The Dodgeball Centre

If you've got kids who'd rather dodge flying balls than sit through another museum, The Dodgeball Centre near Hartlepool is exactly what you need. It's an indoor sports venue dedicated entirely to dodgeball - which sounds niche until you realise how genuinely fun it actually is. The centre runs sessions where teams hurl soft balls at each other across a court while trying not to get hit. Sounds simple. It's anything but.

This place works brilliantly for families with primary school-age children and teenagers who have energy to burn. Adults get a kick out of it too, though you'll feel your legs the next morning if you're not used to dodging. The competitive element keeps things engaging beyond the first half hour, unlike some inflatable parks where novelty wears thin fast.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park just up the coast, this makes a solid rainy-day activity or an afternoon when the beach winds are particularly grim. Hartlepool itself is only a couple of miles away, so you're not stranded if you need to grab something to eat. Check their website for session times and whether you need to book ahead - these places fill up during school holidays. Expect to spend an hour or so if you're casual players, longer if your lot gets competitive. It won't replace a proper day out, but it's the sort of thing that breaks up a holiday nicely when the weather turns.