35 Easy Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers and Kids (Indoor & Outdoor Ideas)

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There is something about a rainy day that makes me want to slow down, get cozy, and spend a little extra time at home with my family. But if you have little ones, you also know that being stuck inside for too long can get challenging. The toys they were excited about yesterday suddenly aren’t interesting anymore, and before long, you’re hearing those familiar words: “I’m bored!”

As a mama, I love finding simple ways to keep my little one entertained without feeling like I need to plan an entire day of activities. Sometimes we need a little fresh air, sometimes we need a creative outlet, and sometimes we just need to make a cozy spot on the couch and read a few books together.

Rainy days can be an opportunity to enjoy the little things, make memories at home, and embrace the slower moments God gives us. And the good news is that you don’t need a house full of supplies or an elaborate plan to make them special.

If you’re looking for easy rainy day activities for toddlers and kids, I’ve gathered 35 ideas to help you get started. You’ll find simple indoor activities, creative projects, outdoor adventures for those who don’t mind a little rain, and a few faith-filled ideas to enjoy together as a family. Plus, I’ve linked some resources you’ll love!

Easy Indoor Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers and Kids

When the weather isn’t cooperating, having a few simple indoor activities in mind can make the day feel a little easier. These ideas use things you probably already have at home and are easy to adapt for different ages.

Gather some blankets, pillows, and chairs and build a cozy little fort together. Let your children bring in their favorite stuffed animals, books, or a few toys to make it their own.

Once your fort is ready, you can read stories, play pretend, or simply spend some time snuggled up together. If you are looking for a fort that you can just leave up, check out our favorite fort due to the fact we can both fit in it.

2. Have an Indoor Picnic

You don’t need to wait for sunny weather to enjoy a picnic. Spread a blanket on the living room floor, prepare a few simple snacks, and invite your little ones to join you for lunch or an afternoon snack.

You could even pack the food into a small basket to make it feel like a real adventure.

Let your child invite their favorite stuffed animals to a pretend tea party. Set out toy dishes, small plates, and pretend food, or use a few real snacks if you’d like.

This is a sweet way to encourage imaginative play, especially for toddlers who love copying the things they see adults do.

4. Have a Living Room Dance Party

Turn on some favorite songs and let everyone dance, jump, spin, and be a little silly.

You can play worship music, children’s songs, or whatever your family enjoys. Sometimes a few minutes of movement are all it takes to change the mood on a long afternoon indoors. One of our favorite ways to do our living room dance parties is by putting on Listener Kids on Youtube. When we want to go no-screens, we pop on one of my daughter’s musical tonie figures onto her Tonie Box 2.

5. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course

Use pillows, cushions, blankets, and other safe household items to create a simple obstacle course.

Your child can crawl through a tunnel, step over cushions, walk along a line of tape on the floor, or toss soft toys into a basket. Keep the course age-appropriate and supervise your little ones throughout the activity.

Gather a few favorite books, arrange some pillows and blankets, and create a special spot for reading together.

You could let your child choose the books, take turns pointing out pictures, or talk about what is happening in the story. If you have been wanting to make more time for reading together, a rainy afternoon is a lovely place to start.

7. Play a Simple Hide-and-Seek Game

For younger children, try hiding a favorite stuffed animal somewhere easy to find. Give little clues as your child searches for it. The joy this brings is so precious. My little girl loves it when her baby doll “runs off” to hide in her bedroom and calls to her when she is ready to be found.

Older kids may enjoy playing traditional hide-and-seek with the family. You can make the game as simple or as challenging as your children’s ages allow.

Creative Rainy Day Activities

A rainy day is also a great time to bring out the art supplies and let your children explore their creativity. These activities don’t need to look perfect, and the finished product doesn’t need to be something you’d hang on the wall. Sometimes the fun is simply in making something together.

Set out washable paints, paper, and brushes and invite your child to paint what they see outside.

They might paint raindrops, gray clouds, colorful umbrellas, or a big rainbow. Younger toddlers can explore the colors and brushstrokes while older children can create a more detailed picture.

9. Make Paper Umbrellas

Cut out simple umbrella shapes from paper or cardstock and let your child decorate them with crayons, markers, stickers, or paint.

You can hang the finished umbrellas in a window or use them to decorate your refrigerator. For toddlers, prepare the shapes ahead of time and handle any cutting that requires scissors.

10. Create an Outdoor Scene with Play Dough

Bring out some play dough and a few child-safe tools and invite your little ones to create whatever comes to mind.

You could suggest making clouds, raindrops, flowers, worms, or rainbows. Cookie cutters, rolling pins, and large craft sticks can add variety without requiring a lot of extra supplies.

11. Make a Rainbow Craft

Use colored paper, crayons, washable paint, or tissue paper to create a rainbow together.

As you work, you can talk about the colors of the rainbow and the promise God made to Noah in Genesis 9:12–16. It’s a simple way to bring a little faith into an everyday activity while letting your child enjoy the creative process.

12. Put Together a Simple Sensory Bin

Fill a shallow container with age-appropriate materials for scooping, pouring, sorting, or exploring.

You might use large cups, scoops, chunky blocks, or other safe household objects. If your child is old enough to use water safely with supervision, a small amount of water and a few floating toys can make a fun rainy-day sensory activity.

Always choose materials appropriate for your child’s age and supervise closely, especially with toddlers who still explore objects with their mouths.

13. Make a Rain Stick

With an adult’s help, create a rain stick using a sturdy cardboard tube and securely enclosed filling materials.

When you gently turn it, the materials inside create a soft sound that resembles falling rain. You can also skip the craft and listen to recordings of rainfall together.

For young children, make sure the finished container is completely sealed and cannot be opened or broken apart.

14. Put on a Puppet Show

Gather a few stuffed animals, hand puppets, or simple paper-bag puppets and create a little show.

Your child might act out a favorite story, invent a tale about a rainy-day adventure, or make up a story about animals looking for shelter from the rain.

Don’t worry about having a real stage or an elaborate script. Let your imagination lead the way.

Rainy Day Activities for Getting Outside

Sometimes the best thing to do on a rainy day is to put on the right gear and step outside for a little while. Fresh air and a change of scenery can be refreshing for both children and moms.

Of course, you don’t have to go outside if the weather is unpleasant or unsafe. These ideas are for those ordinary rainy days when a little outdoor adventure sounds fun.

Put on your child’s rain boots and waterproof outerwear, then head outside to find a few puddles.

Let your little one jump, splash, and explore while you enjoy watching their excitement. You can even compare big puddles and little puddles or count how many splashes you make.

Avoid deep puddles, flooded areas, and standing water near roads or drainage systems.

Grab an umbrella and take a short walk around your neighborhood or yard.

Notice the sounds of the rain, the smell of wet grass, and the way the trees and flowers look after a shower. You might be surprised by how much there is to discover when you slow down and pay attention.

Choose child-sized rain gear that fits well, and keep walks away from traffic and slippery areas.

17. Look for Signs of God’s Creation

Take a little nature walk and see what you can find.

Look for raindrops on leaves, worms on the sidewalk, birds in the trees, or flowers bending beneath the rain. Talk about how water helps plants grow and how wonderful it is that God created a world full of things to discover.

You don’t need to turn the walk into a formal lesson. Simply noticing the world together can be meaningful.

18. Go on a Rainy-Day Scavenger Hunt

Give your child a short list of things to look for outside.

You could search for a puddle, a wet leaf, a bird, a flower, a pinecone, or something that looks different after the rain. For younger children, use pictures or point out the items together instead of expecting them to read a checklist.

This is also a great activity to repeat throughout the year as the seasons change. Consider checking out my FREE Nature Scavenger Hunt HERE.

Sometimes getting outside doesn’t need to involve a walk or a big adventure.

Sit together on a covered porch or in another sheltered spot and listen to the rain. Watch the drops fall, notice how the trees move in the breeze, or see how many different bird sounds you can hear.

It’s a simple opportunity to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment together.

After a rain shower, keep an eye out for rainbows if the conditions are right.

You might spot one outside, or you could look for rainbow colors in flowers, books, toys, and other things around your home. If you find a real rainbow, use the moment to talk about God’s promise to Noah.

Remember that rainbows don’t appear after every rainstorm, so this can be a fun thing to look for rather than something you have to find.

Cozy and Quiet Rainy Day Activities

Not every activity needs to involve running, crafting, or making a mess. Some days, a quiet activity is exactly what everyone needs.

21. Set Up a Rainy-Day Bookstore

Gather your family’s favorite books and arrange them on a low shelf, table, or blanket as though you’re running a little bookstore.

Let your child browse the selection, choose a book to “buy,” and bring it to a cozy reading spot. You can take turns being the shopkeeper and the customer.

This is especially fun for toddlers who enjoy pretend play and familiar routines.

22. Have a Family Movie Afternoon

Choose a family-friendly movie, make a simple snack, and settle in with blankets.

You don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying a slower afternoon. Sometimes a movie and a little rest are exactly what a family needs, especially after a busy week.

Choose a puzzle that matches your child’s age and abilities.

Toddlers may enjoy simple wooden puzzles with large pieces, while older children can work on more challenging designs. Sit together, offer help when needed, and celebrate the little victories along the way.

24. Make a Cozy Hot Cocoa Moment

Prepare a warm drink for yourself and an age-appropriate alternative for your little ones.

You could enjoy a snack together, talk about your favorite parts of the day, or simply sit by the window and watch the rain. Let hot drinks cool to a safe temperature and keep them out of reach of young children to prevent burns.

25. Play a Guessing Game

Place a few familiar objects in a bag and invite your child to guess what’s inside by feeling each object without looking.

Use safe, age-appropriate objects such as a soft toy, a large wooden block, or a washcloth. For younger children, offer clues and let them look inside if they need help.

Start a silly story with one sentence, then invite your child to add what happens next.

Maybe a little bunny gets caught in the rain, a teddy bear loses its umbrella, or a family discovers a magical forest. You can take turns adding characters and ideas until you have a whole story.

This is a lovely way to encourage imagination and language development while spending time together.

Faith-Filled Rainy Day Activities for the Family

One thing I love about intentional motherhood is remembering that we don’t have to wait for a special occasion to bring faith into our children’s everyday lives.

Some of the most meaningful moments happen in ordinary conversations, little prayers, and simple reminders of God’s goodness. A rainy day can be another opportunity to nurture that faith without adding pressure to your day.

27. Read the Story of Noah’s Ark

Read the story of Noah in Genesis 6–9 using a children’s Bible or an age-appropriate retelling.

Talk about the animals, the rain, and God’s promise. Your children might enjoy drawing their favorite animals afterward or matching animal figures in pairs.

28. Thank God for the Rain

Take a few minutes to talk about why rain is important.

Explain how it helps plants grow, fills streams and rivers, and provides water for people and animals. Then say a simple prayer together, thanking God for His provision and for the beautiful world He created.

You could keep the conversation as simple as asking, “What is one thing God made that you’re thankful for today?”

Create a rainbow using crayons, construction paper, paint, or other craft supplies.

As you work, read Genesis 9:13–16 and talk about the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant with Noah. Use simple language your child can understand, and let the conversation grow naturally from there.

30. Practice a Little Family Kindness

Choose one small way to show kindness to someone else.

Your child could draw a picture for a family member, help prepare a snack, make a card for a neighbor, or pray for someone who needs encouragement.

Remind your children that kindness doesn’t have to be grand to matter. Even the smallest acts can be a way to show others the love of Jesus.

31. Make a Thankfulness List

Gather a piece of paper and write or draw a few things your family is thankful for.

Your toddler might name a favorite toy, a snack, or someone they love. Older children can write their own answers or add a few things they appreciate about their family.

You can end by thanking God for those blessings in a simple family prayer.

Rainy Day Activities for When You Need Something Ready to Go

Let’s be honest: sometimes you don’t have the energy to think of another activity.

You may have already read the books, brought out the toys, cleaned up the craft supplies, and answered the question “What can I do now?” more times than you can count.

This is exactly why I love the idea of keeping a rainy-day activity jar at home.

Write simple activities on small slips of paper, fold them up, and place them in a jar or container. When your children need something to do, let them choose a card.

You can include a mixture of creative activities, indoor games, outdoor adventures, quiet-time ideas, and faith-filled family moments.

The beauty of an activity jar is that you don’t have to come up with something new every time. The ideas are already there, ready for you to use when you need them.

If you’d rather skip the work of writing out dozens of ideas yourself, my Rainy Day Activity Jar Printable will give you a collection of activities you can print, cut out, and keep ready for those rainy afternoons and chilly winter days.

Print and cut out the slips of paper, fold them up, place them in a jar, and let your children choose an activity whenever everyone needs a little inspiration.

33. Start a Rainy-Day Activity Basket

If you prefer having everything in one place, put together a small basket of supplies you can pull out on a rainy day.

You might include crayons, paper, washable markers, a few favorite books, child-safe craft supplies, and some simple puzzles. Keep the materials appropriate for your children’s ages and remove anything that could pose a choking hazard.

Having a basket ready can make it easier to get started without searching through closets and drawers.

34. Make a Rainy-Day Book Basket

Gather a handful of books your children enjoy and keep them in a special basket.

You can rotate the books every few weeks to keep things interesting. Include a mixture of picture books, Bible stories, seasonal books, and familiar favorites.

When the weather turns gloomy, your child will have an inviting little collection to choose from.

35. Let Your Child Choose the Next Activity

Sometimes the simplest solution is to give your child two or three options and let them choose.

You might ask whether they’d like to build a fort, paint a picture, or read a book together. Offering a few choices gives children a little independence while keeping the options manageable for you.

And if they choose something that doesn’t work for the moment, it’s okay to offer another option. You don’t have to make every idea happen just because it’s on the list.

Helpful Rainy-Day Essentials for Kids

You don’t need to purchase anything special to enjoy most of these activities. Many can be done with things you already have at home.

But if your family enjoys spending time outside in wet weather or doing creative projects indoors, a few useful supplies can make things easier.

Here are a few things you might consider keeping on hand:

• Rain boots: A comfortable, well-fitting pair can make puddle jumping and rainy walks more enjoyable.
• Waterproof jackets: A lightweight waterproof jacket helps keep little ones comfortable during short outdoor adventures.
• Child-sized umbrellas: These can make rainy walks fun for older toddlers and children with appropriate adult supervision.
• Washable paints and crayons: Useful for rainy-day art projects without worrying quite as much about the cleanup.
• Craft paper and glue sticks: Simple supplies for making umbrellas, rainbows, and other seasonal crafts.
• Books for little readers: A small collection of favorite picture books can make quiet afternoons feel special.
• Sensory play supplies: A few scoops, cups, and containers can provide plenty of opportunities for supervised exploration.

Choose products based on your family’s needs and your child’s age. You don’t need an elaborate activity room or a closet full of supplies to make meaningful memories at home.

A Little Reminder for the Rainy Days

Mama, you don’t have to turn every rainy day into a perfectly planned adventure.

Some days, you may make crafts, splash in puddles, read stories, and spend hours playing together. Other days, you may rely on a few favorite toys, put on a movie, or simply make it through the afternoon.

Both kinds of days are okay.

Intentional motherhood isn’t about keeping your children entertained every minute or creating picture-perfect memories. It’s about being present in the ordinary moments, loving your children well, and looking for small opportunities to nurture their hearts and point them toward God.

Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (NASB)

Even on the gray, rainy days, there is still goodness to be found. There are little hands to hold, stories to share, prayers to pray, and moments of joy tucked into the ordinary rhythms of family life.

So the next time the rain keeps you indoors, I hope these ideas give you a little inspiration and remind you that you don’t need to do it all. Choose one simple activity, enjoy your little ones where they are, and let the rest of the day unfold.

And if you’d like a little help deciding what to do next, don’t forget to check out the Rainy Day Activity Jar Printable. It’s a simple way to keep a collection of fun, creative, and faith-filled ideas ready whenever your family needs them.

Here’s to finding joy in the little moments, even when the weather doesn’t go as planned.

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