We had such a rainy day here yesterday… it prompted me to go back through my site and revisit some of our indoor play activities. Now that I have more years of parenting and play under my belt, I have a big list of the best rainy day activities, crafts, and toys to share! These ideas for rainy day play are sure to keep kids busy and happy indoors for hours!
Best Rainy Day Activities
Sensory bins and Tinker Boxes are lifesavers on a rainy day! Just let kids explore some “new-to-them” bits and pieces! (You might want to make some DIY Colored Pasta or Rice to play with too!)
Check out my post on the Melissa & Doug blog about how to create a Rainy Day Block Maze activity!
Playing with corn starch, water, and food dye for a little Kitchen Science and Magic Mud will make you forget all about the mud happening outside! (or, maybe the kids can go out and play in REAL mud later!?)
Have some Activity Bags available to pull out for those I’m Bored moments (modify what’s inside for older children)
Here are ten easy cooking and kitchen ideas for kids – who knows, they could learn to help you make dinner on a rainy day, right?
Host a Kiddie Workout class! Moving around will expend all that energy and keep the wiggles from overwhelming everyone.
Play balls are fun to create a ball pit (kiddie pool or pack n play?), but there’s all sorts of engaging ball activities you could try!
Best Rainy Day Book Activities
Host a Reading Picnic! Set up a tent, get out some books and flashlights… and get reading!
While you’re reading, check out these Shine-A-Light books – books that you read with a flashlight to reveal hidden pictures that tell the rest of the story! From Usborne Books & More, there are 11 books in the series, on topics like space and construction, to gardening, rainforests, and the human body!
How about a book that’s also a puzzle? And a wind-up game?! Wind Up Bus and Busy Book (pull-back toy) titles from Usborne Books & More are interactive books that tell a story while the wind-up toy follows grooves embedded into the pages. The Wind-Up volumes are also puzzles – the pages get taken out and assembled into a much larger track!
Craft Ideas for a Rainy Day
Make these Crayon Rubbing Plates and let kids design interesting patterns for cards, posters, and more!
DIY Window Clings will entertain for a while, as kids decorate your windows!
Use old containers to make a bank, play a bowling game… or invent their own fun!
Kids can collect small objects they find around the house to create an I-Spy Jar or bottle! (cleans up your house too!)
How about just playing with a cardboard box?
Create abstract art with glue and shapes!
Creating and using a sticker book is a good idea when you need quiet time in the house.
Keep these in the Toy Box!
I always break out the Crayola Color Wonder for a no-mess coloring station
Sticker and magnet mosaics are great fine motor skill toys and work for a range of ages
Rainy days are great times to teach kids classic board games or work a puzzle. Try Suspend – a fun 3D balancing game for an alternative to the traditional board game!
Use puppets to create a show, reenact a book, or role play!
Popsicle molds and play food are perfect for staying in, while hoping for brighter days!
Hot Dots Jr. is a great toy to encourage educational play
This ride-on toy is soft all over and won’t damage your floors (or make TOO much noise!)
Keep one of these excavation kits handy for the next dreary day!
No mess drawing boards and stackable buckets + imagination!
If you’re brave, get out the band in a box and other noisy toys! No need to stay quiet just because you have to stay IN!
Hope you enjoy your next rainy day with these ideas for the best rainy day activities, toys, and games for your kids!
SHOP for RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES!
Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit, 80pc, Toddler Toys
Paint by Sticker: Dogs: Create 12 Stunning Images One Sticker at a Time!Melissa & Doug SuspendMelissa & Doug Suspend JuniorZoku Pop Mold – SpaceZoku Summer Pops, 6 Squeezable Silicone Molds with Reusable Spill-resistant Lids and Tray, BPA-freeHABA Biofino Mini Pizza’s – Two Small Pies with Loads of Fabric Toppings – Perfect for Pretend Role Play for Little Chefs Ages 3+Educational Insights Hot Dots Science Set- Animals, Plants and EcosystemsEducational Insights Hot Dots Jr. Pete The Cat – I Love Preschool SetSecrets of Animal Camouflage: A Shine-a-Light Book
DISCLOSURE: This post was created in connection with my guest blogger post at the Melissa & Doug blog. All opinions are my own.
Affiliate and referral links are included in this post, which may generate a small commission if items are purchased after clicking through the links.
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