If your toddler is anything like mine, they’ll be going stir crazy on days when it all it does is rain. Summer 2023 hasn’t exactly been glorious sunshine and while I didn’t expect to write this blog post in August, here we are. To kill that boredom and make sure your little one isn’t destroying your house or climbing the walls, here are my top 10 things to do on a rainy day with your toddler.
Splash In Muddy Puddles
As a parent, I know my toddler best and sometimes nothing will keep him caged inside – no matter how rainy and cold it is outside. In this instance, the best thing to do is to get him kitted out in weatherproof clothes & wellies and set him free.
We don’t always go too far, sometimes it’s just finding puddles in the garden. Other times we like to walk up the Long Walk in Windsor where big puddles are plentiful. Windsor has lots of lovely green spaces, so we are spoilt.
Go Swimming
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to hunker down and tire them out doing a fun activity like swimming.
They’re wet already, right?
Toddlers can be a bit funny with swimming pools so take it gently and at their pace. If it’s the summer holidays, try to book an early slot when it’s not so rammed.
Go on a bug hunt
A great way to get outside in the fresh air and avoid the moaning and tantrums is to go on a bug hunt. You can make it as DIY or as extra as you like.
Create a checklist before you go, print pictures of each bug or screenshot them on your phone. Let your little one wander off and explore the floor, trees, plants and paths with some freedom. Engage them in what they’re finding and their surroundings. Take photos of them with the bugs they find.
You’ll be drenched but they’ll love it!
Get baking
What better way to spend a soggy day than to bake? Personally, I am terrible baker. My baking skills go as far as cornflake cakes or a lemon drizzle cake. But Jack thinks that’s great because he’s only 17 months old.
Get your toddler involved by letting them help you buy the ingredients and bits in the supermarket. Let them help you measure each ingredient and stir. You could even fashion their own chef’s hat out of paper.
They’ll love being chief taste checker.
Make a toy/car wash in the garden
This one is a double winner – your toddler is happily engaged and they’re cleaning and tidying at the same time.
Jack loves to tidy and get organised so this is one of our favourite toddler rainy day activities.
I line up all of his mucky toys, give him a bucket/paddling pool full of warm water and soap and let him go for it. We towel dry him and the toys together.
Snuggle & stick on a movie
When it’s tipping it down and the sky is dark and moody, there’s no better solution than to stick on a film and get snuggly.
Jack’s attention span is about 7 minutes so I can’t count on him sitting and engaging for too long but he likes playing with his toys with some background noise.
Get blankets, milk and a hot chocolate ready and snuggle in for a long afternoon.
Host an indoor teddy bear’s picnic
If you won’t go out, bring the fun in.
Invite some playdate pals over and host a sweet teddy bear’s picnic. Let your toddler show off his stuffy toys and roleplay with fake sweet treats and plastic pots and cups.
Toddlers learn through play and roleplay is a great way to show them how to share food, feed themselves/their teddies/each other and take turns.
Have a kitchen disco
Toddlers are still very much ruled by their nap schedule, meal times, snuggle times and tantrums. Planning an activity for a whole day isn’t often realistic.
Sometimes Jack can stay focused and enjoy an activity for over an hour. Other times he is like a bull in a China shop and can’t keep still.
Having a kitchen disco can be a great way to get some tunes on (for both you and them), have a boogie together and get some jobs done while they’re occupied.
Kitchen discos in our house are a great chance for me to fold washing, do the washing up, stack the dishwasher and start the dinner. He’s happy having a dance and being silly, I can join in while also ticking things off my list for the house.
Head To A Restaurant
If you are looking for something to do on a rainy day, you could frequent your favourite restaurant. It is a wonderful idea taking kids to restaurants when they are younger so they can learn the correct etiquette. If you have a blog and want to gain more content then you could bring along a restaurant videographer to capture the amazing and wonderful food that you are about to enjoy.
Do some crafting
As soon as I open the curtains and see rain clouds rolling in, I know it’s a day for crafting.
Jack loves making footprint paintings, drawing with crayons and doing sticking (with my help).
You can do all kinds of crafts with toddlers like fingerprint painting, colouring books, collage sticking and making fingers puppets.
We love the Works for crafting inspiration and activities.
Sensory Fun
Toddlers love exploring and learning with their senses. Anything can be sensory learning and here are some of our favourites:
- Kinetic sand
- Water play
- Edible sand & Dino dig
- Playdough
- Glitter bags
- Making slime
- Bubble wrap road
LoveRosiee
xxx
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People Also Ask…
How do I keep my toddler entertained on a rainy day?
- Wiggly balloon activity.
- Playdough balloon activity.
- Balloon tennis activity.
- Balloon soccer activity.
- Photo puzzles activity.
Should I take my toddler out in the rain?
If it’s really coming down or if there’s a bitter storm, it’s better to keep playtime indoors. But, a little light rain and some playing in the wet can actually be really good for children’s physical and mental development
Do toddlers need to go outside everyday?
Spending time outdoors isn’t just enjoyable — it’s also necessary. Many researchers agree that kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors. Spending time in nature can build their confidence.
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