Rainy day activities for kids: 30 indoor ideas, sorted by energy level

Rain changes the plan, not the energy. Kids who'd have run around the park still need to move, and by mid-afternoon everyone can feel it.

The trick is to match the activity to the mood. Start with something big and physical, move to building or making, and save the quiet stuff for when they're winding down. Here are 30 ideas, sorted that way, that use things you already have.

Burn off energy

When they're bouncing off the walls, start here.

1. The floor is lava. Cushions, pillows and a few chairs become islands. See how to play floor is lava for ways to keep it fresh.
2. Hallway bowling. Ten plastic bottles (with a little water in the bottom) and a soft ball.
3. Indoor obstacle course. Crawl under the table, hop along the tape line, roll across the rug, touch the door and run back.
4. Dance party freeze. Play music and stop it at random. Everyone freezes like a statue.
5. Animal moves. Hop like a frog, crawl like a bear, slither like a snake, stomp like an elephant.
6. Balloon keepy-uppy. Keep a balloon off the floor using hands, heads, feet, then only elbows.
7. Masking tape hopscotch. Tape a grid on the floor and play. Easy to peel up afterwards.
8. Pillow fight on the bed. Agree on the rules first: soft pillows only, no faces.

Build something

Once the wiggles are out, building keeps hands busy and minds focused.

9. Blanket fort. The rainy day classic. Here's how to build a blanket fort that stays up.
10. Cardboard marble run. Tubes, tape and a wall. Follow our cardboard marble run guide.
11. Cardboard box car, rocket or house. One big box and some markers.
12. Tallest tower challenge. Blocks, cups, books or cans. How high can it get before it falls?
13. Train or car track across the whole living room floor, using tape for roads.
14. Build a boat that floats. Foil, a sponge or a plastic tray. Test it in the sink or bath.

Make something

15. Paper plate masks. Turn a plate into a tiger, robot or monster. See paper plate masks.
16. Rain pictures. Drop a little watered-down paint on paper and tilt it so it runs like rain.
17. Draw a map of the house and hide a "treasure" somewhere on it.
18. Make a puppet show. Socks, paper bags or wooden spoons. Use the back of the sofa as the stage.
19. Sticker or collage picture. Old magazines, scissors and glue.
20. Playdough. Make a quick batch together with our playdough recipe and get squishing.

Messy and curious

21. Sensory tray. A bin of rice, pasta or oats with scoops and cups. More ideas in sensory play.
22. Sink or float. A bowl of water and a handful of household objects. Guess first, then test.
23. Kitchen science. Baking soda and vinegar volcano, or a rainbow in a glass. Try more science activities for preschoolers.
24. Bake something simple. Muffins, cookies or pancakes, with your child doing the measuring and mixing.
25. Rain gauge. Put a clear jar outside the window and check how much rain has fallen each hour.

Calm and cozy

For the end of the afternoon, or for kids who'd rather slow down.

26. Story in the fort. Take a stack of books and a flashlight into the fort you built earlier.
27. Listen to the rain. Lie down, close your eyes and count the different sounds you can hear.
28. Jigsaw puzzle at the kitchen table, with hot chocolate.
29. Make a "rainy day box". Fill a box with things to save for next time: a new coloring book, stickers, a puzzle.
30. Window drawing. Use washable window markers or draw shapes in the steam on the glass.

Or go out anyway

Unless there's lightning or a storm, rain is a great reason to go outside. Put on rain boots and a coat and try:

• Puddle jumping. Who can make the biggest splash?
• Worm hunt. Worms come out after rain. Look on paths and under leaves.
• Boat races in a gutter or stream, with leaves or bottle tops.
• Rain sounds walk. How does rain sound on an umbrella, a car, a leaf?

Come in, change clothes and warm up with something cozy.

Tips for a rainy day at home

• Alternate big and small. Ten minutes of moving, then something calm, then moving again.
• Have one thing ready. A fort, a box of craft supplies or a puzzle set aside for rainy days.
• Let the mess happen in one place. A sheet on the floor or the kitchen table.
• Keep screens as a choice, not a default. A short show is fine, and it's easier to turn off when there's something else ready.

What to say

It's raining, so we're going to turn the living room into a jungle. Who wants to be the first explorer?

If it stalls

If nothing grabs them, start doing something yourself, like building a tower or drawing, and let them join in. If they're grumpy, go for movement first. If you only have a few minutes, try screen-free play in 10 minutes.

Common questions

What can I do with kids on a rainy day without spending money? Almost everything on this list uses things you already have: cushions, blankets, cardboard, paper and kitchen ingredients.

How do I keep toddlers busy on a rainy day? Keep it short and physical: dancing, pouring water in the sink, a basket of things to open and close. See activities for 2 year olds.

Is it okay for kids to play outside in the rain? Yes, if there's no lightning and they're dressed for it. Bring them in to warm up if they get cold.

More ideas

For more ways to move, see gross motor activities for preschoolers. For more indoor play, see our big list of things to do with kids and our guide to activities for kids by age.

Sources

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, physical activity tips (based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans)