Rainy days don’t have to mean bored kids or extra screen time. With a few simple supplies and a little creativity, you can turn a gloomy afternoon into a fun, hands-on crafting day your kids will love.
These rainy day crafts for kids are easy to set up, use mostly items you already have at home, and work for a range of ages — from toddlers to elementary school kids.
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🎁 FREE Rainy Day Craft Pack
Coloring pages, dot marker fun, and a 3D umbrella craft — perfect for gloomy days!
Why Crafts Are Perfect for Rainy Days
Rainy days are the perfect excuse to slow down and get creative indoors. Crafting helps kids:
- Build fine motor skills
- Practice creativity and problem-solving
- Stay engaged without screens
- Feel calm and focused
Best of all? These ideas are parent-friendly, too.
🧺 Supplies You’ll Need for Rainy Day Crafts
You likely already have most of these supplies at home. If not, a few basics will cover all of the activities in this post. Find 10 easy crafts to do with todders that are low mess here.
🎨 Dot Marker Page
- Dot markers or bingo daubers
- OR round stickers
- OR crayons or markers (no need to buy if you already have them)
💡 Tip: Stickers are a great mess-free option for toddlers.
🖍️ Coloring Page
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored pencils
(Any one of these works — no need for all three.)
☔ 3D Paper Umbrella Craft
- Printed umbrella template
- Paper or cardstock
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Pipe cleaners
🧼 Optional (Helpful for Parents)
- Craft mat or scrap paper
- Paper towels or wipes
🛒 Want Everything in One Place?
If you like to keep supplies on hand, a kids craft supply kit is a great all-in-one option for rainy days, weekends, and school breaks. Get 50 easy crafts for toddlers, low prep and low mess activities here.
Easy Rainy Day Crafts for Kids
1. Paper Plate Umbrella Craft
Let kids decorate paper plates with paint, stickers, or markers. Cut in half, add a handle with a pipe cleaner or craft stick, and you’ve got a cute rainy-day umbrella.
Supplies: Paper plates, markers or paint, glue, pipe cleaners
2. Rain Cloud Cotton Ball Art
Draw a cloud on paper and let kids glue cotton balls inside. Add blue fingerprints or raindrops falling below for a fun weather-themed craft.
Supplies: Paper, cotton balls, glue, washable paint
3. Toilet Paper Roll Creatures
Save empty toilet paper rolls and turn them into animals, monsters, or people using construction paper and googly eyes.
Supplies: Toilet paper rolls, paper scraps, glue, googly eyes
4. Sticker Collage Art
Perfect for toddlers! Give kids a sheet of paper and let them stick, peel, and design freely.
Supplies: Stickers, paper
Why it’s great: Zero prep and low mess
5. Painted Handprint Art
Turn handprints into animals, flowers, or rainy-day scenes. This also doubles as a keepsake craft.
Supplies: Washable paint, paper, wipes
6. Paper Bag Puppets
Kids can create characters and put on a puppet show — great for creativity and storytelling.
Supplies: Paper bags, markers, yarn, glue
7. DIY Rain Sticks
Create simple rain sticks using paper towel rolls filled with rice or beans (tape ends securely).
Supplies: Paper towel rolls, rice or beans, tape, decorations
8. Coloring + Craft Combo
Print out rainy-day coloring pages (umbrellas, clouds, boots) and let kids add glitter, stickers, or tissue paper.
Supplies: Printables, crayons, craft extras
9. Cardboard Box Creations
Turn a box into a car, house, or boat using markers and stickers.
Supplies: Cardboard boxes, markers, stickers
10. Tissue Paper Window Art
Glue tissue paper shapes onto clear contact paper and hang on a window for a colorful rainy-day display.
Supplies: Tissue paper, contact paper, scissors
Tips for Stress-Free Rainy Day Crafting
- Prep supplies in bins ahead of time
- Choose washable materials
- Keep wipes or paper towels nearby
- Focus on process, not perfection
Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers vs. Big Kids
For toddlers:
- Stickers
- Handprint art
- Cotton ball clouds
For older kids:
- Puppets
- DIY rain sticks
- Cardboard builds
Mix and match based on attention span!
Grab the FREE Rainy Day Craft Pack to print and use today!
Final Thoughts
Rainy days are a great opportunity to slow down and create memories with your kids. These rainy day crafts for kids are simple, affordable, and fun — no complicated prep required.
Save and pin this list for the next gloomy afternoon, and you’ll always have something ready to go ☔✨ And make sure to comment below what your favorite craft is.
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