10 Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers

Need some rainy day activities to beat cabin fever? This is a mix of activities that younger and older toddlers can enjoy. Take a look and see which ones look like the right fit for your busy kid!

We have had a lot of blustery days this month here in Atlanta. It’s felt more like spring than winter around here, complete with wind and plenty of rain. Yes, I know. My kid and I should put on galoshes and do some idyllic puddle-jumping. I promise that when it’s a little bit warmer out we will. But right now, it’s rainy and cold, and for this Florida native that means we are staunchly hanging out inside getting cabin fever. Rainy day activities to the rescue!

I’m always on the lookout for rainy day activities and indoor activities in general. I love letting my kid party at the park, but sometimes if I have a lot of work to do or am feeling under the weather, I need ways to keep him happy when we are at home. Do you have favorite rainy day activities that you’d add to this list? Drop a comment, crafty moms and dads!

10 Rainy Day Activities

1. Raid the Kitchen Cabinet for Sensory Play – If a rainy day catches you off guard, you might not be up for rainy day activities that require a trip to the craft store or even the grocery store. Chances are you already have what you need to do this simple activity.

2. Make a Smoothie – My kid loves helping me make smoothies lately! He tears up the greens and puts them carefully into the blender and tastes every ingredient as I hand it to him. He’s also more into drinking a green smoothie that he helped make over one I made for him.

3. Water Play – Who says the tub is just for bath time? You can fill the tub with some water, just like a bath time, or just stick your kid in the tub with containers of water to mix and pour. The point here is that the tub contains the mess. Mostly.

4. Wipe Container Activity Box – Do you have an empty container that used to hold wet wipes? Don’t toss it. Turn it into a rainy day sensory activity!

5. Make Moon Sand – Older toddlers can help with the mixing and choose which colors to add. Younger ones will love playing with this crumbly sensory activity.

6. Nature Play Box – This is another freeform rainy day activity. See what you have in the toy box, kitchen, and shed that would work well for this indoor activity.

7. Indoor Hopscotch – Get some wiggles out!

8. Pipe Cleaner Weaving – This is a sensory and fine motor activity that’s simple to set up and totally engrossing. If you don’t have pipe cleaners, a pair of shoelaces would work well for two and ups.

9. Edible Finger Paint – Your kids don’t have to eat this finger paint, but if they do, no problem. If you want to make this a super easy activity to clean up, throw a drop cloth underneath their work area to catch spills. Because let’s be honest: toddlers are made of spills.

10. Indoor Fruit Picking – Raid your stash of felt and create a miniature indoor orchard for your kids to explore. It’s magical AND easy. My favorite combo when it comes to rainy day activities!

Image Credits: Water play photo via Shutterstock; nature play box via Mama’s Nook; indoor hopscotch via Happy Hooligans; pipe cleaner weaving via Hands on As We Grow; edible finger paint via Imagination Tree; fruit picking via Make the Best of Everything