April showers bring May flowers, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Rainy days are the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy creative activities with the whole family. Instead of staring out the window waiting for the sun (which, let’s be honest, I totally do), try these fun indoor adventures that will keep little ones entertained while creating some core memories together!
Build a Magical Indoor Fort & Have a Storytime Adventure
We’re super into dragons at our house right now, and most of our quests take place outdoors. But we’ve learned that there’s nothing cozier than a homemade fort on a rainy day! Grab blankets, pillows, and battery-operated fairy lights to create a magical hideaway right in the living room. Then, pile inside with your favorite adventure books and read story after story.
Ways to make it extra fun:
- Read the books by flashlight for a “campfire” feel—bonus points for using silly voices!
- Have the kids create their own rainy-day adventure story and illustrate it.
- Use couch cushions and chairs to turn the fort into a castle, a cave, or a pirate ship!
This simple activity fosters imagination and provides a snuggly, screen-free way to enjoy the day together.
Bake & Decorate Rain-Themed Treats
Baking is a fun, hands-on way to engage kids while sneaking in a little learning (measuring, counting, and following directions). Now, don’t get me wrong—be sure to throw in a dash of patience because a mess is inevitable! But it’s worth it when you see those proud little faces after they’ve made something themselves.
Snacks to try:
- Rainy Day Sugar Cookies – Use cloud, raindrop, or umbrella-shaped cookie cutters, then decorate with blue icing and sprinkles. No fancy cutters? No problem—just decorate circles as little suns or raindrops!
- Rainbow Cupcakes – If you’re feeling extra ambitious, layer different colored batter to create a rainbow effect inside.
- Warm “Puddle” Hot Chocolate – Add a drop of blue food coloring to cocoa and top with marshmallows for a fun, rain-inspired drink. Or, if you’re deep in fort life, pour it into an “adventure-safe” cup and bring it inside for cozy sipping!
Letting kids take charge of decorating makes it even more exciting for everyone. Plus, you get a delicious (read: messy) treat to enjoy together afterward!
Indoor Obstacle Course & Puddle Jumping Challenge
Rainy days don’t have to mean sitting still! If you have a toddler, you know there’s GOT to be some running around involved. Burn off some of that zoomie energy by setting up an indoor obstacle course using pillows, chairs, and tape on the floor.
Obstacle Course Ideas:
- Crawl under tables or blankets.
- Jump over cushions (pretend they’re giant puddles!).
- Walk the “tightrope” (a piece of string or tape on the floor)
- Play the “Floor is Lava” (our favorite).
- Toss stuffed animals into a laundry basket as the “final challenge”—or better yet, rescue them as part of the adventure!
- Play music and turn it into a game where kids complete the course before the song ends.
This is such an easy way to burn off energy and turn a rainy day into an exciting challenge!
Dance (and Sing!) in the Rain
Sometimes, the best way to embrace a rainy day is to step outside and enjoy it!
If the weather isn’t too stormy and you’ve got rain boots and a raincoat handy, take the excitement outside for some real puddle-jumping fun. Dance, splash, twirl in the drizzle—because honestly, how often do we just let loose and play in the rain?
Pro tip: Bring out a speaker and play some rainy-day-themed songs (Umbrella, anyone?) to make it extra fun!
April’s rainy days don’t have to be dreary—they can be the perfect opportunity to slow down, get creative, and enjoy time indoors (or even outside in the drizzle). So next time the rain starts pouring, grab some blankets, mix up some cookie dough, or throw on your rain boots and make the most of it!
