of passage.

Best for: Best for a long, lazy lunch when the heavens open.

An aquarium round the corner

A few minutes away at Tynemouth, Blue Reef Aquarium is a brilliant wet-weather standby, with sharks, seals, tropical fish and an underwater tunnel — a guaranteed hit with children of all ages and entirely indoors.

Shopping under cover

The Royal Quays Outlet is handy for a browse whatever the weather, with high-street and designer names under cover, cafés and free parking. The Beacon Centre in the town centre covers the everyday shops, with the Metro on the doorstep if you would rather leave the car.

A few tips

• Kiki's Kabin and The Parks get busy in the school holidays and on wet weekends — book soft play or bowling ahead where you can.
• The Fish Quay is at its cosiest midweek, when it is easier to get a table.
• Combine indoor and outdoor: many rainy North East days have bright spells, so keep the aquarium or a Fish Quay walk in your back pocket.

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