What’s your rainy day plan? We recently asked Mykidstime parents what they love doing with their kids when it’s wet outside. They shared their favourite activities and things to do, from heading outdoors to play (despite the rain!) to watching movies together.
If you need some inspiration, here are 25 of the most fun things to do with kids on rainy days, many of which are FREE and cost nothing but time!
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Fun Things to Do with Kids on Rainy Days
When it’s a rainy day it sometimes feels like you are all stuck indoors with no options, but there are plenty of things to do. Here are 25 ideas to inspire you!
#1. Get Outdoors
As my Mum always says, “everything can go in the wash” and you seem to agree, as the number one thing to do with kids on rainy days is to don your wellies and rain gear and head outside for a walk.
Splashing in puddles is obligatory, of course! And hot drinks once you get back indoors, perhaps with some hot buttered toast and jam. Yum!
#2. Watch a Movie
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A close second is to curl up on the sofa with the kids and watch a family movie. Popcorn and hot chocolate are an added bonus for everyone.
You could add some extra fun, and make your own home cinema.
#3. Arts & Crafts
Many of you love to break out the arts and crafts box for a creative afternoon of fun with the kids. Here are 50 Brilliant Art & Craft Ideas That Are Worth the Mess!
#4. Baking
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Baking is high on the list of your favourite things to do on rainy days, with everything from cookies to s’mores on the menu. Here are easy cookie recipes for kids to try, including these classic (and delicious!) chewy chocolate chip cookies. Hopefully you can wait long enough for them to cool to enjoy with a glass of milk!
More great ideas include:
#5. Build a Fort
Kids love making forts – even older kids will enjoy this fun activity.
Mum Anna tells us that she makes a fort in the living room and she and the kids go on ‘adventures far and wide’.
#6. Curl Up with a Book
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Whether your children are still young enough to cuddle up with you for a story, or old enough to read themselves, you love nothing better than a literary afternoon on rainy days. You could even turn this activity into a fun readathon, and see how many books/chapters everyone can read.
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#7. Indoor Picnic
Once you have baked all those goodies you like, there’s nothing better than to have an indoor picnic. In your fort, if you’ve made one!
#9. Have a PJ or Duvet Day
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Sometimes a rainy day is the ideal opportunity to have no agenda and just see where the day takes you. Stay in your PJs and enjoy!
#9. Go Visiting
So one parent admitted “he sends the kids off to their grandparents on rainy days”, there was a “ha ha ha” at the end so I do think he was jesting! But many of you head off to visit friends and family to while away the time on a rainy day.
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#10. Play Board Games
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We all have plenty of them, but how often do we get the board games out and have a couple of hours trying to amass our Monopoly fortune or figure out ‘who was the murderer’? Here are the 20 best board games for families and some completely different board games that you’ll really enjoy.
#11. Junky Bedroom Wars!
This one from Melissa is ingenious. Junky bedroom wars is played when Mum or Dad thinks up an object that the kids can make, using the junk in their bedroom e.g. a boat or a plane.
Once built, you race them against each other! Or head outside to a puddle to see who has built the one that will stay afloat the longest!
#12. Colouring
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From printable colouring pages to freehand drawing, colouring was high on the list of things to do with kids on a rainy day. You could dedicate a wall in the playroom to all their masterpieces.
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#13. Tidy Up
Ok this one is probably not going to be popular with the kids but check out 10 Quick Ways to Tidy Up the Playroom for inspiration on how to get them cleaning without even realising they are helping!
And, better yet, they will most likely discover toys they had forgotten, as they tidy, leading to a whole new way to pass some more time.
#14. Play Dough Day
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Cover the table and let the kids get creative with their play dough for the day. And if you don’t have any to hand, here’s how to make your own play dough.
#15. Go Fishing
Dad Sean suggested heading out for a day of fishing. As you are probably going to get wet anyway, a rainy day is the ideal opportunity to catch some fish.
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#16. Go Swimming
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On colder days you may like to go to the local leisure centre for a dip, but once the weather heats up a bit, parents said don’t let a few drops of rain put you off heading to the beach!
Bring waterproof bags for the clothes and have hot drinks at the ready for when you get home.
#17. Head to the Cinema
While many of you suggested curling up on the sofa to watch a film, on a rainy day it can be a nice treat to get out and see the latest family movie at the cinema.
#18. Head to the Library
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Many local libraries have a story hour or offer games, puzzles or colouring sheets for younger kids. And older ones can check out the latest arrivals or ask for recommendations from the librarians for similar books to ones they have already enjoyed.
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#19. Visit a Museum
Many museums are free to visit and have an array of activities to keep kids amused. From interactive displays to replica things to handle to dress up to activity sheets that they can complete as they go.
#20. Dress Up
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Whether you have a box full of dress up costumes or a wardrobe full of clothes, kids love to dress up and put on a show for adults. Pick a theme to help get the ball rolling and then sit back and enjoy the show.
#21. Indoor Disco
Close the curtains, put on a disco playlist with some great tunes and while away a few hours dancing about and having fun.
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#22. Indoor Treasure Hunt
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Set up an indoor treasure hunt. This could also be an ideal way to get the kids cleaning! When you hide objects in the mess of toys around the house and they have to clear them up to find the prizes!
#23. Puppet Show
A rainy day is the ideal time to have your very own puppet show. Puppets can be anything from a favourite teddy to socks with googly eyes added! And to make it extra special, why not help the kids to write their own script?
#24. Indoor Obstacle Course
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Set up an indoor obstacle course using cushions and rugs and see who can get around the room quickest!
#25. Outdoor Games
Apart from jumping in puddles there are loads of games that can be played outside on a rainy day. Be inspired with these ideas for rainy day games that guarantee outdoor fun!
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