A rainy day in Brisbane with kids
This is a wet-weather day in Brisbane with kids, built from indoor places. It starts at Queensland Museum Kurilpa in South Brisbane (0.8 km from the centre) and moves to Urban Climb West End and Archie Brothers Bowen Hills, both within 2.1 km. Timezone Indooroopilly is 6.1 km out and optional. The museum has free general entry, and everything else charges.
We have put the museum first because it opens at 9:30am. Archie Brothers opens at midday from Monday to Friday. The Dinosaur Garden is an enclosed garden, and the listing does not say it is covered, so keep it for a dry spell. Check each listing for current prices and times.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Queensland Museum Kurilpa
- Afternoon: Urban Climb West End
- Late afternoon: Archie Brothers Bowen Hills
- Evening: Timezone Indooroopilly
Morning
Queensland Museum Kurilpa
Queensland Museum Kurilpa, South Brisbane · Museum · Ages 3-12 · Free · 4.6 stars (9822 reviews)
The state museum at South Bank has free general entry and is open daily 9:30am to 5pm. SparkLab, its science space, costs extra: $13.50 for older kids and $5 for ages 3 to 4. Start here, since it is free and undercover.
Tip: Open daily 9:30am to 5pm; check the listing for SparkLab sessions.
Afternoon
Climbing at Urban Climb West End
Urban Climb West End, West End · Climbing & Ninja Warrior · Ages 5-18 · From $16 · 4.7 stars (868 reviews)
An indoor rock climbing gym in West End, 1.8 km from the centre, with all-ages rope climbing and a term youth program. Under-13s pay $21 for a casual session ($26 the first time). A family pass for 1-2 adults and 2 children with gear included is $119.
Tip: Under-13 casual session $21; family pass $119.
Late afternoon
Bowling at Archie Brothers
Archie Brothers Bowen Hills, Bowen Hills · Bowling & Arcade · Ages 5-16 · From $14 · 4.8 stars (397 reviews)
An arcade bar in Bowen Hills, 2.1 km from the centre, with arcade games, bowling and karaoke. Kids' bowling is $14 a game and a family game is $50. Under-18s are welcome until 8pm, so it works as an early evening stop.
Tip: Open from midday Monday to Friday; under-18s until 8pm.
Evening
Arcade and laser tag at Timezone
Timezone Indooroopilly, Indooroopilly · Arcade & Entertainment · Ages 4-14 · From $6 · 4.8 stars (619 reviews)
An arcade on Level 3 of Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, 6.1 km from the centre, with short-lane bowling from $10, laser tag at $12 a mission and bumper cars at $6 a ride. It is the optional last stop, and it is open late on Thursday to Saturday.
Tip: Laser tag $12 for one mission; bumper cars $6 a ride.
Where to eat
The Glen Hotel. The Glen Hotel at Eight Mile Plains has kids eat free on Wednesday nights from 5.30pm and at Sunday breakfast, with one free kids' meal per adult main. It is 14.6 km from the centre and has an enclosed kids' playground, so check the listing for conditions.
Kids Eat Free deals change. See every current deal in Brisbane.
Before you go
- Queensland Museum Kurilpa is free to enter, but SparkLab costs extra.
- The Dinosaur Garden is an enclosed garden, so keep it for a break in the rain.
- Archie Brothers allows under-18s until 8pm and opens at midday Monday to Friday.
- Timezone Indooroopilly is 6.1 km from the centre and optional.
- All five stops are open every day, so the plan works any day.
Questions parents ask
What can you do in Brisbane with kids when it rains?
Start at Queensland Museum Kurilpa, then try Urban Climb West End, bowling at Archie Brothers in Bowen Hills, or laser tag at Timezone Indooroopilly. The museum has free general entry. The Dinosaur Garden is a garden, so save it for a break in the rain.
Is there somewhere indoors in Brisbane for older kids?
Urban Climb West End is an indoor rock climbing gym with all-ages rope climbing; under-13s pay $21 for a casual session. Archie Brothers has kids' bowling at $14 a game, and Timezone Indooroopilly has laser tag from $12 a mission. Check the listings for current prices.
Is Queensland Museum free on a rainy day?
General entry to Queensland Museum Kurilpa at South Bank is free, and it is open daily 9:30am to 5pm. SparkLab, the science space, costs extra. The Dinosaur Garden is also free but is an enclosed garden, so it is not covered. Check the listing for current prices.
More days in Brisbane with kids
- Your first day in Brisbane with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- A beach day in Brisbane with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out in Brisbane with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- Brisbane with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Brisbane with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Brisbane with kids: all guides