Pouring down with rain and at your wits end with the little ones?
Fear not – we’ve taken a look at some of the best indoor play options in Surrey and South West London.
When the rain comes lashing down, there is only one thing parents fear more than soggy trainers marched across carpets – the dreaded ‘Muuumm, I’m bored!'
Whilst many inventive parents up and down the country bring out the arts & crafts box or board games, sometimes all your tiny terrors want to do is charge around, hell-bent on wearing you out.
Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up a number of indoor play centres where you can kick back and relax whilst keeping the kids happy.
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KidZania - Westfield London
- Ages: 4-14
- Opening hours: 7 days a week; time slots from 10am-7pm; kidzania.co.uk; 0203 815 3934
One of the new kids on the block is Kidzania – a massive 75,000 square foot “reality theme park” in Westfield Shepherds Bush.
This mini-city has over 50 different themed booths where children can roleplay a myriad of jobs, from firefighter or hotel receptionist to singer or chef.
Kidzania aims to blend entertainment with education, helping children to understand the importance of work and introduce them to the idea that work pays.
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Clip 'n' Climb - Chelsea
- Ages: 4+
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11am-6:30pm & Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and school holidays, from 9am-6:30pm; entry from £20.25, from £7.50 for toddler sessions; www.clipnclimbchelsea.co.uk; 020 7736 2271
If your little ones are feeling more daring than usual, Clip n’ Climb in Chelsea is a fun indoor wall climbing centre where they can really get stuck in.
Somewhere both adults and children can enjoy fun activities and some healthy competition, this is also great for those of you looking to keep fit with your kids!
No climbing experience is necessary, as all climbers are given a safety induction before they are let loose on the walls. Harness and belay devices ensure that no one comes crashing down to the floor!
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Kidabulous - Sunbury
- Ages: 0-12 (Toddler Town, 0-4)
- Opening hours: daily 9.30am-6.00pm, 6.15pm-8.15pm: Laser Tag and Exclusive Hire; entry from £6.95-£9.10; www.kidabulous.com; 01932 500370
With two huge areas of indoor softplay, Kidabulous is the perfect destination for a rainy day.
Including a giant playframe and a Toddler Town (a whole floor of softplay for early years fun and role play learning), each floor also has a café and free WI-Fl throughout.
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Snakes and Ladders
- Ages: 0-12
- Opening hours: 7 days a week from 9:30am-6:15pm; entry from £4.90-£10.10; www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk; 020 8847 0946
Bursting with indoor play activities, Snakes and Ladders is fun for children of all ages. Kids can explore their huge three-tier playframe, imagination play area, mini sports pitch, and they even have electric bikes to race!
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Gambado – Chelsea
Ages: 0-12
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:30am-18:30pm; entry from £1.95-£11.50; www.gambado.com; 0207 384 1635
Gambado has a large soft-play area and ball pit for young children – but it also has go-karts, a spinning cups ride and a climbing wall which are suitable for children up to the age of 8.
With a wide range of food available throughout the day, Gambado promises to offer you and your kids a great way to shelter from the rain.
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Hobbledown Farm - Epsom
- Ages: 2-13
- Opening hours: 9 am to 6pm, 7 days a week; Entry from £4-£17; www.hobbledown.com; 01372 848990
If you and the kids are feeling brave enough to tackle some of the outdoors in the drizzle, why not not trundle down to Hobbledown? Hobbledown is a unique farm park adventure with indoor and outdoor attractions, giving you and your family the best of both worlds.
Boasting a 14,000 sqft indoor play barn with restaurant, the barn houses two themed play areas, one soft and one wooden. It also has an indoor maze, adding an extra element of fun and discovery for the family.
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Specky's Pirate Ship - Guildford
- Ages: 0-10
- Opening Hours: varied depending on the activity. For more information, visit guildfordspectrum.co.uk
Kids can skip the rainy showers and jump aboard Specky's Pirate Ship for a magic adventure on the high seas! Featuring four storeys of soft play including ball pools, a trampoline, tube slide, cargo net and sky glide, you can guarantee a days peace whilst the little ones are occupied.
If all that isn't enough, Guildford Spectrum also holds ice skating, tenpin bowling and leisure pool sessions kitted out with slides, water wheels, shark showers and more!
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Airhop - Guildford
- Ages: 5+
- Opening hours: Monday 10am-7pm, Tuesday to Thursday 4pm-7pm, Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 9am-6pm; entry from £13.50, £8.95 toddler session; airhop-guildford.com; 0330 223 3333
Need the perfect place to let your kiddies burn off some steam? Airhop is a massive trampoline park of ultimate bouncing fun for the whole family.
Including a huge foam pit, dodgeball court, basketball slam-dunk hoops and a main court with over 50 interconnected trampolines, you can guarantee a days rest whilst the kids are happily bouncing around.
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Adventureland and Youth Gym - Redhill
- Ages: 0-6; youth gym 11-15
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, 8:30am-10:30am on weekends; youth gym Monday-Friday 6am to 5:30 pm. For a complete price listing, check out their website or call 01737 764 732
Adventureland is a specially designed indoor adventure play area for children 6 years and under, featuring plenty of slides, tubes, swing areas and other physical play equipment to keep children entertained.
There's also a smaller safe area set aside for toddlers and babies to play in, whilst the centre also boasts a custom youth gym designed specifically for 11 to 15 year olds.
The youth gym features a mix of high tech activities, including interactive dance mats and target board and its own audio-visual system. A great option for older kids and teens while the smalls are in Adventureland!
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Whacky Warehouse - Air Balloon, Horley
- Ages: 0+
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9.30am-7.30pm, Friday 9.30am-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm & Sundays 11am-7pm; entry from £2.25; www.wackywarehouse.co.uk; 01293 820188
A great spot to get together with friends and family, Whacky Warehouse in Horley is also attached to a Fayre & Square family pub, offering a value kid's menu with something delicious for even the fussiest of eaters.
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