Rainy Day Ideas for Families in Sunderland

Sunderland is a seaside city, and when a wet easterly sets in the beaches at Roker and Seaburn lose their appeal quickly. The good news is that there is plenty to do indoors, from the new Culture House in the city centre to swimming pools, soft plays, a trampoline park and a cinema. One change is worth knowing about: Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is closed for redevelopment until 2028, so it is no longer the default wet-weather trip it once was. This guide covers the alternatives, roughly from the city centre outwards.

Culture House

Culture House opened on Keel Square in September 2026 and is a natural place to start. Its four floors bring together the City Library, which has moved here, exhibition space including the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, and rooms used for events and workshops. An exhibition about the Sunderland artist Audrey Amiss runs until January 2027. The library makes it an easy place to spend an hour with younger children, and the building is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Best for: Families with children of any age who want a city-centre stop that does not depend on the weather.

Swimming and soft play

Swimming is the classic rainy-day choice, since you are getting wet anyway. Sunderland Aquatic Centre by the Stadium of Light has a 50m pool, a diving pool and a two-tier soft play open daily from 9am to 7pm. In Washington, Washington Leisure Centre has a learner pool with two flumes and the Play World soft play. For more detail, see our guides to swimming in Sunderland and soft play in Sunderland, which also cover independent play centres such as The Fun Jungle in Washington and Tumbles World in Millfield.

Best for: Younger children who need to burn off energy, and parents who want a cafe nearby.

Super Tramp Sunderland

For older children, Super Tramp Sunderland on Ferryboat Lane in Castletown has a main trampoline court, an airbag, a battle beam and tumble tracks, plus a Tots Club and daily soft play sessions for little ones. Sessions are booked online, every jumper needs a signed waiver, and the park asks visitors to arrive 30 minutes early. Rainy weekends and school holidays can fill up, so book ahead.

Best for: Energetic children of school age, and families with a toddler and an older sibling.

The cinema

Omniplex Cinema Sunderland on Lambton Street in Sunniside has 12 screens, including a large-format MAXX screen, and shows family films alongside new releases. It is a short walk from the city centre shops and from Sunderland station, which makes it easy to combine with lunch in town.

Best for: Families wanting a low-effort afternoon, and teenagers who would rather not be dragged round a museum.

Theatre and pantomime

The Sunderland Empire on High Street West has been staging shows since 1907 and is one of the larger theatres in the North East. Its programme includes touring musicals, plays and comedy, and the annual pantomime is a fixture of the Christmas season for many Sunderland families. Tickets for popular dates go early, so check the programme well in advance.

Best for: Families planning a special outing, particularly around Christmas.

Arts Centre Washington

Arts Centre Washington occupies a converted farmstead in Fatfield and runs performances, exhibitions and classes, with the Courtyard Bar and Cafe on site. It is closed on Mondays and Sundays, and hours vary on other days, so check the programme before travelling.

Best for: Creative children and families looking for workshops or smaller-scale shows.

Smaller museums

Two volunteer-run museums can make a good short visit for children with a particular interest. The Fans Museum in the former Monkwearmouth Station holds Sunderland AFC memorabilia and supporter history; opening days vary, so check first. Ryhope Engines Museum is a Victorian pumping station of 1868 with two beam engines, open on Sunday afternoons from Easter to the end of December, with special steam days when the engines are running.

Best for: Football-mad children, and young engineers who like big machines.

If the rain eases

The WWT Washington Wetland Centre has covered hides as well as outdoor trails, adventure play and otters, so it can work on a showery day; check opening days, which vary by season. When the sun comes out, see our guides to playgrounds in Sunderland, the Roker and Seaburn seafront and things to do in Sunderland, or browse our families and outdoors pages.

Know a place we have missed? Get in touch.