Dr Prem Life Improving Logo-R

Fun activities to keep your toddler entertained on a rainy day

Children, no doubt, enjoy the most outdoors exploring nature, or playing at the park, or maybe even just kicking a ball around the backyard. But sadly, outdoor activities are extremely weather dependent which means if it is raining or snowing, you will have to keep your toddler occupied with indoor activities. Keeping a toddler indoor may not be the easiest of things to do, considering it as matter of hours. However, it is also not very difficult, though challenging, provided that you engage your toddler in fun activities. Here are some list of fun and indoor activities that you can consider while your toddler is inside.

1. Making shapes out of dough

If the weatherman has predicted a week of rain, then make a large batch of dough. It is pretty straightforward to make and keep it in fridge in an air tight container for up to two weeks. Your toddler would love to make doughnuts of different shapes and sizes. You too can join your toddler in rolling it out and making shapes and figures with it. You can even give your toddler some of your cookie cutters, so he/she doesn’t struggle too much with the shapes. Once done, you can put them all back together and keep aside for further use.

2. Coloring and painting

Another way to keep your toddler occupied is to let his/her creative self be unleashed by giving him/her some coloring paint. Get some plain paper out and cover your entire kitchen floor with the same. Let your toddler just freak around with colors and go ballistic painting. You can also carry on with your work around the kitchen and at the same time keep an eye on your kid. Your kid might have paint covered all over his/her arms legs and body; so make sure you have the bath ready by the time the painting session is over.

3. Puddle jumping

Puddle jumping is absolute fun and what better day to do it than when it is raining. But if the rains are too heavy and you are in no mood to put on your wellies and carry an umbrella around then you can be part of the same experience at home as well. Fill up your washing bowl with enough water and place in the sink. Stand your toddler on a chair near the sink and give him a bunch of kitchen utensils to experiment with. Sieves, jugs, measuring cups and funnels are absolute fun things to pour, fill, and empty, keeping your little one interested for a while.

4. Experimenting with dressing

Some kids, especially girls, love to dress up and be all imaginative about their persona. Let their creativity run wild by handing over some of your old clothes, shoes and jewellery and watch how they transform themselves into a princess or ballerina. Boys can be given hats and scarves and they can pretend they are a pirate or a cowboy. You can join in their small games and keep them going.

5. Mini mountaineering

If your little one is bursting with energy, then build an indoor assault course with quilts, pillows and old cardboard boxes. They will keep themselves occupied by going under the blankets or climbing the pillow mountain.

6. Camping

Build a make-shift tent using four chairs and cover it with a big blanket. Encourage your toddler to do a pretend camping scenario by bringing in their toys, teddies and dolls and preparing for a party. You can throw in some cookies and milk and get the event going.

7. Singing with the music

Music can do wonders, especially with toddlers who love to sing and play along with the song. Put on a kids CD and encourage them to sing along with it or even give some toy musical instruments to play along. If you don’t have any, then hand over some saucepans and wooden spoons or fill a plastic bottle with ice cubes and create an impromptu drum kit. When the noise becomes a bit too much, you can gently wean them off the instruments.

8. Blowing bubbles

Go on and assist your little one in blowing bubbles. Either get the ready made ones or you can make your own at home by diluting some dish washing liquid and then blowing bubbles with a kitchen funnel or straws.

9. Assisting in kitchen

Kids love it when you try and include them in small cooking jobs. But remember, their attention span is less so thinking of baking tonnes of cupcakes would not work. Hence be realistic. You might let them put sprinkles on cupcakes or even ice a few of the fairy cakes. Make sure you assist them in whichever cooking activity you choose.

10. Designing craft work

Give your toddler a bunch of crayons, ribbons, sequins and feathers and get them to be crafty. Encourage them to make a card for daddy or granny or make a mask or hat for themselves. You may have to help them out with the cutting bit, but you would thank for that. It would be far lot messier if the kids are left all alone and you would find it hard to clear up later.

11. Partying

You need not have an occasion to start a party . All you need is a CD and play games like musical bumps, dead lions and sardines which will entertain your toddler for a pretty long time.

12. Playing with a fake ball

You can let your toddler play with a ball without breaking anything inside the house. Make balls with crumpled newspaper and let your kid kick it around. This way it is ensured that nothing goes ruckus. Make sure, however, to still move any delicate items out of the way as a precautionary measure.

13. Playing shopkeeper

Role play is something a three year old will definitely love. They would have seen you going out shopping, using your credit card, and picking up items and so on. This, if played in reality, would make your kid excited. You can arrange a couple of bottles and tins on your table and play shopkeeper. Give your toddler a shopping bag, an old loyalty card and some coins and pretend to serve the customer. You can maybe even jazz it up a bit by throwing in some simple maths additions as well.

14. Having a picnic

You don’t need to go out and have a picnic, instead you can have a fun picnic on your living room carpet along with your toddler and his favorite teddies. You can actually prepare a basket filled with sandwiches, cheese, carrot sticks etc and then encourage your little one to eat them, making lunchtime much more interesting.

15. Dancing

Play some good music and get your toddler to dance like there is no tomorrow. Get all your children involved in the dance and maybe even do games like who can do the funniest move or the best move. Join in with them and have a few laughable experiences along with the kids.

16. Engaging in computer

You could let you kid use the computer for about half an hour by either putting on some kid friendly nursery rhymes or letting them play some games and activities. Make sure you know in advance which sites offer games for toddlers and how to go about it. This should keep them glued on to the computer for a while.

17. Watching TV

Turning to your telly for entertainment should be the last of your options. If you have exhausted all other options then you can let your kid enjoy about 30 minutes of telly time. It does not always have to be Disney cartoons. You can put on some educational wild life programs and explain to them what’s going on, making it more interactive than a mere TV time.

Recent Articles:

Scroll to Top