Introduction to Rainy Day Crafts
Rainy day crafts are more than “something to do.” They help kids build fine motor skills (cutting, pinching, threading), practice creativity and planning, and work through feelings with colors and shapes. Crafting also encourages follow-through—starting a project, solving little problems, and finishing it.
I keep a small “rainy day craft bin” with basics like glue sticks, washable markers, paper plates, tape, and safety scissors. It’s not a fancy setup, but it means we can start quickly, which matters when kids are already restless.
Now, let’s get into the full list of 18 rainy day craft activities for kids—each with a quick explanation and a pro tip to make it easier.
Paper Plate Crafts
Paper plates are one of my favorite rainy day craft supplies because they’re cheap, sturdy, and forgiving. If something flops, no big deal—grab another plate and try again.
These paper plate ideas work well for toddlers through elementary ages, and you can easily scale them up (more details, more steps) or down (stickers instead of paint).
Paper Plate Animal Masks
Information: Paint or color a paper plate, cut out eye holes (adult help), then add ears, whiskers, horns, or a beak using construction paper. Glue on yarn for hair or use pipe cleaners for antennas. Kids can pick an animal and design their own “costume mask.”
Pro tip: Skip elastic string and use a craft stick handle taped to the bottom of the plate—way easier, and it avoids the “string snapped and now I’m mad” moment.
Paper Plate Rainbow Sun Catchers
Information: Cut the center out of a plate to make a ring. Let kids wrap colorful yarn around it, weave ribbon through it, or tape strips of tissue paper across the opening. Hang it in a window for a bright “rainy day rainbow.”
Pro tip: If weaving frustrates younger kids, poke holes around the ring and let them lace yarn through with a blunt plastic needle.
Paper Plate Clocks
Information: Write numbers around the edge like a clock face. Cut two hands from cardboard or thick paper and attach them with a brad fastener so they spin. It’s a craft that doubles as a learning tool.
Pro tip: Color-code the hands (short hand one color, long hand another). Kids remember which is which much faster that way.
Crafts with Recycled Materials
These rainy day craft activities for kids are perfect when you want to reuse what you already have. Cardboard, bottles, paper rolls, and old magazines become “building supplies” instead of trash.
I keep a small box of clean recyclables specifically for crafts. The first time I did it, I didn’t sort anything and regretted it—sticky containers and mystery lids are not the vibe. Now I rinse and dry items first, and everything works better.
Cardboard Box Playhouses
Information: Use a shipping box to create a house, car, boat, robot, or rocket. Cut doors/windows (adult help), then decorate with markers, paint, stickers, or scraps. Add “controls” with bottle caps or drawn buttons.
Pro tip: Reinforce flaps and corners with painter’s tape before decorating—your masterpiece will last longer than one afternoon.
Toilet Paper Roll Animals
Information: Paint the roll, then add paper ears, eyes, and tails. Make a zoo: owls, cats, bunnies, butterflies, or dinosaurs. You can even create a whole “habitat” on a piece of cardboard.
Pro tip: If paint takes too long to dry, wrap the roll in colored paper instead. Instant color, no waiting.
Plastic Bottle Planters
Information: Cut a plastic bottle in half (adult help), decorate the outside, add a little soil, and plant easy seeds like herbs. Kids love labeling their plant and checking it daily, rain or shine.
Pro tip: Put the planter on a tray or plate. Watering enthusiasm is real, and trays save your windowsill.
Magazine Collage Art
Information: Give kids old magazines, safety scissors, and glue sticks. They can make a themed collage: “things I love,” “my dream vacation,” “a rainbow of colors,” or “silly faces.”
Pro tip: Pre-tear a stack of pages for younger kids so they aren’t fighting the binding and getting frustrated.
Painting and Drawing Activities
Painting and drawing are the classics—low setup, high creativity. These are some of my most reliable rainy day craft activities for kids because they work whether you have 20 minutes or two hours.
One thing I do now: I lay down a “mess zone” (old tablecloth, grocery bags, or newspaper). After the day I didn’t… let’s just say I became very familiar with scrubbing dried paint out of tiny wood grooves.
Watercolor Salt Art
Information: Paint on thick paper with watercolors, then sprinkle salt while it’s still wet. The salt absorbs pigment and creates a cool, speckled texture like magic.
Pro tip: Use heavier paper (or even watercolor paper) so it doesn’t curl into a sad little tube when it dries.
Crayon Resist Art
Information: Draw designs with white crayon (stars, waves, hearts, secret messages), then paint over them with watercolor. The wax resists the paint and reveals the drawing.
Pro tip: Tell kids to press hard with the crayon. If they draw too lightly, the “reveal” is underwhelming.
DIY Comic Strip Drawing
Information: Fold paper into panels or draw boxes. Kids create characters, add speech bubbles, and tell a short story. It’s creative writing disguised as art.
Pro tip: Give a simple prompt if they get stuck: “A dog finds a secret door” or “A superhero loses their powers for a day.”
Finger Painting
Information: Let kids paint with their fingers (washable paint is key). They can make handprint animals, mix colors, or paint “rainy day skies.” It’s sensory play plus art.
Pro tip: Put a damp washcloth in a bowl next to them before you start. Easy hand wipes prevent paint from traveling across the entire house.
DIY Jewelry Making
Jewelry making is a quieter craft that still feels special. Kids love making something they can wear or gift, and it’s great for practicing patterns and hand-eye coordination.
I once assumed bracelets would take 15 minutes. My kid turned it into a full “store,” complete with pricing and a grand opening ceremony. Plan for it to take longer than you think—and enjoy the calm while it lasts.
Beaded Bracelets
Information: Use pony beads, letter beads, or wooden beads. Kids can make name bracelets, pattern bracelets, or “team color” bracelets. Pipe cleaners also work as easy stringing tools for younger kids.
Pro tip: Tape one end of the string to the table so beads don’t fly everywhere when the string slips.
Pasta Jewelry
Information: String dried pasta (penne, rigatoni, macaroni) into necklaces or crowns. Paint the pasta first for colorful pieces, or leave it plain for a natural look.
Pro tip: If painting pasta feels like too much, let kids color it with washable markers instead—faster drying, less mess.
Friendship Bracelets
Information: Use yarn or embroidery floss. Start with simple braids or basic knot patterns. Kids can make matching sets for siblings or friends.
Pro tip: Clip the bracelet to a clipboard (or tape it to a book). Keeping it steady makes the braiding so much easier.
Paper Bead Necklaces
Information: Cut long triangles from magazine pages, roll them tightly around a pencil, and glue the end down. Slide beads onto string to make unique necklaces with fun patterns.
Pro tip: Brush a little glue-water mix over finished beads to harden them so they last longer.
Clay and Playdough Creations
Clay and playdough crafts are perfect for rainy days because they’re hands-on and endlessly replayable. Kids can build, squish, rebuild, and create whole worlds.
I keep a couple of cookie cutters and a rolling pin in our craft bin. One rainy afternoon, that tiny addition turned “I’m bored” into a full-blown bakery pretend game that lasted an hour.
Homemade Playdough Creations
Information: Use store-bought or homemade playdough to make animals, characters, foods, or tiny “scenes.” Add toothpicks (for older kids) or craft sticks for building.
Pro tip: Store dough with a damp paper towel in the container to keep it soft longer.
Clay Pinch Pots
Information: With air-dry clay, kids roll a ball and pinch the center outward to form a small bowl. Once dry, paint it for a keepsake trinket dish.
Pro tip: Have kids smooth cracks with a damp fingertip as they pinch. It strengthens the pot and looks nicer once painted.
Playdough Letter Stamps
Information: Press alphabet blocks, cookie cutters, or letter stamps into playdough. Kids can spell names, practice sight words, or create “menus” for pretend restaurants.
Pro tip: Use a baking sheet as your work surface. It keeps everything contained and makes cleanup ridiculously easy.
Conclusion: Fun and Learning Combined
Rainy days can feel long, but these rainy day craft activities for kids make indoor time feel like a creative adventure. The projects don’t need to be perfect—some of our funniest “masterpieces” happened when something went off-script.
What I love most is how crafting blends fun and learning without anyone feeling like they’re doing “school.” Kids practice focus, patience, problem-solving, and self-expression—while you get a little calmer indoor time.
Save this list, stock a small craft bin, and the next rainy day will feel a lot more manageable (and maybe even something you look forward to).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy crafts for toddlers on a rainy day?
Great toddler-friendly options include finger painting with washable paint, sticker story scenes, paper plate crafts, and simple toilet paper roll animals (with adult help for cutting). Stick to bigger pieces and fewer steps to keep it fun.
How can crafts help in child development?
Crafts support fine motor skills (cutting, pinching, threading), encourage creativity, and build problem-solving and planning skills. They also help kids practice patience and confidence as they work from idea to finished project.
What materials do I need for rainy day crafts?
Start with basics: paper, paper plates, glue sticks, tape, safety scissors, washable markers/paint, yarn or string, and a stash of recycled items like boxes and paper rolls. A small craft bin makes rainy day setup much easier.
Are there any mess-free craft activities?
Yes—sticker story scenes, comic strip drawing with crayons or colored pencils, bead threading, and collage with glue sticks are relatively low-mess. If you want “extra safe,” work on a tray or baking sheet to contain supplies.
How can I encourage my child to be more creative?
Offer open-ended materials, keep instructions light, and praise effort instead of perfection. Sometimes the best move is to step back—when kids feel ownership of the craft, their ideas get bigger and bolder.
