When the sun is shining, there’s no problem — but on rainy days, finding entertaining kids’ indoor activities can be tough. Never fear: There are indoor crafts, games, and projects that are just as much fun — if not more — than playing outside! Read on for our 16 favorite kids’ indoor activities for a rainy day.
Tissue paper and cardstock make all of these summer crafts come to life! It is the perfect activity to get your kids' creative juices flowing on a rainy day and they are easy to prepare because they each come with a free printable. Choose from a Popsicle, Flamingo, Flower, Sea Turtle or Watermelon to get started on summer crafting.
Project by: Ashley Canipe
Create a sensory experience that also doubles as an exercise in mixing! Becky from The Crafting Chicksput together this indoor activity that uses silver glitter sand, white sand, corn starch, and water, all contained in clear classroom storage tubs. She then added wacky monster bendables, paint funnels, and storage cups to turn it into a true boredom buster!
Project by: Becky James of The Crafting Chicks
When a rainy day comes along, we have you covered with easy crafts for the kiddos that will keep them occupied indoors! Rainbow Plates, Paper Plate Flower Puppets, Cow Craft Rolls, Pom Pom Monsters and Bug Do-A-Dots make for ideal indoor crafts.
Projects by: The Crafting Chicks
This craft perfectly complements a pirate-themed playdate, but it can be just as fun on its own! This project by Jamie of The Crafting Chicks used black and white and red and white washi tape wrapped around two white craft rolls. Then, she glued the craft rolls together, added a hole punch to the top of both sides, and tied baker’s twine through the loops.
Project by: Jamie Bare of The Crafting Chicks
Crafts that can keep the kids engaged and work on skills is a win-win! This Summer Matching Game does just that. Use card stock, Tropical Fish Shapes, Foam Luau Shapesand Foam Bug Shapes to create the game.
Project by: Rachel Nipper of I Heart Crafty Things
Rain, rain go away! Set up a space for kids to create painted umbrellas they can use the next time they have to venture out — or even just stomp in some puddles. Meri Cherry created this activity using white DIY umbrellas. Then, she handed over fabric paint, neon fabric spray paint, heart stickers, washi tape, and sponges to the kiddos and turned them loose. Each one let their creativity shine with a unique creation!
Project by: Meri Cherry
Craft roll projects are so easy to prepare which make them great crafts for the sudden rainy day. Make Unicorn Craft Rolls, Craft Roll Rockets, Butterfly Windsocks and several more ideas that all use craft rolls as the main product!
Projects by: Rachel Mcaffee of Fawn
Sewing is a fantastic activity to teach hand eye coordination and a new skill. Take these on a road trip, use them for a quiet time activity or bring them out for a rainy day. Each of these crafts come with their very own Free Printable! They can choose from making a Snail, Lollipop, Rainbow or Flower – better yet, make all four!
Projects by: Jamie Bare of The Crafting Chicks
You may think of a terrarium as a home for plants, but for your littles, it’s the perfect place to create a prehistoric scene! Haeley from Design Improvised developed this project that repurposes a floating candle bowl. She laid out the materials — bulk green sand, white stone gravel, colored stone gravel, palm tree picks, and of course, a dino-mite dinosaur assortment — and let kids create their very own habitat. Take it a step further and make this part of an entire week of dino-focused activities!
Project by: Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised
After every rain comes a rainbow. That’s why it is so fun to make rainbow crafts on rainy days! The creative possibilities are endless with these 10 Rainbow Craft Ideas. Make Rainbow Sunglasses, Rainbow Coin Purses and more!
Project by: Rachel Nipper of I Heart Crafty Things
Make the most of a rainy day by jazzing up your fridge with furry bug clothespins! They’re a fun, creative way to display your kids’ artwork. It involves hot glue, so be prepared to help younger kids. This project by Shauna from Ella and Annie uses basic clothespins and lets kids dress them up using pom-poms, Sharpies, googly eyes, glue dots, chenille stems, self-adhesive jewels, and magnets.
Project by: Shauna Krantz of Ella & Annie
Take advantage of being stuck indoors, and turn dinnertime from a rushed meal between after-school activities into a true event! Missy and Kirsten from Sweetly Chic Events show you exactly how to throw a pizza party for either your family, your kids and their friends, or both. They had everyone begin by decorating a DIY apron and chef hat using pizza stickers and bow ties. Then, they gave everyone a clear serving bowl with quick and easy pizza dough. Guests rolled the dough out using mini rollers, then added sauce and toppings at a DIY pizza toppings bar. Get the complete list of materials, including decorations and instructions for a pizza party that doesn’t miss a detail.
Project by: Missy and Kristen of Sweetly Chic Events and Decor
Stock up on buttons, cardstock and glue sticks for rainy day activities. It is so fun to create a crafting station during a rainy day, and these button crafts are perfect because they are easy and fun!
Project by: Rachel Nipper of I Heart Crafty Things
Have your kids use a rainy day to craft up some beautiful butterfly’s to hang in your window! Use Floral Paper Plates, Craft Sticks, Chenille Stems and Pom Poms. The kiddos will love seeing their crafts hanging around the house.
Project by: Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised
Let your kids have some ooey-gooey fun with these easy slime recipes on a rainy day. We have a slime recipe for every kid! Monster Slime, Love Bug Slime and many more! You could even set up slime stations to make it that much more engaging.
God’s Eyes are such an exciting craft for kids. Make them with craft sticks, yarn, and pom-poms. If you want to turn the craft into a learning experience, you can teach your kids the history and meaning of God’s Eyes!
Project by: Haeley Giambalvo of Design Improvised