You don’t have to go inside just because it’s raining out momma! Here are some fun outside rainy day activities!
Are the kids all bummed out because it’s raining outside? As long as it’s a nice, soft, warm rain, they can still go out! It’s a lot of fun to play in the rain!
Especially if it’s been really hot out, momma. The rain might be a welcome relief then.
If you want to step up your family fun this summer, try playing outside in the rain one day! Here are 22 great ideas to get you started.
Rainy Day Activities for Kids Key Takeaways
I know you don’t always have time to read the entire post momma! Been there, done that! But that’s okay.
I’ll give you the quick and dirty version – my favorite rainy day activities. Give one of them a try today, and then pin this post, so that you can come back and read the whole thing later. 😉
Best educational idea – Fill bowls with food.
Best craft – Play with chalk in the rain.
Dryest idea – Build a fort.
Wettest idea – Have a water fight.
Best idea overall – Build a damn.
There you go! My favorites.
How do you make boring days fun for kids?
I originally had an entire post written up for you on summer fun for kids, momma, but it was way too long!! 😁 I guess I had way too many ideas!
So if you are wondering how to make long, boring days at home so much more fun for your kids, here’s all of my great ideas:
- Arts & Craft Ideas
- Educational Ideas
- Rainy Summer Day Ideas
- Hot Summer Day Ideas
- Backyard Fun Ideas
- Water Play Ideas
- Outdoor Game Ideas
- Outside Nighttime Ideas
- Ideas for Playing in the Rain
These posts are chock full of great things you can do right at home with your kids this summer!
So, pin this post for later. You can come back and refer to all the great ways to have summer fun at home!
What can kids do outside in the rain?
Rainy days can be a drag, especially if you have kids cooped up inside with nothing to do. But with a little creativity, you can turn a gloomy day into a fun-filled adventure.
Here are some ideas for playing in the rain with kids!
FYI, this post does contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase something using a link from this post. Don’t worry – it costs you nothing extra, and it helps to support Making Mommas. See my disclosure policy for more info. Thanks, momma!
1. Dance in the rain.
Put on some rain boots and a raincoat and dance in the rain. The sound of the raindrops hitting the ground can make for a fun and unique dance beat.
2. Play in the rain puddles.
Jumping in puddles is a classic rainy day activity. See who can make the biggest splash or who can jump the farthest.
Meredith, over at NAEYC, has four ideas for making puddle jumping fun!
3. Play in the ditches.
If you have ditches in your yard or neighborhood, they can be a fun place to play in the rain. You could even make boats and float them down the ditch!
Just make sure to stay safe and avoid any fast-moving water.
4. Drive your bikes or cars in the puddles.
If you have a bike or toy car, take it for a spin in the puddles! It can be a fun and exciting way to explore your surroundings.
5. Make a mud tidal pool.
Use shovels and buckets to create a tidal pool in the mud. You can even add some toy sea creatures to make it more realistic!
Chelsey, over at Buggy and Buddy, has a great post on how to make a tidal pool that you can use for inspiration.
6. Make a dam.
Build a dam in a small stream or ditch. See if you can make the water flow in a different direction!
Erica from Craftulate has a great post that walks you through making a dam in your backyard.
7. Search for rainbows.
After the rain stops, look for rainbows in the sky. See who can spot one first! Bonus points for the person who can find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! 😉
8. Catch the rain.
Use buckets or containers to collect the rainwater! You can use it for watering plants or even for a science experiment.
If you really want to get fancy, you can turn it into a homeschooling lesson. Sciencing has a great post on rainwater harvesting, to get you started!
9. Sing in the rain.
Sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs while enjoying the rain! Or sing songs about rain. My favorite is I Love a Rainy Night, by Eddie Rabbitt. ☺️
Time Out has 25 songs about rain for you.
10. Bring bath toys out in the rain.
If you have bath toys, bring them outside for some rainy day fun! They can float in the puddles or even be used to make a mini water park.
11. Play yard games in the rain.
You don’t have to stop playing on account of rain! Games like frisbee, catch, or even soccer can still be played in the rain. Just make sure to be careful and avoid any slippery spots.
Here’s 33 great outdoor games to get you started!
12. Bring out bowls with different foods in them.
Fill bowls with different foods like flour, sugar, or oatmeal. See how the rain affects them and creates some interesting textures.
13. Paint in the rain.
Use a water coloring book and let the rain do the painting for you! It can create some interesting and unexpected designs.
Or you can just paint in the rain with liquid watercolors. Kitchen Floor Crafts has a great post that’ll show you how to paint in the rain.
14. Play with chalk in the rain.
Use sidewalk chalk to draw pictures or play games in the rain. The water can add a new dimension to your artwork. But First We Craft has a great post showing you how to play with sidewalk chalk in the rain.
15. Twirl with umbrellas in the rain.
Grab an umbrella and twirl around in the rain. It can be a fun and whimsical way to enjoy the weather.
16. Write with wet rocks.
Use wet rocks to write messages or draw pictures. The rain can make the colors more vibrant.
17. Make music in the rain.
Use pots and pans as makeshift drums and make some music in the rain. It can be a fun and noisy way to enjoy the weather.
You can also turn this into an educational or music lesson!
18. Collect worms.
After the rain stops, go on a worm hunt. See how many you can find and learn more about these fascinating creatures! If you fish, you could also save them for bait. 😉
Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm is a really fun site that has a great post with four different ways to catch worms. Go check it out!
19. Go on a nature walk.
Put on some rain boots and raincoats and head out for a walk! The rain can bring out all sorts of interesting creatures and plants that you might not see on a sunny day.
Look for puddles to jump into, worms to observe, and snails to race, while you’re out there!
Devany over at Still Playing School has a great post on walking in the rain with kids.
20. Have a water balloon fight.
What better time to have a water fight than when it’s raining! 🤣😂
Fill up some water balloons and let the kids go wild. They’ll love the chance to throw things and get wet at the same time. Just make sure to clean up all the balloon pieces afterwards.
21. Play with water toys.
You might as well bring out the other water toys, while you’re at it!
Grab your squirt guns or water cannons, for some rainy day fun. The rain will make the water play even more exciting.
22. Build a fort.
Protect yourself from the rain by building a rainproof fort in the yard!
Kimberly from Remodel Aholic has 25 awesome DIY forts you can build this summer, if you need some inspiration.
And there you have it, momma! Twenty-two fun ways to play in the rain this summer.
Now get outside and play!
At the end of the day…
Rainy days don’t have to be boring momma!
With a little creativity, you can turn a rainy day into a fun-filled adventure.
Rainy days can be a great opportunity for some outdoor playtime. Whether you’re jumping in puddles, making mud tidal pools, or singing in the rain, there are plenty of ways to have fun in the rain as a kid.
So next time it’s raining outside, don’t be afraid to go out and get wet!
Because at the end of the day, it’s all about making memories and strengthening that parent-child bond.
More summer activities for kids
Wet & Crazy Ideas for Summer Fun
Super Fun Summer Activities to Do at Home
