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Let’s be honest — keeping an energetic toddler entertained on a rainy day without falling into the trap of endless screen time can be a challenge. When the weather is less than ideal, it can be tempting to turn to cartoons or tablets to pass the time. But what if you had a go-to list of fun and engaging rainy day activity ideas to keep your little one happy and active instead?
At the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, we believe every day is an adventure waiting to happen no matter the weather outside. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite rainy day activity ideas for toddlers! We cover everything from fun arts and crafts to engaging sensory activities and more — all designed to keep little ones entertained, engaged, and learning.
Let’s dive into some toddler-approved activities that will keep everyone smiling, rain or shine!
Skip ahead:
- Rainy Day Blanket Forts
- DIY Rain Stick
- More At Home Activity Ideas
- Nature Walk Activities
- DIY Cork Sailboats
- More Outdoor Play Resources
Indoor Rainy Day Activity Ideas for Toddlers
From imaginative play to motor skill development, the activities listed below are a great way to keep toddlers from going stir-crazy on rainy days while also helping them practice important life skills.
Plus, if you’re looking for projects to do right now, these ideas require only a few simple materials, many of which you likely already have at home!
Build a Rainy Day Blanket Fort
A cozy blanket fort is the perfect indoor rainy day activity to spark a kiddo’s interest and imagination. Fort building creates a special space for reading, relaxing, and playing while encouraging creative thinking as well as independent free play.
Blanket Fort Supplies:
- Blankets, sheets, and/or large towels
- Pillows and/or couch cushions
- 2 chairs (kitchen table chairs or folding chairs)
- Favorite books and stuffed animals
- Flashlight or string lights (optional)
Rainy Day Blanket Fort Ideas:
- Choose the perfect spot to build: Let them choose their favorite area to transform into a cozy fortress. This can make it feel extra special!
- Create a base structure: Provide a starting structure by setting up two chairs spaced apart or a table that can hold up a blanket “roof.”
- Let them choose what to build with:
- Give them plenty of blankets, sheets, towels, pillows, cushions, stuffed animals, etc., and let them build and decorate their own little fortress however they like.
- Toss in a few unexpected options like scarves or cardboard boxes to help inspire extra creativity.
- Add a touch of magic: You can add battery-powered string lights or give them a flashlight to make the space feel like a secret hideaway.
- Let them make it their own: Encourage them to bring in their favorite books, stuffed animals, and toys so they have a new and exciting space to play for the day.
Building a blanket fort is fun and exciting for little ones, and it also encourages creative thinking and problem-solving as they decide how to build and arrange the space. By letting them take the lead in building their own fort, children also practice independent play, decision-making, and responsibility.
DIY Rain Stick Art Project
This fun arts and crafts project lets toddlers create their own rain stick that they can play with over and over again! Using an upcycled paper towel roll some aluminum foil, and rice, you can create a musical rain stick that mimics the soothing sound of rain while also letting children practice important fine motor skills.
DIY Rain Stick Supplies:
- 1 paper towel roll (empty)
- Aluminum foil (1 long piece, about 12–18 inches)
- Uncooked Rice (or dried beans/pasta)
- Tape or glue
- Craft Paper
How to Make a Rain Stick at Home:
- Make a foil spiral:
- Tear off a long piece of aluminum foil (12–18 inches).
- Roll and crumple it into a long stick-like shape.
- Then twist the foil into a spiral shape (kind of like a big spring) so it can fit snugly inside the paper towel roll.
- Put the foil spiral in the paper towel roll. The spiral will slow down the rice as it falls, creating a rain-like sound.
- Seal one end of the empty paper towel roll:
- Cut out 2 squares of craft paper, big enough to cover the end of the paper towel roll. (You can use craft paper, printer paper, tissue paper, or another piece of aluminum foil for this step.)
- Tape or glue the paper around one end of the paper towel roll to seal it shut.
- Pour a small amount of rice into the tube (about 2–3 tablespoons). Don’t overfill it; you want the rice to fall easily past the foil spiral.
- Seal the other end of the paper towel roll the same way you sealed the first one.
- Once it’s complete, hold the rain stick upright and tilt it gently back and forth. Listen as the rice moves past the foil spiral and sounds like falling rain.
This rain-themed arts and crafts project is not only fun for toddlers but also helps them practice their fine motor skills. Rolling and twisting the foil and pouring the rice helps build hand strength, dexterity, and coordination.
More At Home Activity Ideas for Kids
Here are some of our most popular at home activity ideas from our PLAYology Blog:
- Engineering Activities for Kids: fun and exciting engineering projects for children of every age.
- Science and Space-Themed Activities: learn about space with these fun science activities you can do at home.
- Train-Themed Learning Activities: train-themed activities and crafts you can do at home.
- Toddler-friendly Music Playlist: have a dance party with this kid-friendly music playlist that won’t drive adults crazy.
- Sensory Play Activities for Kids: fun ways for children to explore their five senses through play.
Outdoor Rainy Day Activity Ideas for Toddlers
By embracing the magic of rainy days, you can turn what might feel like a challenge into an enriching experience, filled with learning, laughter, and adventure!
Below, we list some fun outdoor rainy day activity ideas that are sure to keep little ones entertained. Grab your rain boots and a jacket, and let’s dive into some rain-inspired outdoor fun!
Rainy Day Nature Walks
A rainy day nature walk is the perfect way to make the most of the weather outside, and let toddlers burn off some energy. When it rains, even your own backyard can turn into a playground of discovery!
From splashing in puddles to looking for rainbows, rainy day nature walks let toddlers experience the world in a new and exciting way.
Things to bring on a rainy day nature walk:
- Waterproof gear: rain boots, raincoat, hat, umbrella, etc.
- Small bucket or basket with a handle (for collecting treasures like rocks or sticks).
- A magnifying glass for close-up exploration (optional).
Fun Rainy Day, Nature Walk Activity Ideas:
You can go on a nature walk at a nearby park, around your neighborhood, or even in your own backyard. Before heading outside, make sure to suit up in your rain gear to keep warm and dry!
- Talk about what you see: Encourage children to describe the sounds, sights, and smells of the rain.
- Jump in puddles: Splash and stomp around to burn off some of that endless toddler energy.
- Count the worms: Notice all the worms that come out when it rains and count them as you go.
- Look for rainbows: Don’t forget to look up at the sky to see if you can spot any rainbows!
- Collect treasures: Pick up interesting rocks, leaves, or sticks to use for future crafts.
A rainy-day nature walk is an easy way to turn dreary weather into a fun, educational adventure! All the interesting sights, sounds, and smells of a rainy day expose toddlers to a bunch of new sensory information in a fun and positive way. Having fun outdoors in different types of weather also helps kids learn to love and respect nature and fosters a sense of adventure!
DIY Cork Sailboats
Making cork sailboats is a great rainy day activity that uses common items that you probably already have at home. The boats are also easy enough for toddlers to build on their own with a little help, and they can be used over and over again.
Cork Sailboat Supplies:
- 3 corks (per boat)
- 2 rubber bands (per boat)
- String (optional, for pulling the boat)
- 1 toothpick (optional)
- Paper or craft foam (for the sail, optional)
- Tape (optional)
How to Make Cork Sailboats:
- Line up your corks side by side and secure a rubber band around each end of all 3 to hold them together. This forms the base of your boat!
- If you want to add a sail, push a toothpick into the center of the middle cork, standing it upright like a ship mast.
- Cut a small triangle or rectangle from paper or craft foam and tape it onto the top of the toothpick. This is your sail!
- Tie a piece of string around one of the rubber bands to create a “towing rope” so you can pull the boat through the water.
- Find a puddle or collect a shallow bucket of rainwater outside and watch the cork sailboat float around!
These easy-to-make sailboats are great for little hands. Lining up the corks and connecting them, cutting out the sail, and tying the string all require focus and precision, making this activity great for developing fine motor skills.
Cork boats also demonstrate concepts like floating and buoyancy, as toddlers see firsthand how the weight and materials affect if something floats or sinks.
More Outdoor Play Resources
Find more resources on outdoor activities in our PLAYology Blog:
- Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Sonoma County: fun activities and destinations in Sonoma County that are sure to keep the whole family entertained!
- Benefits of Outdoor Play for Childhood Development: learn why playing outside is so important for kids.
- The Importance of Physical Activity for Kids: the recommended amount of physical activity children should have every day (by age) and tips to encourage it at home.
- What is Adventure Play?: learn how you can empower toddlers to learn through playtime at home.
Visit the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County –Rain or Shine!
Rainy days don’t have to be a drag—especially if you visit the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County! Designed for children of all ages and stages of learning, the Museum transforms even the dreariest days into exciting adventures filled with hands-on learning experiences!
Our interactive exhibits provide endless opportunities for children to discover, create, and play. Whether they’re exploring our Science and Imagination Gallery, or getting crafty in Ellas Art Studio, you’ll find something exciting to inspire growing minds around every corner. We host a variety of creative learning programs throughout the week that are free for all museum visitors.
Plan your next visit to the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County today!
