It does not often rain in Athens. The city has a dry climate with hot summers and soft sunny winters. This means that it only rains in fall and in spring. We love finding mud puddles when it rains. They are great fun and there are many parks in Athens to find them. Prefer to stay dry? Find some indoor fun where the mini citizens of the Greek capital can let go of their energy. Here are some of my favorite things to do with kids in Athens on a rainy day!
1. Visit a shopping mall
I am not a huge fan of malls, but ever since I had kids, I am more than grateful for them. Although we prefer the outdoors, sometimes you need a different place to go, especially when the weather isn’t ideal. Athens has several shopping malls, spread all over the city. They are all fairly new and clean with good family facilities.
My favorite is Golden Hall in the Marousi suburb. Here you’ll find an indoor soft-play area for kids starting from 3 years old, a gaming room, and the Xplore Science Park. There is also an Aquarium and the Olympic Museum. This mall regularly organizes kids’ free events organized by the affiliated stores. There are family-friendly restaurants on the top floor, a baby room, children’s toilets, and rental strollers. Don’t forget to check out the fish tank on the ground floor!
Athens has a couple of malls to choose from, although none are really centrally located. The Mall in Neratziotissa has a good selection of shops and also a nice cinema where you can see the latest films. All films are shown in English, with Greek subtitles. Attica Department Store is located very close to Syntagma Square and is among the most popular shopping centers in Athens. Inside a large historical building, Attica has made a definite distinction among the other stores in Athens.Panepistimiou Ave.
Athens Heart is located on the way from Omonoia to Piraeus. Athens Heart is a multi shopping centre with the most important and known brands in clothing, accessories, kids clothing, and furnishings. Athens Metro Mall is a shopping mall located in front of the metro station of Agios Dimitrios, in the southern suburbs of Athens. Similar to other shopping centers of this range that were built around Athens, the Metro Mall is home of more than 80 brands spread over five levels. It provides great accessibility to all visitors.
2. Indoor playtime at Playmobil Fun Park
If your children like Playmobil as much as mine, then this will be the place to be. Playmobil fun park is located on the National Road about 16 minutes from the city center. The park features different Playmobil themes such as pirates, a zoo, princess castles, police stations, and more. It is a place for endless hours of play. The setting is spacious and even on busy days, kids will always be able to play. Large boxes full of Playmobil are constantly moved around by the staff.
Suitable for tots
There is a baby area for little ones. No danger of small pieces here. This makes Playmobil fun park suitable for children starting from 18 months old. I enjoy the (non-smoking) café next to the play area. Midday it is usually not very busy there, but it gets crowded over the weekend. The entrance on weekends is 9 euro per child, parents do not pay. Click here for information about opening hours and tickets.
3. Visit a museum
There are several kid-friendly museums in Athens. I have listed them all in Top things to do in Athens with Children. The most famous is The Acropolis Museum.
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum regularly organizes events for families and there are guided tours designed for children. Families can borrow a Family Backpack from the museum’s information desk (you need to leave identification, first-in-first-served) With the educational package in these bags your kids can learn about the exhibits. The museum also hosts children’s gallery talks, there are video presentations and there is a series of children’s books and games that can also be found in the book corner and museum shop.
My daughters especially like the Lego Acropolis model on the first floor. The outdoor excavations covered by class are another of my kids’ favorite displays. It brings them as close to archaeology as possible. Best for children from 4 years old. 
Goulandris Natural History Museum
Goulandris Natural History Museum in the suburb Kifissia (get there by train or bus) is a unique privately owned natural history museum with a nice collection. What I like about Goulandris museum is its size. There is a lot to see but all in a very child-friendly setting. The preserved giraffe at the entrance of the museum prepares you for what is coming. The collection shows zoological, marine, rock and fossil specimens.
GAIA Center
The next door GAIA Center is suitable for older children and educates about Planet Earth, Atmosphere and the Solar System as well as Agriculture, Technology, and Science through interactive displays. The museum is stroller-friendly and the facilities include a nice café and a souvenir shop. There is free parking at the museum (but difficult to find a spot) and there are several paid parking stations in Kifissia. More info about the museum, prices and how to get there on their English webpage.
For more inspiration and things to do with kids in Athens? Do check out my list of Top things to do in Athens Greece with Children.
4 Kids in Athens on a rainy day: indoor fun
Benaki Toy Museum
Housed in a fairy-tale mansion in Paleo Faliro, the recently opened Benaki Toy Museum is a celebration of childhood. Its private collection of more than 3000 toys with an emphasis on Greek ones dating from antiquity, the Roman, and Byzantine eras feature ancient dolls, toys, books, ephemera, clothing, and other items related to children. Don’t miss it because this collection is one of the most important in Europe.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center combines a cultural center with a unique city park and multifunctional event building housing the National Library and the Greek National Opera. Sign up for a membership and participate in an endless program of all year-long activities; arts & crafts, kids yoga, dance & theater workshops, and more. This place is a must-visit with kids in Athens.
The Evgenidio Foundation Planetarium
Twinkle twinkle little star….the Athens Planetarium is a great experience for kids in Athens starting from 4+ years old. This planetarium has excellent facilities with its main attraction the domed auditorium where a variety of constantly changing films are shown related to space and earth. The planetarium with courtyard café is located in Paleo Faliro.
5 Try an Indoor Playground
For a country with so many days of sunshine and such wonderful outdoors, it is remarkable how many indoor playgrounds Athens has to offer.
Sports Park
One of our favorites is located near the Athens airport. Sports Park offers activities for young children, teenagers, and adults. There are bowling lanes, table football games, billiard, electronic games, roller skating, trampolines, restaurants, and bars. The best part is the enormous jungle gym. It is separated into age-appropriate sections. The park is easy to access and has a large car park. The facilities are good and there is lots of daylight coming into the building.
6 Book a family lunch in the weekend
Raining on the weekend? Some Athenian hotels offer weekend family lunch events. A brunch or lunch is a great way for parents to relax and spent some quality time with their children and each other. Kids will eat but leave the table as soon as the food is finished. They are taken care of by professional nannies.
While engaged in arts and crafts, theatre or other fun things to do, parents enjoy a relaxed meal. We love the St. George Lycabettus Boutique hotel and their Sunday Family Brunch. It is a successful event running each year in fall and winter with arts and crafts for the little ones and a kids’ movie and popcorn in the hotel’s screening room. The view from this hotel is one of the best in Athens.
Hotel Grecotel Pallas Athena also organizes family events as well as the famous Athens Hilton hotel. They are both located in the centre of Athens.
If you are a fan of mud puddles, have a look at my post about the Best parks in Athens for Autumn. What do you do with kids in Athens on a rainy day? I would love to hear from you!
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