Best Indoor Fun Ideas For Hot Or Rainy Days with Kids in Brisbane

Just because it is raining (or too hot or too cold) doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun in Brisbane. There are so many places to go, even when you do not want to go outside. Read on for our picks of the best indoor fun in Brisbane with kids.

For some reason, we are stumped every time it rains. I decided to make this list of indoor fun to help our family and hopefully, it can help other families as well.

It is absolutely beautiful outside today, as we are in the fall and it is finally starting to feel like it. However, this list makes me want some of those hot summer rainy days back!

Well, I don’t really want them back, but next time I will have a plan.

Keep reading for the best things to do indoors with kids in Brisbane.

Museums

Museum of Brisbane

The Museum of Brisbane is always free. My kids have been multiple times and always enjoy it. The exhibits rotate, but it seems like there is always at least one hands-on activity that they can participate in.

The Clock Tower is in the same building. Tours are free and last less than 15 minutes. My kids enjoyed the elevator ride and loved learning what is behind the clock.

You can make a day of it without heading outside by eating at The Shingle Inn, which is also located in the City Hall building. This way you can enjoy hours of indoor fun with the kids in hot or rainy Brisbane.

Here are our reviews of the museum and clock tower tour, and high tea at the Shingle Inn. I would suggest asking for a table “outside.” It is still inside the building, but outside of the restaurant.

Queensland Museum

Some of the exhibits at the Queensland Museum are free while others have a fee. While my kids like to explore the free exhibits, especially the ones involving dinosaurs, their favorite area is Sparklab, the science center.

Sparklab is a hands-on children’s exhibit focusing on science.

Children can participate in group talks and experiments, make a project at the maker space, or try out any of the exhibits.

My kids could play here all day. While there used to be timed sessions, Sparklab is now open so that visitors can stay as long as they wish during opening hours. We usually head to a free exhibit before heading out.

This may be my kids’ favorite indoor place in Brisbane. Thankfully, we bought an annual pass so we can return often.

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

While most exhibits at QAGOMA are free, there are sometimes paid special exhibits.

The Children’s Art Centre is free.

There are a few art exhibits for children and hands-on art projects.

QAGOMA is located in 2 separate buildings. If you are just interested in the children’s area, it is located in the Gallery of Modern Art building.

For older kids, there is plenty of art to admire in both of the QAGOMA buildings. Hidden near the artwork is a little mouse door. Find out more about the mouse door and other tiny doors located throughout Brisbane.

GOMA also has a cinema which occasionally shows free kids’ movies.

Queensland Police Museum

Open Monday to Thursday and on the occasional Sunday, the Queensland Police Museum is always free to enter.

Once you are inside, there is plenty to do.

Besides reading the information on the walls, you can write a crime story on a typewriter, take your fingerprints and learn about them, solve a crime on a tablet, ride on a motorcycle, and even get your mug shot taken.

Brisbane Opal Museum

If your kids are anything like mine, they will enjoy the Brisbane Opal Museum.

My kids, especially my daughter, love science and rocks.

This is not a children’s museum. There are many items that children can not touch. It did not stop my kids from enjoying it.

Indoor playgrounds

Jungle Adventure Playground

The Jungle Adventure Playground has a variety of activities from the ground up!

There are many price points so that your child can do what is best suited for them. There are climbing areas, obstacles, a ninja course, a jungle canopy in the “treetops”, and even an art center.

Some areas are timed, and others are unlimited.

To be honest, I prefer indoor playgrounds on hot days rather than rainy days because of the crowds. Everyone knows that indoor playgrounds are a great way for kids to burn off energy, making them a great indoor place for kids in whatever city you are in, which in our case is Brisbane.

Area 51

Though the largest Area 51 is just south of Brisbane, there is a smaller version at the Garden City Shopping Centre.

My kids played at this indoor playground at a birthday party and enjoyed hours of fun.

Plus, as it is located inside a shopping centre, there are plenty of other activities you can do to stay inside, including putt putt at Holey Moley and challenge rooms at Hijinx Hotel.

Play Maison

My kids never got to go to Play Maison in Wilston as they passed the intended age before it opened in 2025.

Play Maison is intended for kids ages 5 and under.

While they have an indoor playground that is perfect for entertaining young kids on hot or rainy days, they also offer classes on a casual basis.

MiniBounce

Another option for younger kids is MiniBounce, which has a location at Carindale geared towards kids up to 6 years old.

They have a toddler area as well as a cafe for parents.

Tiddlywinks

Luckily, we made it to Tiddlywinks for birthday parties while my kids were younger. Not only do they have an indoor play area, but they also have space for discos.

The play area is not very big, but that does not stop my kids from playing for hours. It is a 3-story playground with a separate area for smaller kids. Tiddlywinks is geared towards kids up to 11 years old, so if you have multiple kids in different age groups, it’s a great option.

Plus, what sets Tiddlywinks apart from other indoor playgrounds is their discos. They have discos daily with music and dancing.

Tiddlywinks also has lots of seating and a cafe.

Trampoline Centers

The kids always like jumping on trampolines. It is a great way to burn some energy.

Bounce

My daughter was invited to Bounce, and of course, she loved it. Since then, the kids have attended birthday parties at Bounce, which are always fun.

You always need anti-slip socks, and most places require them specifically. My daughter did not wear sneakers during her first visit, unfortunately. She was unable to do the obstacle course. Now we always remember to bring enclosed shoes to the trampoline centres.

Bounce Hendra (formerly Urban X-Treme)

We love jumping on the trampolines at Bounce Hendra, no matter the weather.

The kids can jump out their energy on the trampolines and then play laser tag. They also have a ninja course. Don’t forget your enclosed shoes!

For younger kids, there is an enclosed indoor playground that the big kids are not allowed on.

You can go rock wall climbing or indoor skiing at Bounce Hendra for a separate charge.

Indoor Sports

Ice Skating

Cool down and stay dry at Ice World.

Check their site for public skate session times, which take place daily. There is a cafe at Ice World with full meals, snacks, and hot drinks.

Bounce Hendra

Rock climb, ski, snowboard, or participate in a ninja course at Bounce Hendra.

Formerly Urban Xtreme, Bounce Hendra has a play area, basically an indoor playground, for small kids, and also a trampoline park.

Rock Climbing

Head to Bounce Hendra, Urban Climb West End, Urban Climb Newstead, or Rocksports for indoor rock climbing.

Arcades

Fun House

Located in Uptown Center in the Queen Street Mall, Fun House has quite a few games where kids can win prizes.

Due to its location, there are plenty of restaurants and a food court located inside the building. A movie theatre is also located in Uptown Center, so you can spend the entire rainy day in Brisbane inside with the kids.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq opened up on King Street in Bowen Hills.

Play games, go bowling, and even enjoy a meal at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq.

Kids can earn tickets and trade them for prizes.

Playtime Chermside

Playtime Chermside has more than you can do in a day!

From arcade games to escape rooms, bowling to virtual reality, laser tag to karaoke, there is something for everyone. You can eat inside or head into the shopping center, where there is a large variety of restaurants. Chermside also has a movie theater.

Both Archie Brothers and Playtime Chermside are connected to a shopping center with other things to do as well. You can enjoy the entire day indoors with the kids. While these are our current picks for Brisbane, other arcades inside shopping centers may be closer to you.

Netherworld

Netherworld doesn’t look like it is child-friendly from the outside, but they even have a special family day, the last Sunday of each month.

Children are welcome any time before 5 pm, but especially on family days.

Another surprising thing about Netherworld is that its menu is primarily vegan. Everything on their menu is vegan, but you can change some things out (like cheese and chicken) if you want.

My kids love playing the arcade games at Netherworld. They also have a large variety of board games you can play for free.

Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are typically for adults and older children, but we decided to try one with our kids for the first time when they were 5 and 7.

Escape Manor

We ended up at Escape Manor. I contacted a few escape rooms, and they told me that one of their rooms would be appropriate for our children. Also, children are half price.

They recommended “Death Row” as it has more physical challenges, and ” The Magician’s Secret.”

We chose to do “The Magician’s Secret,” as I did not want the room to be scary.

The building was fun from the start. The lobby was dark with fun lighting and props to get us excited.

This was one of the more fun activities that both children and adults could enjoy.

Of course, the kids were excited and wanted to help, but there were a lot of things they could not solve.

We did not “get out” in time, but we all still had fun.

Months later, the kids are still begging to go back.

Escape Hunt

If you are hoping for a child-friendly escape room that is a bit easier to solve, try Escape Hunt in West End.

We completed the Alice in Wonderland-themed room, and there are a few other kid-friendly options.

9 Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Brisbane PLUS Virtual Escape Rooms

Challenge Rooms

Hijinx Hotel

Maybe solving clues isn’t your strong suite but you still want to work as a team. Check out Hijinx Hotel, which currently has locations at Chermside Shopping Centre and Garden City.

Hijinx Hotel allows groups of up to 6 to compete together to solve physical or mental challenges. Each location has a different set of rooms, and you can sign up for 1 group of rooms or complete both with a break in between. Trust me, you want the break!

Not quite sure what to expect? Read our guide!

EKPE

While we haven’t been to EKPE yet (it’s new!) it looks kind of similar to Hijinx Hotel, and it is also located in Chermside.

They call themselves Queensland’s first activate games sports area, and the interactive experience is for those ages 6-60.

These rooms look high intensity, great for getting out energy on a rainy day. There are more than 500 games of varying difficulty.

At EKPY, you book by the time. You can decide how long you want to stay and play.

Putt-Putt

Holey Moley

I know that you are thinking that mini golf isn’t a great rainy day activity, as it is outside, but that is where Holey Moley is different than the usual mini-golf course.

Holey Moley has adorably themed mini-golf courses inside! You can even decide between 9, 18, and 27 holes. Children are welcome until 5 pm.

Outer Brisbane has other places for indoor minigolf, but Holey Moley is close to our house and close to where visitors are likely to be, so it is our pick for indoor fun with kids.

There are now 4 Holey Moley locations in Brisbane: Fortitude Valley, Queen Street Mall, Garden City, and Chermside.

Indoor Sports

The Ballpark

Head to the batting cages at The Ballpark in Hamilton’s Portside.

In addition to batting cages, The Ballpark has pool tables (which my kids love) and dart boards. It is also a sports bar with lots of TVs.

Read Fun Things to do When it is Raining in Brisbane for more ideas.

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