30 Best Rainy Day Activities for Kids That Are Guaranteed Boredom Busters
Your little ones won’t be saying, “Rain, rain, go away!”
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When you picture a super fun day with your family, you’re likely imagining lots of sunshine and blue skies, right? Well, as it turns out, a rainy day can be a blast, too! With a little creativity, you can plan a whole day full of rainy day activities you can do both indoors and outdoors.
There’s never a shortage of crafts to make, and you can even give a nod to the weather by DIYing decorative umbrellas or rainbow paintings. While many of these qualify as fun fall activities, they're really perfect for almost any time of year. You and your kiddos can embrace the rain by getting outside for a walk (with a rain jackets and a pair of the best rain boots, of course!) or jumping around in puddles. And you can even bring the outdoors into your home for the day, by blowing bubbles inside or spreading out a picnic right on your living room floor. The best part about all of these ideas is that none of them involve scrolling on electronic devices or playing video games! While you might use a tablet for a movie marathon, everything else centers on good old-fashioned fun, like going to the library to read books or building the greatest fort in the world. Whether you’re spending a rainy afternoon at home or you’re stuck in a hotel room during your family beach vacation, there are tons of fun-filled ways to enjoy a drizzly day.
DIY Tassel Umbrella
Here’s how to put a cheerful spin on a rainy day—by crafting vibrant tassels and pom poms to add to an everyday umbrella.
Get the tutorial at Jojotastic.
Jump in Puddles
It’s the perfect opportunity to do some puddle-jumping! Put on your boots and jump around to your heart’s content right alongside your little one.
Make a Dollhouse
To get those creative juices flowing, ask your kids if they want to make their very own dollhouse using materials from around the house, like a cardboard box and paper they can draw on to look like wallpaper.
Play Dress-Up
When it’s raining outside, there’s no better time to play dress-up! Gather up crowns, capes, dresses, and fancy shoes and see what inventive outfits you can come up with.
DIY Rainy Day Bean Bag Game
It’s a sew-your-own bean bag game, perfectly themed to the rainy vibe of the day. Your little ones will toss the raindrops at the umbrella to make them stick! Assign points or see if they can get them to land face-up.
Get the tutorial at Wild Olive.
Visit the Library
To get out of the house for a bit, head on over to your local library. They have plenty of rainy day activities, like story hours and classes. Or you can always curl up in a chair and read the afternoon away.
Have a Movie Marathon
A rainy day is just begging for a movie marathon! Camp out in front of the TV with blankets and popcorn or huddle up in bed with a tablet to watch your favorite flicks.
Get Out the Board Games
When was the last time your family sat down and played a board game together? Gather up ones from your childhood or some of your kids’ current favorites and add some friendly competition to your rainy day at home.
Take a Rainy Walk
A rainy day can be very pretty, and you and your kids can get out there to enjoy it with a fun, leisurely walk. Pull on your raincoats and revel in the raindrops as they land on your faces.
Paint a Masterpiece
Get out the art supplies! Make it a day all about creativity where your kids can draw and paint their best pictures yet.
Put on a Singing Competition
Your family can put on your own version of American Idol! Get out the karaoke machine or just use a hairbrush as a microphone and hold a singing competition.
Have an Indoor Picnic
Just because the weather outside is less than perfect doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a lovely picnic. Spread a blanket out on the floor, whip up some fresh lemonade, and don’t forget the sandwiches.
Make Greeting Cards
Treat a gloomy afternoon as a chance to brighten up people’s days! Ask your kiddos to make greeting cards with you, then send off some happy mail to friends and family who could use a smile.
DIY Colorful Bud Vases
While it may be gray outside, it can be colorful and sunny inside! Use materials like plastic bottles, multi-hued paper napkins, and decoupage glue to make these kaleidoscopic bud vases.
Get the tutorial at Pillar Box Blue.
For a brand new activity to do every time it starts to rain, look no further than this adorable set, packed with a puzzle, a DIY bubblegum kit, and pottery your kids can paint themselves.
Read a Beloved Book
Pull out a book that you loved from your own childhood and share it with your child for the very first time. It’s a heartwarming way to spend a rainy day.
Rock Your Cutest Rain Gear
So, it might be looking a bit dismal out there, but you can add some joy to the scenery with the cutest raincoat and boots around! Go for a walk to lift your own moods and the moods of anyone you see.
Play Cards
Teach your child a new card game to pass the time, like Crazy Eights or Go Fish. Your kid will love learning a new game to play with their friends and spending time with you, too.
Write a Story Together
Write a story with your kiddo. Take turns writing paragraphs and see how it turns out.
Do Science Experiments
Beakers, microscopes, and safety goggles can only mean one thing—it’s time to do some science experiments! Buy a kit or look for kid-friendly tutorials online and learn something new together.
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