Its that time of year again when you can go down to Valley Gardens on a Saturday morning and not have to queue for the swings. Otherwise known as winter! And if there’s one thing you can guarantee about winter in Harrogate is that it’s going to be cold. So we thought we’d focus on some family friendly things to do indoors to keep you all entertained, and more importantly, warm!
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to indoor play in Harrogate. For your everyday soft play – there’s Kidzplay and Winkies. My two-year-old is a big fan of both of them, and so am I, it was a lifesaver last winter! Something a little bit different to your average soft play – and I would say more suitable for older children too – is the ever-popular Goose. My little girl loves building towers in the blue cube room and my nine-year-old nephew is a big fan of the table football. The latest addition to Harrogate’s indoor play areas is the brilliant World of Their Own. It’s a wild west adventure where little outlaws can dress up and escape from the Sheriff’s Jail, rob the Wild West Bank and try to keep on their feet in the Rodeo Bounce House!
The Everyman Cinema is a great place to take all the family on a cold rainy day. The bar area is great – very spacious and lots of room for buggies! They always have family friendly films showing, with super comfy chairs and they even serve food to your seat. The menu is full of family favourites, including burgers, pizzas and some awesome milkshakes and sundaes. If you have really tiny little people with you then check out their website for their special Baby Club screenings.
Another good shout when its cold outside is to go swimming. It’s our go to activity when hubby has a Sunday off. There are plenty of council-run swimming pools in the area – our favourite is the Hydro. The teaching pool is always lovely and warm, so great for babies too. Most of the weekend is timetabled for general swim, with their fun sessions (when all the inflatables come out!) running in the afternoons.
If you’re looking for something crafty to do then again you’re spoilt for choice! You have Painting Pots in Knaresborough, run by the lovely Laura Dudley who was a winner of two Mumbler Awards last year! As the name suggests, this is a lovely little studio, based in Henshaws Art and Craft Centre where you can come and paint pots! There’s also Pots 2 Go in Harrogate, where you can get creative by painting pottery. Another favourite in our family is Bead – my niece and I have spent hours in this shop. The Bead Bar is brilliant if you’ve got any little budding jewellery designers!
Clue HQ Harrogate is another great activity to enjoy as a family, especially with older children. It’s a live escape game, where teams of two-to-six people are locked in a room and given 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles and use the items you find to try to work out a way to escape.
There are plenty of indoor activities going on this upcoming half term too. The Great Yorkshire Showground will be hosting the Harrogate Indoor Funfair again – it was a great hit last time it came to town. As part of Harrogate Film Festival, the Royal Pump Rooms Museum will be screening the 1964 classic Mary Poppins on Saturday 2nd March.
There are lots more indoor activities a bit further a field too – if you’re looking for a day out then we’d recommend the National Railway Museum, Tropical World and Eureka, all within a short drive from Harrogate. Hopefully those recommendations should keep the Mini Mumblers amused – and you guys warm through the next few months. Before you know it we’ll be queuing for the swings again!
