Rainy day activities for kids
Twelve indoor ideas for when the rain keeps everyone inside. They are grouped into quiet, moving, making and learning, so you can pick what suits the mood of the day. Each one has an age hint, what you need and a one-line way to play, using things you already have at home.
How to use this menu
Choose one idea from each group and you have a gentle day with a mix of calm and energy.
Want more ideas? Browse everything in Play and learn, or try the easy drawing ideas for the quiet corner. For cooler days, try cosy winter activities.
Quiet: calm and cosy
Quiet play suits the first slow hour, or the time after lunch when everyone needs a breather.
1. Story corner
Age hint: 3 to 8. You need: cushions, a blanket and a few picture books. How: Pile the cushions in a corner, pick a book each and take turns reading or telling the pictures aloud.
2. Rainy window drawing
Age hint: 4 to 9. You need: paper, pencils or crayons. How: Look out at the rain, then draw what you can see, such as puddles, umbrellas or a wet street.
3. Puzzle table
Age hint: 3 to 10. You need: a jigsaw or a set of matching cards. How: Clear a table, sort the edge pieces first and build the picture together.
Moving: burn off energy
Rain means less running outdoors, so give big bodies a safe place to move indoors.
4. Cushion obstacle path
Age hint: 4 to 8. You need: cushions, a rolled blanket, a low cardboard box. How: Lay the items on the floor in a line, then crawl, step and hop along the path without touching the floor beside it.
5. Freeze dance
Age hint: 3 to 9. You need: a song from a family member or a recording, and open floor. How: Dance while the music plays and freeze like a statue when a grown-up stops it.
6. Soft-ball toss
Age hint: 4 to 9. You need: a pair of rolled-up socks and a laundry basket. How: Stand a few steps back and toss the socks into the basket, then take one step further away.
Making: hands busy
Making things gives a rainy afternoon a result you can keep or play with.
7. Paper boats
Age hint: 6 to 10. You need: sheets of paper and a tray of water. How: Fold a simple boat, then float it in the tray with a grown-up close by and blow gently to sail it across.
8. Blanket fort
Age hint: 4 to 10. You need: blankets, chairs, clothes pegs and cushions. How: Keep the fort low. Drape the blankets over the chairs, ask a grown-up to clip them with pegs and furnish the inside with cushions. Do not climb on or lean on the chairs.
9. Paper crafts
Age hint: 5 to 10. You need: coloured paper, safe scissors and glue. How: Fold and tear paper, or cut it with rounded-tip scissors (a grown-up cuts for children under 7), into chains, flowers or animals, then hang them near the window.
Learning: curious minds
Rain is a good chance to notice the weather outside your door.
10. Rain gauge from a clear cup
Age hint: 6 to 10. You need: a clear plastic cup, a ruler and a marker. How: Ask a grown-up to stand the cup outside on the ground or a low, steady spot, away from ledges and balcony edges, then measure and mark how much rain collects.
11. Sound-of-rain listening
Age hint: 3 to 8. You need: a quiet spot, and paper if you like. How: Close your eyes for one minute and listen for taps, drips and splashes, then say what you heard.
12. Cloud and weather diary
Age hint: 5 to 10. You need: a notebook and coloured pencils. How: Draw the sky each day, add a word for the weather and look back after a week.
Stay safe indoors
- Do not climb on furniture. Build forts and paths on the floor, using chairs only as low supports.
- Clear the floor of toys, cables and loose rugs before any moving game.
- Stay close and supervise whenever water is involved, including paper boats and the rain gauge.
Screen-free in 10 minutes
When you need something quick, try one of these.
- Tell a story one sentence at a time, passing it back and forth.
- Play a round of riddles from riddles for kids with answers.
- Count the raindrops sliding down a window pane.
- Draw a rainbow from memory, then check it at the next break in the rain.
- Try a quick game from easy maths games.
A note for parents
You do not need to fill every minute. A little boredom often turns into the best games, so let your child lead and join in when invited. Enjoy the slower day together.
For more hands-on ideas, see the easy science activities, the water play activities for kids for a shallow tub, the balcony gardening for kids projects for the next dry spell, and the stories and activities. You can also try indoor games, family game night ideas and treasure hunt ideas. Teachers can find classroom ideas on Rangooo for teachers.
Questions
What can children do indoors on a rainy day?
Try quiet play like drawing and puzzles, moving games like freeze dance, making things like paper boats, or learning with a rain gauge. Pick one from each group.
How do we keep indoor play safe?
Clear the floor, never climb on furniture, and stay close whenever water is involved. Keep small items away from little ones.
How long should each activity last?
Ten to twenty minutes suits most children. Stop while they still enjoy it, and move on when interest fades.
Can we do these without any screens?
Yes. Every idea here uses things from around the house, so no tablet, phone or television is needed.
These are our own simple ideas, made for fun at home. Adapt them to your child and supervise young children with water and small items. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it.