5 Rainy Day Activities for Kids That Reduce Screen Time and Increase Fun!

Rainy days are the worst, especially for kids with a lot of energy and nowhere to put it. It’s easy to turn to screen time as entertainment, but you could expose your children to a more creative and active form of fun. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of five exciting activities that will keep your kids entertained and moving during a rainy day.

These activities will reduce screen time and increase excitement. We’ve included the supplies you’ll need and some tips for a successful day so you can start immediately. Let’s jump into the list and see which activities your kids will love.

Create a Cardboard Playhouse

If you don’t have a set of kids’ carboard blocks, gather some large cardboard boxes, scissors, glue sticks, painter’s tape, markers or paint, and any other supplies you think your child might need or want to use to decorate the playhouse. You could also include spy kits for bonus fun. 

Once you have all the materials ready, help your child cut the pieces of cardboard into different shapes and sizes and assemble them into the proper shape. Stick the pieces together with the painter’s tape until they hold their form.

Now comes the fun part of creating the interior of the playhouse. Let your child’s imagination be their guide as they decorate their new space with markers and paint to their liking. They could add a bed, kitchen table and chairs, chairs, couches, artwork, wallpaper, carpeting, and more.

Paint Rocks 

To get started, you will need some rocks, preferably in various shapes and sizes, acrylic paint, tiny brushes for detailed painting, and sealant spray or mod podge to protect the painted creations. 

Have your child choose which colors of acrylic paint to use for each rock, from light shades to bright shades, helping them decide what kind of design or pattern to use if needed. It is best to work in layers with darker or brighter colors first. For detailed painting, use tiny brushes, but larger brushes also work well on large rocks if no tiny ones are available. 

Line up all the painted rocks on an outside wall after being painted and sealed with spray or mod podge to protect them.

Rainy Day Sensory Bin 

Start by collecting materials for this sensory bin activity. You will need dry pasta or noodles, water beads, shells, or other natural items. Place these items into separate bowls so your child can easily access each item without having to mix them all in one big bin. Start by adding in the pasta, then move down the list adding items like water beads.

Last but not least, engage your child. Ask them questions about each item they’re exploring within their bin. Allow them time to explore each item and investigate how it feels and what noise it makes when squeezed or touched. Encourage creativity but also focus on learning concepts like cause and effect. Mixing different textures and colors can help build fine motor skills.

Set up an Indoor Obstacle Course 

To create an indoor obstacle course, collect a few small items. Start by gathering things like pillows, blankets, books or magazines, and small hurdles made of cardboard boxes. 

Once you have collected all your material, it’s time to assemble the course. Start by placing different hurdles in an area large enough for children to traverse safely. If possible, use painter’s tape for this step so that nothing gets damaged and you can move it around. 

After putting together one complete obstacle course, you may modify it for different challenges, add more hurdles, or replace certain ones with something else. Encourage imaginative play while completing each task so your child remains engaged throughout this activity.

Make a Rainy Day Craft 

To begin, gather materials such as construction paper in different colors and textures, scissors, and glue sticks for crafting with kids. Additional art supplies such as pipe cleaners and sequins may be enjoyable, and spy kits can add a fun twist to the activity.

After gathering your materials, decide on a craft to create, such as paper airplanes, origami, or friendship bracelets. Brainstorm ideas with your children, allowing each person to express themselves creatively, independently, or collaboratively. During the crafting process, provide help and allow room for independence. Supervise the process to ensure safety. Enjoy the creative process with your children.

Conclusion

Rainy days don’t have to be the bane of existence. With creativity, you can make a rainy day fun and productive. Our list of five rainy-day activities will keep your kids entertained and engaged, from creating a cardboard playhouse to making a craft. We hope our list was helpful and that you and your kids have a productive day.