What are good free days out in Leicester?
Browse the free category for parks, libraries, museums with free entry, and public spaces. Always check official websites before visiting.
Trusted byUK Parents
Save favouritesfor later
All acrossthe UK
Things to do with kids in Leicester
A compact East Midlands city with museums, parks, libraries, indoor play, and easy family options for mixed-weather days.
Please check the official website before visiting, as opening times, prices, and availability can change.
Need a full plan for today?
Match activities, printables, and places in Leicester with the Activity Matcher.
Open Activity MatcherQuick stats
- 41 family-friendly listings
- 23 free ideas
- 24 indoor options
- 19 outdoor options
- 9 birthday-friendly venues
- 35 SEN-friendly listings
Loading listings…
Best for rainy days in Leicester
Indoor museums, libraries, soft play, and activity centres suit wet weather. Always check official websites before travelling.
Top rainy-day picks
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
A central Leicester museum with art, local history, dinosaur displays, and calm indoor galleries for families. Free entry makes it a strong rainy-day option, though event days can be busier so check what's on before travelling.
Leicester Central Library
A useful city-centre library for free book browsing, children's areas, and quiet indoor time on rainy Leicester days. Story sessions and holiday activities may run seasonally, so check the library timetable before visiting.
Soft Play Leicester
Indoor soft play with climbing frames, slides, toddler zones, and birthday party options.
Family Bowling Leicester
A family bowling option for mixed-age groups, rainy days, and birthday-friendly sessions.
Best free ideas in Leicester
Parks, libraries, and free public venues help keep school holidays affordable.
Top free picks
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
A central Leicester museum with art, local history, dinosaur displays, and calm indoor galleries for families. Free entry makes it a strong rainy-day option, though event days can be busier so check what's on before travelling.
Abbey Park
A large riverside park with playgrounds, boating lake paths, pets corner, and picnic lawns for low-cost Leicester family time. Free entry suits sunny weekends and school holidays, with cafés nearby for longer visits.
Leicester Central Library
A useful city-centre library for free book browsing, children's areas, and quiet indoor time on rainy Leicester days. Story sessions and holiday activities may run seasonally, so check the library timetable before visiting.
Victoria Park Leicester
A city park with playgrounds, open grass, and local outdoor play close to Leicester centre. Free entry suits after-school runs and weekend picnics when you want fresh air without travelling far from home.
Best outdoor options in Leicester
Parks, farms, zoos, and outdoor trails suit dry weekends and after-school energy release.
Top outdoor picks
Abbey Park
A large riverside park with playgrounds, boating lake paths, pets corner, and picnic lawns for low-cost Leicester family time. Free entry suits sunny weekends and school holidays, with cafés nearby for longer visits.
Bradgate Park Family Walk
A country park near Leicester for wide walks, historic ruins, deer spotting, and active outdoor family time. Parking charges may apply, so check access costs before a full-day walk, picnic, and exploration with primary-age children.
Victoria Park Leicester
A city park with playgrounds, open grass, and local outdoor play close to Leicester centre. Free entry suits after-school runs and weekend picnics when you want fresh air without travelling far from home.
Knighton Park
A neighbourhood park option for playgrounds, sports spaces, and after-school outdoor time in Leicester.
Printable backup ideas for Leicester
Hunt sheets, bingo cards, and travel printables help with queues, cafés, and the journey home.
About days out in Leicester
There are 41 listings in this guide covering free places, indoor venues, outdoor spaces, and birthday-friendly options. Use category filters above to narrow results, or browse activities and printables for at-home backup ideas.
FAQs
Common questions
What can families do on a rainy day in Leicester?
Prioritise museums, libraries, soft play, and indoor activity centres. Keep a printable hunt or bingo sheet ready for travel and queues.
How do I plan a full day in Leicester with children?
Use the Activity Matcher with your city selected, then pair a morning outing with a quiet at-home or printable activity afterwards.