It’s starting to feel like rainy season in San Francisco and with the recent Daylight Savings time change, it now gets dark out by 5pm. 😟
This didn’t mean much to me before life with kids.
But now, with a 2-year old rambunctious toddler in our lives, a rainy day and less daylight in the evenings means more time indoors, which means a wild and loony toddler running around the house.
Rainy days forces me to be creative with indoor activities that allows Nathan to get all his big energy out and keep him entertained for a long period of time.
I’ve asked a lot of my mom friends what they do on rainy days to pass the time to round up more ideas.
Below are a few of my go-to rainy day activities with my toddler:
1. Throw a cleaning party. My toddler loves to be involved whenever I’m cleaning – whether it’s vacuuming, doing the laundry or loading the dishes. I’m taking advantage of his curiosity by involving him in these daily chores. For example, whenever I vacuum, we’ll take turns. I’ll remove the attachment so it’s his height.
2. Put on a workout video. I know this technically involves a “screen” but I’m adding this activity on the list because it will actually keep your toddler moving and not just sitting idly on the couch. And if you’re like me, who can never seem to find the time to fit in a workout sesh, include your toddler in your workout! When I put on my workout video and start working out, Nathan is always interested in watching and trying out the moves with me. It’s super cute and a great way to keep your kid physically active!
3. Dance it out. Nathan absolutely loves music and he loves dancing, playing his guitar and singing. So, we’ll play some of his favorite tunes on our bluetooth speaker and it will immediately get him in the mood to jam and dance with me.
4. Make playdough. This activity is fun for both the adult and child. I love playing with playdough and it can actually be a relaxing activity to do together. I love making homemade playdough recipe because it’s free of toxic chemicals and the cooking part can be a fun experience to involve your child. I love including playdough tools like this one to make fun shapes and allows for the child to practice their fine motor skills.
5. Splash in puddles. If you’re in the mood for it and are craving a little fresh air, put your toddler in some rainboots and waterproof gear and head outside for a little splash party. My toddler absolutely loves kicking and splashing in puddles, and it’s also a great way to get that energy out!
6. Coloring. This is a great activity before bedtime to help calm down your toddler. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them about the different colors. Mix it up by changing up different coloring books of their favorite things.
7. Bake. I don’t particularly enjoy baking but if it gets my toddler excited and kills some time indoor, I’m all for it. We usually like to bake apple mini-muffins together or banana bread together. It’s a fun activity for us to do together, and we’re always looking forward to testing out the result!
8. Visit a local library. Going to a local library is a great opportunity for them to read new books and explore a different environment. Some libraries also have kid activities and storytime for littles.
9. Play scavenger hunt. This requires a little planning and preparation, but it will be a fun activity for your toddler. To set up for a scavenger hunt, you’ll just need a few small items, perhaps a few toys, and then locate them in a conspicuous place where your child can spot it but also a place that’s not so obvious (ie. on top of a bookshelf, on a plant). Then, tell them the items you’re searching for. They may need a little help getting started but once they get the hang of it, they’ll be able to hunt on their own.
10. Take a long bath. Our son loves playing in the bathtub. We typically limit his bathtime to 10-15 minutes due to his eczema but on days we’re indoor for a long period of time, we’ll extend his bath time so he has a little more playtime with the water. You can create a special experience by adding fun bath toys like this whale toy, ferry toy boat, or this fishing game.
What are your favorite rainy-day activities to do with your toddler?
