Rainy days don’t have to be boring!
Dive into our ultimate guide packed with over 48 fun and creative crafts for kids.
From simple paper projects to edible creations, we’ve got something to keep every young artist entertained and inspired, rain or shine.
Simple Paper Rainy Day Crafts
Rainy days are perfect for getting creative with simple materials you probably already have at home.
Paper crafts are easy, fun, and can keep kids entertained for hours. Here are some delightful paper crafts to try:
1. Paper Plate Animals
Transform ordinary paper plates into a zoo of animals!
All you need are some markers, glue, and a bit of imagination. Kids can make lions, frogs, fish, or any animal they love. Add googly eyes, construction paper ears, and tails to complete the look.
2. Origami Creatures
Origami is a wonderful way to introduce kids to the art of paper folding. Start with simple designs like paper cranes, frogs, or butterflies.
There are plenty of online tutorials to guide you. It’s a calming activity that also helps improve fine motor skills.
3. Paper Mosaics
Let your kids create beautiful mosaics using colorful paper scraps.
Cut the paper into small squares or shapes, and let them glue the pieces onto a larger sheet to form patterns or pictures. This craft is great for enhancing creativity and concentration.
4. Tissue Paper Flowers
Brighten up a rainy day with vibrant tissue paper flowers. Layer different colors of tissue paper, cut into petal shapes, and twist them together to form flowers.
These make lovely decorations and can be used for pretend play as well.
5. Handprint Art
Handprint art is a keepsake craft that captures a moment in time. Use paint to make handprint animals, trees, or even family portraits.
It’s a wonderful way to create personalized art and makes for cherished memories.
6. Paper Bag Puppets
Paper bag puppets are perfect for imaginative play. Use lunch-sized paper bags as the base, and decorate them with markers, yarn, and construction paper to create different characters.
Kids can then use their puppets for storytelling and puppet shows.
These simple paper crafts are sure to spark creativity and provide hours of fun on any rainy day. Plus, they are easy to set up and clean up, making them perfect for parents and caregivers too!
Recycled Material Crafts
Turn trash into treasure with these creative recycled material crafts!
Not only are these projects fun and engaging, but they also teach kids about the importance of recycling and reusing materials.
1. Bottle Cap Magnets
Transform bottle caps into cute magnets. Paint the inside of the caps, add tiny decorations like beads or stickers, and glue a small magnet to the back.
These make great fridge decorations and can hold up your kids’ artwork.
2. Egg Carton Critters
Egg cartons can be turned into all sorts of fun critters.
Cut the cups from the carton, paint them, and add googly eyes, pipe cleaner legs, and other features. Create caterpillars, ladybugs, or even little monsters.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Toilet paper rolls are incredibly versatile. Tape or glue two rolls together, decorate them with paint or markers, and add a string to make a pair of binoculars.
These are perfect for pretend play and exploring indoors.
4. Newspaper Hats
Make classic newspaper hats with just a few folds.
This timeless craft is easy and quick. Let kids decorate their hats with stickers, markers, or feathers to personalize their creations.
5. Cardboard Box Castles
Cardboard boxes can be transformed into impressive castles. Cut out doors and windows, paint the exterior, and use smaller boxes to add towers.
This craft encourages kids to use their imagination and engineering skills.
6. Tin Can Drums
Create a mini drum set using empty tin cans. Remove any sharp edges, decorate the cans with paint or paper, and use balloons or fabric for the drumheads.
Secure the coverings with rubber bands, and let the kids start drumming!
These recycled material crafts are not only fun but also environmentally friendly. They teach kids the value of reusing and recycling, all while providing hours of creative entertainment.
Nature-Inspired Crafts
Bring the outdoors inside with these nature-inspired crafts. Even on the rainiest of days, kids can still connect with nature and create beautiful projects using natural materials.
1. Leaf Rubbings
Leaf rubbings are a classic and simple craft. Collect a variety of leaves, place them under a sheet of paper, and use crayons to rub over the paper, revealing the leaf’s intricate patterns.
This is a great way to learn about different types of leaves and textures.
2. Rock Painting
Turn ordinary rocks into works of art. Gather some smooth stones, and let kids paint them with colorful designs, animals, or even inspirational words.
These painted rocks can be used as decorations, paperweights, or garden ornaments.
3. Pinecone Bird Feeder
Make a simple bird feeder using a pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed. Spread peanut butter over the pinecone, roll it in birdseed, and hang it outside with a piece of string.
This craft not only keeps kids busy but also helps feed local birds.
4. Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Create beautiful bookmarks with pressed flowers. Collect flowers and leaves, press them between heavy books or a flower press, and once dry, laminate them or glue them onto cardstock.
These make lovely and practical gifts.
5. Stick Puppets
Collect sticks from outside and turn them into puppets. Use fabric scraps, yarn, and markers to create characters by attaching them to the sticks.
Kids can then use their stick puppets for storytelling and imaginative play.
6. Nature Collage
Make a collage using various natural materials like leaves, twigs, flowers, and seeds. Glue these items onto a piece of cardboard or heavy paper to create a beautiful nature scene.
This craft encourages kids to observe and appreciate the details in nature.
These nature-inspired crafts bring a bit of the outdoors inside and are perfect for rainy days. They help kids appreciate the natural world and foster creativity using materials they can find right in their backyard.
Fun with Paint
Painting is a fantastic way for kids to express their creativity and have fun. These paint-based crafts are sure to brighten up any rainy day.
1. Finger Painting
Finger painting is a messy but incredibly fun activity. Let kids dip their fingers into paint and create whatever comes to mind on a large sheet of paper.
This craft is great for young children who love to get hands-on and explore textures.
2. Blow Painting with Straws
Create unique and colorful designs with blow painting. Drop blobs of paint onto paper and use straws to blow the paint around, forming interesting patterns and shapes.
It’s a great way to teach kids about the effects of air and movement on paint.
3. Salt Painting
Salt painting combines painting with a touch of science. Draw designs with glue on paper, sprinkle salt over the glue, and then use watercolors to paint over the salt.
The paint will spread along the salt crystals, creating a beautiful and textured effect.
4. Marble Rolling Art
For a fun twist on painting, try marble rolling art. Place a sheet of paper in a shallow box, add a few drops of paint, and roll marbles through the paint and across the paper.
The marbles will leave colorful trails, creating an abstract masterpiece.
5. Sponge Stamps
Make your own stamps using sponges. Cut sponges into various shapes, dip them in paint, and press them onto paper to create patterns and pictures.
This craft is perfect for kids who enjoy stamping and printing.
6. Watercolor Resist Art
Watercolor resist art is a magical painting technique. Draw designs on paper with a white crayon or oil pastel, then paint over the entire paper with watercolors.
The crayon will resist the paint, revealing hidden designs and creating a beautiful contrast.
These fun paint crafts allow kids to explore different techniques and effects, making them perfect for an engaging and colorful rainy day. Plus, they’re easy to set up and clean up, ensuring a smooth crafting experience for parents and caregivers.
Textile and Fabric Crafts
Textile and fabric crafts are fantastic for developing fine motor skills and creativity. These projects often result in charming, tactile creations that kids can use or display with pride.
1. No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bags
Transform an old T-shirt into a handy tote bag without any sewing. Cut off the sleeves and neckline, then fringe the bottom hem and tie the fringes together to create a sturdy, reusable bag.
This is a fun and practical way to recycle old clothing.
2. Yarn Wrapped Letters
Create decorative letters by wrapping cardboard letters with colorful yarn. Cut out letters from cardboard, and wrap them tightly with yarn, securing the ends with glue.
These letters can spell out names or messages and make great room decorations.
3. Fabric Scraps Collage
Use leftover fabric scraps to create vibrant collages. Cut the fabric into different shapes and sizes, and glue them onto a canvas or heavy paper.
This craft is perfect for using up small pieces of fabric and encourages kids to play with textures and patterns.
4. Sock Puppets
Turn mismatched socks into fun puppets. Add googly eyes, yarn hair, and felt features to bring the sock puppets to life.
Kids can then use their puppets to put on imaginative puppet shows, enhancing their storytelling skills.
5. Button Art
Create beautiful pictures using buttons. Glue buttons of various sizes and colors onto a canvas or cardstock to form shapes, patterns, or even detailed images.
This craft is a great way to use up spare buttons and results in a lovely piece of art.
6. Felt Monsters
Make adorable felt monsters by cutting out body shapes and features from felt sheets. Sew or glue the pieces together, stuffing the monsters with cotton or fabric scraps. Add googly eyes and other decorations to give each monster a unique personality.
These textile and fabric crafts are perfect for a rainy day and offer a tactile, hands-on experience. They help kids develop fine motor skills, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment as they transform simple materials into delightful creations.
Edible Crafts
Edible crafts are a delicious way to keep kids entertained and creative. These fun projects combine crafting with cooking, resulting in tasty treats that kids will love to make and eat.
1. Decorating Cookies
Let kids unleash their inner pastry chef by decorating cookies. Provide plain cookies, a variety of icing colors, sprinkles, and other edible decorations.
Kids can create their own designs and enjoy a sweet treat afterward.
2. Fruit and Veggie Stamping
Use slices of fruits and vegetables as stamps to create beautiful prints. Dip the cut sides of apples, potatoes, or peppers in food-safe paint and press them onto paper.
This craft teaches kids about different produce and results in lovely artwork.
3. Gummy Bear Bracelets
Create wearable candy with gummy bear bracelets. Use licorice strings and thread gummy bears onto them to make colorful, edible jewelry. This craft is perfect for little ones who love sweets and creativity.
4. Edible Playdough
Make playdough that’s safe to eat using simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring.
Kids can mold and shape the dough just like regular playdough, and the best part is they can taste their creations.
5. Candy Necklaces
String colorful candies onto a piece of yarn to make candy necklaces. Use candies with holes in the middle, like Lifesavers or Froot Loops, and let kids create patterns and designs.
These edible accessories are fun to make and wear.
6. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
Turn plain pretzels into a gourmet treat by dipping them in melted chocolate.
Provide various toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or candy pieces for kids to roll their chocolate-dipped pretzels in. These treats are both fun to make and delicious to eat.
These edible crafts combine the joy of crafting with the delight of eating, making them perfect for a fun-filled rainy day. Kids will love creating tasty treats that they can enjoy themselves or share with others.
Science and Sensory Crafts
Science and sensory crafts are perfect for engaging kids’ curiosity and sense of wonder. These activities combine creativity with basic scientific principles, making learning fun and interactive.
1. Homemade Slime
Kids love the squishy, gooey fun of homemade slime. Mix glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution to create a stretchy, malleable slime.
Add food coloring, glitter, or even small beads for extra fun. This craft provides a great sensory experience.
2. DIY Lava Lamps
Create mesmerizing lava lamps with a few household ingredients. Fill a clear bottle with water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and a fizzy tablet (like Alka-Seltzer).
The reaction creates colorful bubbles that rise and fall, mimicking a lava lamp.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano
This classic science experiment is always a hit. Create a volcano shape using clay or a plastic bottle, then pour baking soda inside.
When ready, pour vinegar mixed with food coloring into the volcano and watch it erupt in a bubbly, colorful display.
4. Salt Dough Ornaments
Make lasting memories with salt dough ornaments. Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough, then shape it into ornaments using cookie cutters or freeform designs.
Bake the ornaments, then paint and decorate them once they’re cool.
5. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
A rainbow rice sensory bin is a fantastic way to engage kids’ senses. Dye uncooked rice with food coloring and let it dry, then fill a large container with the colorful rice.
Add scoops, funnels, and small toys for endless sensory play.
6. Static Electricity Butterflies
Teach kids about static electricity with this fun craft. Cut out butterfly shapes from tissue paper and rub a balloon on their hair to create static.
Hold the balloon near the butterflies and watch them “fly” and move due to the static charge.
These science and sensory crafts are not only fun but also educational, sparking curiosity and providing hands-on learning experiences. They’re perfect for keeping kids engaged and entertained on a rainy day while subtly teaching them basic scientific concepts.
Holiday and Seasonal Crafts
Celebrate the seasons and holidays with these festive crafts. Each project is designed to capture the spirit of the occasion and provide kids with a fun, creative outlet.
1. Halloween Paper Lanterns
Create spooky paper lanterns to light up Halloween. Use construction paper to make a lantern shape, then cut out spooky designs like pumpkins, bats, or ghosts.
Add a battery-operated candle inside for a safe, glowing decoration.
2. Thanksgiving Handprint Turkeys
Turn your child’s handprints into adorable turkeys for Thanksgiving. Trace their hands on colorful paper, cut out the shapes, and decorate them with googly eyes, feathers, and markers.
These turkeys make charming holiday decorations or place cards.
3. Christmas Ornaments
Make personalized Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree. Use materials like clay, felt, or even salt dough to create unique shapes.
Decorate with paint, glitter, and ribbon. These handmade ornaments are perfect keepsakes and gifts.
4. Valentine’s Day Cards
Craft heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards to share with friends and family. Provide construction paper, stickers, markers, and other decorations.
Encourage kids to write sweet messages and personalize each card with their creative touch.
5. Easter Egg Decorating
Decorating Easter eggs is a timeless tradition. Use dye, paint, stickers, and other materials to create colorful and intricate designs.
For a twist, try using natural dyes from vegetables or tie-dye techniques with rubber bands and dye.
6. Fourth of July Windsocks
Celebrate Independence Day with festive windsocks. Use red, white, and blue streamers, ribbons, and construction paper to create patriotic designs.
Hang the windsocks outside to catch the summer breeze and show off your patriotic spirit.
These holiday and seasonal crafts help kids get into the festive spirit and make beautiful decorations and gifts. They provide a fun way to celebrate special occasions and create lasting memories with family and friends.
Creative Building Crafts
Building crafts are perfect for encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and engineering skills. These projects allow kids to construct their own unique creations from everyday materials.
1. Lego Marble Run
Create a thrilling marble run using Lego bricks. Design and build a track for marbles to roll through, incorporating twists, turns, and tunnels.
This craft challenges kids to think creatively and experiment with different designs to see what works best.
2. Cardboard Box City
Transform cardboard boxes into a bustling cityscape. Use various sizes of boxes to create buildings, roads, and landmarks.
Kids can decorate their city with paint, markers, and stickers, and use toy cars and figures to bring it to life.
3. Popsicle Stick Forts
Construct mini forts using popsicle sticks and glue. Design and build sturdy structures, adding details like doors, windows, and furniture.
This craft encourages precision and planning while providing a fun way to play and display their creations.
4. Clothespin Airplanes
Make simple and fun airplanes using clothespins and craft sticks. Glue the sticks onto the clothespin to create wings and a tail, then paint and decorate.
These little airplanes are perfect for imaginative play and can be easily customized.
5. Foam Block Towers
Build towering structures with foam blocks. Foam blocks are lightweight and easy to stack, making them perfect for young builders.
Challenge kids to see how tall they can make their towers or to create different types of buildings and shapes.
6. Pipe Cleaner Sculptures
Create flexible sculptures with colorful pipe cleaners. Bend and twist the pipe cleaners into various shapes and figures, from animals to abstract designs.
This craft is excellent for fine motor skills and encourages kids to think in three dimensions.
These creative building crafts offer endless possibilities for imaginative play and construction. They help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while providing hours of entertainment and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.
Conclusion
Rainy days don’t have to mean boring days. With these fun and creative crafts, kids can stay entertained and inspired no matter the weather.
Crafting not only keeps them busy but also helps develop their fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. So, the next time the rain starts to pour, pull out this guide and let the crafting adventure begin!
Additional Resources
- Craft Supply Stores: Check out local and online stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Joann Fabrics for a wide variety of craft supplies.
- Online Resources and Tutorials: Websites like Pinterest, YouTube, and Crayola offer numerous craft ideas and step-by-step guides.
- Recommended Craft Books for Kids: Consider books like “The Big Book of Kids’ Crafts” by Jessica Strand and “Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About Dinosaurs” by Kathy Ross for more creative inspiration.
Happy crafting!
