· Peta Zeta Park · 4 min read
It’s raining in Badajoz, the children have been going round in circles at home for two hours and you’ve already watched the same cartoon film four times. The “I’ll just improvise something” plan isn’t cutting it any more. Here’s an honest list of indoor ideas that work, sorted by type and recommended age.
To burn off physical energy (ages 3–12)
1. Indoor play centre
The go-to option, and for good reason: an hour in a ball pit is worth a thousand cartoons in terms of energy burnt. There are several options in Badajoz; the important thing is to choose one with a variety of zones (not just balls: a climbing wall, trampoline, football pitch, baby park, etc.) so that children of different ages can play at the same time.
A word of warning: not all of them open to the public with tickets. Peta Zeta Park, for example, doesn’t open to the public: it’s hired out whole by the day, so it’s a better fit for a birthday party or a get-together with family or friends (see plan 10). If one of yours has sensory sensitivity, it has an inclusive sensory swing where they can release tension without being overstimulated.
2. Indoor swimming pool
The pool at the Pabellón de la Granadilla and other municipal pools are open to the public during the winter. Take armbands for the little ones and set aside 1.5 hours (what with getting changed before and after, the day soon goes).
3. Bowling
Works really well from age 5–6. Ask for the side bumpers for the little ones and you’ll have two relaxed hours.
For quiet days (all ages)
4. Public library
The Biblioteca Pública del Estado in Badajoz (the city’s main public library) has a children’s area with occasional storytelling sessions. It’s free and few families use it.
5. Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes
The provincial fine arts museum, for children over 6 with an interest in art. Small and manageable: an hour is just right.
6. El Faro / Conquistadores shopping centre
The classic plan B. Make the most of it if you need to buy something specific; there are children’s areas and a roof is guaranteed.
For a rest at home, with a plan
7. Themed craft afternoon
Ask the little ones to choose a theme (space, dinosaurs, princesses) and make something together (a collage, masks, puppets). Any theme works as long as they’re the ones leading it.
8. Treasure hunt at home
20 written clues around the house. The first three take 5 minutes to make up and after that it runs itself.
9. Baking afternoon
Biscuits, fairy cakes or homemade pizza. Everyone cooks, everyone eats. Works from age 3.
Special plan: a birthday party or a big get-together
10. Book an indoor play centre
If the rain coincides with a birthday party or a get-together of 10+ children, home-made indoor plans fall short. Booking an indoor play centre simplifies everything: one covered venue, plenty of room for them to run around and nothing to tidy up at home.
At Peta Zeta Park you can book your birthday party on WhatsApp: the whole park is hired out to your group for the day, from €110 per day. You bring the food, the cake and the decorations (there’s a kitchen and an area for decorating), and the adults in your group look after the children.
Practical tips
- Always go out with your bag packed: a full change of clothes, umbrella/raincoat, a snack and a bottle of water.
- Accept the mess: on rainy days every plan ends with a wet floor. That’s not the battle you need to win today.
- Phone in a fixed spot: all the ideas above work better without endless scrolling in the background.
Want to hire the park for a birthday party or a get-together? Message us on WhatsApp →