14 fun things to do with a bored toddler on a rainy day
Don't let the rain stop play!
When the drizzle sets in, things can get a little stir crazy when you’re at home with a little one – for them and for you!
Before you start climbing the walls, or *clutches pearls* consider heading to a noisy play centre with the rest of the hordes, you might want to stock up your parenting arsenal with a few more ideas that help turn a rainy day into a memorable one.
We’ve rounded up some budget-friendly, boredom-busting ideas to keep everyone entertained when the weather is not playing nice. Read on…
14 things to do with a bored toddler on a rainy day!
Get cooking!
Kids love to ‘help’ in the kitchen and it’s a great way for them to learn while having fun. Plus, you get a kitchen assistant and something delicious to eat at the end. Head here for recipe ideas.
Game on!
Get old school with classic games like Simon Says…, Follow the Leader or What’s the Time Mr Wolf.
Your little ones will love learning the games you played when you were small.
PLAY time
Let imaginations run wild by using brown paper lunch bags to make puppets. Gather your pens and crafts, and draw or stick things on them to create funny characters -or your whole family.
The puppet show itself might provide a little rest time for mama, if you use the end of your bed as a stage…
Host a tea party
Use your child’s tea set, invite all the favourite toys (and pets!) and make believe, or put your best togs on and have a fun ‘high tea’.
You can pretend to be lords and ladies, and have fun with your accents and manners!
Love letters
Take the time to write letters or draw pictures for loved ones near and far.
Your little one will love posting the mail when the rain clears, and your family will be delighted to receive them.
Head to the flicks
Thought your days of visiting a cinema were over once you had bub? Think again.
The legends at HOYTS offer up weekly Prams at the Pix sessions for those of us with little ones in tow.
The first session every Wednesday, you can join fellow families in a freshly cleaned cinema where the HOYTS team dim the lights and soften the volume, to ensure a baby friendly cinema experience while you get to enjoy the latest cinema releases.
With $10 movie tickets for HOYTS Rewards members and kids under five FREE, it’s also a pretty affordable way to while away a few hours with a busy toddler!
Puzzle time
The benefits of playing with puzzles go beyond simple fun, there’s a range of skills that children develop during puzzle time without even knowing!
Fine motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination all develop through puzzle play and have so many benefits later in life with children who build these skills, finding it easier to write, draw and learn to play instruments.
One of the cognitive benefits of puzzle play is that it allows children to develop their reasoning and decision making skills, which are a huge part of life as they grow.
So if the sun is hiding, and the day is wet, puzzle play is a great way to occupy your restless toddler.
Playdough is guaranteed fun for all ages
Less messy than its home science counterpart – slime, playdough has long been a favourite of child care centres. But what many parents don’t realise is how simple it is to make at home too.
Cooked, uncooked or cloudy, a good playdough recipe is something every parent should have in their arsenal.
DIY a kids play tent
We all know kids love a cubby. And they don’t get any cuter than this make-it-yourself indoor tent.
Not only does building a kids play tent occupy busy toddlers on a rainy day, the end result is the perfect nook for kids call their own, curl up to read a good book or even have a cheeky nap. Winning!
Audio books are the bomb!
Snuggling in and reading with your child is so beneficial for them in many ways.
And as a bonus, if you’re tired of doing all of the voices and would like someone to read to to you too, audio books are here to save the day!
Most audio book subscription services offer up hundreds of books for free too, so not only is it fun it’s a budget friendly activity too.
We’ve rounded up some of our family-friendly audio book favourites here.
Visit a local museum or gallery
Many think of museums and art galleries as hushed experiences tailored for grown ups. But that’s not always the case!
Many museums and galleries have child-friendly exhibits and have created spaces designed for children, with play areas and fun, engaging activities.
Keep your eye out for child-friendly museums or galleries near you, particularly ones that have exhibits that align with the things your child loves.
Slime for the brave …
It’s stretchy, it’s gooey, it’s addictive and it’s a super fun science project to take on at home.
If you’re ready to level up from playdough it might be time to try one of these fun and simple slime recipes!
Embrace the rain!
Here’s the thing, the rain won’t make your kids melt.
If you’re just dealing with a drizzly day and the storms are at bay, your child can have tonnes of fun outside exploring the world when it’s wet.
Puddles, snails and more are on offer outside when it’s wet and tell me, what kid doesn’t love popping on a pair of gumboots?
