The sun is out, the kids are enjoying the sunshine and then suddenly it clouds over and the heavens open.
So what do you with the kids on a rainy day?
We've pulled together a list of some great indoor places to take them in and around Merseyside and some a bit further a field to keep them entertained.
1. The Beatles Story
Journey through the Fab Fours' rise to fame. An entertaining insight into the band's life, with an audio tour narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia.
There's always something for the kids to do in the Discovery Zone including free workshops.
Open all year round, 10am-6pm. Prices: Adults £15.95, children (aged 5-15) £9.50, children (0-4) free, concessions £12.
Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 709 1963. Click here for discounted tickets.
2. Underwater Street presents Imagine That
Popular children's venue Underwater Street has moved home from the city centre to Wavertree and has a new name.
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The beloved activity centre was on Water Street in Liverpool for 10 years but has relocated due to growing demand.
There are the same concepts with arts and crafts, science workshops and a larger Imagination Village including a construction zone, lots of shops, and American diner and theatre, a pet rescue and car wash.
Admission to the new venue is £12.95 for a child with one free adult and £2.95 each for additional adults. One-year-olds cost £7.95. Children under one go free.
Open 10am to 5pm every day during the school holidays and Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and weekends 10am to 5pm during term time.
Imagine That, 26-32 Faraday Road, Wavertree, L13 1EH. Tel: 0151 227 2550. Click here for the website.
Visit our sister site 'Nearly There Yet' for more rainy days out with the kids in Liverpool ideas.
3. Awesome Walls
Awesome Walls in Liverpool can be found in a former 150-year-old church with over 1,000 square metres of climbing with hundreds of routes.
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Whether you're an absolute beginner wanting to learn how to climb or an experienced outdoor climber Awesome Walls has lots to offer.
Open Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 8pm.
Prices: Admission is £8.50 for adults and £7.50 for children, under sevens with paying adult are £4.50 and under fives are £1. Little Angels Kids Club cost £10 for two hours rock climbing with an experienced instructor.
Awesome Walls, St Albans Church, Athol Street, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 298 2422. Click here for the website.
4. Yellow Sub
The recently refurbished Yellow Sub centre houses a host of unique attractions including a large and small play frame, arcade, football pitch, new sensory room plus a Coffee Shop serving delicious home cooked food from flame grilled burgers to neapolitan pizzas and scrumptious filled wraps.
Based on Liverpool’s waterfront not far from the famous Albert Dock, Yellow Sub is perfect compliment for families planning a day out in the area. Open every day from 9.30am until 6pm.
Prices: Children under one £1.95, over one, £5.95, concession £3.95, adults £1 (1 free adult entry per child)
Yellow Sub, Brunswick Dock, Liverpool. Tel: 08444 120850. Click here for the website.
5. Merseyside Maritime Museum
The Merseyside Maritime Museum contains a variety of exhibits associated with the social and commercial history of the port of Liverpool.
Highlights include ship models, maritime paintings, colourful posters from the golden age of liners and even some full sized vessels.
There are plenty of events on for kids for do including visiting The Piermaster's House which is open daily 10am to 4.30pm.
The Museum is open daily 10am-5pm with free entry.
Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Telephone: 0151 478 4499. Click here for the website.
6. World Museum
The World Museum in Liverpool is an ideal day out for the family with plenty to see, do and get your hands-on including different events.
The museum has extensive collections covering world cultures, sciences, animals, bugs and of course dinosaurs. Check out our handy guide to visiting the World Museum Liverpool with the kids here.
The Museum is open daily 10am-5pm with free entry.
World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 478 4393. Click here for the website.
7. International Slavery Museum
Housed on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum, there are lots of events and workshops to take place.
The Museum is open daily 10am-5pm with free entry.
International Slavery Museum, Dock Traffic Office, Albert Dock. Tel: 0151 478 4499. Click here for the website.
8. Tate Liverpool
There are lots of things to see and do at Tate, so try different things each time. Under 12s can visit any special exhibition for free if they are with an adult. Collection displays change regularly, so you won’t see the same things year after year.
Open daily from 10am-5pm. Prices: Admission to Tate Liverpool is free, except for special exhibitions.
Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 702 7400. Click here for the website.
9. New Palace & Adventureland
Indoor adventure and children's play area with bouncy castle, ball pond and climbing wall. Also an outside fairground.
Open 11am-6pm all over the summer holidays and 11am to 5pm during autumn and winter.
Prices: Adventureland sessions are £5 per hour with your second hour half price, plus £1 for the climbing wall or pay £8 for an all day Adventureland pass which includes one free ride, a bar of rock and 10% discount at all their food outlets. Adults go free.
New Palace & Adventureland, Marine Promenade, New Brighton. Tel: 0151 639 6041. Click here for the website.
10. Spaceport
Enjoy fun and interactive displays, an exciting cosmic coaster space ride plus a spectacular 360 degree space centre show and much more. After exploring the galaxy and beyond in the downstairs exhibition, head upstairs to learn about the influence of science in space. A brand new Interactive Zone is full of exciting hands on exhibits perfect for making learning fun.
Open 10am to 5pm during school holidays, term time 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Prices: Adults £9.50, children aged 5-15 £6, or £24.50 for a family with two adults and up to three children, concessions £8.
Spaceport, Victoria Place, Wallasey, Wirral. Tel: 0151 330 1452. Click here for the website.
11. Croxteth Hall
There is plenty to see at Croxteth Hall from a working farm to some gorgeous flowers in the Victorian walled garden or learn how the Earls of Sefton, their families and servants, lived in the hall in Edwardian times. There is also various events on throughout the year.
If the weather is nice, check out the local wildlife and explore woodlands, pastures and ponds in Croxteth Local Nature Reserve.
Open every day from 10am to 4pm.
Prices: Admission to the Hall, adults £4, children and senior citizens £3 (under 3's free). To Home Farm, adults £3.50, children and senior citizens £2.70 (under 3's free) click HERE for the Home Farm website.
Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Off Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 233 3020. Click here for the website.
12. The World of Glass
Try your hand at being a sculptor at The World of Glass in St Helens and watch expect glass blowers create some fantastic pieces.
The contemporary and innovative building houses the history of the glass industry and allows you walk back in time through its two galleries to the world of St Helens during the Victorian times. Then, after you have had the chance to soak in all the history, you can enjoy something to eat and drink at St Helen’s only canal-side cafe.
Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm with last admissions are at 3pm. Prices start at just £8 for adults, £6 for students, children and concessions.
The World of Glass, Chalon Way East, St Helens. Tel: 01744 22766. Click here for the website.
13. Hollywood Bowl
Playing ten-pin bowling can while a way a few hours on a rainy afternoon.
Open every day from 9am until late.
Prices: adults £5.50, under 16s from £4.50 and families with two adults and two under 16s or one adult and three under 16s from £18.
Right now a family of four (two adults, two juniors or one adult, three juniors) can play seven days a week for £19.09 although there are certain times throughout the summer you can play for £9.55 if you book online.
You can also get a child's main course, squash drink, and game of bowling for £6.79 weekdays before 7pm and throughout summer this deal is available from 10am - although check the website for full terms and conditions.
Hollywood Bowl, Edge Lane Retail Park, Montrose Way, Wavertree. Tel: 0844 826 1464. Click here for the website.
14. Laser Quest
Head to Laser Quest at Riverside Bowl in Wallasey for an action-packed indoor game for everyone for ages six and up and is a great day out for families.
Open every day 10am until late.
Prices: Games start at £6.50 up to £11.50 for three games.
Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wallasey. Tel: 0151 639 1238. Click here for the website.
15. Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf
If you fancy some crazy golf head to Jungle Rumble in Liverpool One. There is two amazing 18 holes courses with live volcanos and loads of special effects. The café bar will keep you refreshed after a hard game plus there are gaming machines to keep you entertained. There is something for everyone at Jungle Rumble.
Open daily from 10am to 11pm with last entry 10pm/children 8pm.
Prices: Adult £7.50, student/concession £6.50, ages five to 16 £6.00 and under fives £3.50.
Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, Liverpool One. Tel: 0151 792 8803. Click here for the website.
16. Ultimate Indoor Paintballing
Why not get the adrenaline rushing at the only indoor paintball arena in Merseyside? The arena was previously an empty warehouse which has now been transformed into a paintball playground and is just five minutes walk from the centre of Liverpool city centre and two minutes walk from Moorfields train station.
Open every day from 8am until midnight. Prices: Starting from £20 per person for 200 paintballs each.
Ultimate Indoor Paintballing, Unit 3, Vauxhall Business Centre, 131 Vauxhall Road, Vauxhall. Click here for the website.
17. Velocity Trampoline Park
Work up a sweat and have some fun bouncing at Velocity Trampoline Park. Bounce around on over 90 interconnected trampolines in the free jump zone. Practising your flips and keep fit, ideal for families and children of aged three and above.
Open Monday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday 10am-9pm and weekends 10am to 8pm. Prices: Sessions cost £9 each for adults and children.
Velocity Trampoline Park, Unit 1, Easter Park, Bennetts Lane, Shell Green, Widnes. Tel: 0151 424 8613. Click here for the website.
18. Go Kids Play Centre
Go Kids Play Centre is a multi-tiered soft play centre, catering for children up to 12 years, with dedicated play zones for babies, toddlers and juniors including ball pools, slides and quad bikes.
There is a comfortable, warm and inviting environment for parents who have access to top quality food and drinks - just the ticket for mums and dads to unwind and relax while the kids enjoy the play experience and run off a bit of steam.
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 6pm. Prices: Weekdays children under one £2.30, over one £5, adults free. Weekends children under one £3.30, over one £6.50, adults free.
Go Kids! Play Centre, Skypark International, Blenheim Way, Speke. Tel: 0151 486 9374. Click here for the website.
19. Soccer Dome
There is no booking required at the Soccer Dome for Soccer School just turn up, pay and play. Sessions are available for ages three to six, six and over and nine and over. For a list of session times click here.
From teaching the basics of ball control, passing and shooting to developing agility, technique and stamina they cover all aspects of football. A dedicated team will work alongside you and your child to encourage their natural flare and progress their skills.
Open weekdays from 9am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 5pm. Prices: £3 per session.
Soccer Dome, Birkenhead Road, Seacombe, Wirral. Tel: 0151 637 3213. Click here for the website.
20. Silver Blades Ice Rink
Show off your ice skating skills on the rink at Silver Blades in Widnes. There are various events on during the week including family skate, disco skate and parent and toddler skate.
Open daily 10am to 5pm. Prices: Starting from £5.95 over the summer holidays.
Silver Blades Ice Rink, Earle Road, Widnes. Tel: 08700 852929. Click here for the website.
21. Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire
Visit the Blue Planet Aquarium and get up close to sharks, starfish and seahorses. Take an all access tour or see animals including otters being fed.
There's so much to do with daily talks and shows in the Aquatheatre with the first show starting from 11.30am each day.
Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Prices: Adults and children 13 and over £15.98, children over 90cm and up to 12 years £11.48.
Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire. Tel: 0151 357 8804. Click here for the website.
22. Your house!
There are plenty of things you can do on a rainy day about the house with the kids. Build a den, read a book, play musical statues all you have to do is use your imagination.
Search for free days out and things to do with the kids in Liverpool by using our brand new family attractions website www.nearlythereyet.co.uk
What's On for families?