30 rainy day activities for preschool kids

It has been raining a ton here lately, so ideas for fun rainy day activities for preschool kids have been on my mind. Sometimes you want to get out of the house and sometimes you just want to stay cozy inside. We’ve got options for both moods here, and there’s a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out our art and crafts archives!

a post filled with colorful direction signs at a waterpark.

Rainy day activities for preschool kids

1. Indoor scavenger hunt

2. Visit a children’s library

3. Visit a children’s museum

4. Make homemade playdough

5. Have a dance party with favorite songs

6. Visit an indoor water park

7. Have a picnic in the living room

8. Make homemade slime

9. Paint rocks with acrylic paints

10. Make a homemade volcano with vinegar and baking soda

11. Visit a paint your own pottery shop

12. Make friendship bracelets or necklaces with beads

13. Play board games or card games

14. Build with LEGO or DUPLO bricks

15. Visit a science museum

16. Visit an art museum

17. Create a collage using magazine cutouts, stickers, and other materials

18. Set up an indoor camping experience with sleeping bags and a tent

19. Learn weaving on a homemade loom

20. Create these fun cardboard crafts

21. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream

22. Have a building challenge with marshmallows and toothpicks

23. Visit the dinosaurs at a natural history museum

24. Make homemade bird feeders with peanut butter (or butter) and birdseed

25. Visit the arcade

26. Visit an indoor play space

27. Visit an indoor trampoline park or bounce park

28. Set out paints and canvas for an open ended painting

29. Go ice skating in an indoor rink

30. Visit an indoor mini golf course

How do I entertain my 5 year old on a rainy day?

This is a hot question on Google, and this is my experience with three very different kids: don’t always fight the boredom. Boredom is necessary sometimes, and you’d be surprised what kids come up with different things to occupy themselves.

Also, please don’t feel pressure to always spend money to occupy your kids. The best things on this list are free. Libraries always have activities and different programs going on, and they also often have free passes to museums that can be checked out.

Most of the ideas on the list are ones I think are still fun for parents to go out and do, so if you have any suggestions to add to the list, please comment below!