5 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids
It doesn’t have to be a rainy day to turn off the TV and power-down the computer and handhelds! These are classic, simple activities that young kids enjoy. They can be adapted for different skill levels and each gives you a chance to spend some focused time with your child.
Wax-Paper Cartoon Transfer
Give your child sections of wax paper and the colored funnies section of the newspaper. Lay the wax paper over the cartoon and using a spoon edge or a quarter, rub to transfer the colored ink to the paper. Added activity: Use the text in the cartoons for a reading experience.
Grain or Bean Maracas
Depending on the age/size of your child, use small or standard paper drinking cups, two for each maraca.
Fill one cup ¼ – ½ full with dry rice or tiny beans. Place an empty cup upside down on top of the one with rice/beans in it. Tape the rims together well, at least two or three times around the rim and sides to be sure it stays closed. Let your child start making music! Extra activity: Add a paper wrap if desired to decorate the maraca.
Play a Rhyming Game
Encourage your child to see how many rhyming words they can come up with for a word you provide. Have the child write the words, or you write them out as spoken. Start with trying to find three.
Popular examples to use, plus get creative in coming up with your own:
- Coat
- Hat
- Fly
- Look
Decorate the dinner table
Cover your table with inexpensive plain bulk paper and tape the edges down. Have your child(ren) use crayons to draw placemats for each family member, then add drawings of dishes and silverware. Add foods if desired. Keep the “tablecloth” on the table as long as you can (until too dirty!). Extra activity: Instead of drawing the placemat and dishes, have your child make them with separate paper and place on the table.
Send a Post Card
Sending postcards is almost a lost art! Make someone’s day by sending a personal card. Cut a rectangle 4” x 6” or 5” x 7” from extra heavy paper or cardboard. Have your child decorate one side with drawings of gluing a magazine image or home photo on the card. Write the message and add the address, helping your child as necessary. Extra activity: Use the cutting effort to teach measurement, and share how to address a card properly.
