Rainy-day spots for kids in New Castle County
When the forecast falls apart, you want somewhere indoors that actually holds your kids' attention. These are the New Castle County spots we head to when it's raining — each one indoor, each one tested with little ones. Ages and admission are pulled straight from our place guides, so what you see here stays current.
1. Delaware Children's Museum
Wilmington
Purpose-built for the under-7 crowd — climbing structures, the Training Wheels area for the youngest visitors, and enough to fill a soggy morning. Worth a membership if it becomes your rainy-day default.
2. Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Wilmington
Dinosaurs, a hands-on Discovery Gallery, and the Nature Nook for the littlest ones — it stretches across a wider age range than most indoor options.
3. Delaware Art Museum
Wilmington
Smaller and calmer than the big-city museums, with family-friendly galleries and weekend programs. A low-key pick if your kids do better without crowds.
4. Fred Rust Ice Arena (UD)
Newark
UD's twin-rink complex runs weekend public skates — a dependable way to burn off energy indoors once kids are steady on their feet.
Questions parents ask
What's the best rainy-day spot for toddlers in New Castle County?
The Delaware Children's Museum is built for the under-7 crowd, with a dedicated toddler zone — the most reliable indoor option for the youngest kids.
Are any of these free?
These picks are indoor museums and an ice rink, so they charge admission (see each place for current pricing). For a free indoor backup, your local library branch is the dependable fallback.
Get the good ones before they fill up
One countywide shortlist every Friday morning, with ages, cost and logistics on each pick. Free.
More guides
Checked against each place’s current info.
Admission and hours come straight from each place’s guide. Last reviewed October 13, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.