Rainy days can be a challenge for parents trying to keep their kids entertained indoors. But with a little creativity and some simple supplies, you can turn a dreary day into a fun-filled crafting adventure. Here are 20 craft ideas that are perfect for kids to enjoy on a rainy day, complete with instructional videos and recommended products to get you started.
And don't forget, these crafts can also inspire new ideas for your child's birthday wishlist by using wishlist maker as they discover new hobbies and interests!
1. Paper Plate Animals
Turn ordinary paper plates into adorable animal faces with some paint, markers, and construction paper. Your little ones will love creating lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!
Video by: Jugnu Kids - Nursery Rhymes and Best Baby Songs
Find all the crafting essentials for this project on Amazon:
Animal Craft Kits
$29.99
2. DIY Slime
Making slime is a sensory delight that kids can't get enough of. Mix glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution to create stretchy, gooey fun.
Video by: https://www.youtube.com/@gillianbower
Find all the crafting essentials for this project on Amazon:
Elmer’s Fluffy Slime Kit
$15.97
3. Pasta Necklaces
Dye different shapes of pasta with food coloring, then string them onto yarn or thread to make colorful necklaces. It's a great way to practice fine motor skills and create wearable art!
Video by: Schooling Online Kids
Find all the crafting essentials for this project on Amazon:
Wax String for Bracelet Making
$19.99
4. Sock Puppets
Use old socks, buttons, yarn, and fabric scraps to create unique puppets for an impromptu puppet show. Let their imaginations run wild with storytelling fun!
Video by: Fun Sock City
Find all the crafting essentials for this project on Amazon:
Sock Puppet Kit
$17.99
5. Handprint Art
Dip little hands in paint and press them onto paper to make handprint animals, trees, or other designs. These make great keepsakes and gifts for family!
Video by: Easy Peasy and Fun
6. Origami
Learn basic origami folds and create paper animals, flowers, or simple boxes. It's a fantastic way to improve concentration and patience.
Video by: Art for Kids Hub
Find all the crafting essentials for this project on Amazon:
Origami Paper & Book of 25 projects
$17.69
7. Nature Collage
Gather leaves, twigs, and flowers (if available) and glue them onto paper to create a nature-themed collage. A wonderful way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside!
8. Painted Rocks
Collect smooth rocks and paint them with bright colors, patterns, or even turn them into rock pets. It's a lovely way to add some color to your garden or home.
Video by: Artwork Creative Creations
9. Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Transform empty toilet paper rolls into binoculars, rockets, or animals with paint, markers, and construction paper. Endless possibilities for creative fun!
10. Salt Dough Ornaments
Make salt dough using flour, salt, and water, then shape and bake it. Paint and decorate the ornaments after they cool. Perfect for holiday decorations or gifts.
11. Mason Jar Lanterns
Paint mason jars and add a tea light inside to create colorful lanterns. These make beautiful night lights or outdoor decorations.
12. Sticker Scenes
Use stickers and a large piece of paper to create a scene, such as an underwater world or a jungle. It's a simple yet engaging activity for all ages.
13. Tissue Paper Flowers
Cut tissue paper into petal shapes and stack them together, securing with pipe cleaners to make beautiful flowers. Brighten up any room with these colorful creations.
14. Homemade Playdough
Make playdough using flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, oil, and food coloring. Shape and play with it using cookie cutters and other tools. Homemade fun that's safe and easy!
15. Paper Bag Puppets
Decorate paper bags with markers, construction paper, and googly eyes to make fun puppets. Great for storytelling and imaginative play.
16. Button Art
Glue buttons of various sizes and colors onto a canvas or cardboard to create pictures or patterns. A wonderful way to use up old buttons and create unique art!
17. Rainbow Collage
Cut out different colors of paper and glue them onto a larger piece to create a rainbow or other colorful design. Bright and cheerful, perfect for a rainy day!
18. Cereal Box City
Use empty cereal boxes and other cardboard items to create buildings for a mini city. Paint and decorate them for added detail. Perfect for imaginative play and recycling!
19. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Cut an egg carton into strips and paint them to look like caterpillars. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. Cute and eco-friendly!
20. Foam Sticker Scenes
Use foam stickers to create scenes on construction paper or cardstock. Themes could include outer space, under the sea, or a farm. Simple, mess-free fun!
With these fun and easy craft ideas, rainy days can become an opportunity for creativity and bonding with your kids. Happy crafting! If your kids find new hobbies they love, be sure to add those supplies to their birthday wishlist using our birthday wishlist maker to keep the creative fun going year-round.