Rainy Day Activities for Kids: Fun Indoor Ideas to Keep Them Entertained
ainy days don’t have to feel like a wash. Try these 10 playful ideas—from audiobooks to obstacle courses—to keep kids entertained, connected, and creatively engaged.
10 Rainy Day Activities for Kids That Spark Play & Connection
Looking for fun, low-prep indoor activities for toddlers or preschoolers? Rainy days offer the perfect chance to slow down, connect, and create cozy memories together. With just a little planning, you can turn cabin fever into calm, connection, and creative play.
1. Embrace Audiobooks with a Twist
- Play an audiobook while your child builds, draws, or plays quietly.
- Pro Tip: Try the Libby app to access free audiobooks through your local library.
2. Get Crafty
- Create an art zone with crayons, glue, cardboard, and more.
- Pro Tip: Lay down a shower curtain liner to catch any mess and reuse for future crafts.
3. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
- Make a bingo-style scavenger list: “something round,” “something soft,” “something that smells nice.”
- No time to create one? Use our printable version inside select Nurtured Nest courses!
4. Family Board Game Fun
- Pick a new game or add a twist to a classic (e.g., use a timer or team up).
- Pro Tip: Explore more ideas in our Simple Toy Guide.
5. Bake Together
- Cookies, muffins, or simple banana bread are great hands-on options.
- Pro Tip: Assign simple tasks to each child and don’t stress the mess—if you're up for it!
6. Build an Indoor Obstacle Course
- Use pillows, painter’s tape, or furniture to make a course with zig-zags, jumps, and balance beams.
- Pro Tip: Painter’s tape is safe on most surfaces and adds instant fun.
7. Try Something New Together
- Make paper airplanes, taste-test new foods, or learn a few words in a different language.
- Pro Tip: Your excitement is contagious—let yourself be playful, too.
8. Stay Active with Indoor Movement
- Try Cosmic Kids Yoga or dance along to a movement playlist.
- Pro Tip: Join in—kids are more likely to participate when you do!
9. Make a Splash with Puddles
- If it's safe, grab rain boots and go hunt for puddles outside.
- Pro Tip: Channel your inner Peppa Pig and jump in “muddy puddles” together.
10. Elevate Bathtime
- Use glow sticks, kitchen tools, or floating toys to make bathtime a sensory experience.
- Turn on music or a fun podcast to extend the calm vibes.
Make the Most of Rainy Days
When you’re fully present in your child’s play—even for just 10–15 minutes—they often settle into independent play with more ease afterward. These small moments of connection make a big difference.
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