27 things to do in Dorset in the rain with kids

From its fossil-filled coast to some beautiful countryside, as well as a string of family attractions, there’s plenty to tempt you to Dorset – but if the weather isn’t as enticing as the scenery, you can find plenty of things to do in Dorset in the rain with kids too.

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Whether you’re visiting in the summer holidays (as anyone who’s explored the UK knows, there’s no guarantee of good weather in July and August!) or escaping the crowds by exploring outside peak season, there’s lots to discover across the country.

From quirky museums to animal attractions, active fun or a historic site, here’s my pick of the best family days out for a rainy day in Dorset with kids.

Sea Life Centre, Weymouth

Escape the rain to discover creatures who are entirely at home in the water. Weymouth’s Sea Life Centre is home to sharks, rays and cunning octopus, alongside creatures local to Dorset in the Harbourside Zone – plus the UK’s only colony of fairy penguins.

As well as a huge variety of marine creatures, there’s an outdoor rockpool and you’ll find temporary activities during school holidays, such as the Halloween ‘a-scarium’ spooky trail, plus an adventure playground and mini golf to discover.

You need to prebook tickets online for Sea Life Weymouth.

The Oceanarium, Bournemouth

At the other end of the county, you can discover penguins and sea turtles, along with dwarf crocodiles and otters (plus huge numbers of fish, of course) at the 12 themed environments of The Oceanarium in Bournemouth.

There’s an Adventure Quiz Trail to complete, while kids can measure themselves against a penguin (as well as watching them waddle).

Keep an eye out on the day’s activities for talks and feeding times, with a chance to see otters, penguins and sharks getting fed. Plus there are special animal experiences to add some VIP fun to your visit.

Check out my Bournemouth Oceanarium review after our own visit during a very rainy day in Bournemouth with kids

Lyme Regis aquarium

Much smaller than Dorset’s other two sealife centres, the Lyme Regis marine aquarium is still worth keeping on the list if you need rainy day ideas – during our trip to Lyme Regis, the waves were crashing high over the sea wall at one point so heading indoors was definitely tempting.

The aquarium only consists of a few rooms, so don’t plan to spend all day, but there are still lots of fun options to entertain younger kids. In the first room, you can feed grey mullet, a swirling mass of silver bodies which converge on every flake thrown in – my daughter’s delighted look was worth the small extra fee.

On the other side sit the first of the tanks, with more in the second room showing the marine life of Lyme Bay and the local area: we spotted crabs, lobster, colourful wrasse, watched blennies peek out of the rocks and you can sometimes hold a starfish too.

In the final room, there are videos to watch, including one of the dreadful 2014 storms which battered the coast: the waves deluging the Cobb back then put our occasional breakers into perspective!

Etches Collection, Kimmeridge

Famous for its Jurassic coast, Dorset is a fantastic place to find fossils, from the ammonite pavement at Lyme Regis to the fossil-packed beaches around Charmouth and Kimmeridge Bay… but if it’s lashing down with rain, hunting for ancient signs of life outdoors is a bit less fun.

Instead head to the Etches Collection in Kimmeridge – the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life is packed with fossils and takes visitors on a journey back in time to the Kimmeridgian Seas, 157 million years ago. 

Find sea monsters and prehistoric predators, as well as flora and fauna dating back to the times when the Jurassic Coast was a shallow tropical sea. There’s CGI imagery to bring creatures to life as you spot the fossils, as well as family events and activities on during the school holidays.

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

The perfect place to visit to discover more about the area’s wildlife and geology, the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre is full of interactive displays and makes a great starting point if you’re planning to head to Dorset’s nature reserves or go fossil hunting when the sun does come out again.

The exhibition here takes you back 65 million years, as well as 12,000 years of human occupation, including the time when Hengistbury Head was one of Britain’s most important Iron Age ports. There are regular temporary exhibitions too, so there’s always something new to discover.

If you’re only braving the drizzle, hop on the little land train for some great views of Christchurch harbour (the land train doesn’t run during winter months but is a good option for a rainy day in Dorset in summer).

Portland Castle

Portland Castle may not be the oldest castle in Dorset, but it’s still a venerable 470-something years old – built by Henry VIII to protect against French and Spanish invasion.

And with plenty to discover indoors, it’s a good option for a day out in Dorset in the rain with kids – they can dress up, explore a Tudor kitchen and discover its own wartime history, from the Civil War to the Second World War.

If the rain lets up, head up to the gun platform for some great views as well. Tickets don’t have to be prebooked but it’s advised at peak times.

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster

This beautiful English country house has a far more dramatic history than the elegant façade might suggest – remodelled to look like a Venetian palace, its former owner was also a renowned Egyptologist so you can see the largest private collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts at Kingston Lacy too.

The art gallery is home to artwork by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, leading to it being called the South West’s ‘national gallery’.

If the rain lets up, the huge estate is also home to Iron Age hill forts, the world’s oldest pedigree herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle, and gardens so impressive that Queen Victoria sent her gardeners here to get inspiration. There’s a woodland trail and walks galore too.

Limited numbers are allowed in the house, so check if you need to book timed tickets when you arrive.

Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch

Built in the 1830s, Highcliffe Castle has played host to royalty over the years – but with kids’ activities and some impressive rooms to discover, it’s also a great place to visit with family in Dorset in the rain.

Try some dressing up or other activities, including make your own stained glass window, plus there are regular seasonal events during the year.

As ever, if you’re only braving a bit of drizzle, you can also check out the formal gardens and woodlands in the grounds, plus a beach and nature reserve. Prebooking is not essential but is advised at busy times.

Lulworth Castle and Park

Another of Dorset’s stately homes, the 17^th century building was originally intended as a hunting lodge to entertain royalty and the aristocracy before becoming a family home – and you can now explore inside Lulworth castle, which was restored after a fire in 1929.

There’s a kids trail to find bats as you explore, plus you can also climb the tower and there are sometimes family activities during the holidays. If the rain isn’t too heavy, there are woodland walks – and the children’s playground is tempting enough even in the drizzle.

The castle isn’t open every day, so do check before you visit and prebooking tickets is recommended. Entrance is free to English Heritage members.and there may be tickets available on the day. 

Athelhampton House and Gardens, Dorchester

This Tudor manor house dates back 500 years – perfect if your kids love being transported back to the past, plus there are family events on some weekends.

The Great Hall at Athelhampton House was built in 1485 and still has its (mainly original) hammerbeam roof, among other Tudor features, which have survived down the centuries.

For older kids, there’s a chance to discover how the Catholic family survived the religious conflicts of the later Tudor reigns, while there’s also a chance to see what life would have been like for servants as well as the wealthy owners.

If you fancy a few spine-chilling stories, it’s also known as one of the most haunted houses in England, with ghosts including a grey lady, a hooded priest and an ape!

Swanage Railway 

If you’re looking to explore Dorset without getting too wet, this lovely heritage steam railway chuffs through the countryside along the old Southern Railway line between Swanage and Norden, stopping at the ruins of Corfe Castle – so you can also use it as a more unusual way to get from A to B as well if the weather brightens up.

Look out for the services marked with an ‘O’ when the special Observation Car is also running, with its huge windows for the best views, as well as special themed services on the Swanage Railway year-round.

Bovington Tank Museum

With nine different galleries, the museum tells the story of tanks – and other armoured vehicles – from the First World War onwards, but with plenty to keep even younger kids entertained, including interactive activities and the chance to go for a ride in one of the museum’s vehicles.

As well as more than 300 on display, you’ll find exhibitions to tell the stories of the people behind their invention and who have driven them throughout history at the Tank Museum.

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

If your kids love all things transport, Dorset is also home to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum where you can sit inside the cockpit of a variety of planes and helicopters, as well as getting hands on with some of the interactive displays, not to mention a flight simulator.

As an added bonus, it’s near the airport for some added plane spotting! It’s worth knowing that the aircraft are all outdoors, so the museum does occasionally close in very bad weather, particularly if there are high winds – best for a drizzly day when you can dash from one plane to another.

For more ideas of the best things to do in Bournemouth with kids, check out my top picks

The Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester

Although you can’t see the real artefacts recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb (those are now on display in Egypt, except for occasional loans to exhibitions), you can see these fantastic recreations at the Tutankhamun Exhibition.

The little museum also houses a recreation of the pharaoh’s tomb on the day that Howard Carter entered it, back in 1922, so you can relive the thrill of his discovery.

While the exhibition isn’t large, it’s a great way to learn more about the discovery of the tomb: better for older kids though, as there’s not a great deal that’s interactive.

It’s worth knowing too that no photos are allowed inside (the photo below of a replica of Tutankhamun’s golden mask is just to whet your appetite!)

The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester

Set not far from the Jurassic Coast, where Mary Anning famously found her ichthyosaur fossil, the Dinosaur Museum is the perfect place to learn more about these prehistoric creatures – including the chance to touch fossil displays (including teeth, heads and poo!) and even smell the breath of a T-Rex.

There are also various interactive displays too, with puzzles, virtual flashcards and an excavation pit to make your own discoveries.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, Lyme Regis

You’re not short of places with links to fossils and dinosaurs in Dorset but the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum has the bonus of a link to Mary Anning, the inspiration for the rhyme ‘she sells seashells on the seashore’ and the woman who discovered the icthyosaur.

Set inside Mary Anning’s old church, the museum has its own big collection, with thousands of exhibits ranging from tiny microfossils to part of an ichthyosaur, found in the local area.

And along with fossils galore, crystals, dinosaurs and the natural history room, there’s also a clever Time Line running up the stairs, a great way to get a sense of the immensity of geological time (and humanity’s tiny place within it).

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester

Dorchester seems to specialise in quirky museums – as well as ancient Egyptian artefacts and dinosaurs, you can discover a family of people-sized bears, plus a collection of teddies from antiques to current TV favourites (from Winnie the Pooh and Paddington to Sooty) at the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum.

They’re all arranged in a Victorian building, set up as a house – so you can discover Edward Bear and his family going about daily bear life with their own collection of teddies. There are currently limited opening hours, so you can only visit at weekends and during school holidays.

Dorset County Museum, Dorchester

The Dorset County Museum in Dorchester tells the story of 250 million years of Dorset’s past, spanning the natural world, archaeology, history, art, and culture, with plenty of interesting exhibitions.

The museum is extremely family-friendly, with interactive displays, fun family trails, and object-handling trolleys. The museum’s John White Learning Centre also has plenty of messy craft activities for little ones to enjoy.

Keep an eye out for family events taking place at the museum too, with special tours, storytelling sessions, and more taking place throughout the year. 

Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester

Get a taste of crime, punishment and justice at the Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester, which aims to bring two centuries of law (and injustice) in Dorset to life.

There’s plenty that’s suitable for families as well – you can explore the cells, and discover what it would have been like if you were held prisoner here, including stories from children as well as adults tried at the Shire Hall.

There’s a trail with tokens to collect, while kids can also get hands on with dressing up (including wigs and gowns), digital interactives, quizzes and games, as well as pretending to be a journalist at one of the trials.

There are regular family activities and other events during the year too, especially in school holidays.

The Keep Military Museum, Dorchester

Located inside a 19th-century stone tower designed to resemble a Norman Castle, The Keep Military Museum is home to four stories detailing the history of local military regiments.

Young history buffs will enjoy the many fascinating exhibits featuring uniforms, medals, military equipment, and more. There are also plenty of interactive digital displays, fun activities (including the chance to fire a rifle), family trails, and life-sized models to keep the museum engaging for kids of all ages.

And if the rain does stop for a few minutes, don’t forget to head out onto the museum’s rooftop terrace for some fantastic views over Dorchester. 

Mr Mulligan’s Bournemouth

This crazy golf course is truly out of this world – and as the intergalactic course (think space invaders rather than sci-fi) at Mr Mulligan’s is all indoors, the Bournemouth location is a great option for rainy days in Dorset.

Allow around an hour for the 18-hole course (depending on the number of players) which sees you try to putt past aliens and spaceships. Over-18s only after 8.45pm but otherwise families are welcome to take on the challenge.

Oasis Fun Indoor Centre, Bournemouth

Oasis Fun Bournemouth is the ultimate rainy-day destination in Dorset with kids of all ages. 

The large indoor play centre has more than enough to do to keep children and teens occupied for hours, including a spacious soft play area for little ones, 6 bowling alleys, an adventure golf course, arcade games, pool tables, and a cafe.

The variety of activities makes Oasis Fun a great spot if you have children with different interests too, as everyone can find something to entertain them during the day, and with one of the best soft play areas in Dorset, it’s a must with toddlers.

Seals Cove, Bridport

There’s another great option if you’re looking for family fun at Dorset’s leisure centres – Seals Cove indoor adventure centre is packed with rainy day activities.

With has everything from the Reef Soft Play to the Jurassic Ridge Climbing Centre, it’s designed to encourage and empower kids, with plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves and get their hearts racing.

As well as the climbing wall, which welcomes novices (age 5+) looking to have a go, the three-level Reef Soft Play has tunnels, slides and interactive zones over 550 square metres…. as well as a 4m drop ‘Big Wave’ death slide! Soft play is for kids under 1.4m only.

Insanity Gaming Arcade, Poole

Insanity Arcade is a family friendly retro gaming arcade in Poole, with over 60 classic arcade games and gaming consoles for all kids and adults of all ages to enjoy. 

You’ll find everything from Guitar Hero and Street Fighter to Mario Karts, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more, so you can share some of your favourite childhood games with your little ones. 

Rather than using the standard token system, the arcade charges a per-hour entry fee which gets you unlimited free use of all of the games and machines. There’s also an on-site bar and grill to grab lunch once you’re done gaming, making Insanity the perfect rainy-day activity in Dorset for families.

Try an Escape Room

An escape room is always a fantastic indoor family activity for when it’s pouring outside, especially with older kids and teens. You can test your family’s teamwork skills as you race to find clues, solve puzzles, and attempt to escape the room before the time runs out. 

There are some great escape rooms in Dorset, including Marvo Mysteries and the Lockey in Bournemouth, The Great Big Escape in Dorchester, and Player Ready VR escape rooms in Weymouth.

Centre VR Bournemouth, previously the largest VR Centre in the UK, has now closed

Splashdown, Poole

If you’re looking for something fun to do on a rainy day in Dorset with kids, why not make getting drenched fun with a visit to Splashdown waterpark in Poole.

Great whether you’re visiting Dorset with toddlers or older kids, there’s the Ricky’s Reef for younger ones, Buccaneers’ SplashZone for under 8s  and 13 flumes ranging from gentle to high-speed thrills, and slides featuring black holes.

Some do venture outdoors but you’ll mostly be inside. There’s a minimum height restriction of 1m. Kids can’t go on the slides with parents. Tickets must be prebooked.

If you’re looking for more active fun in Poole, Flip Out Poole has now closed

Rock Reef, Bournemouth

Planned to spend the day at Bournemouth Beach but got caught out by the rain? Head to the end of Bournemouth Pier and look for Rock Reef, an exciting indoor activity centre for kids that’s ideal for adventurous kids.

Best-known for its zip-wire to the beach (save that for a sunny day), the adrenaline-fuelled adventure centre also has 28 themed indoor climbing walls with different degrees of difficulty for kids 4 and above (and adults too, of course).

There’s also a vertical drop slide, a high ropes aerial obstacle course, and an indoor caving experience to try.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Bournemouth Oceanarium/Swanage railway copyright MummyTravels, Keep Military Museum courtesy Picfair, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos

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