Add these rainy day activities for kids to your to-do list the next time you’re stuck indoors because of bad weather. Quick, easy and above all FUN these kid approved rainy day activities are a guaranteed good time.
Looking for more neat ideas for kids? Check out these: sidewalk chalk ideas for days when the sun is shining, diy summer water games to beat the heat, quick and easy healthy popsicle recipes kids love eating
Rainy Day Activities For Kids
Just when you were getting used to blue, cloudless skies and days spent outdoors with family, here comes a massive rainstorm.
You know what that means: it’s time to pull out some tried and true rainy day activities for kids.
Rainy days spent indoors can be dreary and depressing. Your kids can quickly get struck with cabin fever and become irritable and restless. And, as a busy parent, it can be almost impossible to get anything done when you’re running around trying to keep your kids occupied.
That stack of work on your desk? Forget about it.
Thankfully, with the right indoor activities for kids, you can turn even the stormiest day into one of your family’s happiest memories. Rather than feeling stressed and frazzled, you can feel peaceful, calm, and productive – all while your children have just as much fun as if they were playing outside in the sunshine.
Rainy days typically come as last-minute surprises, so you don’t always have a lot of time to prepare fun activities for your children. You need some ideas that come together quickly and easily, so you can make sure your family is cared for while you get back to business.
Get inspired by some of these suggestions, and choose a few to have on hand so you’re ready to go when clouds roll in.
Fun Rainy Day Activities For Kids
These activities will help keep your kids occupied while you get back to working from home or taking care of other responsibilities around the house. They also don’t require a lot of forethought, so you won’t have to come up with some huge, grandiose plan ahead of time. Because who has time for that?
This list of rainy day activities for kids is sure to contain a fun activity for any kid, no matter their interests. Whether they’re into DIY activities, crafts, puzzles, or something else entirely, you’ll be able to find something to keep them entertained and happy for hours.
Choose one of these rainy day activities for kids during any indoor day, whether it’s because of bad weather, the kids are sick, schools are closed, or for some other reason. This list is full of ideas to keep kids busy, no matter what’s keeping them inside.
It may not be your first choice to stay indoors all day, but having some of these activities on hand will be a huge game-changer. You won’t have to dread the storms any longer, because you’ll be ready for them when they hit.
Keep reading to find the best indoor activities your kids will love doing. They may even opt for one of these activities when the clouds fade and the sun returns!
What will you find in this post? We’ve conveniently collected over 75 creative and fun rainy day activities for kids. We’ve divided these kid approved rainy day activities into sections including: free printables, science experiments, fun with play-doh, art activities and cardboard playhouses and forts.
For your convenience you can use the handy table of contents right below to jump around this post.
75+ Rainy Day Activities For Kids
Free Printable Activities
Free printables make for great rainy day activities for kids. Here are our absolute favorite free printable activities including I Spy Games, bingo games, color by number, matching games, mazes, Play Doh mats and so much more.
Let kids get creative and create their own colorful surfboards. Head over to our surfboard template post to get a free set of templates to print.
1. Dinosaur I Spy Game (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
2. Superhero I Spy Game (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
3. Emoji I Spy Game (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
4. Shark Memory Game (Click here to get your free download from Simple Everyday Mom)
5. Summer Bingo (Click here to get your free download from Confessions of Parenting)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest so you can easily come back to them again.
6. Bingo Stamper Summer Word Search (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
7. Donut I Spy (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
8. Color By Number Bird (Click here to get your free download from Cool 2 B Kids)
9. Indoor Scavenger Hunt (Click here to get your free download from 123 Homeschool 4 Me)
10. Free Printable Memory Games (Click here to get your free download from Maple Planners)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
11. Play Doh Counting Mats (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
12. Printable Dice Exercise Game (Click here to get your free download from Hey Let’s Make Stuff)
13. Catch a Bug Printable Game (Click here to get your free download from Pickle Bums)
14. Popsicle Printable Memory Game (Click here to get your free download from Design Eat Repeat)
15. Space Mazes For Kids (Click here to get your free download from Kids Activities Blog)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
16. Popsicle I Spy Game (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
17. Ice Cream Bingo (Click here to get your free download from Studio Xtine)
18. Summer BBQ I Spy Game (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
19. Free Printable Summer Memory Game (Click here to get your free download from Ayelet Keshet)
20. Scary Monsters I Spy (Click here to get your free download from This Tiny Blue House)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest so you can easily come back to them again.
Science Fun
Science experiments make for great rainy day activities for kids. Here are our absolute favorite science activities and experiments. These mega fun science activities for kids use ingredients and materials you likely already have at home.
21. Non Newtonian Fluid (Visit Active Littles for the recipe)
22. Elephant Toothpaste (Visit Little Bins For Little Hands for the tutorial)
23. Walking Rainbow (Visit Fun Learning For Kids for the tutorial)
24. Lava Lamp Science (Visit Natural Beach Living for the tutorial)
25. Cleaning Pennies (Visit Raising Life Long Learners for the tutorial)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
26. Magic Milk Experiment (Visit Living Life and Learning for the tutorial)
27. Making Rain Science Experiment (Visit Mrs Jones Creation Station for the tutorial)
28. Skittles Rainbow Experiment (Visit Fun With Mama for the tutorial)
29. Homemade Rock Candy (Visit Better Life Blog for the tutorial)
30. Water In A Bag Science Experiment (Visit Fun With Mama for the tutorial)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
31. Colored Ice Cube Science (Visit The Play Based Mom for the tutorial)
32. Dancing Frankenworms Science (Visit Play Dough Plato for the tutorial)
33. Fizzing Volcano Slime (Visit Little Bins For Little Hands for the tutorial)
34. Color Changing Flowers Experiment (Visit Fun Learning For Kids for the tutorial)
35. Scented Rainbow Science (Visit Fun A Day for the tutorial)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
36. Balloon Experiments With Candy (Visit Learn Play Imagine for the tutorial)
37. Rainbow Paper Experiment (Visit Rainbow Kiddo for the tutorial)
38. Fizzy Science Experiment For Kids (Visit Laughing Kids Learn for the tutorial)
39. Rainbow Unicorn Toothpaste (Visit Science Kiddo for the tutorial)
40. Ice Cream In A Bag (Visit Around The Kampfire for the tutorial)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
41. Growing A Paper Towel Rainbow (Visit Mombrite for the tutorial)
42. Fizzing Dinosaur Eggs (Visit Pre-K Pages for the tutorial)
43. Dancing Raisin Experiment (Visit Fun Learning For Kids for the tutorial)
44. Gummy Bear Experiment (Visit Playdough to Plato for the tutorial)
45. Crushing Cans Science Experiment (Visit Frugal Fun 4 Boys for the tutorial)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
Play Doh Activities
If your kids love Play-Doh then these creative and fun Play-Doh themed rainy day activities for kids are a great way to spend the day being creative. From the best homemade Play-Doh recipes to geometry Play-Doh activities and Play-Doh task cards, these Play-Doh activities are great for kids who LOVE Play-Doh
46. DIY Jello Play Doh (Click here to get the full recipe from This Tiny Blue House)
47. The Best Non-Toxic Play-Doh (Click here to get the full recipe from This Tiny Blue House)
48. Weather Play Dough Mats (Click here to visit Playfully Primary for details)
49. Roll A Spaceship Play Dough Mats (Click here to visit Teach Me Mommy for details)
50. Bug Play Doh Activity (Click here to visit Pre K Pages for more details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
51. Alphabet Play-Doh Practice (Click here to visit This Tiny Blue House for details)
52. Build A Monster Play-Doh Mats (Click here to visit Views From A Step Stool fore details)
53. Play Doh Task Cards (Click here to visit Pre K Pages for more details)
54. Play Doh People Mats (Click here to visit Pickle Bums for more details)
55. Printable Play Doh Play Scenes (Click here to visit Mother’s Niche for more details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
56. Play Doh Cupakes (Click here to visit Child Care Land for more details)
57. Robot Play Doh (Click here to visit Fantastic Fun & Learning for more information)
58. Fairy Princess Play-Doh Play (Click here to visit Glitter On A Dime for details)
59. Insect and Bug Play-Doh Play (Click here to visit Surving A Teacher’s Salary for details)
60. Play-Doh Pattern Blocks (Click here to visit Play Teach Repeat for details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
61. Transportation Play-Doh Mats (Click here to visit Preschool Play & Learn for more details)
62. Birthday Cake Play-Doh Mats (Click here to visit Preschool Play and Learn for more details)
63. Cupcake Play-Doh Kits (Click here to visit Mamma Pappa & Bubba for more details)
64. Shape Play-Doh Mats (Click here to visit Life Over C’s for details)
65. Play Doh Geometry (Click here to visit School Time Snippets for details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
Art Activities
If your child enjoys being creative by painting and creating art then these clever art activities are the perfect rainy day activity for kids for you to consider. These art activities require basic art and painting supplies including watercolors, acrylic paints, pastels, markers, crayons and paint brushes.
This mixed media giraffe craft is a great last minute activity for kids. It uses leftover crafting supplies making it a low prep activity perfect for rainy days. Get the free template by visiting our Giraffe template post.
66. Watercolor Space Painting (Click here to visit Rainy Day Mum for details)
67. Chalk Pastel Jellyfish Art (Click here to visit Projects With Kids for details)
68. Scribble Art (Click here to visit Fireflies & Mudpies for details)
69. Tissue Paper Transfer Art (Click here to visit It’s Always Autumn for details)
70. Blow Art Monsters (Click here to visit Gift Of Curiosity for details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
71. Pointillism Art (Click here to visit Artful Mama for more details)
72. Rainbow Shaving Cream Rainbow Art (Click here to visit Hello Wonderful for more details)
73. Crumpled Paper Art (Click here to visit Buggy and Buddy for more details)
74. Blow Painting with Straws (Click here to visit Artful Parent for more details)
75. Drip Painting Rainbow Name Art (Click here to visit The Educator’s Spin On It for more details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
76. Melted Crayon Art (Click here to visit Barley & Birch for details)
77. Germ Blog Painting Art With Straws (Click here to visit Simple Everyday Mom for more details)
78. String Pull Painting (Click here to visit One Little Project fore more details)
79. Salt Painting (Click here to visit The Best Ideas For Kids for more details)
80. Picasso Faced Art Projects (Click here to visit Arty Crafty Kids for more details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
DIY Cardboard Play Houses & Forts
If the kids love building forts, hide outs, play houses and clubhouses then these fun and creative DIY carboard play houses and forts are the perfect rainy day activity for your family. Help them build the structure and then let them go to town customizing and decorating their new hang out spot.
81. Cardboard Playhouse (Click here to visit Life By Leanna for more details)
82. Rocket Man Playhouse (Click here to visit Kates Creative Space for more details)
83. Cardboard Box Barn (Click here to visit See Vanessa Craft for more details)
84. DIY Cardboard House (Click here to visit Artsy Craftsy Mom for more details)
85. Cardboard Gingerbread House (Click here to visit Inner Child Fun for more details)
In a rush? Click here to save these rainy day activities for kids to Pinterest.
86. Cardboard Retro Camper (Click here to visit Project Nursery for more details)
87. Cardboard Box Castle: (Click here to visit Brandon Tran for more details)
88. DIY Cardboard Play Dome (Click here to visit Ideas 2 Live 4 for more details)
89. Cardboard Rocket Ship (Click here to visit Mini Mad Things for more details)
90. Cardboard Kids Igloo: (Click here to visit Zygote Brown Designs for more details)
Low Mess Cooking & Baking Activities With Kids
Do your kids love cooking and preparing healthy snacks and treats? If they enjoy preparing food then these low mess cooking activities can be sanity saving. Here are some of the best low mess cooking and baking activities that make for great rainy day activities for kids.
91. Easy Fruity Pebbles Banana Skewers (Click here to visit A Mom’s Take for the full recipe)
92. Healthy Crunchy Apple Nachos (Click here to visit Barefeet In the Kitchen for the full recipe)
93. Bear Lake Trail Mix Recipes (Click here to visit High Heels & Grills for the full recipe)
94. Firecracker Fruit Kabobs (Click here to visit Fork and Beans for the full recipe and tutorial)
95. Backyard Bug Sandwiches (Click here to visit The Crafting Chicks for the recipe and tutorial)
96. No Bake M&M Monster Cookie Bites (Click here to visit Kleinworth & Co for the recipe)
97. Simple Bread In A Bag (Click here to visit Busy Toddler for the recipe)
98. Quick & Easy Pizza Toast (Click here to visit The Taylor House for the recipe)
99. Mini Fruit Pizzas (Click here to visit All Things Mama for the recipe)
100. Rainbow Grilled Cheese (Click here to visit Raising Memories for the recipe)
101. Fruit Loop Squares (Click here to visit Noshing With The Nolands for the recipe)
This is such interesting list of activities and seems so much fun for kids. I am sure they will have a great time. Thanks for sharing and explaining it so well!