Sometimes I get a little desperate to come up with things to do when it’s raining. My kids get so stir crazy! I usually start off in a happy place because I love an excuse to sit inside and read a book, plus I love the fresh smell of rain. But then, I hear the words, “I’m bored,” over and over from my kids and I soon realize that my cozy day is about to get ugly. I believe creativity is born from having unscheduled time; so, although boredom can be a good thing, it can seem daunting when the kids are fighting with each other and we all start losing out patience indoors.
Looking for things to do when it’s raining with your kids? Look no further. The easy activities I’ve come up with don’t require a big shopping spree at the store. In fact, most materials can be found in the art cart or the kitchen.
Rainy Day Activities
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Make Homemade Play Dough
Play dough is a household necessity when you have kids. The mess from store-bought play dough can really be frustrating at times, but homemade play dough is a fun activity to do with the kids and it’s really soft and lasts longer without all the crumbles. This is the perfect rainy day activity.
Photo and tutorial by I Heart Naptime
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Make Pom Pom Race Courses
Get those lungs ready to let out some air for some competitive pom pom races! This activity is awesome for kids of all ages. Create a speed course, or make an educational course with shapes. However you do it, it’s bound to be a laughing good time.
Photo and tutorial by Lemon Lime Adventures
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Watch a Movie with Homemade Popcorn
There’s nothing I love more than snuggling with my kids on a rainy day and watching a movie (choose from this list of all-time best movies for kids). For a full movie theatre experience, make a healthy version of theater popcorn with the kids, and then sit back to be entertained for a couple of hours.
Photo and tutorial by A Fabulous Fete
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Be a Mad Scientist
Your kids' reactions will be priceless when they observe science experiments first-hand. You can find age-appropriate ideas all over the internet, but this elephant toothpaste looks like fun for all under the age of 9.
Photo and tutorial by Fun At Home with Kids
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Create Art On A Giant Canvas
Let your kid's inner Picasso shine with a giant canvas on the wall. This is an activity that kids can do alone, or with friends, plus it’s art you can keep forever. How fun for kids to finally feel like they can freely draw on the wall (sort of).
Photo and tutorial by Artful Parent
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Build A Fort
This fort requires minimal supplies and a few hours of unscheduled time. There’s something so magical about a fort for children to read, nap, or play creatively in, so open the linen closet for this rainy day must-do.
Photo and tutorial by ArtBar Blog
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Play Indoor Tennis
I played tennis growing up, but I have never played balloon tennis, so I’m definitely adding this to our rainy day list. It’s a great way to get the kids moving indoors (and yes, tire them out!), while improving their hand-eye coordination. Game, set, match.
Photo and tutorial by We Have Aars
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Make DIY Sock Puppets
Open the sock drawer (or if you're like me, look behind the dryer for long lost socks) for this fun rainy day activity. Create DIY sock puppets and then have kids put on the ultimate puppet show for the entire family.
Photo and tutorial by Taking Care of Monkey Business
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Bake Homemade Cookies
My kids love to curl up on the couch and read on rainy days. And they really love it when we make food inspired by a book we read. For example, when we re-read If You Give A Mouse a Cookie, we bake a batch of classic chocolate chip cookies together. Don’t forget the glass of milk!
Photo and recipe by Damn Delicious.
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Craft Microphones And Sing
This crowd pleaser is part craft, part activity. First, create a DIY microphone. Next, have your kids put on a concert. You will have front row seats to the cutest musical show in town!
Photo and tutorial by A Girl and A Glue Gun
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Create A Laser Maze
No special effects necessary for this rainy day activity. Help your child complete his/her spy training for the day with a DIY obstacle course through the hallway. Those little bodies will have to twist and turn to get through the web. They will feel like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible in no time.
Photo and tutorial by Brassy Apple
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Play Indoor Hopscotch
Bring the classic outdoor chalk game indoors with painter’s tape for an afternoon of fun and lots of hopping. You can make it difficult for older kids by adding math problems, while younger ones can focus on sharpening their number recognition skills. This is easy, quick and not messy at all!
Photo and tutorial by And We Play via Momtastic
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Make Rainbow Shaving Cream Marbled Art
This marbled shaving cream art project captures all the colors of a rainbow! It's super easy to set up and the kids will have a blast making their pictures. Once you're done, let the kids swirl their hands through the shaving cream for an awesome sensory activity.
Photo and tutorial by Hello, Wonderful
