Stuck for things to do whilst the kids are off school? We’ve picked the top 5 indoor theme parks to keep the family busy, come rain or shine. Whether you like getting wet and wild or you’re a massive Harry Potter fan, there’s something for everyone.
Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios
Harry Potter was filmed at Leavesden for ten years, and today, the studios take fans behind the scenes. Visit the sets, see the props and costumes and soak up the magic. Discover two soundstages and the original sets, animatronic creatures and breath-taking special effects, as well as the cast and crew’s memories. For a quick bite, try the Chocolate Frog Café or the Backlot Café, where you can grab yourself an authentic Butterbeer! There’s free parking on-site, and a handy shuttle bus from Watford Junction train station which is included in the price of your ticket.
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The Living Rainforest
With around 700 species of plants and animals, kids will love the Living Rainforest‘s exotic greenhouses where birds, butterflies and lizards roam free. Meet the Goeldi monkeys who leap across branches and have up to 40 different calls or seek out the two-toed sloth named Cinnamon. Get friendly with the Armadillo or simply take in the beauty of the tropical flora, including giant water lilies. Hear a rumble in the jungle? Head to the rainforest-themed café for snacks and drinks, including rainforest-friendly coffee. Just half an hour away from Oxford and an hour from Bristol, it’s easy to access by car and has plenty of free parking. Taking the train or bus? There’s public transport via Newbury and Hampstead Norreys.
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Madame Tussauds
The famous Madame Tussauds’ waxworks is one of the British capital’s most popular indoor attractions. It’s the perfect way to get up close and personal with celebrities of all types, from musicians to sports stars and even the royal family – and get that all-essential selfie. Children will also love the Spirit of London experience, a live-action attraction where a taxi ride whisks you through London’s sights and sounds throughout history. You’ll also find the former Planetarium 360º cinema here with the Marvel Super Heroes 4D experience – a sure hit!
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WaterWorld
Come rain or shine, WaterWorld in Stoke on Trent is always open! The fully covered water park attracts as many as 400,000 visitors every year. Why? To make the most of the giant pool of course, but also to enjoy the 30-odd attractions ranging from wave machines to crazy water slides and wild river rapids. It’s also worth mentioning Nucleus, the world’s first indoor roller-coaster and the new Adventure Mini Village where the kids can role-play if they start to get a bit pruney in the water. Should you wish to venture outdoors, there are also water-themed gardens and an outside pool, as well as a two-tier restaurant and barbecue spots.
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Kidzania
Set in the Westfield shopping complex, Kidzania London offers kids aged four to 14 the chance to go out and get a job! Instead of rides, this child-sized city covers 75,000sq ft of realistic role play, with everything from offices to hospitals and airports. Kids dress up and get to ‘be’ surgeons, firemen or scientists for a while. The 60 places of employment, from police station to bakery even ‘pay’ their workers in ‘kidZos’ per 20-minute time slot of jobs done. And kids can spend their pretend pay cheques for real in the KidZania shop.
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