How many times has unplanned wet weather spoilt plans of outdoor activities with the kids? 'Rainy Days' will offer alternatives to staying indoors when it rains keeping mum and dad sane.

Cinema

 A perfect place to take the family when the weather is great for ducks, but not for kids. Kid's movies tend to be released around school holiday periods but if you are lucky you may find something the whole family agree on. You just have to make sure dad doesn't eat all the popcorn.

• Greater Union Newcastle
  183-185 King St Newcastle NSW 2300 - PH (02) 4926-2233
• Greater Union Glendale
  Lake Road, Glendale, NSW 2285 - PH (02) 4956-9331
• Hoyts
  244 Pacific Hwy Charlestown, NSW PH (02) 4942-1811
• Lake Cinema
  62 Main Rd Boolaroo, NSW (02)4958 5810
• Reading Cinema Maitland
  Ken Tubman Drive Maitland , NSW 2320 PH (02) 4934-2240

Supa Putt
Griffiths Rd Broadmeadow 2292
PH: 4952 1344
This is a regular destination for our family in rainy weather. Supa Putt Newcastle is a 36 hole mini putt course with 18 holes outdoors and perfect for rainy weather, 18 holes under cover. It also has an area you can sit down and have a snack before or after you play. A highly recommended wet weather venue.   You may have to assist the little ones on the last hole or it could take a while. Try it and you'll see what I mean.
Trading Hours: Mon closed, Tues-Thurs 12pm-6pm, Fri-12pm-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Holidays; Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm
COST:  18 holes-$8.50, 36 holes-$10, Children 6 and under $5

Hunter ice skating stadium
230 Macquarie Rd Warners Bay
PH: (02) 4954 4499
I had always thought if I could roller skate, I could ice skate..no such luck unfortunately. Hunter ice skating stadium caters for everyone from beginners (frames are available to enhance your learning experience) to the more experienced skater with their public skating sessions scheduled various times Sunday-Saturday. Skating lessons are also available during the week for those who would like to learn to spend more time upright than on the ice.
For something a little different head to one of the ice skating discos they run on Friday afternoons for kids (4pm-6pm) or grab the family for the family disco on Saturday nights (7.30pm-10pm). NB: Program may change in the school holiday period.
For pricing go to http://www.huntericeskating.com.au/publicskating.htm

Play centres

Hooray for play centres! Where would we be without them on wet weather days?  Play centres have to be a favourite venue of any parent who has a child who needs to expel some energy and the house is not the favoured place to do it.
It's a place where kids can run, jump, slide, and bounce whilst their parents can drink coffee and chat. (Remembering however, to keep one firm eye on your child of course) Don't forget your socks as most play centres request them to be admitted.
We have some great play centres locally when considering what to do on a wet weather day.

• Lollipop's Playland and Café
  Unit 6, 154 Park Ave Kotara PH: (02) 4965 5466
  www.lollipopsplayland.com.au
  Lollipop's Playland has two separate sections for different age groups which is fantastic for the toddlers who want to play without getting hurt by the older children.
  The play centre has a jumping castle, teacups merry-go-round, double slide, inflatable slide and much more to entertain the children. If that isn't enough, a play station console is set up in the corner. The café sells various cakes and drinks to cater for all age groups. Open 7 days. Adults have pay $4 for entry but this include a tea or coffee voucher.
• Fair Play Café
  3/5-7 Pacific Hwy Gateshead (near Charlie the Chook) PH: (02) 4943 7754
  www.fairplaycafe.com.au
  One of the latest editions to the play centre genre, Fair Play Café is not to be missed. It boasts a three level play structure and state of the art climbing wall. It also has a separate toddler area, 4 party rooms including a karaoke room and a resident chef that has created a spectacular menu for lunch and now dinner on Saturday nights (bookings essential). Best of all it is open 7 days so you don't have to rely upon the weather for a play any day of the week. Adults FREE entry.

• Megamania
  212 Macquarie Rd Warners Bay PH: (02) 49544549
  www.megamania.com.au
  Megamania is a long running business that has entertained kids for many years. It has a separate toddler's area, a 6 metre high spiral –slide, a large bouncy castle area and a horse merry-go-round. On Friday nights they are open till 8pm as the disco commences at 5pm. A kiosk/café is also on hand for parents and children to enjoy a snack in between play. Adults have to pay $4 entry but this includes a tea/coffee or post mix drink.
• Hype 4 Kids (2 locations)
  Rutherford 3/321 New England Hwy, PH: 4932 9862
  Carey Bay 1/17 Laycock Street, PH: 4959 8386
  
  
  • Hype 4 Kids Rutherford caters for children 3 months to 12 years. The centre houses a toddler soft play area, inflatables, huge climbing structure with slippery dips, tunnels, flying fox, mini trampoline and huge ball pit.   There's a mini rock climbing wall that requires no harnessing, and a 10 station fitness circuit.  Socks are required to be worn by children who play.
  • Hype 4 Kids Carey Bay is now open as a complete centre for children 3 months to adults. Exactly like Rutherford, they offer soft play, climbing structures, ball pit, mini rock climbing and a 10 station circuit.  Socks are to be worn by children when playing.

Carriage Sheds Foreshore Park Newcastle

Who said you had to cancel your planned picnic or BBQ because the weather has taken a turn for the worst? The Carriage sheds at Foreshore Park on Wharf Rd Newcastle are the perfect place to picnic in unplanned weather. The Carriage sheds provide shelter and BBQ's and best of all an undercover area for kids to ride their bikes.

Ten Pin Bowling
A perfect rainy day, family venue where the spirit of competition can rear it's head in a quick game of ten pin bowling. For something a little different for the kids try the cosmic bowling where the lights go down and everything glows including the lanes, balls and pins. Check with your local bowling centre to see if cosmic bowling sessions are available.
Local bowling centres include;

• Superstrike Warners Bay
  326 Hillsborough Rd Warners Bay PH: 4954 2477
  Has 24 lanes and is popular for its children's parties
• Superstrike Mayfield
  318 Maitland Rd Mayfield PH: 4968 3795
  Superstrike Mayfield has re-invented itself through a renovation in 2006 and has now become an ultra modern bowling centre with 22 lanes.
• Superstrike Salamander Bay
  270 Sandy Point Rd Salamander Bay PH: 4981 4000
  The centre boasts 12 lanes, a large arcade games area, a café and modern seating area. Popular with the locals and tourists in peak seasons.
• Superstrike Maitland
  57 Shipley Drive Rutherford PH: 4932 1696
  Opened in January 09 and provides 24 lanes, amusement machines and a café. It has also taken the lead in Cosmic bowling offering 6 metre wide projector screens displaying the latest video clips.

Play Equipment Retail Centres

I have to be the first to admit that you will often find our family utilizing the free play equipment that is on offer in various retails outlets. A cheap and easy way to move the kids from one undercover area to another whilst avoiding the wet weather.
Westfield Kotara now has two playgrounds to utilse. The pirate ship is located outside Target and their new playground is situated in the eating area that is close proximity to centre court (outside David Jones).

Charlestown square has a play area which is located in the food court and is also host to various member events including the Raspberry Gully Club.
One of our kids favourite quick play indoor free playgrounds is Bunnings (or “bunnies” as my children like to call it) located in the Homemaker centre Kotara.  A great stop gap before free DIY workshops and face painting on weekends.

Newcastle Regional Art Gallery
Laman St Newcastle PH: 4974 5100
Newcastle Regional Art Gallery holds FREE art classes for kids called ARTCART on Saturdays and Sundays between 10.30am and 12.30pm. This is another favourite wet weather venue of ours as it encourages creativity through learning. The children are invited to view a particular artwork in the gallery which is discussed in detail by one of the Art Gallery employees. After the discussion, the children head to the artcart to try and replicate the theme of the featured artist. A very rewarding wet weather activity when your child produces your very own artwork for the fridge.