The temperatures may be rising but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. There’s plenty to do on the island without breaking into a sweat, whether you’re in the mood for karting, skydiving, surfing or even golfing – you can do them all indoors!

We’ve rounded up some of the coolest indoor summer activities for all ages that will take you from games and arts to shopping and family days out.

SPORTY FUN

BWAVE

Located in Riffa, Bwave is the country’s first indoor surfing destination, using artificial waves to recreate the sensation of riding real surf in a controlled environment. It’s designed for everyone from curious beginners to more confident thrill seekers, with a professional team on hand to guide first-timers through the basics before they hit the water. Sessions are open to anyone aged seven and above, making it a fun option for families, groups of friends or even birthday celebrations with a difference. When the summer heat makes everything else outside unbearable, it’s a great way to stay active, cool off and try something slightly outside the usual indoor entertainment circuit. The opening hours are Saturday to Thursday from 12pm to 11pm and Friday from 2pm to 1am.
GO: FOLLOW @BWAVE.BH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

GRAVITY INDOOR SKYDIVING BAHRAIN

Not many indoor activities can replicate the feeling of jumping out of a plane, which is exactly what makes Gravity Indoor Skydiving, Bahrain’s one and only indoor skydiving tunnel, such a standout. Located at Gravity Village in Zallaq, the experience uses a vertical wind tunnel to create the sensation of freefall in a fully controlled environment, making it suitable even for complete beginners. After a quick briefing and gearing up with flight suits, helmets and goggles, participants step into the tunnel with certified instructors guiding them throughout the session. It’s surprisingly accessible and far less intimidating than most people expect once the flying actually begins. Beyond the skydiving itself, Gravity Village also features football pitches, rock climbing walls, padel courts and cafés, turning it into an easy all-day indoor escape during the hotter months. Gravity also specialises in birthday celebrations, corporate events, team-building experiences and private group bookings.
GO: FOLLOW @GRAVITYBAH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

TRAX

TRAX at Bahrain Mall delivers one of the more adrenaline-fuelled indoor activities in Bahrain. The venue is home to the country’s first multi-level electric karting track, stretching across three floors with 500 metres of track designed for proper wheel-to-wheel racing. There’s also a viewing gallery overlooking the circuit, live timing boards and a winners’ podium for a proper racing experience. But karting is only part of the attraction here. TRAX also includes a roller rink, illusion-style mirror maze, climbing walls and obstacle challenges, meaning there’s enough to fill out an entire afternoon during the summer months.
GO: CALL 3838 8555 OR EMAIL TRAXOFFICE@CINECO.NET FOR MORE INFORMATION.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

GROUND CONTROL

Ground Control at Marassi Galleria is a good option for a fun and energetic day out with the family. The large indoor entertainment venue offers an array of exciting games and activities in a lively environment that’s suitable for all ages. The gaming zone mixes arcade classics and modern favourites where you can compete head-to-head or team up with friends. Bowling is one of the main draws, with state-of-the-art lanes, and there’s also a dartboard area for those who want to put their aim and precision to the test. Game cards start from BD1 and can be topped up as you go, keeping things flexible. And when the energy starts to flag, there’s a food and mocktail menu to keep everyone refuelled. With something to entertain all ages, it’s ideal for socialising, birthday parties and corporate outings too.
GO: FOLLOW @GROUNDCONTROLBAHRAIN ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MAD PARK

Opened in 2025 at Al Aali Mall, Mad Park has quickly made a name for itself as Bahrain’s first augmented reality playground, mixing traditional indoor play with interactive digital gaming experiences. Designed to accommodate up to 300 kids per hour, the colourful space is built around movement, with trampolines, obstacle courses, slides, climbing walls and ball pits, as well as attractions like Valo Jump, Magic Lab and Mad Motion. Mad Café runs alongside the play areas serving ice cream, coffee, juices, burgers, cookies and more, so there’s plenty on offer for a full family outing. Mad Park also caters to birthday celebrations and school trips and regularly hosts character shows and events.
GO: FOLLOW @THEMADPARK ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MARASSI AQUARIUM & UNDERWATER ZOO

Spread across 30,000sq/ft on the second floor of Marassi Galleria mall, Marassi Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is Bahrain’s largest aquarium and one of the more absorbing ways to spend a few hours indoors. With more than 200 species and 45 exhibits across 34 tanks, the space is divided into themed habitats – a panoramic ocean tunnel with sharks and rays; a colourful coral reef zone; a freshwater rainforest lagoon housing piranhas, Arapaima and lush plants; and the Bloom Room, a serene and glowing jellyfish experience. Features like touch pools, rope bridges and a science lab add a more interactive side to the experience, and marine caretakers run daily feeding sessions and guided group tours. There’s also an active conservation and education programme, with school visits and summer camps on offer. And when you need a break, the Treetop Café is a pleasant place to pause for a while.
GO: FOLLOW @MARASSIAQUARIUMBAHRAIN ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ADVENTURE HUB

Located at Galleria Mall in Zinj, Adventure Hub has one clear purpose: to provide children and families active indoor fun in the most enjoyable way possible. The nature-themed indoor entertainment centre offers plenty of options – rock climbing walls, low and high obstacle rope courses, a trampoline area and a dedicated soft play area for toddlers. The standout is the artificial indoor caving structure, one of the largest of its kind in the country, a 54-metre maze of tunnels and pathways built to resemble a real cave expedition. With a strong emphasis on safety, the entire space is supervised by trained coaches and staff members, making it popular with parents. It works well for mixed-age family groups, with enough variety that younger children and older ones aren’t competing for the same space. A great family-friendly destination, it’s ideal for weekend outings, as well as hosting birthday parties and school trips.
GO: FOLLOW @ADVENTUREHUBME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ADVENTURE PARK BAHRAIN

Since opening at Marassi Galleria mall in 2024, Adventure Park Bahrain has quickly become a popular indoor spot for children with plenty of energy to burn. Spread across eight activity zones, the space caters to a wide age range (one to 16 years), from toddlers exploring soft play areas to older kids tackling climbing walls, trampoline zones and obstacle courses. There’s a good mix of free play and more structured physical challenges, with Ninja Park testing agility, Maze Mayhem winding through colour-coded tunnels of varying difficulty and Cyber Climb bringing a futuristic augmented reality twist to climbing. Ideal for family days out, school visits and birthday celebrations, the park combines active play with enough variety to hold children’s attention for hours.
GO: FOLLOW @ADVENTUREPARKBAHRAIN ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

FUNSCAPE WORLD

Mall of Dilmunia has quietly become one of the better places to burn off a summer afternoon with kids in tow, and Funscape World is one of the reasons why. The family entertainment centre is spread across themed zones, each with enough activities to keep kids, teens and even competitive adults occupied for hours. Funscape PLAY is where you’ll find the classic amusement rides and attractions, including a four-storey soft play area, toddler zone, arcade games, thrill and kiddie rides, carnival games and more. Funscape SPORT offers indoor football, with a five-a-side pitch, a selection of 15 different VR gaming experiences and crowd favourite, Beat the Keeper. Then there’s Funscape ICE, home to Bahrain’s largest ice rink, where both beginners and seasoned skaters can cool off and master the art of skating on real ice. With a team of well-trained staff, it’s a great option for groups, school outings and families alike.
GO: FOLLOW @FUNSCAPEBH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

VR AND GAMES

ESCAPE CODE ENTERTAINMENT

If your idea of a good indoor activity involves a ticking clock, hidden clues and a bit of friendly panic, then Escape Code Entertainment delivers exactly that. Spread across three branches – Nakheel Centre in Saar, City Centre Bahrain and The Avenues – Bahrain – the concept turns problem-solving into an interactive group experience. Each branch has its own rooms and services, featuring themed escape rooms ranging from haunted houses and pirate adventures to submarines, school of magic and a steampunk train. Players are locked inside a room for 60 minutes and must work together to crack puzzles, uncover hidden clues, solve the mystery and escape before time runs out. There are also VR escape games, portable mini escape games (available at Nakheel Centre branch only) and a horror house experience (available at The Avenues – Bahrain only) for those after something more intense. Great for corporate team building or just a day out with friends – especially when the pressure kicks in and the countdown starts getting a little too real!
GO: FOLLOW @ESCAPE.CODE ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

EVA GCC

Located in Gardenia Plaza in Jidhafs and Marassi Galleria mall in Muharraq, EVA offers an adrenaline-fuelled virtual reality (VR) gaming experience. A groundbreaking esports arena, EVA combines advanced VR technology with massive, free-roaming play spaces and a lineup of fast-paced games that place you right in the middle of the action. Battle other players in head-to-head multiplayer combat or team up together to take on a zombie horde! The arena itself spans roughly 520sq/m, giving sessions a far more immersive feel than standard VR booths found in arcades. There are tournaments for competitive players, birthday packages for groups and team building sessions for companies, plus live streaming on Twitch. After the game, unwind with friends over food and drinks while swapping stories and replaying all the best moments. Sessions run for 40 minutes and prices start from BD10 with subscription plans available.
GO: FOLLOW @EVA_GCC ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MATRIX

If you’re the sort of person who gets bored doing just one activity, Matrix Bahrain at Juffair Mall (third floor) makes it super easy to lose track of time. The large 10,000sq/m indoor entertainment space packs everything from bowling lanes and VR gaming zones to roller-skating discos, arcade games and golf simulators, all under one roof. One of the biggest attractions is the NinjaPark, said to be the largest in Asia, featuring 80 different obstacles that turn climbing, balancing and jumping into a full workout disguised as fun. There’s also karting, football, billiards, PS5 gaming lounges and CaveEscape experiences for those who enjoy puzzles and challenges. With so much to do, it’s the kind of place where one game somehow turns into an entire afternoon. Matrix is open from 3pm to 12am.
GO: FOLLOW @MATRIX.BH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

INDOOR SHOPPING

PERMANENT FARMERS’ MARKET

For a slower-paced indoor outing away from the usual entertainment centres and shopping malls, the Permanent Farmers’ Market in Hoorat A’ali, Salmabad, offers something far more community focussed. Smaller than its outdoor sister in Budaiya, the market brings together local farmers, Bahraini productive families, restaurants and small businesses under one roof dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and national food production. Around 50 kiosks fill the market with fresh and seasonal local produce, alongside a range of products like spices, honey and jams. There’s also a children’s play area and regular community events give the market the feel of a social gathering rather than simply somewhere to do the weekly shop. It is open daily from 8am to 3pm, except Sundays.
GO: FOLLOW @FARMERSMARKETBH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MARKET STREET

Market Street has built something quite rare in Bahrain – a permanent space for local designers and independent makers that doesn’t feel like a transient pop-up. The marketplace, with branches in Umm Al Hassam and El Mercado mall in Janabiya, brings together dozens of Bahraini crafters, artisans and local businesses selling everything from jewellery and candles to clothing, home décor, chocolates and baby products. The Umm Al Hassam branch has developed a particularly strong community feel over the years, helped by its café, outdoor garden area and regular workshops and gatherings that encourage people to stay longer than a quick shopping trip usually demands. For anyone tired of the same high-street chain stores, the two branches together offer a chance to shop more unique products in support of local brands.
GO: FOLLOW @MARKETSTREETBAHRAIN ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

SOUQ AL BARAHA

When regular shopping malls start feeling a little too familiar, Souq Al Baraha offers something different. Located near Dragon City in Muharraq, the large indoor souq combines traditional architecture with the convenience of a modern shopping complex, complete with large archways, market lanes and dedicated sections for everything from fashion and perfumes to antiques, handicrafts, accessories, traditional Bahraini sweets and more. There are cafés and restaurants scattered throughout, along with a family entertainment centre and even fresh fruit and vegetable markets, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon here without rushing. It’s also a popular cultural hub and regularly hosts live music performances, craft workshops, seasonal festivals and community engagement events throughout the year. Open until midnight on weekends, it’s a decent evening option when you want somewhere with a bit of atmosphere.
GO: FOLLOW @SOUQ.ALBARAHA ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ARTS AND CULTURE

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

Bahrain National Museum still remains one of the more rewarding indoor escapes in the Kingdom. Opened in 1988, it traces more than 6,000 years of Bahrain’s history through archaeological discoveries, restored artefacts and full-scale recreations of traditional Bahraini life before the oil era. The Burial Mounds and Dilmun Hall are especially fascinating, offering a closer look at one of the ancient world’s major trading civilisations and the UNESCO-listed burial sites across Bahrain. The experience is quite immersive, as visitors move through recreated souqs, workshops and traditional homes filled with craftsmen, textiles and historical details. The museum also hosts regular local and international exhibitions, cultural and educational events, alongside children’s programmes that include the popular Little Archaeologist exhibit where kids try their hand at excavation. There’s also a delightful café with views over the adjacent lake, a gift shop and a courtyard with rotating exhibitions of local art.
GO: FOLLOW @BAHRAINNATIONALMUSEUM ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

EPILOGUE ART STUDIOS

For those craving a quieter kind of indoor activity this summer, Epilogue offers a welcome change of pace. Located on the first floor of Villagio Mall in Janabiya, the creative space is designed to help people slow down, connect and rediscover the joy of making things with their own hands. They offer a wide selection of freestyle painting options, including canvases, tote bags and mirror painting, alongside beginner-friendly crafts, such as flower making, cross-stitching and stamp carving. No experience is needed – just curiosity and a willingness to explore. The space is open to all ages, so adults looking for mindful moments away from their busy routines will find it just as enjoyable as children discovering their artistic spark. And after a few hours spent painting or crafting, you leave feeling mentally less cluttered than when you arrived.
GO: FOLLOW @EPILOGUEARTSTUDIOS ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

STUDIO CERAMICS

For something slower paced that explores your artistic side, Studio Ceramics offers a creative indoor escape that has quietly built a loyal following in Bahrain over the years. Established in 2007, the family-run studio was the first contemporary pottery and ceramics space in the Kingdom and remains one of the most relaxing ways to spend a few hours indoors. Guests can try hand-building pottery using techniques like pinching, coiling and slab work, or opt for glaze painting sessions where pre-made bisque-fired ceramic pieces are decorated with food safe paints. Beyond ceramics, there are also tote bag, canvas and wooden box painting workshops for those wanting to experiment with decorative mixed media. Regular events like Ladies’ Night Wednesdays and The Saturday Social give it a communal feel, and June brings a special programme of indoor summer workshops for families, children and adults, along with an exclusive ‘3-for-2’ deal and 20% discount on membership packages.
GO: FOLLOW @STUDIOCERAMICSBH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.