11 fun toddler activities for rainy days

It can be difficult keeping toddlers occupied at the best of times, let alone when you're confined to the house.

Those curious little minds need to be stimulated and entertained, and when the rain keeps you indoors, that can be challenging.

But never fear; we're here to inspire you with 11 fun toddler activities for rainy days.

Best of all, these ideas are all easy, cheap, and don't involve screen time.

And we can guarantee the little ones will be happy, and you'll keep your sanity!

11 fun toddler activities for rainy days

1. Build a fort: An activity as old as time itself, but guaranteed hours of fun. Simply get some old bed sheets and drape them over some furniture and voilà! The kids can then cuddle up inside and enjoy some snacks in their imaginary world.
2. Make musical instruments: This is a fun activity because it requires imagination and it promotes recycling. All you need are some discarded yogurt pots, toilet roll holders, cutlery, lunchboxes, and any other old household bits and bobs that little ones can make noise with, and hey presto! You've got a DIY band. (We apologise in advance about the noise!)
3. Play hide and seek: Another age-old game that takes nothing at all apart from a few activity-hungry toddlers. It's a good idea to lock any rooms that you don't want the kids going into.
4. Art class: This could buy you several hours of peace and quiet. You can colour, draw, and paint, or use any old household items to make things. The only limit is your imagination!
5. Toy bath: OK, so we're cheating a little with this one. But who said cleaning up couldn't be fun?! Just assemble your little ones and get them to help you transport their toys to the bathtub. Then you just submerge them in the water and use clothes or old toothbrushes to scrub them clean.
6. Reading corner: If the rain stops you getting to the library, simply make your own. Just stack some big pillows in the corner of the kids' bedroom or playroom, take out their favourite books, and spend some quality time reading together.
7. Make a time capsule: This will definitely make it a rainy day you'll never forget. Pick some kind of container, ask your little one what they'd like to put inside - or help them decide if they're a little young to fully understand - and then write a little note together. You can organise to bury it somewhere special when the rain stops.
8. Bake a cake: Baking together is always fun and it's important to teach kids the importance of healthy home baking from a young age. Obviously start with something really simple that your child can get completely involved in. And the best part is you then get to sit down and eat it together.
9. Build a town: All you need is lots of old cardboard. The kids can make buildings and paint them using their favourite colours.
10. Treasure hunt: This is one of our favourites and it's educational as it encourages problem-solving skills. Just give the kids clues and watch them explore the house searching for the treasure.
11. Make cards: Because you can never do enough arts and crafts with children. You can help them write cards to their grandparents, friends, teacher.... The possibilities are endless. Make it extra special by letting them 'write' their own name.