Rainy days can feel daunting. Knowing your kids will be cooped up inside all day can send any parent into a tailspin. While it’s easy to turn on screens and call it a day, rainy weather can also be an opportunity for creativity, connection, and play.
Below are 12 indoor activities for kids on rainy days, from classic games and crafts to simple ways to stay active and even enjoy the rain itself. These ideas are easy to set up, mostly screen-free, and meant to help everyone make the most of a gloomy day.
Indoor Games and Activities for Rainy Days
Rainy days are a great excuse to slow down and enjoy simple indoor games together. Here are a few favorites kids of all ages tend to love.
1. Board Games
For younger kids, pull out classics like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, and charades. A newer preschool game that is quite the hit is Zingo — a great game for matching skills. For older kids, take out games that may be trickier or take a little longer. Games like Monopoly (targeting skills in numbers and money sense), Chess, Checkers, Guess Who (targeting skills in deduction and yes/no questions), Pictionary, and Blokus are great for slightly older kids.
Related: 30 Best Family Games for Kids and Parents
2. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are often considered outdoor activities, but they are equally great indoor activities for kids. Make a list of items (something green, something you use to eat, etc.) for your child to find around the house. Or organize the scavenger hunts by room — kitchen items, playroom items, etc. Create a visual scavenger hunt using pictures for younger children who are not yet reading.
3. Building a Fort
Grab blankets and pillows, clear a space in the living room, and task your children with building the ultimate fort. You’d be surprised by how long this activity can captivate kids. Additionally, it helps them develop skills in task planning, teamwork, and problem-solving.
4. Family Puzzle Time
Break out a large puzzle and delegate tasks to everyone. One person can find the edge pieces, one person can find the corner pieces, and so on. Work on coordinating everyone’s efforts to put together the puzzle.
5. Silly Family Fashion Show
Have everyone go into their rooms and assemble the silliest outfit they can find. Then, have everyone walk down the hallway as if it’s the runway. It’ll be so fun to see everyone strike their best pose. You can also play upbeat music and shine lights to make it more realistic. Creativity plus laughter is the best combination.
6. Cooking and Baking
Some of my favorite indoor activities for kids involve the kitchen. Have your kids help you pick out a recipe and give it a go. Sometimes, involving kids in cooking a new meal or recipe helps motivate even the pickiest eaters to try something new, as it gives them control and ownership over the situation. Plus, they see all the ingredients that went into it.
Indoor Craft Activities for Rainy Days
Craft time is a go-to rainy day favorite. These indoor craft activities help kids stay creative while practicing fine motor skills and focus.
1. Sewing
Depending on your child’s age, you might want to take the opportunity to teach them how to sew. Have them make a pillow or special clothing for their favorite teddy bear. The point is not for the finished project to look recognizable, but for your child to engage in the action of stitching and sewing.
2. Recyclable Creations
Raid your recycling bin with your child. You’d be surprised what kids can create with cardboard boxes, plastic milk jugs, metal cans, and their imaginations! They could craft anything from animals to robots to cars.
3. Process Art
Take any random supplies you have, such as paper scraps, plastic buttons, glue, tape, pipe cleaners, and so on, and lay them all out on the table. Then, let your child engage in “process art.” This means creating art with a focus on engagement with materials and the process of creating rather than the finished product.
Activities to Do in the Rain
Sometimes the best rainy day memories happen outside. With rain boots, coats, and a little curiosity, kids can turn wet weather into an adventure.
Related: How to Play with Your Kids Outside on a Rainy Day
1. Engage Their Senses
Discuss how the rain feels to your child’s senses. What does it smell like? What does it sound like when it hits the ground versus when it hits a car? Have them open their mouth and stick out their tongue — how does the rain taste? Is it warm or cold?
2. Play With Puddles
Have a puddle jumping competition and see who can make the biggest splash! Or bring a ruler outside and measure how deep different puddles are. Which one is the deepest? Why might that be?
3. Count Worms
Go for a walk and count how many worms you see. Worms tend to come to the surface or get uncovered when the ground gets wet. You’ll often see them on top of lawns, in puddles, or even floating down sidewalks. As you count each worm, talk about it. Is it a long one or a short one? Is it moving or staying still?
Rainy days are a great excuse to slow down and spend quality time together. Whether you stay inside with games and crafts or step outside to splash in puddles, rainy day activities for kids don’t have to be complicated. A little creativity goes a long way.
