If you've ever been trapped indoors with a child during a rainy spell or after a blizzard you know that no amount of screentime can keep boredom and subsequent bad moods and meltdowns at bay. In fact, too much TV time can actually make your child more of a little monster than she otherwise would be. There's no harm in a movie or a couple of hours of tablet time, but breaking up a rainy or snowy day inside with a bit of creative or physical fun can make everyone a little happier and more pleasant to be around.
More from MamásLatinas: 6 Fun winter activities perfect for your kids!
Regardless of your child's age or personality, there are tons of easy and fun indoor activities that are perfect to get everyone thinking and moving when you're stuck inside for hours and hours on end. From crafts to science projects and even sports, the options are endless. Even better, there are lots of other moms out there who've already thought everything out for you.
Some of these awesome activities I have personally done with both of my kids again and again because they enjoy them so much and they are incredibly easy to do with items that you probably already have lying around the house. But if you're more of a planner, there are others that you can stock up and prepare for in advance. Check out all of these fantastic rainy or snowy day activities in our gallery.
Upgrade the standard blanket fort.
Blanket forts are a classic snow day activity, but you can easily upgrade the idea by using a fan to actually inflate the fort turning it into an air fort. Kids will love the novelty of it.
Get the tutorial from Mom Trusted.
Your kids can play tennis inside without breaking any windows.
With just a few simple materials including cheap paper plates and regular balloons, your kids–regardless of their age–can strike up a fun game of indoor tennis that will help them get some energy out.
Get the tutorial from Vanessa's Values.
Teach your kiddos how to make fresh bread.
I love baking with my kids and we do it at least once a week when we're stuck in the house during the cold winter months. This fun bread-in-a-bag recipe is so simple and it will make your house smell amazing while you teach your kids a skill they'll be able to use for a lifetime.
Get the full recipe from Your Home Based Mom.
Let them get a little mess with some paint and bubble wrap.
Roll some paper out on the floor, wrap your child's feet in bubble wrap and let her paint with her feet!
Get the tutorial from Mess for Less.
Get creative with cars.
I never would have thought to do this, but you can cut an empty paper towel or wrapping paper roll in half to create ramps for toy cars. My kids have so many of these tiny cars and can play with them for hours. With this activity you can even keep them busy creating the ramps themselves.
Get the tutorial from The Imagination Tree.
Make edible paints for toddlers.
With a single can of yummy condensed milk and a pack of food coloring, your toddler can mix up a batch of edible paints and go to town with their fingers or a brush to make up some beautiful creations.
Get the tutorial from Mama Papa Bubba.
You can make DIY dinosaur fossils right in your own kitchen.
If you have a dino-loving kiddo, she will be thrilled with this DIY dinosaur fossil project. The "fossils" are actually made from coffee and they look so cool!
Get the tutorial from I Can Teach My Child.
Combine two kid favorites with this sticky dino activity.
Children love sticky messes and dinos. You can combine the two with this oozy cornstarched-based slime tub that kids can play with their toy dinosaurs in for a messy but amazingly fun sensory experience.
Get the tutorial from Fun at Home With Kids.
Create a mission impossible indoor obstacle.
In just a few minutes with literally two items you can create a fun make believe laser maze right in your own home. You just need some tape and crepe paper.
Get the tutorial from Brassy Apple.
Crafty types will love making these glittery snowflakes.
With just some wax paper, glue and glitter, you can help your crafty little one make beautiful DIY snowflake decorations.
Get the tutorial from Factory Direct Craft.
Expecting a lot of rain?
If you're expecting a significant amount of rain, you can teach your kids how to measure the amount of precipitation by making a DIY rain gauge out of an old plastic bottle.
Get the tutorial from The Imagination Tree.
Even toddlers can do science projects.
Both my two- and six-year old absolutely love this simple science project. You just use colored vinegar and baking soda to create a chemical reaction, mix colors, etc.
Get the tutorial from Happy Hooligans.
Simple paper crafts engage most children.
Help your children remember sunnier days with this simple construction paper flower garden craft.
Get the tutorial from What Can We Do With Paper and Glue.
Make some soft cloud dough.
Using just flour and oil you can create an awesome sensory dough that will entertain your toddler or preschooler for hours. Try using baby oil or adding essential oils to add some scent.
Get the tutorial from Learn With Play At Home.
Use snow to make a tasty snack together.
Break out another can of condensed milk and pour it over some fresh snow to create a yummy, snowy treat. You can even add different flavors and toppings.
Get the full recipe from The Kitchen is My Playground.
Create a simple at-home scavenger hunt.
Write up a quick scavenger hunt of regular household items for your kiddos to search for and be sure to have a prize ready for the winner.
Make a train track indoors.
Use a bit of masking tape to create a train track right on the floor, and build some obstacles for your child to cross to get to the train. On a really snowy day, you could even make it Polar Express themed.
Get the tutorial from Ms. Ange's Class Blog.
Get gooey with some homemade oobleck.
The first time I made oobleck with my then toddler I could not get over the amazing texture and how much fun this slime is to play with. It has since become a fave of both my kiddos.
Get the tutorial from The Multitaskin Mom.
Water play is always fun for kids.
My kids beg me to play car wash on a regular basis. It's a game I came up with one my oldest was just a year old. I just put a bit of water and dish soap in a plastic tub or any deep dish (even a roasting pan), throw in a bunch of toy cars and give them paper towels and wash rags and they go to town detailing their toy cars. Just be sure to put a towel under the bucket.
Make a pretty kaleidoscope.
You might have to plan and shop ahead to make a DIY kaleidoscope, but your kids will get hours or even days of wonder enjoyment from it.
Get the tutorial from Welcome to the Mouse House.
Feed them a fun snowman-themed snack.
S'mores aren't just for outdoor bonfires and campsites. You and your children can make fun snowman-themed s'mores treats right in your kitchen.
Get the tutorial from The Shabby Creek Cottage.
They can even paint snow.
Children (and grown ups too) can use colored water to paint snow! Just head out on a snowy day to fill a bucket with snow, add food coloring to cups of water and hand your little one a paint brush. You can even give older kids a lesson in color mixing.
Get the tutorial from Growing a Jeweled Rose.
Whip up a batch of three-ingredient cookies.
These three-ingredient "rainy day" sugar cookies are super-simple for kids to make–even toddlers! Kids can customize them with different toppings like sprinkles, chocolates and nuts.
Get the full recipe from Her Family.
With this cute craft your child can replicate his view from the window.
This easy craft has a pretty impressive effect. It's actually just colored water on white paper, framed with tape, but it looks really awesome.
Get the tutorial from Munchkins and Moms.
Be prepared ahead of time.
A fun and practical idea is to take a bit of time to think up a few dozen simple activities for rainy days ahead of time and create rainy days sticks for your kids to pull from when they are stuck inside.
Get the tutorial from How to Nest for Less.
This twist on slime is so cool.
Your kids probably love slime like most every other child in America. This fun puffy slime variation has just three ingredients, none of which have any harsh chemical properties.
Get the tutorial from Tatertots & Jello.
Or you can make a snowy slime variation.
Using similar ingredients to the puffy slime, your kids can make a batch of glittery snow-hued slime.
Get the tutorial from No Time for Flashcards.
Take the opportunity to teach kids about thunderstorms.
Using found items around the house, you can very simply teach your kids the science behind how thunderstorms work. Who knows?! Maybe you'll raise little meteorologists.
Get the full tutorial from Life with Moore Babies.
Or you can give a tornado lesson.
With almost no prep or planning at all, you and your kids can create a tornado inside of an empty bottle. You pretty much just need dish soap and water.
Get the tutorial from Little Bins for Little Hands.
This rain jar project is easy but so much fun.
If your kids are really getting into weather science, they'll really enjoy this rain jar experiment. They will literally create a cloud that gets too full of moisture and releases "rain." So cool!
Get the tutorial from One Sharp Bunch.
