Rainy days in Maine don’t have to mean cabin fever—especially when you’ve got kids bouncing off the walls! Whether you’re a local looking to switch up your routine or visiting and stuck with soggy weather, there are plenty of fun, kid-friendly indoor activities to explore. From cozy museums to creative play spaces and at-home boredom busters, here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of a rainy day in Maine with kids.
Visit an Indoor Play Space or Children’s Museum
Indoor play spaces and children’s museums across Maine offer the perfect mix of fun and learning. These spots are designed just for kids—with room to run, climb, imagine, and explore, no umbrellas needed.
- Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland
- Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor
- Coastal Children’s Museum, Rockland
- Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Maine, Waterville
- Western Maine Play Museum, Wilton
- Raise Playspace, Scarborough
- Let’s Play, Kittery
- The playLOT, Biddeford
- Play Garden Maine, Limington
- The Little Play Space, Auburn
- The Village, Augusta
- Tiny Imaginations, Winthrop
- Sunflower Community Playspace & Cafe, Gorham
- The Point Community Center, South Portland
- Maine Warrior Gym, South Portland
- Urban Air, South Portland
- FunZ Trampoline Park, Lewiston
You can view our full list of play spaces here.
Museums & Educational Fun
If your crew is up for a little exploring, Maine is full of history—and its museums are the perfect place to dive into hands-on learning and rainy day fun.
- Maine Maritime Museum, Bath
- Southworth Planetarium, USM Portland Campus
- Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
- Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, Bethel
- Maine Lighthouse Museum, Rockland
- Portland Museum of Art, Portland
- Maine State Aquarium, Boothbay Harbor
- International Cryptozoology Museum, Portland
- Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owl’s Head
Visit an Indoor Pool
If you’re in the Portland area, we highly recommend checking out Goldfish Swim School. There’s no bad time to start swim lessons with your kids and rainy days are a perfect time for some extra swim practice. Their indoor, 90-degree pool creates a warm, tropical escape where kids can build confidence, burn energy, and have a blast no matter the weather.
Try a New Class
Rainy days are also a great time to try something new—like signing up for a class at The Little Gym. With indoor gymnastics, movement, and music classes for all ages, it’s the perfect way for kids to burn energy, build skills, and stay active—rain or shine.
Visit Your Local Library
Local libraries are one of the best hidden gems for rainy day fun. Not only are they warm and welcoming, but many offer dedicated children’s spaces filled with toys, puzzles, and cozy reading nooks perfect for little ones. Story times, craft sessions, and other special programs are often scheduled throughout the week, giving families something free and enriching to do indoors. Be sure to check out your local library’s calendar to see what’s happening near you!
Visit a Lighthouse
If your family doesn’t mind the wet conditions of the outdoors on days like this, then we highly recommend heading to the coast and checking out one of Maine’s many lighthouses. We really enjoy the Rockland Breakwater, Portland Head Light, Nubble Light, and Spring Point on gloomy days. Two Lights is another great one along with Squirrel Point (this includes a nice little hike through the woods). There are so many great options! You can view our whole lighthouse directory here.
Creative & Cozy Ideas
Not feeling a play space or museum? There are plenty of other cozy indoor spots across Maine where kids can get creative, stay active, or just enjoy some downtime.
- Color Me Mine, Portland
- Make It! Studio, Brunswick
- Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, Lewiston
- Maine Celtics Basketball Game, Portland
- Maine Mariners Hockey Game, Portland
- Spare Time Bowling, Portland, Lewiston, or Hallowell
- Junction Bowl, Gorham
- Bayside Bowl, Portland
- Happy Wheels Skate Center, Westbrook
- Evo Rock & Fitness, Portland
- Salt Pump Climbing, Scarborough
- Eartha, Yarmouth
- Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit
- Apple Cinemas, Saco and Westbrook
- Smitty’s Cinema, Windham, Topsham, or Sanford
- Flagship Cinemas, Falmouth, Auburn, Waterville, Thomaston, or Wells
Rainy days in Maine don’t have to mean being stuck inside with nothing to do. With so many creative, active, and family-friendly indoor options, you’ll be making memories no matter what the weather looks like outside.
I really appreciate how this list emphasizes indoor play spaces—especially in a place like Maine where the weather can be unpredictable.
🌧️ Highlighting accessible family-friendly destinations helps parents make the most of rainy
days without sacrificing fun or education. It’s a practical resource that encourages
exploring local gems even when skies are gray!