Rainy Day Activities on the Central Coast with Kids

Indoor play centres for younger children

These places work best for toddlers and younger primary-school children.

The Little Lane Play Village & Cafe — Erina and Tuggerah

Best for: 6 months–7 years · Allow: Fixed 2-hour session · Cost: Ages 6–12 months $10–$12 · Ages 1–7 $18–$26 · Adults $3

The Little Lane is a whole child-sized town, with a mini shop, a doctor's surgery, a vet and a building site for kids to explore. A baby area and a café round things out, so you can grab a coffee while you watch.

Children aged 7–12 may enter with younger siblings, but the play is for smaller kids. Book early on wet days. Adults and children must wear socks.

Both sites offer wheelchair and pram access.

Monkey Mania Gosford — Gosford

Best for: Toddlers to primary age · Allow: 2–3 hours · Cost: About $17.50 per child and $4.50 per adult

Monkey Mania has a three-level play frame, slides and a jumping castle, plus foam-ball cannons and a toddler zone. Arcade games and plaster painting come as separate extras.

Entry covers unlimited play. Must wear socks. Wet weekends bring energetic crowds.

The centre sits inside Central Coast Leagues Club. Adults need a legal photo ID to sign in.

Magoo’s Playland Cafe — Wyong

Best for: Babies–12 years · Allow: 2–3 hours · Cost: About $18.50 per child and $5 per adult

Magoo's has a big play frame, a sports space and areas for creative play. Children aged two and under get their own smaller zone. The separate zones suit families with children of different ages.

Visits run at your own pace, with plenty of time to explore. Adults and children need socks to enter the play zones.

Kincumber Playtime — Kincumber

Best for: 10 months–7 years · Allow: 1.5–3 hours · Cost: About $9–$12 per child

This smaller play centre sits inside Kincumber Indoor Sports, with toys, inflatables, cubbies and bike ramps for kids to enjoy. Visits run at your own pace.

Seven years old is the max age here, making it a handy local option for younger children and their families.

Impact KidsWorld Stay & Play — Erina

Best for: Babies–10 years · Allow: 2 hours · Cost: About $10 per child

KidsWorld splits into two zones, one for ages 0 to 3 and one for ages 3 to 10. Younger kids enjoy soft blocks and ride-ons, while older kids take on the maze, slides and flying fox.

Casual Stay & Play runs weekdays from 1pm to 3pm, with adults supervising.

High-energy indoor activities

These places suit kids who love to jump, climb and ride off some energy.

Flip Out — West Gosford and Tuggerah

Best for: Confident preschoolers to teens · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Gosford starts around $24

Flip Out has trampolines, airbags and obstacle zones. West Gosford also has a ninja course, warped wall and parkour areas split by height.

Flip Out grip socks and waivers are required.

Inflatable World Charmhaven — Charmhaven

Best for: Confident walkers and older children · Allow: 2 hours · Cost: About $14–$19 per child

This is a two-hour bounce session on big inflatable slides and obstacles. Watching adults enter free.

Weekend openings run during school term, with daily sessions through the holidays. Everyone using the inflatables must wear socks, and an adult must stay with children under 12.

Clip ’N Climb Central Coast — Gosford

Best for: Children who weigh at least 15kg · Allow: About 1.5 hours · Cost: $29.50 per climber

Kids climb 26 bright, themed walls using automatic safety ropes. Sessions open with a briefing and harness fitting, followed by an hour on the walls.

There’s no set minimum age, but every climber must weigh 15–150kg. Book ahead and wear fully enclosed shoes. Every climber needs an active waiver and children under 13 need an accompanying adult.

The venue sits inside Central Coast Leagues Club. Adults need photo ID for club entry.

Erina Ice Arena — Erina

Best for: Ages 3+ · Allow: 2–3 hours · Cost: About $23 per child and $27 per adult

The rink inside Erina Fair runs public skating sessions and welcomes complete beginners. Helmets come free, and children under 120cm can hire a seal skating aid during suitable sessions.

Doors open 30 minutes before each session for check-in, skate collection and preparation. Wear long socks and warm layers. Parents can watch for free.

Slam Factory Indoor Skatepark — Tuggerah

Best for: Kids who already scooter, skate or ride · Allow: 1–3 hours · Cost: From about $10

Slam Factory is a genuine indoor skatepark, with ramps, a bowl and a halfpipe. Scooters, skateboards, BMX bikes and skates all get a run here.

Little Rippers sessions suit riders aged ten and under. And beginner lessons give first-time visitors a great introduction before open riding.

Booking is essential. Every rider needs a waiver, helmet and enclosed shoes. Hire gear runs in limited supply.

Easy activities the family can do together

These options work for a wide age range, and adults join in right alongside the kids.

Hole in Fun — Lisarow

Best for: Ages 4+ · Allow: 60–90 minutes · Cost: About $15.50–$22.50 per person

Hole in Fun has an 18-hole indoor mini-golf course split across two themed areas, plus virtual-golf simulators for kids eight and up.

Four years old makes a comfortable starting age for the course, and kids 12 and under need an adult supervising them. Shoes come off on the mini-golf course.

The building is accessible, but wheelchairs and prams can’t go onto the mini-golf course.

Gosford City Bowl — Wyoming

Best for: All ages · Allow: 60–90 minutes for one game · Cost: About $13 child and $15 adult

Every lane comes with optional bumpers, and lightweight balls and ramps help small kids bowl like pros. There’s also an arcade and café.

Gosford City Bowl is at 10 Brooks Avenue, Wyoming. Book a lane during rain, school holidays or busy league times.

Bateau Bay Ten Pin Bowl — Bateau Bay

Best for: All ages · Allow: 60–90 minutes for one game · Cost: Similar to Gosford City Bowl

This is the closer bowling option for families near The Entrance and Terrigal. All lanes offer optional bumpers, with light balls and ramps for younger kids.

Online bookings fill quickly on rainy weekends. An arcade and café sit alongside the lanes.

Timezone Erina — Erina Fair

Best for: School-age kids, teens and adults · Allow: 1–3 hours · Cost: Set a card limit first

Timezone opened at Erina Fair in May 2026, bringing 94 arcade games, four short bowling lanes, laser tag and a light-up ColourGrid floor.

Laser tag welcomes kids from age six with enclosed shoes, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Bright lights, lively noise and flashing effects fill the space.

Powercards load up with a set budget, which keeps spending in check for the visit.

iPlay Tuggerah — Westfield Tuggerah

Best for: Children who enjoy arcade games · Allow: 45–120 minutes · Cost: Set a game-card limit

iPlay has arcade games that earn prize points, set inside Westfield Tuggerah's outdoor dining precinct. It pairs well with a meal or a trip to the cinema.

Walk-ins are always welcome.

Go to the movies

Best for: Kids who can sit through a film · Allow: 2–3 hours · Cost: Varies by cinema and session

HOYTS Erina brings recliners and large-format screens.

Event Cinemas Tuggerah runs Little Kids and Bring Your Baby sessions. Selected sensory screenings welcome movement and lower volume.

Cinema Paradiso Ettalong Beach is a handy option if you're on the Peninsula.

Avoca Beach Theatre is a small historic cinema with films and family events.

Calm, creative and educational activities

These options work when your family needs a break from noise, running and flashing screens.

Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre — Terrigal

Best for: Preschool and primary children · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: $12 for ages 2+

This compact centre features small local aquariums, a hands-on touch table and microscopes for kids to explore. Quizzes, craft and marine displays round out the visit.

As an education centre, it's easy to supervise and makes a great addition to a bigger day out.

The café and playground next door add a bonus stop when the weather cooperates.

Central Coast Council Libraries — ten locations

Best for: Babies to teens · Allow: About 1–2 hours · Cost: Free

Ten library branches sit across the Central Coast. The new Gosford Regional Library is the largest, with a spacious children’s area and creative rooms.

Other branches include Erina, Tuggerah and Bateau Bay. You’ll also find libraries at Lake Haven, Toukley and several southern Coast locations.

Programs may include Babytime, Storytime and LEGO sessions. School-holiday activities also run on selected dates. Some sessions need booking.

Gosford Regional Gallery — East Gosford

Best for: Children who enjoy art · Allow: 45–75 minutes · Cost: Free entry

Three indoor galleries show changing exhibitions. A simple task, like choosing one artwork to sketch, turns a short visit into a real activity for kids.

Holiday workshops suit ages 6 to 16 and run with advance bookings. The Japanese garden outside makes a lovely bonus on drier days.

Art Barn Plaster Painting — Gosford

Best for: Young children to adults · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Pieces start from about $13.50, plus paint

Plaster shapes come ready to paint at your own pace, then head home as a finished keepsake. Walk-ins keep the visit simple and easy to plan.

Art Barn operates from 11 Kirrawee Road.

Sandi’s Plaster Fun House — Ettalong Beach

Best for: Young children to adults · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Call for current prices

Sandi's offers plaster painting and takeaway kits inside Galleria Ettalong Beach, sometimes with face painting and hair braiding.

It normally opens on Saturday, Sunday and Monday public holidays from 10am to 3pm. Pair it with Cinema Paradiso or a meal.

The Chocolate Factory Gosford — West Gosford

Best for: All ages for a short visit; workshops from age 5 · Allow: 20 minutes–2 hours · Cost: Shop entry is free

Production windows, the shop and the café make for an easy short visit, while the longer experiences reward a little planning.

Public factory tours currently run on Friday at 11am. Tickets are about $10 for adults and $8 for children. Booking is essential.

Junior Chocolatier workshops suit ages 5–14 on selected dates.

House of Ellery — Wyong

Best for: Usually ages 5+ · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Often around $35

House of Ellery runs scheduled craft workshops. They cover textured art, slime, soap or mini gardens depending on the calendar.

Book a workshop that matches your child’s age. Children aged six and under need an adult to stay.

See a family show

Best for: The age listed for each show · Allow: 1.5–3 hours · Cost: Varies

The Art House in Wyong and Laycock Street Community Theatre in Wyoming both host family theatre, musicals and holiday events.

Check each performance page for running time and age guidance.

Free and low-cost rainy day activities

The library and gallery options above are the strongest free outings. These extra choices work when the timing lines up.

Sprouts Kids Play Area — West Gosford

Best for: Toddlers and younger primary kids · Allow: Length of a meal · Cost: Play is free; food costs extra

Sprouts offers an enclosed climbing and sliding area next to the family dining at Gosford RSL, a great stop when lunch is already on the cards.

Bring photo ID for club sign-in. Club entry and access rules apply, so check them before relying on the play area.

Bunnings Kids D.I.Y. workshops — Erina North and West Gosford

Best for: Ages 5–12 · Allow: 30–60 minutes · Cost: Free

Selected weekend workshops let kids complete a simple themed project. An adult must stay, and spaces can fill.

Check events for Bunnings Erina North or Bunnings West Gosford.

Indoor swimming pools

Pool timetables matter more than building hours. Lessons, squads and carnivals can close the family area even when the centre is open.

Peninsula Leisure Centre — Woy Woy

Best for: All ages · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Low-cost casual swim

You've got the 50-metre pool, leisure pool, warm-water pool, splash park and waterslide to choose from.

Pool space and holiday inflatable sessions vary by day.

One by Mingara Aquatics — Tumbi Umbi

Best for: All ages · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: About $6 child and $9 adult

One by Mingara features a heated 50-metre pool, a leisure pool and a lazy river, plus a small aqua-play area for babies.

It’s one of the better indoor pools for mixed ages. Children aged 14 and under need an adult.

Toukley Aquatic Centre — Toukley

Best for: Confident swimmers in the north · Allow: 60–90 minutes · Cost: Low-cost casual swim

Toukley has an indoor 25-metre pool and rehabilitation pool. The toddler pool is outdoors and seasonal.

It’s a practical local fallback, not a play-pool destination. Check the pool timetable because the warm-water space has adults-only periods.

Gosford Olympic Pool — Point Frederick

Best for: Families wanting a simple swim · Allow: 1–2 hours · Cost: Low-cost casual swim

The heated 25-metre pool and rehabilitation pools sit indoors, while the main 50-metre pool and toddler pool enjoy the outdoors.

Confident swimmers get the most from this pool, with solid lap swimming taking the place of slides and splash play.

Lane space shifts with lessons, carnivals and holiday inflatables.

Outdoor places that still work in light rain

These places suit days with light rain, but they won’t keep you dry.

Australian Reptile Park — Somersby

Best for: All ages · Allow: 2–4 hours in wet weather · Cost: About $145 for two adults and two children. Children under three enter free.

Most of the park sits outdoors, and it stays open through the rain. Indoor spaces house the reptile, nocturnal, spider and Komodo exhibits, plus a large covered picnic area.

Some outdoor talks and animal walks are weather permitting. Some indoor displays feature loud sounds, moving figures or strobe effects.

Treetops Adventure Central Coast — Wyong Creek

Best for: Families happy to get wet and muddy · Allow: 1–3 hours · Cost: From about $28

Treetops runs entirely outdoors, with courses continuing through the rain.

NetWorld welcomes climbers from age one, Junior tree ropes start at three, and the Zipcoaster suits climbers who are at least eight and weigh at least 35kg.

Book ahead. Gloves and enclosed shoes are compulsory, and gloves may cost extra. Bring a full change of clothes.

Henry Kendall Cottage & Historical Museum — West Gosford

Best for: Primary-school children and history fans · Allow: 45–90 minutes · Cost: Low cost

The site includes an 1830s cottage and an indoor museum filled with old household objects. Several sheds around the grounds hold farm machinery.

Open paths connect some of the displays, adding fresh air between stops. Current hours run 10am to 2:30pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Rainy day activities for older children

These options come with clear age, height and skill guidelines, working well when every child fits the range.

Kartatak Raceway — Tuggerah

Best for: Ages 4+ as a passenger; drivers from age 8 · Allow: 45–90 minutes · Cost: About $20–$25 for one 10-minute session.

Kartatak runs ten-minute indoor drifting sessions, with junior drivers aged 8 to 11 and at least 127cm tall taking the wheel.

Kids aged 4 to 7 ride along in a tandem kart at 85cm and up, with an adult 18 or older driving.

Booking is essential, and the venue may close early without bookings. Wear enclosed shoes.

Pulse Climbing Gosford — West Gosford

Best for: Ages 5+ · Allow: About 2 hours · Cost: About $19 child and $24 adult, plus hire

Pulse is a bouldering gym, where kids climb short routes over thick mats.

Five years old marks the starting age. Under-12s need direct adult supervision. A waiver is required.

Central Coast Virtual Reality — Erina and The Entrance

Best for: Ages 7+ · Allow: 15–60 minutes · Cost: About $25–$55 per player

CCVR offers room-scale games, multiplayer play and virtual escape rooms, recommended for kids seven and up.

Book ahead.

Ninja Kids Erina — Erina

Best for: Depends on the session · Allow: 45 minutes–full day · Cost: Varies

Ninja Kids features obstacles, a warped wall, a foam pit and a trampoline. Classes cover ages 3 to 15.

Friday sessions bring toddler free play and Open Gym into the mix, with sessions booked individually to match each visit.

Roundabout Circus — Gosford

Best for: Preschoolers to teens, by class · Allow: 1 hour–full day · Cost: Varies

Roundabout teaches aerials, acrobatics and circus games.

Classes split children by age, with holiday camps suiting ages 5 to 13 and family sessions welcoming adults to join in.

Sessions run on a set schedule.