If you’re looking for the perfect rainy day activities for toddlers, you’ve come to the right place. these activities are a good way to stop the boredom and cabin fever. With a little creativity and planning, rainy day activities can also be a fun opportunity for quality time with your little ones.
Why are rainy day activities for toddlers beneficial?
They help develop creativity and imagination: toddlers love to explore and experiment, and rainy day activities can provide a safe and engaging space for them to do so. Whether it’s making crafts, building with blocks, or creating a fort, rainy day activities encourage children to think outside the box and use their imaginations.
They promote socialization and communication skills: Rainy day activities can be a great opportunity for toddlers to interact with others, whether it’s with siblings, parents, or friends. Through playing games or participating in group activities, toddlers can develop their social skills and learn how to communicate and cooperate with others.
They can help develop fine motor skills: Many rainy day activities, such as drawing, coloring, or cutting and pasting, require the use of fine motor skills. These activities can help toddlers develop hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and control over their movements.
They provide a sense of structure and routine: Rainy days can disrupt a toddler’s daily routine, but having planned activities can help provide structure and a sense of normalcy. This can be especially important for toddlers who thrive on routine and predictability.
Overall, rainy day activities for toddlers can be a great idea as they provide a fun and engaging way to develop creativity, socialization skills, fine motor skills, and a sense of routine.
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1. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Make a Rainy Day Fort
A great rainy day activities for toddlers is building a fort. It is a classic rainy day activity. but why not take it up a notch and make it a rainy day fort? Use pillows, blankets, and any other household items you have to make a cozy fort that’s perfect for reading books or snuggling up to watch a movie.
Why we think building a fort is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Creative expression: Building a fort allows kids to use their imaginations and creativity to create a space that is uniquely their own. They can come up with their own designs, use different materials, and create a space that suits their interests and preferences.
Problem-solving skills: Building a fort involves problem-solving skills as kids figure out how to construct and design the structure, how to secure materials, and how to make sure it is sturdy and safe.
Safe space: A fort can be a safe and cozy space where kids can relax, read, play, or even take a nap. It’s a perfect escape from the rainy weather.
2. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Puddle Jumping
Another great addition to rainy day activities for toddlers is puddle jumping. Who says you have to stay dry on a rainy day? Put on your rain boots and grab an umbrella, then head outside to jump in some puddles with your little one.
Not only is this a fun way to get some exercise and fresh air, but it also gives your toddler the opportunity to splash around and explore their environment.
Just be prepared for a messy aftermath and make sure to have a change of clothes ready!
Why we think puddle jumping is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
- Exercise: Jumping in puddles is a great way for kids to get some exercise and burn off excess energy. It’s a fun and active way for kids to stay healthy and fit.
- Sensory experience: Jumping in puddles provides a sensory experience for kids as they feel the water splashing around their feet and legs. It helps them to explore their environment and develop their sensory skills.
- Bonding experience: Jumping in puddles is a great way for kids to bond with siblings or friends. It’s a fun and exciting activity that encourages laughter, communication, and interaction.
3. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Indoor Scavenger Hunt
If going outside isn’t an option, try an indoor scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for your toddler to find around the house and set them loose. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you want, depending on your child’s age and abilities.
You can also theme the scavenger hunt based on your child’s interests. For example, if they love animals, you can hide stuffed animals around the house for them to find.
Check out this outdoor/indoor Melissa and Doug scavenger hunt play set that includes over 80 double-sided cards.
Why we think an indoor scavenger hunt is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Promotes problem-solving skills: Scavenger hunts require kids to solve clues and puzzles, promoting their problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
Encourages teamwork and communication: Scavenger hunts can be done in teams, encouraging kids to work together and communicate effectively to find all the clues.
Fun and engaging: Scavenger hunts are a fun and engaging activity that keeps kids entertained and excited throughout the day.
4. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Make Homemade Play Dough
Making playdough is a great addition to rainy day activities for toddlers. It allows them to get creative and explore different textures. Plus, it’s super easy to make with just a few ingredients you likely have in your pantry.
Check out this post on how to make homemade play dough.
Why we think making homemade playdough is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Encourages creativity: Making playdough allows kids to use their imaginations and creativity to create different shapes, designs, and colors.
Promotes fine motor skills: Manipulating playdough helps to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Educational: Making playdough is an educational activity that teaches kids about ingredients, measurements, and basic chemistry concepts.
5. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Have a Dance Party
Having a dance part is the perfect addition to rainy day activities for toddlers. Who doesn’t love a good dance party? Rainy days can be a drag, but a dance party can turn any frown upside down. Clear some space in your living room, put on some music, and let your toddler bust a move.
Why we think having a dance party is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Provides exercise: Dancing is a great form of exercise that gets toddlers moving and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Releases energy: Dancing allows toddlers to release their energy in a fun and constructive way, helping to reduce restlessness and boredom.
Boosts mood: Dancing is a great way to boost mood and relieve stress, providing a fun and enjoyable way to pass the time on a rainy day.
6. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Making a Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a great way to keep your toddler engaged and stimulate their senses. All you need is a large container, such as a plastic bin or even a bathtub, and some items for your toddler to explore.
Fill the container with materials like rice, beans, or water beads, and let your toddler dig in. You can also add toys or other objects for them to find and play with.
Check out these 60 sensory bin activities for toddlers!
Also, check out this 82 piece assorted animal toys, perfect to fill up those sensory bins.
Why we think making a sensory bin is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Promotes sensory development: Sensory bins allow toddlers to explore different textures, colors, and scents, helping to promote their sensory development.
Encourages imaginative play: Sensory bins can be used as a backdrop for imaginative play, allowing toddlers to create their own stories and scenarios.
Provides a calming activity: Sensory bins can be a calming activity for toddlers, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
7. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Storytime
Story time is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers. Rainy days are the perfect time for snuggling up with a good book. Choose some of your toddler’s favorite books and read them together, or introduce them to some new stories. You can even make it a themed storytime by reading books about rain. Check out this list of 100 books about rain for toddlers.
Some of our favourite rainy day books for toddlers include: Peep & Ducky Rainy Day, Singing in the Rain, Cloudette, Come on, Rain!, and The Big Umbrella.
Why we think story time is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Promotes literacy: Reading books during storytime helps to promote literacy and language development in kids.
Encourages imagination: Reading stories allows kids to use their imaginations to visualize the characters and settings in the story.
Develops listening skills: Listening to stories during storytime helps to develop kids’ listening skills and comprehension abilities.
9. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Have a Baking Day
Rainy days are a great time to do some baking withyour little one. Choose a simple recipe, such as cookies or muffins, and let your toddler help measure ingredients, mix the batter, and decorate the finished product.
Not only is this a fun activity, but it’s also a great way to teach your child about measuring and following instructions.
Check out these 40 kid-friendly baking recipes.
Why we think having a baking day is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Develops cooking skills: Baking allows toddlers to learn cooking skills such as measuring, mixing, and following a recipe.
Teaches patience: Baking requires patience as it often involves waiting for the dough or batter to rise or bake, which can be a great lesson for toddlers to learn.
Provides a tasty reward: Baking allows toddlers to enjoy the fruits of their labor and indulge in a delicious treat.
10.Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Paint and Draw
Another great rainy day activity for toddlers is drawing and painting. Let your toddler explore their artistic side by providing them with paint, markers, crayons, or other art supplies.
You can also give them a theme to work with, such as rainbows or animals that love the rain. Your toddler may not create a masterpiece, but they’ll have a blast making a mess and expressing themselves.
Just make sure to cover your surfaces with newspaper or a drop cloth to protect them from spills and splatters.
We LOVE this less mess painting activity kid by Crayola. Perfect for indoor painting activities with little to no mess!
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even make your own finger paint for toddlers!
Why we think painting and drawing is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Encourages creativity: Painting and drawing allow toddlers to express themselves creatively and explore their imagination.
Develops fine motor skills: Painting and drawing require the use of fine motor skills, such as holding a paintbrush or pencil, which helps to develop those skills in toddlers
Builds confidence: Seeing their artwork come to life can be a confidence-booster for toddlers, especially when they receive positive feedback.
11. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Build an Indoor Obstacle Course
If your toddler has lots of energy to burn, create an indoor obstacle course for them to conquer. Use pillows, blankets, chairs, and other household items to create a course that challenges your little one’s gross motor skills.
You can also time them and make it a race, or create different stations with activities at each one.
Just make sure to clear a path for safety and supervise your toddler as they complete the course.
Check out this post on how to turn your living room into an obstacle course.
Why we think an indoor obstacle course is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Boosts creativity: Building an obstacle course allows toddlers to use their imagination to create their own unique course with different challenges and obstacles.
Builds problem-solving skills: toddlers need to figure out how to design and navigate through the obstacle course, which helps to build problem-solving skills.
Provides a fun challenge: toddlers can challenge themselves and each other to see who can complete the obstacle course the fastest or with the most style.
12. Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers: Dress-Up Day
Rainy days are the perfect time to let your toddler explore their imagination with some dress-up play. Provide them with costumes, hats, and accessories and let them create their own character.
You can even get in on the fun and dress up with them. Who says dress-up is just for kids?
We love these Disney Princess Dress up Dresses and This First Responders Set which includes a fireman, police, and doctor!
Why we think a dress up day is the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Encourages creativity: Dress-up play allows toddlers to use their imaginations and creativity as they experiment with different clothing and accessories to create new characters and personas.
Enhances motor skills: Dressing up involves fine motor skills such as manipulating zippers, buttons, and Velcro, which can help toddlers develop their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Provides sensory stimulation: Toddlers can explore different textures, fabrics, and colors as they dress up in different outfits, which can provide sensory stimulation and contribute to their overall sensory development.
13. Science Experiments
Rainy days are a great time to explore some science experiments with your little one. Choose simple experiments that use household items, such as baking soda and vinegar or food coloring and water.
Not only is this a fun activity, but it’s also a great way to teach your child about cause and effect and how things work.
Just be prepared for a bit of a mess and make sure to supervise your toddler closely as they experiment.
Here is a list of some of our favourite science experiment kits for kids:
- Science Experiment Kit including lab coat, name badge, test tube and more!
- Mega Gem Dig Kit. Dig up real gemstones!
- Soap and Bath Bomb Making Kit
- Dino World Terrarium Kit
Check out these 30 indoor science experiments for toddlers.
Why science experiments are the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Develops critical thinking skills: Many science experiments involve problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which can help toddlers develop these important skills from a young age.
Fosters a love of learning: When toddlers engage in fun and engaging science experiments, they can develop a positive attitude towards learning and a lifelong love of science.
Provides hands-on learning: Science experiments often involve hands-on learning, which can help toddlers better understand scientific concepts and ideas.
14. Movie Marathon
Rainy days are the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch and watch some movies with your little one. Choose some of their favorite movies or introduce them to some new ones.
You can even make it a theme day, such as Disney movies or movies about animals.
Check out this list of 50 best family-friendly movies to stream
Why are movies marathons the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Provides entertainment: A movie marathon can provide hours of entertainment for toddlers as they watch their favorite movies and TV shows.
Encourages relaxation: Watching movies can also help toddlers relax and unwind, especially on a rainy day when they may not be able to engage in their usual outdoor activities.
Provides a break from routine: A movie marathon can be a fun way to break up a routine and add some excitement to an otherwise rainy and dreary day.
15. Virtual Field Trips
If going out isn’t an option, take your little one on a virtual field trip. Choose a destination, such as a zoo or museum, and explore it online.
You can also make it interactive by having your toddler ask questions or complete activities based on what they see.
Not only is this a fun activity, but it’s also a great way to teach your child about the world around them.
Check out this list of 30+ virtual field trip ideas for kids.
Why are virtual field trips are the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers:
Provides learning opportunities: Virtual field trips can offer unique learning experiences for toddlers as they explore new places, learn about different cultures, and discover new ideas.
Enhances technology skills: Virtual field trips can help toddlers develop their technology skills as they navigate digital platforms and engage with multimedia content.
Stimulates imagination: Virtual field trips can help to spark toddlers’ imaginations and inspire them to learn more about the world around them.
16. Yoga or Stretching
Rainy days can make you feel cooped up and restless, but yoga or stretching can help you and your toddler release some of that pent-up energy.
There are plenty of resources online for toddler-friendly yoga or stretching routines. You can also make it a game by doing animal poses or pretending to be trees swaying in the wind.
Check out these fun 54 yoga pose flashcards for toddlers and kids.
You can also put on Cosmic Kids Yoga and have your little ones copy the moves! Milan loves this show on YouTube!
Why is yoga and stretching the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers?:
Promotes physical activity: Yoga and stretching can provide a fun and engaging way for toddlers to engage in physical activity, even when outdoor activities are not possible due to the weather.
Builds flexibility and strength: Regular stretching and yoga can help toddlers build flexibility and strength, which can support their overall physical development.
Encourages mindfulness: Yoga and stretching can also help toddlers develop mindfulness and focus as they learn to tune into their bodies and pay attention to their breath and movements.
17. Indoor Picnic
An indoor picnic can be a fun and cozy way for toddlers to enjoy a meal or snack. Parents can spread out a blanket, pack some snacks, and create a special indoor picnic atmosphere.
You can also put on their favourite show or movie while they enjoy their yummy food!
Why is an indoor picnic the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers?:
Provides a change of scenery: An indoor picnic can provide a change of scenery for toddlers, which can be a refreshing break from their usual indoor play spaces.
Promotes healthy eating: An indoor picnic can be an opportunity for parents to introduce healthy and nutritious foods to toddlers in a fun and engaging way.
Encourages creativity: An indoor picnic can provide an opportunity for toddlers to get creative with their food and drink choices and experiment with different tastes and textures.
18. Indoor Bowling
Indoor bowling can be a fun and easy way for toddlers to practice their gross motor skills and coordination. Parents can use soft balls or even rolled-up socks as bowling balls and set up pins made from empty water bottles.
You can also purchase this awesome Melissa & Doug Indoor Bowling Set
Why is indoor bowling the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers?:
Develops Gross Motor Skills: Indoor bowling can help toddlers develop their gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they roll the ball towards the pins.
Builds Focus and Concentration: Indoor bowling can help toddlers build focus and concentration as they aim and roll the ball towards the pins.
Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: Indoor bowling can also enhance toddlers’ problem-solving skills as they experiment with different techniques to knock down the pins.
19. Magnetic Tiles:
Magnetic tiles are a great addition to rainy day activities for toddlers. Ever since we bought Milan his first set of magnetic tiles, he was obsessed. They can be a fun and creative way for toddlers to build and construct. Parents can provide magnetic tiles and encourage toddlers to use their imagination to create different structures and designs.
We love this 60 piece magnetic tile set by Picasso Tiles.
Why is an indoor picnic the perfect rainy day activity for toddlers?:
They promote creativity and imagination: Magnetic tiles allow toddlers to use their creativity and imagination to build structures, shapes, and designs. This activity encourages children to think outside the box and develop their problem-solving skills.
They improve fine motor skills: Building with magnetic tiles requires precise movements and coordination, which helps toddlers develop their fine motor skills. This is particularly important for toddlers as they are still learning how to control their movements.
They promote STEM learning: Magnetic tiles can help toddlers learn basic principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a fun and engaging way. Building with magnetic tiles can help toddlers understand concepts like gravity, balance, and geometry.
Rainy days do not have to be boring for toddlers. With a little creativity and planning, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities that can keep toddlers entertained and learning.
From building with magnetic tiles to baking cookies, there are many options for indoor activities that can help toddlers develop their skills and imagination.
By trying out different activities and finding what works best for your child, you can turn a rainy day into a fun and memorable experience for both you and your little one.
What are some of your favourite rainy day activities to do with your toddler? Drop a comment below.