18 Rainy Day Activities for Kids

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Quick answer: 18 Rainy Day Activities for Kids. This guide gives 18 ideas in 4 sections: Make something; Play together; Cosy and calm; In the kitchen. Budget: Mostly under £10. Best for: Ages 3 to 10.

Written by the PinkDux Team. Last updated October 2026.

• Time: 20 minutes to a whole afternoon
• Budget: Mostly under £10
• Best for: Ages 3 to 10

The forecast said showers. By eleven the garden is a lake, the wellies are by the door and two children are staring out of the window like tiny, gloomy detectives.

Rain does not have to mean a wasted day. These eighteen ideas are sorted by mood, so you can pick the one that fits the energy in your house, from wild games to calm, cosy projects.

Top tip: Keep a “rainy day box” on a high shelf with new pipe cleaners, stickers and a puzzle. Because it only appears when the weather turns, it feels like a treat rather than a tidy up.

Make something

A wet afternoon is the perfect excuse to let the craft supplies out of the cupboard.

• Pipe cleaner creatures: Twist pipe cleaners into spiders, flowers or tiny people. They are soft, bendy and need no glue, so even four year olds can make something they are proud of.
• Rainy day suncatchers: Stick coloured tissue paper onto clear sticky plastic and hang it in the window. The grey light shining through makes the colours glow.
• Cardboard box city: Collect cereal boxes and tubes, paint them as shops and houses, and line them up along the hallway. Toy cars will happily drive straight through.
• Friendship bracelets: Threading beads on stretchy cord suits ages 5 and up. Make a pair, one to keep and one to give away.
• Rain gauge experiment: Cut the top off a clean plastic bottle, mark it with a ruler and leave it out. Check it each hour and record the rainfall on a chart.

Play together

When everyone needs to blow off steam, swap the screen for something with rules, or none at all.

• Indoor camping: Pitch a pop up tent in the lounge, add sleeping bags and have dinner by torchlight. Sandwiches taste better under canvas.
• Card game tournament: Snap, Go Fish and Old Maid suit little ones. Keep a scoreboard on the fridge so the champion changes through the week.
• Balloon keepy uppy: Do not let the balloon touch the floor. Add rules like “only elbows” for older children, and keep balloons away from under-3s as they are a choking risk if popped.
• Floor is lava: Cushions are stepping stones across a living room volcano. Clear the room of sharp corners and keep everyone in socks or bare feet for grip.
• Treasure hunt: Hide ten small toys around the house and write picture clues for younger ones. Swap roles so the children set the hunt for you.

Cosy and calm

Rain is made for blankets. These ideas help everyone slow down without anyone feeling bored.

• Family film afternoon: Close the curtains, make popcorn at home and let children choose the film in turn. Make tickets from card for a proper cinema feel.
• Story stones: Paint pictures on smooth pebbles, then pick three and invent a story from them. Sealing with clear varnish helps them last.
• Audiobook and colouring: Download a story from the library app and colour while listening. Perfect for the grumpy hour before tea.
• Reading tent: Sheets, fairy lights on a battery and a stack of picture books make a hideaway that children are quite happy to stay in for ages.
• Jigsaw on a tray: Do a large puzzle on a baking tray or board so it can be carried to a safe spot when dinner is ready.

In the kitchen

Cooking turns bad weather into a snack. Always supervise, wash hands first and check labels for allergies.

• Rainbow pasta salad: Cook pasta, let it cool, then add chopped peppers, cucumber and sweetcorn. Children love choosing a colour for each bowl.
• Tray bake flapjacks: Stirring oats, butter and syrup is a satisfying job for small arms. An adult should handle the hot tin and oven.
• Cloud dough: Mix eight parts flour with one part baby oil for soft, mouldable dough. Keep it contained on a tray and avoid use by babies who mouth everything.

Helpful links and further reading

A few trusted places to find out more.

• National Trust: Find gardens, parks and historic places for a day out.
• English Heritage: places to visit: Castles, abbeys and gardens with family events through the year.
• Forestry England: Forest walks, trails and family activities across England.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with kids on a rainy day with no money?

Build a den, make a cardboard city from recycling, hold a treasure hunt or have a family talent show. Most of the best ideas cost nothing.

How do I stop siblings arguing indoors?

Give each child a different job in the same activity, such as artist and designer, and take breaks for a snack and a stretch so tempers cool.

How long should an indoor activity last?

Young children often lose interest after 10 to 20 minutes, so plan several short ideas rather than one long one.

More ideas you might like

• Indoor Activities for Kids
• Screen Free Activities for Kids
• Quiet Time Activities for Kids
• 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy in the School Holidays