Indoor Activities

Rainy Day Activities for Kids40+ Screen-Free Ideas

Stuck inside? These indoor activities keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained without screens. Crafts, games, and sensory play for any age.

Parent Survival Mode

Don't try to fill every minute. Sometimes independent play (with supervision) is good for them AND you. Rotate activities when attention wanes.

Arts & Crafts

Finger painting
Playdough creations
Paper plate masks
Collage making (magazines)
Sticker art
Cotton ball crafts
Cardboard box creations
Painting with unusual tools (forks, sponges)
Salt dough ornaments
Pipe cleaner sculptures

Sensory Play

Water play in the bathtub
Rice or pasta sensory bin
Cloud dough (flour + oil)
Oobleck (cornstarch + water)
Shaving cream play
Frozen toy excavation
Kinetic sand
Jello dig
Bubble foam in a bin
Sensory bottles

Active Play

Indoor obstacle course
Dance party
Freeze dance
Balloon volleyball
Pillow jumping
Yoga for kids (YouTube)
Hide and seek
Tunnel crawl (blankets over chairs)
Animal walks (hop, crawl, slither)
Indoor bowling (plastic bottles)

Quiet Time

Read books together
Audiobooks or podcasts for kids
Puzzles
Coloring books
Building blocks
Sorting games
Play with dolls/figures
Drawing
Stacking cups
Lacing cards

Learning Play

Letter/number tracing
Sorting by color/shape
Simple science experiments
Counting games
Memory matching
Pretend play (store, doctor, restaurant)
Building with Magna-Tiles
Pattern making
Name spelling with letters
Educational apps (limited screen time)

Baking Together

Simple cookies
No-bake energy balls
Banana bread
Pizza (store-bought dough)
Muffins
Smoothies
Trail mix
Ants on a log
Fruit kabobs
Decorated toast

Activities by Age

1-2 Years

  • Water play in high chair tray
  • Stacking cups/blocks
  • Simple sensory bins
  • Music and dancing
  • Board books
  • Ball rolling/throwing

2-3 Years

  • Playdough with tools
  • Simple crafts (stickers, stamps)
  • Obstacle courses
  • Pretend play
  • Puzzles (large pieces)
  • Coloring

3-5 Years

  • More complex crafts
  • Baking together
  • Board games
  • Building projects
  • Science experiments
  • Art projects

Special Screen-Free Ideas

Fort Building

Blankets, pillows, and chairs transform any room. Add flashlights and snacks.

Indoor Picnic

Spread a blanket, pack a lunch basket. Eat on the floor for a special treat.

Dress-Up Box

Old clothes, hats, shoes, and accessories. Let imagination run wild.

Kitchen Band

Pots, pans, wooden spoons, and containers become instruments.

Car Track (Tape)

Painter's tape roads on the floor. Add buildings from boxes.

Treasure Hunt

Hide small toys around the house. Give simple clues for older kids.

Indoor Activity Supplies

Washable Art Supplies

$15-40

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Play-Doh Set

$10-30

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Kinetic Sand Kit

$15-30

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Magna-Tiles

$40-100

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Kids Puzzles

$10-25

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Indoor Slide/Climber

$80-200

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Rainy Day Survival Tips

🔄 Rotate Activities

Don't expect 30 minutes from one activity. 10-15 minutes is normal. Have several ready to switch to.

📦 Keep a Rainy Day Box

Special toys and supplies that only come out on rainy days. The novelty keeps engagement high.

🎨 Embrace the Mess

Put down a plastic tablecloth or do messy play in the bathtub. Cleanup is easier when you plan for it.

⏰ Use a Visual Timer

Helps with transitions between activities. "When the timer goes off, we'll do something new!"

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