Things to do on a rainy day in Llanelli this summer
Don't let unpredictable summer weather dampen your family's spirits this school holiday.
WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre is your perfect destination for rainy day activities in Llanelli, offering endless fun for all ages with a host of exciting activities, come rain or shine.
From indoor soft play for toddlers to exhilarating muddy adventures. Discover how to make the most of a wet day at our wetland centre, no matter what the forecast brings.
With summer just around the corner, it's time to plan how to keep the family entertained for the school holidays.
May half term (Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June)
Summer holidays (Saturday 19 July to Monday 1 September)
There's something here for everyone to enjoy, so don't let the rain keep you cooped up indoors for the summer.
When the clouds inevitably roll in, take inspiration from our guide to make the most of a rainy day at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre. We've got you covered, whatever the weather decides to do!
Escape the summer crowds you'll find at indoor play barns and packed shopping centres, and discover a unique tranquillity on rainy days at WWT Llanelli.
The fresh, cooler air and peaceful wetlands offer a refreshing escape, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature's calm.
With so much space and plenty of cover across the wetlands, you can enjoy a different pace and take more time to observe nature without having to rush.
Pause to enjoy the sound of rain gently drumming on the wooden roof of a hide or splashing on ferns, or the drip of a raindrop in a pond or puddle.
Jump in the puddle! Go on! Nobody's watching.
The ducks love the rain. Listen to them dabble and preen, splashing without a care in the world, making all kinds of incredible quacks and squeaks to each other. We all need to be a bit more duck.
Did you know?
There is a name for that wonderful, earthy smell you get after a good rain shower on dry ground. Petrichor - taken from Greek words meaning rock or stone, and the ethereal fluid that they believed was the blood of the gods.
Wiggly Wood and Explore: Wild Play in Any Weather!
Engaging for all ages. If you're outdoors when the sky lets loose, there are plenty of places to shelter and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of summer rain falling.
There's good cover from the trees in the woods and Explore play area - so you can happily enjoy some wild play in Explore or try den building without getting too soaked.
The sound of raindrops hitting the canopy of leaves above is an amazingly comforting sensory experience.
There are also wooden play huts to shelter in around Explore... Just don't wake up the Wetland Wizard!
Water Lab: Learn About The Water Cycle and Make A Splash!
Play in the Water Lab and learn about the water cycle. Turn the waterwheel to scoop up all of this lovely rain and watch it spill and splash through the multicoloured windows.
Listen to steel cups slowly fill with rain - drip, drip, drip - and the waterfall as they overfill and the water cascades into each cup below on its way to the ground.
Hide and Seek: Spot Hidden Wildlife
There are step-free accessible hides across the wetlands, each offering something different for every visitor.
On rainy days, the wildlife you can see from the comfort of a hide will be totally different to a sunny day, and the birds act differently when it rains. It really is lovely weather for ducks!
If you head to the Heron's Wing Hide, the big windows offer you a great view of the sky and the lake below.
You can watch the Swallows and Sand Martins swoop above as they dodge raindrops to catch bugs.
Look down at the water and vegetation to spot Tufted Ducks diving, Mute Swans with young, Moorhens picking at pondweed, and even Kingfishers hunting with their spear-like beaks.
We offer binocular hire to help bring nature closer to you. Visit the well-stocked gift shop to hire a pair of good-quality binoculars for just £5 for the day.
To see across the estuary and saltmarsh, pop up to the Viewing Tower to use the telescope. Here you'll see Egrets, Redshank, Spoonbill, and many other charismatic wetland species.
Indoor Play: A Soft Space for Little Ones
Perfect for toddlers when the heavens open. We've got our soft play area for little ones, books, a colouring table, Lego, and even a swan train to play with.
Take in glorious views of the pond, watching Dragonflies skim the water and birds happily feeding on our feeders while you enjoy a coffee from the cafe.
Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Tits and Great Spotted Woodpecker are regular visitors to the feeders- and the chubby Grey Squirrels plopping in the pond will give you a laugh.
See or hear something you don't recognise? Use our iPad to identify any mystery birds discovered on your visit. With photos, videos and sounds, it's a great way to learn more about the wild species here at the wetlands, and, of course, you can always ask one of our volunteers on the Info Desk for advice.
The soft play area is open until 4pm daily.
Embrace the weather!
The Germans say, "Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, es gibt nur falsche Kleidung" or "There's no such thing as bad weather, there's only wrong clothing."
Put on your wellies, pick up your umbrella, and embrace the rain! Splash around puddle jumping, or head to Explore and get muddy.
Squelch through the muddy obstacle courses, bounce across the wobbly bridge to the wet woods, and balance along a reedy ramble, discovering the wildlife and secret nooks.
On the nature reserve, feel the wet willow leaves brush against your cheeks and hands as you make your way around Swan's Nest Maze, getting lost in the green corridors as you try to find the GIANT swan's eggs in the middle.
Water Vole City is another great play area on the reserve, and you can slide through the tunnels on wet days and get lost in the banks and paths.
Real voles have been spotted here regularly, so keep your eyes open for these special furry creatures.
Are you ready to get outside and experience WWT Llanelli this summer?
