3 Easy Rainy Day Toddler Crafts: Indoor Activities That Spark Creativity

Turn those stuck-inside moments into magical memories with these simple activities

There’s nothing quite like the sound of rain hitting the windows when you’ve got a toddler bouncing off the walls. You know the scenario: outdoor plans are canceled, energy levels are high, and you’re frantically trying to think of something—anything—to keep little hands busy.

We’ve all been there, mama. And while it’s tempting to reach for the tablet or turn on another episode of their favorite show, rainy days actually offer the perfect opportunity for some good old-fashioned creative fun. The best part? You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect craft room or expensive supplies. These three activities use things you probably already have lying around the house.

I’ve tested these crafts with my own kiddos (and borrowed a few neighbor children for good measure!), and they never fail to buy me at least 20 minutes of peace—sometimes even longer if I’m really lucky. Plus, watching their little faces light up when they create something beautiful? Pure magic.

Rainbow Coffee Filter Art

The “science experiment” that feels like pure magic

This one is my absolute go-to when I need something that looks impressive but requires zero artistic skill from me. The kids think they’re just coloring, but they’re actually learning about how colors blend and how water moves. It’s sneaky educational at its finest!

What you’ll need:

• Coffee filters (the round ones work best)
• Washable markers
• Small bowls of water
• Newspaper or paper towels for your workspace

Here’s how we do it:

Start by spreading out newspaper on your kitchen table—trust me on this one. Give your little artist some coffee filters and washable markers. Let them go wild coloring all over the filters. Don’t worry about making it look like anything specific; random scribbles work perfectly.

Now comes the fun part that never gets old, even for us grown-ups. Help your toddler dip just the edge of their colored filter into a bowl of water. Watch together as the water slowly travels up the paper, turning their simple drawings into beautiful, swirling masterpieces. My 2-year-old calls it “color magic,” and honestly, that’s exactly what it feels like.

Let them dry on the counter, and in about 15 minutes you’ll have gorgeous artwork that’s perfect for hanging in a sunny window. My refrigerator is currently sporting at least six of these beauties, and every guest who visits comments on how lovely they are.

Mom tip: Keep a stash of coffee filters in your craft supplies. They’re cheap, take up no storage space, and this activity works every single time.

Contact Paper Nature Collage

Zero mess, maximum creativity

This craft is a lifesaver when you need something engaging but can’t handle any cleanup. I discovered it during one of those weeks when I was too exhausted to deal with paint or glue, and it’s become a regular in our rainy day rotation.

What you’ll need:

• Clear contact paper
• Tissue paper scraps (or colored paper torn into pieces)
• Nature items: leaves, flower petals, small twigs
• Anything lightweight: cotton balls, yarn pieces, feathers

Here’s the magic:

Tape a sheet of contact paper to your sliding glass door or a low window, sticky side facing your toddler. The height is important—they need to reach it comfortably without stretching.

Then let them stick whatever they want to it. Seriously, that’s it. They’ll spend ages arranging and rearranging colorful tissue paper, adding leaves from your last nature walk, maybe some cotton balls for “clouds.” There’s something absolutely mesmerizing about watching things stick exactly where they want them to go.

When they’re satisfied with their masterpiece, cover it with another piece of contact paper or fold it over on itself. Hang it in the window, and you’ve got instant stained glass art that lets beautiful light shine through.

Mom tip: I keep a “nature treasure box” by our back door with interesting leaves, flowers, and small twigs we’ve collected on walks. It’s perfect for rainy day projects like this.

Homemade Playdough Bakery

The activity that keeps giving

Making playdough together is almost more fun than playing with it—almost. This recipe is foolproof (I’ve made it countless times, sometimes while distracted by hungry kids), and it keeps in the fridge for over a week.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup boiling water
• Food coloring
• Cookie cutters, rolling pins, muffin tins

Let’s get cooking:

Mix the dry ingredients in a big bowl while your toddler “helps” (which mostly means making a floury mess, but they love it). Add the oil and food coloring to your boiling water, then slowly pour it into the flour mixture while stirring.

Once it’s cool enough to touch, knead it together. This is the part where your toddler will be absolutely fascinated by how the lumpy mixture transforms into smooth, squishy dough. Let them help knead—it’s great for those little hand muscles.

Now set up your “bakery” with cookie cutters, a rolling pin (or clean water bottle), and some muffin tins. My kids love pretending to run a bakery, taking my “orders” for cookies and cupcakes. It’s adorable, and it keeps them busy for ages while I prep dinner or fold laundry nearby.

Mom tip: This dough is safe if they sneak a taste (though salty!), but encourage “bakery rules” about not eating the products. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge.

The Real Magic of Rainy Day Crafts

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of rainy day survival: these activities aren’t just about keeping kids busy. They’re about creating those sweet, unexpected moments when your house feels extra cozy and your family feels extra close.

Sure, there will be days when nothing works and everyone ends up cranky anyway. That’s normal! But more often than not, these simple crafts turn potentially frustrating indoor days into memory-making opportunities.

Don’t worry about the final products looking perfect. My kids’ coffee filter art looks nothing like the gorgeous examples on Pinterest, and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is the pride on their faces when they show me their “rainbow magic” and the way they beg to make “just one more” when we’re cleaning up.

The next time rain derails your outdoor plans, take a deep breath and remember: you’ve got this. With a few household supplies and these tried-and-true activities, you can transform a gloomy day into something special. And who knows? You might even find yourself looking forward to the next rainy afternoon.