Rain taps on the window. The sky is grey. Everything feels slower and quieter.
You’re at home. The kids are getting restless. Plans to go outside? Canceled.
But that’s okay.
Rainy days can still be fun. You don’t need anything fancy. Just a few easy ideas and a little time together.
This list of 100 things to do on a rainy day for kids at home is here to help. Simple stuff. Real stuff. Things that make kids laugh, imagine, and stay busy.
Pick one idea or a few. Let them play. Let it be messy. Let it be fun.
That’s what rainy days are for.
100 Things to do on A Rainy Day for Kids at Home
Stuck inside? No problem! Here are 100 fun and easy ideas to keep kids happy, busy, and smiling—all without leaving the house.
Creative Arts & Crafts
Rainy day? Grab some paper, glue, and crayons! These fun and easy crafts will keep kids busy, happy, and full of creativity—right at home.
Easy Paper Crafts
- Paper Snowflakes: Fold, snip, unfold. Instant beauty. Kids love the surprise.
- Paper Chains: Brighten up a room with a simple rainbow chain.
- Make Greeting Cards: For family, friends, even imaginary creatures.
- Sticker Collage: Combine sticker sheets and imagination.
- Origami Animals: Frogs that jump, birds that flap, whales that grin.
- Mini Theater: A shoebox, paper puppets, and a wild storyline.
- Paper Plate Masks: Add feathers, string, and silly voices.
- Basket Weaving with Paper: Teach patience and patterning.
- Washi Tape Bookmarks: Functional and fun.
- Flipbook Animation: Watch your doodles come alive!
Painting & Drawing
- Crayon Resist Watercolors: Draw first, then paint over. Magic.
- Salt Watercolor Art: Sprinkle salt while paint is still wet and see what happens.
- Finger-Painted Rainbows: Messy? Yes. Beautiful? Also yes.
- Marble Painting: Roll marbles dipped in paint. Unique every time.
- Sponge Stamps: Make your own stamps and go wild.
- Indoor Chalkboard Fun: Let them draw rain inside.
- Magazine Collage: Cut, glue, imagine.
- Q-tip Dot Art: Slow, focused, colorful.
- Symmetry Painting: Folded paint makes butterflies and inkblot masterpieces.
- Mirror Self-Portraits: Look, observe, draw. Real art practice.
3D & Mixed Media
- Salt Dough Creations: Easy to make, fun to decorate.
- Toilet Roll Critters: Recycle into monsters or aliens.
- Beaded Jewelry: Fine motor skills with flair.
- Pipe Cleaner Sculptures: Twisty fun.
- Recycled Robots: Junk into genius.
- Yarn Garlands: Colorful and decorative.
- Mini Loom Weaving: Patience and focus in a quiet moment.
- Nature Mobiles: If you can sneak outside for leaves.
- Air-Dry Clay Pots: Pinch, mold, paint.
- Homemade Play Dough: The classic. So satisfying.
Imaginative Play
Rainy days are the best for big imaginations! Turn the living room into a castle, a jungle, or even outer space—let kids play, pretend, and explore without ever stepping outside.
Make-Believe Adventures
- Couch Castle: Forts never get old.
- Laundry Basket Pirate Ship: Pillows = waves.
- Cardboard Space Statio: Foil-wrapped helmets a must.
- Dinosaur Dig: Bury plastic dinos in rice and excavate.
- Indoor Fairy Garden: A secret world under the table.
- Living Room Grocery Store: Real cereal boxes make it feel legit.
- Teddy Bear Vet Clinic: Bandage paws and take heartbeats.
- Superhero Missions: Save the couch!
- Treasure Hunt Mystery: Write clues, hide them, become detectives.
- Time Travel Portal: Step through a decorated doorway to another world.
Dress-Up & Pretend
- Costume Trunk: Old clothes become new identities.
- Sock Puppets: Use what you have.
- Pretend Restaurant: Menus, orders, “delicious” food.
- Fashion Show: Confidence booster.
- Puppet Movie: Film short scenes on your phone.
- Kids’ News Channelv What’s the big headline of the day?
- Mini Science Lab: Colorful water + cups = magic.
- Plush Toy Wedding: Who says bears can’t fall in love?
- Space Log Journals: Write your alien findings.
- Improv Games: Start with “Once upon a time…”
Kitchen Fun & Science
Rainy days are great for little chefs and scientists! Mix, bake, stir, and explore with fun kitchen and science activities that make learning exciting right at home.
Simple Cooking
- Decorate Cookies: Let the kids go wild with sprinkles.
- Mini Pizzas: Their own toppings = ownership + joy.
- Fruit Kabobs: Healthy + silly shapes = win.
- Magic Milk Swirls: Food color + milk + soap = wow!
- Fruit Leather: A slow but cool project.
- No-Bake Bars: Mix and press. Done.
- Edible Slime: Marshmallow magic.
- Taste Test Games: Blindfold and guess.
- Homemade Lemonade: Practice measuring.
- Volcano Cupcakes: Decorate for lava eruptions!
Little Science Projects
- Balloon Rockets: Zoom across the room.
- Sink or Float: So simple, so fun.
- DIY Lava Lamp: Oil, water, fizz.
- Sugar Rainbow Jars: Watch layers build.
- Static Games: Make cereal dance with a balloon.
- Make a Compass: Old-school cool.
- Crystal Growing: Watch them form overnight.
- Magnetic Slime: Add iron filings for effect.
- Shadow Play: Lights + hands = theater.
- Weather Station: Track and chart rain from indoors.
Move & Groove
Stuck inside? Let’s dance, jump, and wiggle! These fun movement games and activities help kids burn energy and stay active—even on the rainiest days.
Calm Indoor Games
- Hot Lava Game: Jump between pillows!
- Beanbag Toss: Easy and competitive.
- Simon Says: A favorite for a reason.
- Hide and Seek: Just enough adrenaline.
- Board Gamesv Something for every age.
- Puzzle Time: Collaborative or competitive.
- Sticker Hunt: Find and fill the page.
- Card Games: Memory, Go Fish, Snap.
- Balloon Volleyball: Gentle and giggly.
- Jenga or Blocks: How tall can it go?
High-Energy Fun
- Mini Trampoline: Great if you have one.
- Freeze Dance: Music, movement, laughter.
- Obstacle Course: Add timers for extra thrill.
- Bowling Alley: Plastic bottles, soft ball.
- Kids’ Yoga: Good for calming and stretching.
- Balloon Stomp: Tie and pop!
- Indoor Tag: Just be careful with furniture.
- Animal Charades: Act it out!
- Relay Races: Toy in hand, go!
- Hula Hoops: Test balance and rhythm.
Reading & Writing
Rainy days are perfect for quiet time with stories and words. Curl up with a good book, write a silly story, or start a journal—let imaginations fly without leaving the couch.
Book Fun
- Reading Fort: A cozy corner to get lost in stories.
- Read-Aloud Time: With voices and sound effects.
- Make a Choose-Your-Adventure: Where the kids pick what happens next.
- Family Book Club: Talk about favorite scenes.
- Comic Strip Drawing: Funny or superhero style.
- Story Dice: Use images or words to build stories.
- Scavenger Hunt for Books: Find one with a dragon, a girl hero, etc.
- Flashlight Reading: Feels like camping indoors.
- Write to the Rain: A thank-you or a silly letter.
- Poetry Time: Simple verses, real feelings.
Creative Writing
- Gratitude List: Start simple.
- Rain Diary: “Today the sky cried all day…”
- Invent a Superhero: What’s their power?
- Dream Journal: Even if they’re weird.
- Secret Code: Invent and decode.
- Favorite Things List: Books, snacks, games.
- Pen Pal Letters: Draw and write.
- Toy Backstories: Where did Mr. Bunny come from?
- Fake Newspaper: “Kid Makes 10 Cookies in One Hour!”
- Songwriting: About the rain, a toy, or anything.
Music & Performance
Rain outside? Time to put on a show inside! Sing, dance, play instruments, or act out a story—let kids shine and have fun with music and performance at home.
Musical Fun
- Shakers & Rattles: DIY instruments.
- Pan Drums: Use what you have.
- Karaoke Party: Let them sing their heart out.
- Air Guitar Show: Serious faces only!
- Kitchen Orchestra: Everyone picks a sound.
- Record a Song: Kids love hearing themselves.
- Make a Playlist: Pick happy, sad, or silly songs.
- Rain Remix: Add claps and taps to real rain sounds.
- Sock Puppet Musical: Original soundtrack optional.
- Musical Chairs: Always a hit.
Dance Fun
- Choreograph Something: Rehearse and perform.
- Follow the Leader: Add silly moves.
- Ribbon Dancing: Spinning and swirling.
- Yoga with Stories: Combine poses and tales.
- Dance Video: Simple moves, fun edits.
- Prop Dancing: Umbrellas, scarves, costumes.
- Limbo Line: Get creative with a broomstick.
- Shadow Dance: Play with shapes.
- Mirror Moves: Copy your partner.
- Slow-Motion Moves: A surprising workout!
Wellness & Rest
Rainy days are made for slowing down. Stretch, breathe, snuggle, or just relax—these calm and cozy ideas help kids rest and recharge at home.
Calm Time
- Deep Breathing: Flower sniff, candle blow.
- Listen to the Rain: Eyes closed, just listen.
- Gentle Stretching: Shake out the wiggles.
- Relax Muscles: Squeeze, release, repeat.
- Sensory Bin: Touch, explore, focus.
- Coloring Mandalas: Soothing and mindful.
- Foot Soak: Add bubbles for fun.
- Tidy Race: With music and silliness.
- Soft Music Time: Let them unwind.
- Blanket Nest: Weighted blankets = comfort.
Relax with Movement
- Yoga Flow: Child pose, tree, butterfly.
- Indoor Balance Walk: On a taped line.
- Tai Chi for Kids: Gentle and flowing.
- Slow Dance Stretch: No rush, just flow.
- Texture Hunt: Eyes closed, describe objects.
- Mirror Yoga: Practice together.
- Broomstick Balance: See who wobbles!
- Mini Meditation: A few minutes goes far.
- Sound Masking: Rain + headphones = rest.
- Wall Sit Challenge: Strength and silliness.
Brain Boosters
Rainy days are great for thinking games and fun challenges! Try puzzles, riddles, or memory games to keep young minds sharp and busy at home.
Logic & Puzzles
- Puzzles: From 24 to 500 pieces.
- Maze Books: Focused fun.
- Card Memory: Simple setup, great for brains.
- Beginner Sudoku: Shapes or numbers.
- Problem Toys: Twist, lock, unlock.
- Map Games: Follow treasure routes.
- Shape Blocks: Build patterns.
- Board Games: Teach strategy.
- Cipher Codes: Secret messages.
- Escape Challenges: DIY or store-bought kits.
Educational Screen Fun
- Virtual Field Trips: From zoos to NASA.
- Short Videos: On animals, nature, or science.
- Learning Apps: Just a bit of screen, lots of learning.
- Story Apps: Pick-your-path tales.
- DIY Video Science: Try along with YouTubers.
- Drawing Tutorials: Simple and fun.
- Sing in a New Language: Music makes memory stick.
- History Bites: Small, fascinating facts.
- Online Puzzles: Brain games online.
- Pen Pal Platforms: Safely connect with other kids.
Family Bonding
Rainy days bring everyone closer. Play a game, share stories, or cook together—these fun ideas help families laugh, talk, and make memories at home.
Together Projects
- Make a Scrapbook: Print or draw your memories.
- Paint a Wall Mural: Or a paper one.
- Host a Talent Show: Celebrate everyone’s weirdest talents.
- Story Circle: One line per person.
- Giant Game Board: Be your own game piece.
- Craft for Good: Send joy to someone else.
- Puzzle Swap: Rotate what you’ve done.
- Snack-Making Teams: Taste tests encouraged.
- Patchwork Quilt: Each person adds a square.
- Indoor Picnic: Flashlights and finger foods.
Stay Connected
- Call Family: Share what you’ve made.
- Online Playdates: Snacks and crafts together.
- Postcards: Draw and mail them.
- Online Games Together: Digital Uno or Ludo.
- Shared Audiobooks: Listen and chat.
- Family Blog : Share photos.
- Playlist Swaps: Rainy Day vibes.
- Virtual Hunts: Play across homes.
- Send E-Cards: Just to say hi.
- Rainy Day Contest: Best selfie or artwork wins!
Little Helpers & Light Chores
Rainy days are perfect for teaching kids to pitch in! Turn simple chores into fun tasks and let little hands help out around the house in playful ways.
Easy Chores
- Toy Rotation: Find old favorites.
- Reorganize Books: By size or rainbow.
- Sock Match Game: Time it!
- Craft Shelf Tidy: Make it neat again.
- Help with Pets: Water, feed, snuggle.
- Decorate Recyclables: Turn them into treasure.
- Water Plants: Carefully.
- Snack Organizer: Make a snack station.
- Towel Folding Race: Fold it, stack it.
- Calendar Additions: Count down to birthdays.
Life Skills
- Plan a Meal: Choose, shop (imaginary), and serve.
- Money Jars: Save, spend, share.
- Chore Chart: Make it fun, not strict.
- Emergency Practice: Just in case.
- First Aid Basics: Wash, bandage, learn.
- Recycling Game: Where does it go?
- Timers for Tasks: Gamify time!
- Snack Prep: Bananas, yogurt, toast.
- Dog-Walk Route: Even if it’s future planning.
- Mail Check: Sort and stamp practice.
Reflect & Relax
Rainy days invite quiet moments. Let kids slow down, think, draw, or just breathe—these gentle activities help them feel calm, safe, and cozy at home.
End of Day
- “What made you laugh today?”
- “What was tricky?”
- “What do you want to try again tomorrow?”
Let the rain come. Let it stay a while. Inside your home, little hands and big imaginations can turn one grey day into a dozen golden memories.