With the forecast predicting nothing but rain, it can be tough to keep the kids entertained indoors without unlimited screen time. But don’t stress too much! There are plenty of free rainy-day activities to enjoy with the kids without leaving the house or spending a dime. Some might even guarantee you some quiet time. Score!
Read on for some ideas to help you make the most of a dreary day when you’re stuck indoors.
Turn on Music
Turn off the television and crank up the stereo. Music is good for you! According to John Hopkins Medicine, “listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. If you want those benefits, keep reading!
Dance Party
A study from Australia showed that people who engage in music have increased well-being. So get up and dance to your favorite songs. It’s a fun way to get exercise, boost endorphins and connect with your family.
Karaoke
You can also have a karaoke party. YouTube has tons of karaoke videos. You’re sure to laugh and have a great time as a family as you sing along to your favorite songs.
Make Chore Time Fun
Make chore time a fun time by turning on some fast, upbeat music. Make it a challenge to clean a specific area before the song ends. You’ll be surprised at how quickly chore time passes by.
Learn Something New
A rainy day provides an excellent opportunity to teach your kids something new. Our pediatrician always asks our daughters at their well-child visits about what new skills they’ve learned over the past year. Growing and learning are everything! And a rainy day is the perfect opportunity.
Science Experiment
Google some science experiments. There are plenty of ideas for experiments you can do with simple household materials, such as these shaving cream clouds.
Learn a TikTok Dance
Some of my daughters’ and our favorite videos are dance videos. Why not learn a TikTok dance with your kids? Keep practicing until you’ve nailed it, and then create your own video. This is something that even your tweens and teens might enjoy.
Roundtable Talk
If your family enjoys discussing topics, bring out some treats and cocoa or have an afternoon tea and discuss an important topic. Learning about current events and important matters and participating in discussions will be of great benefit to your children their entire lives.
Etiquette Lesson
This doesn’t have to be boring. An etiquette lesson can surprisingly be lots of fun. Prepare a fancy meal or tea and practice proper etiquette. I remember as a young adult sitting down to a formal dinner and feeling panic about doing the wrong thing. Helping our children learn proper manners in public will be huge as they later apply for jobs, go on dates, attend dinners, etc. And if you don’t know proper etiquette, it’s ok! You can learn together. And share some certain laughs!
Culture Class
You could also learn about different cultures by reading stories from different countries or creating recipes from around the world. Or what about learning a new language together? There are plenty of free apps for learning
Music Lesson
Do you have an instrument at home? If so, you can help your child learn how to play it. If you know how to play it, you can teach your kids the fundamentals. If you don’t know how to play it, there are lots of tutorials on YouTube videos that help!
Build Something
If you have wood or scraps lying around, teach your kids a simple building project. There are lots of simple ideas. Learning how to properly use tools and put something together will give your kids a sense of accomplishment and some basic and important life skills.
Cooking Class
Does your child know how to properly chop with a knife, safely use the stove or oven, or know how to fry an egg? A rainy day is a perfect time to teach them some cooking skills. It will definitely pay off in the long run!
Flight Time
Making paper airplanes can be a fun activity for all ages! There are plenty of online tutorials and YouTube videos that can teach you how to put together paper airplanes in no time. All you need is some paper and enthusiasm; once you’ve mastered the basics, let your imagination take flight!
Break Out the Craft Supplies
Rainy days are perfect for getting creative! Gather up all your craft supplies, old magazines, and fabric scraps, and let your children’s imaginations go wild.
Card Making
Get a head start on birthdays or holidays by making cards. Homemade cards mean so much to the receiver and there are plenty of cute and simple ideas available.
Rainy Day Scrapbook
Make a rainy day scrapbook by creating a scrapbook. You can make a book by folding and stapling printer paper together to form a book. And then let your kids personalize and memorialize their day with photos, drawings, and writing.
Fabric Scrap Projects
If you have leftover fabric scraps, pull them out and let your kids use their imagination. My daughter loves to make cat clothes with my fabric scraps. If you need some ideas or inspiration, check out this Pinterest board.
Coffee Filter Art
Coffee filters aren’t just for coffee. But for all you coffee lovers, you can spare a few coffee filters for some lovely art. From flower bouquets to snowflakes, to butterflies, there are dozens of ideas for some beautiful art.
Yarn Art
This is something kids and teens alike will enjoy. Use your leftover yarn to create crafty yarn projects and decor in your home. It’s simple, stylish, and totally customizable!
Directed Drawing/Painting
Directed drawings and paintings are a great way to create some awesome art. There are tons of videos on YouTube to follow along with, and you can pause them as needed. Your kids will love drawing or painting some of their favorite characters!
Make Jewelry
You can make jewelry out of anything! From Fruit Loop necklaces to beaded bracelets to braided friendship bracelets, there are tons of fun, creative options that will work for whatever you have lying around the house.
Play Some Games
No rainy day would be complete without playing some games! And there are plenty of options that don’t include video games.
Board Games
Board games are always an option—they’re great for family bonding as well as helping kids practice strategizing and problem-solving skills.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
My kids love scavenger hunts! Make it as simple or complicated as you’d like depending on your kids. It’s a fun way to encourage them to work together and get active.
Old School Games
Would you like a wave of nostalgia? Break out the games of our childhood: hangman, paper fortune tellers, or MASH. All you need is a pencil and paper.
Movement Games
If you have little ones at home, they’ll enjoy some simple movement games such as “I Spy,” freeze dance, hide and seek or Simon Says. It’s a great way to help them practice their listening and observation skills while getting them up and moving.
Escape Room
Kids and adults alike love escape rooms! You can find printable escape rooms to enjoy with the kids. There are also virtual escape rooms that can be enjoyed with friends and family over Zoom calls.
Move Your Body
We know that exercise boosts endorphins and makes us feel better. Get the whole family moving together by trying one of these indoor activities.
Yoga
When you’re wanting a calm activity that will get the family moving, try yoga. There are some great yoga videos for kids that will keep them engaged and help them boost their flexibility and strength, as well as practice following directions.
Work-Out Competition
If your family has a competitive side, have a competition. Some ideas include a push-up, sit-ups, jump roping, hula-hooping, burpees, or jumping jacks. I’m sure the kids will come up with plenty more ideas!
Dance Along
Step up your dancing skills by doing a dance-along. KIDZ BOP has some popular, kid-friendly dances your kids (and you) will love!
Indoor Obstacle Course
Set up some obstacles around your house for a mini obstacle course. Use chairs, boxes, and books to create the course. Your kids will have fun trying it out!
Indoor Ice Skating
With some wax paper or paper plates, you can turn your wood or tile floors into an indoor rink! The kids will have fun “skating around” the house!
Build a Fort
Pull out the chairs, the sheets, and the blankets, and turn your living room into a fort. This will keep the kids active and using their creativity and problem-solving skills. They’ll be enjoying it for hours!
Cook Something
If there’s one thing I love on a rainy day, it’s the smell of something warm on the stove or in the oven. A rainy day is a perfect day to make something together. Pull out your family’s favorite recipes, dig through the fridge and pantry for the ingredients, and make something delicious. We even included some kid-friendly ideas that don’t require any cooking!
Milkshakes/Smoothies
One of the best things about milkshakes and smoothies is that it doesn’t require any heating and you can use just about anything! Just start with ice cream or yogurt and then throw in your favorite things and blend it up!
Muffins with Variations
One of my favorite kinds of recipes is a versatile recipe. I love having this basic muffin recipe that I can tweak with whatever I have on hand!
Charcuterie Board
Now, this doesn’t have to be fancy. Pull out a board or tray and customize it with whatever you have in your fridge and pantry. There are tons of great ideas for fun kid-friendly charcuterie boards.
Soups
Not much sounds or smells better than a pot of soup on a rainy day. We love these quick and simple soup ideas. There’s something for everyone.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Much like a milkshake, an ice cream sundae is super versatile. You can chop up leftover cookies, candy, fruit, or nuts. Pull out the marshmallows, sprinkles, or anything your family loves We love making this easy homemade caramel sauce– it smells and tastes amazing!
Kids Trail Mix
Here’s a completely versatile snack. Toss various bite-size snacks, cereals, dried fruit, or candy in a bowl to create a fun trail mix for the kids. Anything goes!
Tea Party
Adults and kids alike will enjoy a tea party. Gather up all the tea cups, saucers, and plates you have. Then break out your favorite snacks and teas. If you don’t have any teapots or loose-leaf tea, just make some iced tea for everyone. Have a fancy dress code if the kids are into that!
Relax!
Don’t forget to take advantage of the rainy weather to simply relax. The sun will be back out before you know it, so enjoy some restful activities while you have the chance!
Spa Day at Home
Everyone loves a spa day. Set up everyone’s favorite treatments in your own home! Create facial masks with items from the kitchen, give manicures and pedicures, or set up a mini massage station. Just make sure everyone is comfortable!
Movie Marathon
When all else fails, have a movie marathon! Let each family member pick their favorite movie and snuggle up under some blankets for a fun evening. Pop some popcorn, grab the blankets, and don’t forget the snacks! Watching movies together is a fun way to relax and bond with your family. It’s a rainy day activity that everyone will enjoy.
What are the benefits of planning rainy-day activities?
There are plenty of benefits to planning rainy-day activities for your family. A few of the benefits include:
- It provides opportunities to connect with each other and build stronger relationships
- It gets the kids and adults up and moving
- It provides a break from the screens. We know that excess screen time can have a negative impact, so it’s in your kids’ (and your own) best interest to encourage other options
- It engages our minds and spurs creativity
- It provides fun and laughter, which is great for our health and for building strong bonds
How do I manage my expectations about having a fun rainy day?
One thing I’ve learned from my experience in planning activities is that I have to manage my expectations. I’ve been frustrated more than once (okay, a lot more than once) when things aren’t going according to plan. I think we can all relate.
It’s important to be FLEXIBLE. Depending on everyone’s moods and energy levels, you may have to forgo an activity or pivot during an activity. Sometimes taking a break and doing solo activities is in the best interest of everyone.
Don’t beat yourself up! There will be plenty more opportunities. Accept it as an opportunity to problem solve, work on conflict resolution, and practice your calming strategies. We can try some different rainy day activities next time.
Wrap-Up
Rainy days don’t have to mean being stuck inside with nothing to do! With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can turn a dull day into one full of fun activities that everyone can enjoy together as a family. So put down the phones and tablets for an hour or a few and try one of these simple rainy-day activities. You’ll be making memories before you know it.
And if you’re looking for other family fun ideas over the holidays, check out this list.
