If you need a Chester to do list for when the weather isn’t so kind, this guide is here to help. There are plenty of Chester things to see and do – even when it’s raining.

All of the following places to visit in Chester, UK are completely undercover, so there’s no reason why wet weather should put a dampener on your day or holiday. 

Here are the top paid and free things to do in Chester when the whole family needs to run for cover. 

7 Best Things to do in Chester in the Rain with Kids

Zippy’s Playworld

Zippy’s Playworld is one of the top places to visit in the Chester area on a rainy day. It suits kids aged between one and ten, and the activities on offer include ball pits, climbing frames and walls, slides and rope bridges. 

For younger ones, there is also a sensory room for babies and a toddler playroom with three levels. 

Regular events are also worth looking out for, as they can include visits from kids’ TV stars, seasonal parties and entertainment shows.  

Chester in Lego

Who doesn’t love a bit of Lego? The owners of Chester in Lego were clearly thinking along those lines when they created the version of the city made from plastic bricks, and it was enough to secure them a Traveller’s Choice Award.

You can find the miniature brick city within the indoor market, and it’s entirely free to take a look. The display is also tweaked and added to on a regular basis to reflect what’s happening locally. 

While it won’t keep you amused for hours, it’s an interesting and free diversion that might just keep kids in Chester busy for long enough while you browse the covered market’s mixed range of stalls. 

Breakout Chester

If you’re seeking Chester UK attractions for older kids, check out Breakout Chester. This live escape room challenge is aimed at teams of two to five, and kids under seven go free. 

The premise is that each group is locked in a room for an hour, during which time they can seek out clues that should help them escape. 

As the puzzles can be tricky to solve, this rainy day activity tends to be best for families with tweens or teens. 

The Grosvenor Museum

We know kids can think of museums as dusty and dull, but we beg to differ. The Grosvenor Museum is ideal for a rainy day out in Chester, and we all know only too well that the north west has plenty of those.

Children and adults can gawp at the fossilised remains of Chirotherium, a species which predated the dinosaur. You can also learn about the city’s history, see a reconstruction of a Victorian parlour, check out the paintings and explore the natural world.

The Grosvenor is generally open daily and is free to enter, making it one of the best Chester things to do for free. 

Northgate Arena

What better way to spend a wet day than by getting wet? Northgate Arena is a large leisure centre and is one of the best places to visit in Chester during inclement weather.

For little ones there’s a kids’ training pool, while older children will love to play around in the leisure pool that features a water slide. 

The centre also offers dance and fitness classes, a health suite with steam room and sauna, squash courts and a cafe/restaurant for those snack attacks.  

Blue Planet Aquarium

If you don’t mind a trip to nearby Ellesmere Port, The Blue Planet Aquarium makes a great rainy day diversion, which is why we’ve included it on this list of Chester tourist attractions for kids.

There are more species of shark homed here than anywhere else in the British Isles, and in total there are over 250 kinds of aquatic creatures to see. The aquarium has a range of themed areas to capture kids’ attention, and a trip here can be every bit as educational as it is fun. 

Located at the Cheshire Oaks shopping complex, grown-ups might even get the chance to pick up a bargain too.

Dewa Roman Experience

If you’re looking for Chester places to go to learn about the Romans but it’s raining, head to Dewa for a museum experience that’s very much designed with kids in mind. 

One of the most fascinating displays is that showing the layers beneath the main building, as the museum has dug deep into its own foundations to demonstrate what lies beneath the city.

The staff here are welcoming and helpful, and the exhibits have been thoughtfully arranged to capture the imagination of young minds. 

Whilst not indoors, we are also huge fans of Chester Zoo on a rainy day. Lots to do, there and usually a lot quieter too.

Chester Zoo on a Rainy Day

You can also read our post on the 10 Best Things to do in Chester with Kids.