Wet days don’t have to mean bored little ones. With fun indoor kids activities on rainy days, you can turn a gloomy time into a fun-filled adventure. Whether your tiny tots need to burn off energy or settle into something creative, these rainy-day games for kids have you covered.
Here’s my go-to list of indoor kids activities that my crew loves. So pin, save, or share the image below for games tested and approved for maximum fun!
25 Fun Indoor Games for Kids on Rainy Days
1. Scavenger Hunt with a Twist
Give your kids a list of items to find around the house. It can be something blue, a stuffed animal, or a book with a dog on the cover. Attach a silly task to each item to make it even more fun, like hopping on one foot or making a silly face. We did this one stormy day, and it was hilarious. My youngest had to do the “chicken dance” after finding a red sock, and we all couldn’t stop laughing.
2. Living Room Bowling
Set up “pins” using plastic cups or empty water bottles. Then, use a soft ball to knock them down. To elevate it, let the kids decorate their “pins” before the game starts. One rainy afternoon, we turned our hallway into a bowling alley. The kids competed to see who could get the most strikes, and they even came up with their own funny victory dances.
3. Freeze Dance
Put on a playlist of your kids’ favorite songs. Afterward, have them dance their hearts out. Pause the music at random, and anyone still moving when the music stops is out for that round. My boys love this one because they get to be as silly as possible. I secretly enjoy watching their unique moves because it’s like an indoor comedy show.
4. Obstacle Course Adventure
Use furniture, cushions, and toys to create a challenging course. Kids can crawl under tables, jump over pillows, or balance on a tape line on the floor. Three weeks ago, when it was pouring, my kids spent nearly an hour taking turns timing each other through our homemade course. They loved beating their own records.
5. DIY Balloon Volleyball
All you need is a balloon and a bit of space. Set up a “net” using a piece of string or a line of pillows, and let the games begin. We once played this game for an entire afternoon. It’s amazing how competitive kids can get over a balloon. Plus, it’s soft enough to keep your furniture safe.
6. Charades for Kids
Write simple prompts on slips of paper—like “a cat,” “a robot,” or “making a sandwich”—and have kids act them out while everyone guesses. During one particularly rainy week, this became our evening tradition. My middle son’s robot impression was so spot-on that we still laugh about it.
7. Puzzle or Board Game Marathon
Pull out your stash of puzzles and board games for some low-key fun. Games like Dice, Uno, Connect Four, or Jenga are great for all ages. One of our rainy-day traditions is a family Uno showdown. We keep a running score, and the winner gets to pick dessert. It’s always a highlight of the day.
8. Indoor Treasure Hunt
Hide small “treasures” around the house, like candy, small toys, or stickers, and create a map or leave clues for the kids to follow. One rainy Saturday, I set up a treasure hunt, complete with pirate hats and “X marks the spot” clues. The kids were thrilled to find chocolate coins as their loot.
9. DIY Movie Theater
Turn your living room into a mini movie theater. Make tickets, set up snacks, and pick a family favorite to watch together. We love making popcorn with fun toppings and cozying up with blankets for a Pixar marathon. It’s the perfect way to wind down a rainy day.
10. Indoor Hopscotch
Use painter’s tape to create a hopscotch grid on the floor. Kids can hop their way through while practicing counting or balancing. My kids like to come up with different challenges, like hopping on one foot or throwing a stuffed animal as the “marker.” It’s simple, active, and fun.
11. Paper Airplane Contest
Let the kids design and fold their own paper airplanes. Once they’re ready, see whose plane flies the farthest or stays in the air the longest. One rainy evening, my boys even decorated their planes with markers and stickers before we turned the hallway into an airstrip. It was surprisingly entertaining for everyone.
12. Indoor Camping
Set up a tent or make a fort using blankets and pillows. Then, add flashlights, snacks, and a few “campfire” stories for the full effect. My kids love pretending they’re explorers in the wild. We even toasted marshmallows over the stove for indoor s’mores to complete the experience.
13. Simon Says with a Twist
Play the classic Simon Says game but add fun, silly actions like “Simon says walk like a crab” or “Simon says meow like a cat.” It’s always a hit because everyone gets giggly when someone forgets to listen for “Simon says.”
14. Indoor Ring Toss
Create a ring toss game using plastic rings or DIY them with paper plates (cut out the center). Use bottles or cones as the target. We made ours using old paper plates and a few water bottles. The kids loved decorating their rings and aiming for a bullseye!
15. Kitchen Science Experiments
Try easy and fun science projects like making slime. Or, create a baking soda and vinegar volcano or observe what sinks or floats. One time, we made rainbow milk with food coloring and soap. The kids were mesmerized by the swirling colors.
16. Balloon Pop Challenge
Write tasks or dares on small slips of paper. Afterward, place them inside balloons and blow them up. Kids pop a balloon and complete the task. Tasks like “do ten jumping jacks” or “sing your favorite song” kept the energy up and the laughter going.
17. Indoor Mini Golf
Use cups as holes and a soft ball for putting. Get creative with “courses” using books, toys, or boxes as obstacles. Our family got surprisingly competitive with this one, especially when we added extra points for trick shots.
18. Hide and Seek
A classic game that never gets old. Add a twist by playing in the dark with flashlights for added excitement. We tried it with the lights off one evening, and it felt like a whole new game. The kids loved using flashlights to find each other.
19. Art Gallery Day
Give the kids art supplies and let them create masterpieces. Once they’re done, hang their artwork around the house and have an “art show.” We even made tickets and programs for our gallery opening. It was adorable to see them proudly presenting their art.
20. Indoor Picnic
Spread out a blanket and pack a picnic basket with sandwiches, fruits, and treats. Then, pretend you’re at the park or on a grand adventure. It’s such a simple idea, but the kids loved pretending we were on a safari while munching on snacks.
21. Sock Basketball
Roll up socks into balls and set up a laundry basket or box as the “hoop.” Kids can take turns shooting or play a mini-game of basketball. My boys kept upping the stakes by moving the basket farther away. It was so much fun and also surprisingly active.
22. Story Chain
Start a story and let each child add a sentence or two to continue it. Watch how the story takes unexpected and often hilarious turns. One time, our story ended with a dragon eating spaghetti with a unicorn. It was pure chaos and pure fun.
23. Guess the Object
Place objects in a bag and let kids feel them without looking. They have to guess what’s inside based on touch alone. This one is always a hit. My youngest found a toothbrush and guessed it was “a porcupine.’
24. Shadow Puppet Theater
Use a flashlight or lamp to create shadows on the wall. Let kids use their hands or cut-out shapes to tell a story. We once turned this into a full production with a paper stage and a script. The kids loved being “actors” in their shadow play.
25. Cup Stack Challenge
Give the kids plastic cups and see who can build the tallest tower or fastest pyramid. You can even create obstacles or race against the clock. Like the others on this list, it’s amazing how much focus this game brings out, especially when they try to beat their own records.
5 Tips to Make Indoor Games a Hit
A little preparation can go a long way in making indoor kids activities more enjoyable. Here are some tips to get the most out of your indoor fun:
- Have a stash ready: Keep a bin of “rainy day supplies” like balloons, tape, crayons, and small toys for scavenger hunts.
- Keep it age-appropriate: Adjust games to suit your kids’ ages and abilities so everyone can join in the fun.
- Get involved: Kids love it when parents play too, even if you’re just the referee or cheerleader.
- Set boundaries: If a game gets too rowdy, take a break and switch to something quieter like puzzles or a movie.
- Embrace the chaos: It’s okay if things get messy or loud. Rainy days are all about making memories.
These indoor kids activities are a game-changer when the weather keeps you inside. From silly games to creative adventures, there’s something for every kind of mood (and every kind of kid). Save this list for your next rainy day and let the fun begin!
What indoor kids activities on rainy days do you like playing with the family? Share them below!
