A rainy day in Cairns with kids
This is a wet-weather day in Cairns, with every stop indoors. It suits kids from toddlers to about twelve, depending on the stop. Two play centres in Manunda (about 4 km from the centre) give younger kids a run-around. Then you move into the city for the museum, the free art gallery and the arcade, all within half a kilometre of each other. Costs are mixed: the gallery is free, the rest are ticketed.
Do the play centres in the morning, because their weekday hours are short. Defy Gravity closes at 1pm and Inflatable Kingdom at 2pm Monday to Friday. The city stops are an easy walk from each other. Pack socks for the play centres. The museum and gallery are closed on Sundays, so the whole plan works Monday to Saturday.
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: Defy Gravity Cairns
- Late morning: Inflatable Kingdom at Cairns Indoor Sports
- Afternoon: Cairns Museum
- Afternoon: Cairns Art Gallery
- Late afternoon: Timezone Cairns
Morning
Start at Defy Gravity in Manunda
Defy Gravity Cairns, Manunda · Trampoline Parks · Ages 1-12 · 4.4 stars (149 reviews)
An indoor playground and trampoline park inside Raintrees Shopping Centre. It runs Toddler Time sessions for under-5s on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings, so little ones get their own space.
Tip: Weekdays it is open 9am to 1pm, weekends later. Check the listing for session times and prices.
Late morning
Bounce at Inflatable Kingdom
Inflatable Kingdom at Cairns Indoor Sports, Manunda · Indoor Play Centre · Ages 5-12 · From $17 · 4.5 stars (277 reviews)
Indoor inflatable play sessions inside Cairns Indoor Sports at 164 Mayers St, Manunda. Sessions are booked online. This one is a high-energy stop for kids aged roughly 5 to 12.
Tip: Listed prices are $17 online for 5 and unders and $23 online for 6 and overs, with walk-in prices a little higher. It is open until 2pm on weekdays.
Prices, hours and map for Inflatable Kingdom at Cairns Indoor Sports
Afternoon
Take the kids trail at Cairns Museum
Cairns Museum, Cairns City · Museum · Ages 5-17 · From $6 · 4.5 stars (665 reviews)
A local history museum at 105 Lake St in Cairns City, with kids trails and an activity table. It is a quieter stop after the bouncing, and it keeps school-age kids busy with something to find.
Tip: Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Child (under 14) $6, adult $15, family $30.
Afternoon
Drop into Cairns Art Gallery
Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns City · Museums & Science Centres · Ages 3-17 · Free · 4.6 stars (991 reviews)
A free public art gallery on the corner of Abbott and Shields Streets. It has exhibitions and occasional classes. Short and free, so you can stay for as long as the kids want.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Open 9:30am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm Saturday.
Late afternoon
Finish with games at Timezone
Timezone Cairns, Cairns City · Arcade & Entertainment · Ages 4-17 · From $6 · 4.7 stars (971 reviews)
An arcade at 109-115 Abbott Street with 75+ games, bumper cars and ColourGrid. A good end for older kids who have earned a treat.
Tip: Listed from $6 per person for ColourGrid and $6 per bumper car ride. Open late most days.
Where to eat
Dunwoody's Hotel, Cairns North. Dunwoody's Hotel in Cairns North has indoor and outdoor kids play areas, a kids menu and Kids Eat Free on Monday nights, which suits a Monday version of this plan.
Kids Eat Free deals change. See every current deal in Cairns.
Before you go
- The whole plan works Monday to Saturday, because the museum and art gallery are closed on Sundays.
- The two Manunda play centres are about 4 km out. The city stops are close together on foot.
- Inflatable Kingdom sessions are booked online.
- Defy Gravity and Inflatable Kingdom both close by early afternoon on weekdays.
Questions parents ask
What can I do with kids in Cairns when it rains?
Try the indoor play centres in Manunda, Defy Gravity and Inflatable Kingdom, then the free Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns Museum and Timezone arcade in the city. Every stop on this plan is under cover.
Are there indoor activities in Cairns for toddlers?
Defy Gravity at Raintrees Shopping Centre in Manunda runs Toddler Time sessions for under-5s on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Dunwoody's Hotel in Cairns North also has an indoor kids play area.
Is there anything free to do indoors in Cairns?
Cairns Art Gallery has free entry and is open Monday to Saturday. Cairns Museum charges, with a child (under 14) ticket listed at $6, so check the listing for current prices.
More days in Cairns with kids
- Your first day in Cairns with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- A beach day in Cairns with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out in Cairns with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- Cairns with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Cairns with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Cairns with kids: all guides