Where are the Best Places to Take Children when it's Raining in Brisbane?

Some really helpful suggestions- especially given the forecast in Brisbane! The local library always gets a visit in the rain- the kids have fun choosing the books and then they are occupied at home with their selections.

Bowling at Stafford

Where are the Best Places to Take Children when it's Raining in Brisbane?

Most of the posted activities for children are for younger children. Older children may still enjoy some of these activities however they are looking for more challenging adventures. Whatever the activity, the trick is to take a friend or two along. This seriously cuts the whining and bumps up the fun, making a huge difference to the enjoyment level for everyone.

Ask them and they choose a movie at the cinema, an amusement arcade or Laserforce; valid options for many. My choices include roller skating (or inline skating) at the Stafford Skate Centre, challenging for all ages, and the Gallery of Modern Art. GoMA is consistently engaging, but amazing during school holidays when children's activities run. The Queensland Museum has had a make over and is worth a visit. The Science Centre below the Queensland Museum is interesting once or twice. Iceworld ice skating rinks at Boondall and Acacia Ridge both promise to be appealing sensory experiences (read, cold), just the thing in summer.

Climbing at Rocksports Indoor Climbing Centre at Fortitude Valley and Logan City is appealing anytime and Brisbane Table Tennis Centre at Windsor welcomes social players, is very affordable and accessible by bus. Ten pin bowling in the suburbs is fun and includes a selection of arcade games, but Strike Bowling in the Wintergarden shopping centre, Brisbane, is the place for older children. It is sophisticated with dim light, glowing lanes, and strobe lighting reminiscent of the disco era, cool music and video clips at the end of each lane. Pool tables and a small selection of arcade games are available. Caters for children and families during the day. Book ahead and remember your socks.

The Brisbane Aquatic Centre at Chandler is undercover and arguably Brisbane's best public pool with a fantastic water-slide in the kids pool (yes, adults slide too). It has a terrifying inflatable slide and an exceptional floating obstacle course during the summer school holidays.

For all children who enjoy reading or being read to, large city council libraries are another world, especially if the children have their own library card and borrow up to 20 books of their choice to take home. Libraries also have electronic games to play in the library and the city branch has a dedicated children's area with electronic games.

A stand-out fabulous activity is to walk through misty ancient trees and lush forests to see, and even walk under, utterly spectacular waterfalls after good rain. Believe it or not, this is even more exciting and dramatic during light rain with a raincoat, grippy runners and a good coating of anti leach insect repellent over the shoes, socks and legs. Purling brook circuit and Twin Falls circuit at Springbrook National Park are excellent waterfall walks. Take warm clothes and a thermos for hot chocolates afterwards, or drop into the Springbrook Fudge Shop (check opening times).

Great comments - thanks so much for sharing. I am looking forward to trying some of these ideas.

Ramp attak at Geebung is great for older kids on rainy days.

a movie

For a good water park - try Albany Creek Leisure Centre or Chermside Water Park both are reasonably priced but I would recommend taking your own food as the food choices were limited on the days we went.

As for indoor play centres - Geckos in Brown Plains is good for older kids as is WriggleIt at Kingston. My 12yo, 10 yo and 2yo love both of these. We are yet to try Lollipops but that is suppose to be great for older kids as well.

Geckos also offer LaserTag, Balltronics and Geckos puttputt (all indoor) but these can get expensive after a while.

Laser Skimish is good at Loganholme but not suitable for littles.

The Queensland Museum offers form good activities throughout the year and if you add a swim at Southbank this makes for a good day out for young and old.

We are yet to visit the Gold Coast for activities ideas but that is on the agenda for the next school holidays