It’s raining! Do you have a go-to rainy day plan? Or is it a wing-it kind of situation? Whether you are prepared or not, it’s always nice to mix things up. And it’s great to have a list you can refer to in order to fill the time and not hear, “I’m so bored!”

Here are some ideas to help make the day more enjoyable and exciting.

The Little Ones:

• Play with chalk
• Busy bags
• Fun with straws
• Popsicle sticks
• Get creative and use your recycling
  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Egg cartons
  • Keep the cardboard
  • Milk cartons
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Paper Plates
  • Create a recycled materials art wall
• Coffee filters are for more than just coffee
  • Create butterflies
  • Tie-Dye
  • And much more.
• Bubbles
• Indoor activities
• Board Game Day
• Make the best blanket fort
• Have fun with rainy day songs – sing, dance, draw a picture, act it out
  • The Itsy Bitsy Spider
  • Singing in the Rain
  • It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
  • Rain Rain Go Away
• Fun educational YouTube channels

The Middle Years:

• Crafts – Your local dollar store usually has inexpensive supplies – keep a container of supplies on hand for those unexpected days at home
• Write and perform a play (make the costumes and set)
• Treasure/scavenger hunt – in the rain – take pictures or collect items
• Make homemade pizza
• Read a book
• Write and illustrate a story
• Write and perform a song
• Play card games
• At-home Spa/Salon Day
• Fashion show
• Dance party
• Lego activities – After playing, picking up ALL the Legos is mandatory!

Tweens and Teens:

• Learn something new – YouTube is a great resource
  • A language – check out Babbel
  • Cooking
  • A sport
  • An instrument
  • Art classes
  • Knitting, crocheting, or sewing
  • Martial arts
  • Learn to code
  • How to do a cartwheel
  • How to whistle with your fingers
  • How to juggle
  • Make balloon animals
  • Magic tricks
  • Fold an origami crane
• Make TikToks
• Play games
  • Minute to Win it Games
  • Would You Rather…
  • Have You Ever…
• Zoom with friends
• Head-to-head video gaming
• Get your heart rate up – visit the exercise room
• Meditate – the sound of rain is an often-used technique for meditation and relaxation – open the windows and take advantage of Mother Nature. Or use an app.
• Check out these excellent ideas for indoor science and engineering activities, math activities, art projects, and active-indoor activities
• Science projects aren’t just for school – make sure to give your approval before your young scientist blows up the kitchen
• For the aspiring actors and actresses
• Make a piñata
• Design temporary tattoos then use printable tattoo paper to adhere (usually lasts about three days)
• Fun with Slime – Slime recipes
• Tie-dye t-shirts, pillowcases, bandanas, sheets, curtains, beach towels

Rain can also mean Movie Day! Spend time enjoying a favorite flick or finding a new one – or two. Make the most of it and enjoy some popcorn while watching a few of the best rainy day movies of all time. Kick back in a blanket fort, decked out with comfy pillows and string lights.

If you want to impress the tweens and teens with your coolness, suggest movies that don’t make you look like a dork.

Put two-and-two together for a fun time – puzzles and podcasts

• Kid-friendly podcasts
• 0 Must-Listen Podcasts for Tweens and Teens

 Or, how about embracing the rain and heading outside?

• Take a walk
• Jump in puddles
• Mud pies
• Make paper boats and race them
• Rescue worms
• Sing

Whether inside or outside, there are many ways to enjoy the rainy day! So, the next time the weather doesn’t look so great, take a look at this list and plan something fun!