New Forest in the rain with two kids?

[upthemum]

Our jolly to Sandyballs is looking... wet! Before I sob over the bbc weather website does anyone have any indoor suggestions so I don't spend the entire week wishing we'd flown to Spain instead?

Highcliffe castle.
The big leisure complex in Poole - bowling/swimming/escape room etc
motor museum at Beaulieu

have fun!

Ringos/climbing at Calshot, and the little castle next door. Beaulieu motor museum. Lyndhurst - New Forest Centre, tearoom. St Barbe museum and gallery in Lymington.

Should add the 2 kids are under 3! Oh I wanted sunshine!!

Thanks for suggestions so far

We jumped on a train to Southampton and went to the cinema.

Poultens park (peppa pig world) in Ower isn’t far - but I don’t know how much is suitable for v wet weather sorry.

I know this feeling! Sucks doesn’t it BUT being a camper I realise that it often rains a lot less than forecast, and it’s fine to be out in a bit of drizzle too. Puddle suit, short rainy walk might tire them out? The raptor centre would be OK for that age in drizzle. Crabbing in Mudeford (although there’s no guard rail there which gives me a heart attack) or Milford would also work in less perfect weather.
I think it will surprise you and cheer up. They have a bit of a micro climate there.

Maybe a drive round looking for baby animals would work? The season for foals is just starting, people were out yesterday putting up signs. I saw loads of donkeys, including babies, on the road to Fritham from Roger Penny Way and there are usually lots more on the back road to Ringwood or the road to Abbots Well.

Bubbles in Fordingbridge is a tea room with a soft play area.

I spent a large propertion of my childhood at Beaulieu!

Don't panic OP weather forecasts change. It might not be as rainy as you fear.

We were just in dublin and I watched the forecast obsessively some might say and it was awful. Thunderstorms, rain and looked worse every time I looked. Very depressing.

As it happened we had almost no rain except one downpour and it was mostly sunny and pleasant. The one time it was raining my sisters app on phone was saying it wasn't.
Be prepared but don't take this as fact-it might be better than it looks.

The New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst is surprisingly toddler and pre schooler friendly, toys and colouring sheets etc, and free, I used to take mine there quite a bit at that age - lots of ice cream or sticky bun places in the main street and gasp at the posh sports cars in the Maserati showroom if they're at a cars stage. Potter round at Boltons bench if the rain stops, bale out and drive to Wacky Warehouse soft play at Ower if it's very wet.

We've done Paultons in the rain and we really like the shorter queues, and there's a big soft play if it really hammers down at any point. But mine likes rain so we used to just put waterproofs and wellies on and carry on.

If they're happy puddle splashing in the rain for a bit, try Lepe Country Park or Moors Valley - cafe to retreat to to dry off, loos etc.

*gawp

If it's for the next week the weather doesn't look too bad, fingers crossed.

If it's cloudy with showers Longdown Dairy farm or The New Forest Wildlife Park just outside Totton (they're basically next to each other) are good options as there are outside and inside bits and both great for little ones

Likewise Marwell zoo also is good as there are lots of inside places like the tropical house to shelter from the rain

If it's full on rain, then Winchester Science Centre is massive and fully inside and lots of hands-on exhibits for children to play with

I'd forgotten Longdown (mine's a bit older now!l)
There's also Farmer Palmer's in the other direction if you were having a day around Poole/Bournemouth.

There's the Owl centre near Ringwood https://libertysfalconry.com/ and the snake pit near Lyndhurst https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/reptile-centre-p789961 Though I suppose if it's wet the reptiles will be hiding away!

I'd put in a vote for Moors Valley too. I've visited with very small children - they loved it (got pretty mucky though). There's a miniature railway there as well.

Every morning I check the forecast and every morning it's gotten worse

Oceanarium in Bournemouth?

Soft play/arcades and pool at Sandy Balls will defo do a day or two!

I would do Paultons park with that age. Big soft play and most of the Peppa pig world queues are under cover. And it will be quieter!

We are going to the new forest on sat 27th for a week. I wouldn't worry too much the weather is changing so quickly at the moment. I'm sure it will be fine. Have a fabulous time.

Don't forget to check for ticks if you have been walking in the forest.

https://newforest.gov.uk/media/632/Tick-Bites-and-Lyme-Disease-Leaflet/pdf/tick-bites-lyme-disease-leaflet.pdf?m=637268903494930000

Romsey rapids for swimming and there is a nice soft play in Romsey call frankies fun factory

I have wonderful memories of a holiday in the new forest when DC where only slightly older than yours. We stayed in the NF youth hostel and it rained all week.
One day we hired bikes with child seats and cycled round the forest, sheltering in the trees with a picnic when the rain was heavy.
DC spent the week splashing in puddles in their wellies and cagoules (and sometimes wetsuits), and the highlight of their holiday was finding a frog in the long grass of the YH garden.
I wish teenagers were so easily entertained!