A Harborough Digest guide

Indoor things to do with kids in Market Harborough and nearby villages

For a rainy day in Market Harborough, start with Harborough Museum for a free outing, Mini Mischiefs for soft play, The Paint Pottle for pottery painting, or a family swim at the leisure centre. In nearby Kibworth Harcourt, Windmill Farm Park has an indoor play barn, although the farm itself is a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

By Harborough Digest · Venue information last checked 2 October 2026.

These are places to visit rather than a timetable of weekly classes. If you want something to join regularly, Harborough Regulars has local clubs and groups, searchable by activity and day.

Harborough Museum: a free indoor outing

IndoorsFree admissionTown centre

The museum is a useful starting point when you want an outing without an admission bill. It shares the first floor of the Symington Building with the library, so you can combine the two without another journey. The visitor information lists family activities across the museum and library, including dressing-up, an interactive floor and sensory book bags.

Where: The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT.
Cost and planning: Admission is free. Check the museum’s opening days before setting off, and check individual activities separately.
Useful to know: The museum publishes a floorplan and a leaflet of ten things to see. Its visitor page links to a detailed AccessAble guide; nearby pay-and-display parking includes Symington Way and Fox Yard.

Harborough Museum: visitor information and access guide ↗

Market Harborough Library: books and a slower-paced visit

IndoorsSame building as the museum

You do not have to fill a wet afternoon with a big paid attraction. A library visit gives children a chance to choose something to read, and it pairs naturally with the museum upstairs in the Symington Building. Let each child pick a book or a subject to look for, rather than trying to make it a long visit.

Where: The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT.
Planning: Use the council’s library page for current opening hours and membership information. Check separately for organised activities rather than assuming one will be running when you arrive.
Useful to know: The council lists baby-changing facilities, automatic doors and an induction loop.

Market Harborough Library: opening hours and facilities ↗

Mini Mischiefs: indoor play for younger children

IndoorsAges 0–10Paid entry

Mini Mischiefs is the option here for children who want to climb and play. The venue says it is designed for ages 0–10, with separate baby and toddler areas as well as a larger play frame. That stated age range is worth checking against your group before you book, particularly if older siblings are coming too.

Where: Unit 6, Three Manors Retail Park, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7BA.
Cost: At the time of checking, admission was listed as £6.95 per child and £1 per adult, with pre-walkers free. Check the current prices for your visit.
Booking: The venue strongly recommends online booking for weekends and school holidays. Term-time weekdays are described as walk-in friendly.
Parking: Free parking has a strict three-hour limit. Plan another parking option if you expect to stay longer.

Mini Mischiefs: prices, booking information and parking ↗

The Paint Pottle: pottery painting together

IndoorsCreative outingBook ahead

If you would rather sit and make something, The Paint Pottle offers paint-your-own pottery in town. Its own description welcomes everyone from toddlers to grandparents, making this an option to consider for a family with different ages. Choose something you actually want to paint, rather than treating it as a race to finish.

Where: 65 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough.
Cost: The studio’s FAQ gives a usual price of £15–£20 per painter, depending on the pottery chosen, including studio time, paints, glazing and firing. Confirm the price of your chosen piece.
Booking: The studio advises booking, particularly on Saturdays and during school holidays. Contact it through its website to arrange a table.
Planning: Ask when your finished pottery will be ready to collect; do not plan around taking a fired piece home the same day.

The Paint Pottle: studio details and contact ↗ · Pricing and booking FAQ (PDF) ↗

Harborough Leisure Centre: find a family swim

IndoorsSwimmingCheck session times

A swim is another way to spend time indoors without booking a course. The leisure centre lists three pools, including a teaching pool and a beach-area pool for family use. Look for an appropriate family or leisure session: the building being open does not mean every pool is available for casual swimming.

Where: Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HF.
Cost and booking: Everyone Active links to swimming timetables, prices and booking from the centre page. Choose your session there and check its child-supervision rules before booking.
Access: The centre lists accessible changing facilities and a pool hoist. Contact the centre to confirm arrangements that meet your family’s needs.

Pack for swimming rather than a general play session. If you are taking several children, confirm how many adults your chosen session requires; do not assume one adult can supervise any number of children.

Harborough Leisure Centre: swimming times, prices and booking ↗

Windmill Farm Park, Kibworth Harcourt: a play barn with a farm around it

Mixed indoor / outdoorBest suited to ages 1–10Check seasonal opening

This is a nearby-village option with indoor play, rather than an entirely indoor day out. Windmill Farm Park has a play barn alongside its animals and outdoor areas. The farm’s FAQ says it is best suited to children aged 1–10. Bring suitable outdoor clothing if you want to explore beyond the barn.

Where: Langton Road, Kibworth Harcourt, LE8 0PR.
Cost and booking: Use the official website’s ticket link for the date you want. The farm recommends advance online booking, especially for busy periods and special events.
Planning: Opening is seasonal, and the site’s pages show differing opening schedules. Check the actual date in the booking calendar before travelling.
Parking and access: Parking is free. The farm warns that some areas can be uneven or affected by weather; ask about your access needs in advance.

Windmill Farm Park: current dates and tickets ↗ · Visitor questions ↗ · Directions and parking ↗

Before you go

For a low-cost starting point, choose the museum, where admission is confirmed as free. For active younger children, compare the soft-play option with the farm’s stated ages and opening dates. For a shared creative activity, look at pottery painting. Swimming needs a little more planning around the session and supervision rules.

Check the date, not just the venue. School holidays, seasonal opening and special events can change what is available.
Work out the whole cost. Include accompanying adults, parking and any extras before deciding.
Ask about access directly. A listed facility is useful information, but it may not answer a particular question about a pushchair, mobility aid or sensory needs.
Keep a backup. If a paid session is full, check the museum and library opening hours before making an unnecessary trip.

Prices and arrangements can change after our checks. The official links above are the place to confirm details. If you spot something that needs updating, tell the Harborough Digest editor.

Looking for something every week?

This guide covers one-off outings. For playgroups, classes and clubs, browse Harborough Regulars. Organising a local event? Send it to the newsletter for free.