19 things to do in Suffolk in the rain with kids

While Suffolk’s beaches are always a fantastic way to spend a sunny day, I’ve spent enough rainy days in the county to know you’ll have just as much fun in Suffolk in the rain with kids.

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From some quirky museums to a royal burial site, animal attractions and plenty more indoor family fun, there’s lots to discover across the county.

So whether you’re visiting Suffolk in winter, or dodging the showers in midsummer, here are my tips on the best things to do in Suffolk in the rain with kids.

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge

It’s a story that’s straight from a fairytale – a king buried under a hill with his treasure, undisturbed for centuries. Until a small team of archaeologists discovered “the find of a lifetime” in the mounds at Sutton Hoo on the eve of the Second World War.

Final resting place of the King of the Wuffinga, Raedwald, King of East Anglia who ruled in the 7th century, his boat had rotted away but the precious items of his hoard survived, from jewellery to gold coins and an intricate metal helmet.

There’s a treasure trail for kids, plus dressing up and you can walk out to the burial mounds if the rain isn’t too bad, as well as visiting Tranmer House, decorated as it would have been during the Second World War.

If you’re visiting Suffolk in winter, it’s worth knowing that there are limited opening hours during the winter months. Prebook tickets here.

Read more about our visit to Sutton Hoo with kids

Ipswich Museum

EDIT: Temporarily closed and reopening in 2026 The natural history section is the biggest draw with kids at Ipswich Museum, but that’s only the start of what there is to see if you’re looking for things to do in Ipswich in the rain with kids.

You can discover local history, as well as taking a trip through time to discover more about the Iron Age, the Romans and the Saxons – ideal if you’ve also seen Sutton Hoo.

There are also displays on Ancient Egypt, plus animals including  gorillas to lions and even a rare sub-species of giraffe in the Victorian natural history collection – and last but very definitely not least, a mammoth.

Christchurch Park and Mansion, Ipswich

Built on the site of a 12th century priory, Christchurch Mansion is fantastic if you’re looking for a free day out in Suffolk in the rain with kids, with a combination of history, museum and places to play if the bad weather improves.

You can explore rooms decorated in different styles from the past 450 years, ranging from the Tudors right through to the Victorians.

There’s also art on display, including Gainsborough and Constable, as well as other exhibits, ranging from ceramics to musical instruments and toys – the temporary exhibitions have also focused on everything from Ed Sheeran to the power of stories.

Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds

The Italianate palace of Ickworth is known as much for its beautiful gardens and grounds as for the house, with its unusual rotunda, but if you’re visiting on a rainy day in Suffolk, there’s still plenty to see.

The building was intended to be as much gallery as home, and there’s still some spectacular art on show at Ickworth – designed to inspire visitors, there are often family activities with the same aim.

There’s also a chance to see how the servants lived, venturing into the servants’ quarters, along with tales of some of the most colourful earls and marquesses who’ve called Ickworth home.

And for those who are determined to get outside and not deterred by some drizzle, there’s an all-weather trail to discover. Prebook tickets here.

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, Stowmarket

The Mid Suffolk Light Railway is Suffolk’s only standard gauge heritage railway, with a museum for train-lovers as well as a chance to take a trip on a steam train.

There are events throughout the year, including Middy in the War Years, a chance to virtually return to the 1940s, and Santa specials at Christmas.

Do check the timetable before you turn up though as the trains don’t run every day.

Ipswich Transport Museum

Find over 100 vehicles on display at the Ipswich Transport Museum, all made or used in the local area over a period of around 200 years.

So as well as police cars and fire engines, you’ll find bicycles, vintage prams, lawnmowers and even a funeral hearse.

There’s also a model railway, where everyone can try their hand at driving the trains, plus an activity zone for kids – a very fun way to spend a rainy day in Suffolk with kids big and small!

The Food Museum

The Food Museum in Stowmarket is the only one of its kind in the UK, exploring everything you need to know about growing, making, and eating food.

A great place to get children more engaged with where their food comes from and the people who produce it, kids will love the many hands-on exhibits and interactive displays around the museum, including the opportunity to try out agricultural tools.

There are also plenty of fun indoor activities for the whole family, such as talks, tours, demonstrations, food tastings, and baking classes.

The main museum is set across 17 buildings and you’ll need to go outside to get between them, so make sure to bring an umbrella/coat. The farm area and grounds aren’t particularly rainy day friendly. But tickets are valid for 12 months, so you can always return another day to enjoy the outdoor activities too.  

Aldeburgh museum

Aldeburgh is one of my favourite places on the Suffolk coast – but ideally when the sun is shining. So if you’re looking for something to do in Aldeburgh in the rain, it’s well worth popping into the town’s little museum.

Housed in the 16th century Tudor Moot Hall, which is still used for council meetings, the museum is based downstairs, with a wildly eclectic collection to discover.

As well as looking at some of the town’s with Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds, you’ll see exhibits from Aldeburgh’s maritime past and some distinctly unusual odds and ends, including drawers full of collected butterflies.

Long Shop Museum

Suffolk’s green fields are enough to make you forget that the county has its own industrial history as well – and the Long Shop Museum is where you can discover it.

Making engines, machines and vehicles, the site has been converted to a museum, with plenty of quirky facts and unexpected exhibits to bring everything alive for families – including how deep the county’s deepest well is.

And along with dressing up, making pattern moulds in sand and more trails, kids can explore a van which workers sometimes slept in, as well as stories including that of Elizabeth Garrett, who was a relation of the factory owners, before going on to her own inspiring achievements. Closed during the winter months.

Lowestoft Maritime Museum

The Lowestoft Maritime Museum is a fascinating family-friendly museum that takes you on a journey through the maritime heritage of Lowestoft. It’s home to a large collection of maritime artefacts, including real lifeboats, ship reconstructions, and a huge scale-model boat collection.

Younger guests will be given hats to wear as they enter the museum, with fisherman, captain, sailor, and pirate hats to pick from.

The museum also has plenty of engaging hands-on activities to keep little ones entertained, including a children’s maritime identification trail and a family play room with sea-themed jigsaws, puzzles, and children’s books. 

The museum does close briefly over the winter months, so make sure to check the opening schedule before your visit, but otherwise it’s a fun option for a rainy day by the Suffolk coast.

Snape Maltings

On the bank of the River Alde, not far from Aldeburgh, there’s always something to discover at Snape Maltings for families.

The converted Victorian buildings now house art galleries, independent shops, a restaurants and cafe, as well as performance venues – not to mention events and activities for kids, including free toddler music sessions, and seasonal fun like Halloween trails.

Young Harry Potter fans can enjoy the chance to visit Snape nearby as well – and get a photo with the sign if the rain isn’t too heavy.

Landguard Fort, Felixstowe

Who knew that Suffolk was the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England, where the Royal Marines fought off the Dutch in 1667, in their first land battle?

When the battle took place near Harwich Harbour, the current Landguard Fort hadn’t yet been built, constructed in the 18th century before more work was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, when it played an important anti-aircraft role during the Second World War.

Disarmed in 1956, you can now explore the maze of tunnels, passageways and rooms within the historic fort, with guided tours alongside the displays, plus some special re-enactments taking place throughout the year

There are also special family events which take place throughout the year.

Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge

Easton Farm Park is perfect if your kids love to get hands on with the animals, with a chance to stroke and meet bunnies, pygmy goats, horses, donkeys and guinea pigs.

It’s also a great place if you’re visiting Suffolk in the rain with kids – as I can attest, having ended up exploring during a torrential summer downpour – with tiny tractors and play areas inside.

Or there are pony and tractor trailer rides when it’s dry, plus a trail through the water meadows.

Check out my review of a (wet) day out at Easton Farm Park

Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Ipswich

Perfect with younger kids, you can get close to friendly farm animals at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, with a free bag of feed to offer to cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, and poultry living here.

As the name suggests, many of the animals on this farm are rare breeds that you aren’t likely to see in very many places, and there’s plenty to learn along the farm trail. Don’t miss the chance to cuddle a goat too!

No need to book, and kids get a free bag of animal food on arrival. Inevitably you will need to walk between the different barns and sheds, so do come prepared with waterproofs and wellies though.

Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich

Not far from the border with Essex (we visited while staying in Mistley), it’s also easy to reach Jimmy’s Farm from pretty Pin Mill as well as Ipswich. And with its farm and wildlife park, not to mention some very good food in the cafe and shop, there’s plenty to keep you entertained on a rainy day out with kids.

Along with the furred and feathered inhabitants, there are some great indoor play areas too, including soft play.

Plus you can see over 80 different species of animals, so you’ll find farmyard creatures (including some rare breeds) but also meerkats and wallabies plus camels and crocodiles – as above, you’ll need to walk between some of the covered areas, while some animals are outdoors, so it’s best for a drizzly day rather than in torrential rain.

Get Creative at a Craft Cafe

For creative kids, a craft cafe is a great way to spend a rainy day in Suffolk with kids – and there are plenty to choose from.

If you’re in Ipswich, Pennikity Pots Ceramics Cafe offers ceramics painting sessions right in the heart of the city. Or Glass & Craft is another craft centre around a 15-minute drive away, with glass and ceramic painting, clay moulding, bear making, sand art, mosaics, and more.   

Or head to the Wild Raspberry Ceramic Café in Shotley. As well as painting your own ceramics – with everything from animal figures to souvenirs and plates – there are a host of other workshops including the chance to try printing, make mosaics… or slime.

The Craft Cabin & Tea Room in Glemsford has coffee and cakes in its cafe, as well as a range of fun crafts for ages 2+, from painting pottery animals to colouring in and playing with crazy sand.

Clip’n’Climb

Active kids can burn off some energy at Clip n Climb, a large indoor climbing centre in Ipswich, with a variety of climbing walls suitable for different ages and experience levels.

There are plenty of staff on the floor to make sure equipment is secure and offer help when needed. Plus, real daredevils can also attempt the exhilarating vertical drop slide and the thrilling leap of faith.

Regular climbing sessions are suitable for kids 4 years and older. But if you do have toddlers who are too small to climb, the centre also has a soft play area and cafe where you can wait for the older kids to finish their climbing session.

Go Karting

While Suffolk is home to several fantastic karting tracks, Anglia Indoor Karting in Ipswich is the county’s biggest and best indoor karting centre – ideal when its looking a little gloomy outside.

The large karting centre has two main racing circuits and a smaller family track, with special karts available for children 5 years and above.

Kids between 5-7 can enjoy the battery operated mini Kubz Karts, older children (8+) can ride the 200cc engine Kadet Karts, while teens (16+) will love the speeds they can reach in the 270cc engine adult karts.

Youngsters can hit the tracks on their own or parents can join in the fun too. Just try not to get too competitive with the little ones!

Try an Escape Room in Suffolk

An escape room is a great way to test your family’s teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills in an exciting high-pressure setting.

You’ll all need to work together against the clock to discover clues, decode riddles, and solve puzzles to help you escape.

There are plenty of exciting escape rooms all across Suffolk, including Cluetopia in Ipswich, Suffolk Escape Room in Saxmundham, EO Escape in Sudbury, and The Evidence Room in Bury St Edmunds.

If you’re staying near the Norfolk-Suffolk border and looking for more rainy day activities, check out my pick of the best things to do in Norfolk in the rain with kids

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

Christchurch Mansion/Ickworth/Rabbit/Climbing wall courtesy of Depositphotos, all other images copyright MummyTravels

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