The Merry Momma

Embracing Motherhood with Peace, Joy, and Intention

Fun (& Screen-Free) Rainy Day Activities for Kids

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When the weather outside is wet and dreary, turn to these engaging (and screen-free!) rainy day activities for kids.

Fun (& Screen-Free) Rainy Day Activities for Kids

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I absolutely adore the arrival of spring. It’s my favorite season! As much as I’ve learned to enjoy the winter months, I will always prefer the warmer weeks of spring. It’s such a delightful time for outside play and enjoying the great outdoors.

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However, April’s rising temps also bring a lot of rainy days. After all, we need those “April showers” to bring the “May flowers,” right? So, it’s a good idea to have plenty of rainy day activities for kids ready to keep their spirits high… and their energy-levels manageable. 😉



Fun (& Screen-Free) Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Once spring hits, most kids are absolutely itching to get outside – and their grown-ups are ready to send them! It’s the perfect season for outdoor play. Not all spring days are sunny and warm, however. When the weather outside is wet and dreary, turn to these engaging (and screen-free!) rainy day activities for kids.

Rain Play

Don’t let a little rain steal that oh-so-important outside time from your kids! Send your kids out in their rain boots and umbrellas (as long as it’s not storming, of course). They’ll have a BLAST! And if the thought of all that mud and mess makes your heart rate climb, repeat after me: “It can all be cleaned. It can all be cleaned.” 😉

Related Post: How to Fake a Mudroom {In Any Space!}

Indoor treasure/scavenger hunt

Get your kids’ brains working – and occupy them for a good hour or so! – with an indoor treasure or scavenger hunt. And don’t worry if you don’t have the time (or mental energy) to come with all the clues – you can easily find pre-written clues and prompts online.

Helpful Resources:

Reading!

If you know me, you know I can’t make any kind of list without including books and reading. 😉 And it’s the PERFECT rainy day activity! Read some picture books or chapter books with your kids, or encourage them to read on their own. Either way, books have the power to provide hours of enjoyment – regardless of the weather outside!

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Fun Writing Activities

I love encouraging my kids to write, and there are so many ways to do it that don’t feel like an imposed school assignment. Try some of these ideas for making writing fun for kids:

Board Games

Of course, a list of rainy day activities wouldn’t be complete without some fun board games! Here are some favorite family board games.

Arts and crafts

One of the best ways to cultivate creativity in kids is to give them time, space, and materials to make their own artistic creations. Have a variety of supplies on hand, such as construction paper, coloring utensils, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, paint, craft sticks, etc., and let them go to town! I love seeing all the interesting products my kids come up with when I simply provide them with the tools and freedom to create.

Helpful Resources:

Puzzles

Puzzles are not only great entertainment for rainy days, they’re wonderful for cognitive development! Have a variety of puzzles on hand, such as jigsaw puzzles, finger puzzles, word puzzles, Sudoku, and logic puzzles, and watch their brains bloom before your very eyes!

Baking

When the weather outside is frightful, kitchen time is extra delightful! There’s nothing better than enjoying some home-baked treats on a chilly, rainy day. And BONUS – you’ll be teaching your kids valuable life skills and building math and science skills at the same time!

Helpful Resources:

Podcasts and audiobooks

If you want something that will occupy your kids so you can get a little something done, but don’t want to turn to the TV or tablets, try a podcast or audiobook! There are LOTS of great podcasts for kids out there, and you can find thousands of quality kids’ books on audio.

And while, yes, it does require an electronic device, it’s VERY different from watching a screen. They’ll be using their imaginations to “see” what they’re hearing – just as if you were reading to them!

Building Toys & STEM Activities

I’m a big fan of open-ended, multi-use toys for kids. They’re the best for building brains and cultivating creativity. That’s why I love any kind of building toy – for kids of all ages! And many STEM toys and activities fit the bill, as well.

Here are some great building toys I’ve enjoyed using with my own kids and kids at school:

And check out this list of the best STEM toys & activities for kids!

Science experiments

Entertain and engage your kids on rainy days + inspire a lifelong interest in science with simple at-home science experiments. Here are a few resources to give you some (easy!) ideas:

 

SHARE WITH US: Those are some of our family’s favorite rainy day activities. What do you and your kids like to do when the weather is less-than-ideal for outdoor play? Tell me in the comments!

 

 

 

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