Whether you’re in survival mode or fully embracing the chaos, these rainy day activities for kids will keep them entertained and (mostly) happy while you keep your sanity.
Dreary days at home don’t have to mean boredom for the kids (or stress for you). With a little creativity and some simple supplies, you can turn a gloomy day into a fun-filled adventure. From sensory play ideas to educational games, here are the best things to do at home with kids when it’s pouring outside. Read on for our top rainy day activities for kids…
Read more: What to do in Christchurch When It’s Raining: 50 Indoor Activities for Kids
Rainy day activities for kids:
1. Build a Blanket Fort
Blanket forts are the ultimate rainy-day classic. Grab every blanket, pillow, and chair you can find, and let the kids design their dream hideout. Add fairy lights or torches for extra magic.
2. Get Messy with Sensory Play
Messy play is perfect for keeping little hands busy. One of our favourites is creating homemade dinosaur eggs, inspired by @borntoplay_kids on Instagram. These take ages for kids to crack open and discover what’s inside, buying you some precious quiet time. Have a look at the post here.
3. Make Potions
Turn your kitchen into a magical lab. Combine water, food colouring, and natural treasures like leaves to make enchanting potions. We love the potion kits from Little Earth Treasures —they make it easy and magical for kids of all ages.
4. Host a Bake-Off
Rainy weather is the perfect excuse to whip up something delicious. Let the kids get messy with cookies, cupcakes, or even their own pizzas. Sure, you’ll find flour in weird places for days, but the smiles (and snacks) are worth it.
5. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course
Transform your living room into a ninja warrior course with pillows, furniture, and hula hoops. This is one of the easiest rainy day activities for kids that also burns off energy!
6. Paint Stones
Get creative with stone painting. Use bright colours to decorate stones, then hide them around your neighbourhood when the rain stops. Check out Christchurch Rocks on Facebook for inspiration.
7. Audio Book Adventures
Download the BorrowBox library app for free kids’ audiobooks. Rainy day activities like this turn storytime into a cosy, screen-free treat. Favourites include The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.
8. Paint the Toys… Then Wash Them
This “Busy Toddler” classic is a double whammy of fun. First, kids paint their toys. Then, they set up a washing station to clean them. It’s a simple indoor activity that combines sensory play with practical life skills.
9. Torch Treasure Hunt
Inspired by Zazi Plays, a torch treasure hunt brings excitement to dark rainy days. Hide pictures on Post-It notes around the house, grab a flashlight, and let the adventure begin! Find the idea on Instagram here.
11. Make Playdough
Whip up a big batch of homemade playdough and let kids sculpt, roll, and squish. It’s a classic creative play activity that never gets old.
12. Dance Party in the Rain
If you’re feeling bold, grab gumboots and head outside. Dancing in the rain is pure joy and perfect for families who love simple, free fun.
13. Cupcake Decorating
Rainy day activities don’t have to be complicated! Buy pre-made cupcakes and frosting, and let the kids go wild with sprinkles and toppings.
14. Pouring Skills Station
Set up an indoor pouring station with cups and pitchers of water. It’s an engaging and educational game for kids that sharpens their fine motor skills.
15. DIY Arts and Crafts
Get out the crayons, scissors, and glue for a day of creativity. Rainy day craft ideas like paper crowns or sock puppets are perfect for sparking imagination.
16. Indoor Treasure Hunt
Hide toys or small treasures around the house and create a simple map or list of clues. It’s one of the best things to do at home with kids when they’re itching for an adventure.
17. Have a Playdate
Invite the neighbours or your friends over, and let the kids turn the house into a total wreck while you sip coffee and chat. Sometimes, shared chaos is the best chaos.
18. Plan a Movie Marathon
Turn your lounge into a home cinema. Let the kids pick a theme (superheroes, animated classics, or maybe something nostalgic for you) and settle in with popcorn and cosy blankets.
19. Dance Party
Crank up the tunes and let the kids burn off energy with some living-room boogieing. For guaranteed giggles, check out Danny Go on YouTube—it’s silly, energetic, and endlessly entertaining.
20. Dive Into Books
Set up a cosy reading nook, complete with blankets and pillows, and let the kids get lost in their favourite stories. Or make it interactive by taking turns reading aloud.
21. Host a DIY Spa Day
Pamper your little ones (and yourself!) with an at-home spa. Think DIY face masks (yogurt and honey work wonders), hand massages, and bubble baths.
22. Play Indoor Camping
Set up a pretend campsite in your living room. Pitch a small tent or make one with sheets, roll out sleeping bags, and “cook” marshmallows on a pretend fire. Don’t forget spooky stories!
23. Create a Family Time Capsule
Grab a box and fill it with drawings, photos, letters, or small toys. Seal it up and plan a date to open it in the future. Let the kids decorate the box to make it special.
24. Build a Cardboard City
Transform leftover boxes into a cityscape with houses, shops, and roads. The kids can decorate each structure, and toys can move in as the “residents.”
25. Create a Family Art Gallery
Get everyone involved in drawing, painting, or crafting, then display the masterpieces on a wall or string them up with pegs. Give your gallery a fancy name and “tour” it together.
26. Have a LEGO® Challenge
Set up a LEGO® building contest with themes like “tallest tower,” “coolest vehicle,” or “best house.” The more imaginative, the better.
27. Write and Perform a Play
Encourage the kids to write a script, gather costumes, and put on a show. You can be the audience, the director, or both.
28. Set Up an Indoor Picnic
Lay out a blanket in the living room, pack some sandwiches, and enjoy your feast while listening to the rain on the roof.
29. Set Up a ‘Special’ Bath
Transform an ordinary bath into a magical experience. Pretend it’s a spa with extra bubbles, a softly glowing candle, and soothing head massages. Want to take it up a notch? Turn off the lights, set up a star projector, and play calming space music. Add glow sticks, ball pit balls, or even floating toys for extra fun.
30. Toy Donation Challenge
Turn cleaning up into a game by hosting a “Toy Donation Challenge”! Have your kids gather up toys they no longer play with, but make it fun by giving them a mission: who can find the oldest toy, the most colourful, or the one that makes the funniest noise? Once they’ve gathered their toys, explain how these items will help other kids who might need them. Add stickers or badges for each toy donated, and finish with a special reward for their kindness! It’s a great way to teach generosity while decluttering the house.
Read more: Where to Donate Baby Items and Children’s Clothing in Christchurch
Rainy Days? Sorted.
With these ideas, staying home on a rainy day doesn’t have to feel like you’re stuck. Whether you’re baking, painting, or dancing in the rain, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. So, let the rain pour.
Images sourced via Pexels
