Rainy days happen at any time of the year. It’s always the same when the kids are stuck inside because the rain just won’t go away. The key to navigating a rainy day, whether it falls on a weekday or the weekend, is things to do. Let’s face it. Kids want entertainment, and when the raindrops fall, the devices come out.
As a parent, you don’t want the kiddos spending hours online or endlessly streaming shows and that’s where rainy day activities come in. The best way to keep the kids busy on rainy days is to have some fun activities at your disposal to keep them occupied. We have cool rainy day activities that even teens may put down the smartphone for.
Rainy day activities
When it rains it pours, especially when it’s a weekend, the summer, or whenever the kids are on vacation from school. There’s nothing worse than when everyone is stuck inside unhappy because the weather outside isn’t inviting. Instead of looking at a rainy day as boring or the reason cool outside plans were canceled, try embracing the opportunity to hang out indoors with these engaging rainy day activities.
Host a bake-off for fun, yummy inspiration
Everyone loves a bit of baking. Host a bake-off with your kids during their next rainy day at home. If you have older kids, let them take over the kitchen for themselves. Just be sure they know they’ll have to clean up their mess before eating the goodies. If you have younger kids, help them out. Don’t want to drag out the sugar and flour? Purchase some pre-made, unfrosted cookies or cupcakes, with some piping icing and sprinkles, and have a decorating contest.
Make a pillow fort that takes up an entire room
A pillow fort is a childhood classic and one that never really gets old. Give your children free rein over one room in the house, so that they can make the biggest, best pillow fort ever. Once it’s complete, outfit them with some snacks and a tablet for watching a rainy day flick, or if you want to cut down on screen time, some favorite books and board games.
Go on a virtual field trip anywhere around the globe
Get out of the house without really getting out of the house with a virtual field trip. So many museums and other tourist attractions around the entire world now offer virtual tours. Wherever your children’s interests lie, pick an attraction that’s right up their alley and then settle in for an afternoon of exploring a new corner of the globe.
Create a mind-boggling laser obstacle course
Have some yarn handy? Make some laser obstacle courses throughout your home’s hallways. Use wall-safe tape (washi tape is a good pick) to hang up strings of yarn diagonally across the hall to create a challenging “laser” trap for your children to work their way through. The person who successfully makes it through the trap without getting caught gets to make the next laser challenge.
Challenge your children to upcycle whatever they can find around the house
For children who are at least elementary age, challenge them to find some creative upcycling projects around the house. Tell them to look for items that might otherwise be thrown out and come up with some ways that they can be reused in a new and improved way. Maybe it’s turning a soda bottle into a vase for flowers or using old book pages to create wall art. Whatever it is, allow their imagination to run free and then actually implement some of their ideas.
Put on a show and entertain the family and friends
If you have several children (or even a neighbor friend or two), encourage them to put together a theatrical performance of their own devices. One child can be the playwright, while one crafts a stage and the rest join in as actors. If your children don’t care for the stage, gauge their interest in shooting their own movie. It uses the same skills and creativity, and all they need is a tablet or another device that shoots video.
Get crafty and create unique decorations
Even the simplest craft supplies can make for a fun afternoon of crafting. Provide some paper (scrapbooking, construction, or otherwise), scissors, stickers, colored pencils, crayons, and whatever else you might have on hand, and let them make whatever comes to mind. There are endless possibilities from paper snowflakes to greeting cards to bookmarks to paper airplanes and beyond.
Take a rainy day walk
Okay, just because it’s raining, doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Outfit the fam with rain boots, rain jackets, and umbrellas, and head outdoors for a rainy day nature walk around the neighborhood or to your favorite nearby park. Encourage the kids to keep an eye out for interesting rainy day nature — from sidewalk worms to rain-dotted spiderwebs — and talk about how plants and animals react to the rain.
Go indoor camping and forget about the electronic devices
Break out the tent and set it up in the basement, garage, or living room. Wherever you have enough space, pitch the tent and fill it with sleeping bags and a lantern for camping fun. Skip the tech though. Instead, think card games and coloring, chapter books, and shadow puppets.
Take a trip to the library and take part in story-time activities
If you find that your family is going stir crazy from staying indoors, take a trip to the library and see what’s on the schedule for the day. Most have daily children’s activities, and all are free.
More rainy day activities
There isn’t anything about a rainy day that is making you stay indoors unless the weather outside is unsafe. Sure, loading the family up and digging out the umbrellas doesn’t scream fun, but once you get to your destination, it is. Rainy days don’t have to be boring or force everyone to stay in the house. Instead, think of all the amazing things you can do that don’t require you to be outside or at home.
Go to a movie
A movie theater is the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon. Everyone gets out of the house for a while to enjoy the latest blockbuster on the big screen.
Head to a museum
Virtual museums can be cool, but nothing beats experiencing something in person. See what museums are family-friendly in your area or a short driving distance away and decide on one. You can also take a family vote. If anyone’s museum isn’t picked, keep that one in mind for the next rainy day.
Check out a mall
Shopping is another great choice when the raindrops are falling. A big mall can offer a lot of indoor options like a movie theater, food court, and amusements.
Bowling
Going bowling is a family-friendly activity everyone will enjoy. If you have little kids, ask about bumpers. Call before you go just in case you need to reserve a lane ahead of time.
Roller skating
Get some exercise by checking out a local roller rink. Skating a rainy afternoon away is definitely fun for the whole family. The same is true for ice skating. Many indoor ice rinks are open year-round and offer public skates in the afternoon.
Don’t let the rain ruin your fun
No matter what you end up doing during your next rainy day, don’t let the weather ruin your fun. You can have plenty of exciting times indoors or outside, if you’re willing to risk the weather. Just keep these rainy day activities in your back pocket. Many of these rainy day activities for kids don’t even require parental supervision.
All you have to do is give your children the idea and let them run with it. If you want to get out of the house on a rainy day, head to the movies, a mall, or a local museum. There’s always something cool inside or out even when the raindrops fall.
