Things To Do with Kids in Tow… Wet Weather Version!
We are often asked for local activities we recommend for families. This is an easy answer in nice weather as we are lucky to have loads of accessible and easy walks in the local area, as well as swim spots, woodlands in which to build dens or climb trees, rock faces to scramble up… all the things you envisage doing when you imagine taking your kids to the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales on holiday.
However, there are sometimes those days where no one wants to be outside, no matter how hardy your children and how good your gear. (This is a hard lesson to learn when you’re an outdoorsy person and then you have kids!)
It is without doubt much harder to keeps kids entertained in the wetter, colder months. So given the time of year I thought I’d give my top 3 rainy day activities for families in the local area.
1. Soft Play!
We are so lucky to have three really great soft-play destinations nearby. The nearest is in Kirkby Stephen, just a 17 min drive away. The Hive is on the left before you get into the town itself and has a free carpark right outside, so no getting stuck in traffic or having to park miles away! They have a small cafe where you can order food or grab a coffee and enjoy a moment you yourself while your children are happily entertained! No booking required, so just turn up and pay on the door.
Next, just under 30 minutes away, is Outside In, in Kendal. This was my favourite when the kids were really little as there is an under-1s area and the whole place is smaller and slightly quieter than your average soft play, so less overwhelming for littler kids (and overstimulated adults!) There isn’t a specific carpark but you can park just across the road in Lidl for 90 minutes (but be on it because they have cameras!) or there are a couple of pay and display carparks nearby (one next to the river and one by the museum). Kendal is a bigger town than Kirkby Stephen and the soft play is within the one way system so if you do opt for this try and avoid rush hour! You do need to book for Outside In so head over to their website to see if they have availability.
And finally, Rheged Soft Play. This is a good 40 minute drive from Ridge House, towards Penrith, but Rheged is a real wet weather destination in itself. Not only can you sip a decaf oat milk latte whilst watching your children play in the tasteful scandi-coloured soft play (or for older ones there’s decoupage next-door) But you can browse some really beautiful independent shops, buy high quality local produce, and get a proper meal in the cafe downstairs. Rheged is a ‘creative space’ and as well as the cafe and soft play, there are galleries, workspaces and a small cinema. You really can spend most of a day here (just make sure to give you number plate into reception) so it is worth the slightly longer drive as I feel it meets adult needs as well as kids!
2. Rag Tag Arts
Rag Tag Arts is just outside Kendal, about a 30 minute drive from Ridge House. It is a community run scrapstore and creative space where kids (and adults!) can craft to their hearts content. You can buy a crafting kit, paint a pot or even fill a shopping basket of bits and bobs form the scrapstore to take home and create works of art with. They have hot drinks and home made cakes for sale and there is also a ‘loose parts’ play area where you can build dens or cars for those children who are less keen on sitting still. (Really handy if you have children of different ages and different interests!) There is free parking outside, and you don’t need to worry about getting stuck in the one way system traffic in Kendal as it’s this side of town and very much on the outskirts.
3. Abbott Hall
I have to confess up front to never actually having been inside Abbott Hall Gallery itself! (Yet!) But that is because my children are both under 5 so galleries aren’t really on our radar yet. However, I have heard good things about the gallery and the cafe is my number 1 go-to kid friendly cafe in Kendal. They have a play area with books, toys and crafting, and they usually have a craft activity set up with instructions which changes on a weekly basis. There’s loads of space to spread out - I go regularly with a friend and we both take our double buggies in without feeling embarrassed! You can get decent coffee, a selection of cakes and light bites (they even did us a special off-menu kids sharing platter). There’s a pay and display carpark right next to it, and if the weather clears up there a playground in the park next-door. This is the best Kendal playground, mainly because it has a zip-wire and a mini trampoline, but also because it’s by the river and just a short walk into the town centre. We have spotted an otter in this part of the river twice! So even in town you’re constantly immersed in nature :)
3.5 Kendal Museum
This only gets half a mention as it’s too small to be a day out in its own right, but it is a good one to combine with Outside In Soft Play, as they are really near each other, and both fairly small! Admission are £5 per adult and £2 per child over 5 but tickets are valid for a year so even better value if you plan to come back! There is a small children’s play area with dressing up, toys and painting. There isn’t a cafe but there is a coffee machine and a gift shop. The main attraction for my children is the extensive taxidermy! If you need a proper cafe afterwards, Fold Coffee is just round the corner (dog friendly), and its less than 10 minutes walk into Kendal town centre for loads more options.
