25 Easy Kids Crafts for Rainy Days to Keep Them Entertained

Did you know that crafting can improve a child’s creativity and fine motor skills? Rainy days don’t have to mean bored kids bouncing off the walls—crafting is the perfect solution to keep them engaged, learning, and having fun. With a little imagination and some basic supplies, you can transform any gloomy day into a burst of creativity.

As a mom of three, I’ve faced my fair share of rainy-day boredom battles. Over the years, I’ve learned that easy crafts not only keep my kids entertained but also create opportunities for bonding and making memories. Some of our favorite creations are still proudly displayed around the house!

In this post, I’ll share 25 simple and fun craft ideas for kids that are perfect for rainy days. From mess-free projects to hands-on activities that spark imagination, there’s something for every little artist.

So, grab your craft supplies and let’s turn that rainy day into a masterpiece-making adventure!

DIY Rainbow Pasta Necklace

Use uncooked pasta dyed with food coloring to create vibrant, colorful necklaces. Kids can string the pasta onto yarn or twine, improving their fine motor skills. Add beads or charms for extra flair. A simple craft that doubles as a fun accessory.

Paper Plate Animal Masks

Transform paper plates into fun animal masks with paint, markers, and cutouts for ears and noses. Use popsicle sticks as handles for easy wearing. Kids can create lions, bunnies, or even their favorite fantasy creatures. Great for imaginative play afterward.

Rainy-Day Rock Painting

Gather some smooth rocks and let kids paint them with cheerful designs like rainbows, flowers, or animals. Use acrylic paint for vibrant results and seal with a clear coat for durability. These painted rocks make excellent garden decorations or paperweights. Perfect for little artists who love nature.

Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Tape two toilet paper rolls together and let kids decorate them with paint, stickers, and washi tape. Add a string for wearing around their necks. These DIY binoculars are perfect for pretend adventures or indoor scavenger hunts. Easy, eco-friendly, and fun!

Handprint Canvas Art

Let kids dip their hands in paint and press them onto canvas to create unique keepsakes. Turn handprints into trees, flowers, or animals with a few painted details. Add their name and the date to preserve the memory. A perfect activity for younger kids.

Miniature Cardboard Town

Use cereal boxes, tissue rolls, and scrap cardboard to build a tiny town. Kids can decorate buildings with markers and stickers, creating shops, houses, and roads. Add toy cars and figures for interactive play. Ideal for creative, imaginative kids.

Pom-Pom Caterpillars

Glue colorful pom-poms together to make cute caterpillars, adding googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. Use a cardboard base to display their creations. These little critters are perfect for storytelling or pretend play. Simple, cute, and engaging.

DIY Slime Station

Set up a slime-making station with glue, food coloring, and glitter. Kids can experiment with different textures by adding beads or foam balls. Provide airtight containers for storage, so their creations last longer. A sensory craft that kids will adore.

Origami Zoo Animals

Teach kids to fold paper into fun animal shapes like frogs, cranes, or dogs. Provide colorful origami paper and printed step-by-step instructions. Let them draw faces or add extra details with markers. A great way to introduce kids to Japanese art.

Rainy-Day Window Clings

Use washable craft paint and plastic sheet protectors to create window clings. Kids can draw raindrops, suns, or their favorite shapes. Let them dry before peeling off and sticking to the windows. A mess-free way to brighten up the room.

Button Art Frames

Glue assorted buttons onto cardstock to create fun shapes like hearts, flowers, or animals. Place the finished artwork in a simple frame for display. Kids can experiment with different colors and patterns. A great way to use up old buttons.

Paper Mache Balloon Bowls

Cover blown-up balloons with paper mache (strips of newspaper and glue) and let them dry. Once set, pop the balloon and decorate the bowl with paint and glitter. These bowls can hold trinkets or serve as decorations. A hands-on project with a big payoff.

DIY Friendship Bracelets

Teach kids to braid or knot colorful threads to make friendship bracelets. Add beads or charms for personalization. Provide step-by-step patterns for beginners and let them create their own designs. A classic craft that kids will love to share.

Finger Puppet Fun

Use felt, glue, and markers to create adorable finger puppets in shapes of animals, people, or fantasy characters. Let kids use them for storytelling or puppet shows. Include googly eyes and yarn for hair to add personality. Perfect for hours of creative play.

Tissue Paper Stained Glass

Have kids tear colorful tissue paper into pieces and glue them onto wax paper to mimic stained glass. Once dry, tape the artwork to a window to let the light shine through. Simple and mesmerizing for kids of all ages. A beautiful way to brighten a rainy day.

Popsicle Stick Picture Frames

Use popsicle sticks to build frames and let kids decorate them with paint, stickers, or glitter. Add magnets on the back to turn them into fridge décor. Insert family photos or drawings to make them extra special. A meaningful craft for memory-keeping.

Egg Carton Insects

Transform egg carton cups into bugs like ladybugs, spiders, or caterpillars with paint and pipe cleaners. Add googly eyes for a cute touch. These mini creatures can be used for pretend play or as decorations. Great for little nature enthusiasts.

Rain Cloud in a Jar

Teach kids a little science by making a rain cloud with shaving cream and food coloring in a jar of water. Watch as the “rain” drops fall through the “cloud.” It’s an interactive craft and science experiment all in one. Fun, educational, and captivating.

DIY Puppet Theater

Use a cardboard box to create a puppet stage, cutting out a window and decorating the frame. Kids can use hand-drawn or pre-made puppets for performances. Add curtains made from fabric scraps for a dramatic flair. A craft that keeps on entertaining.

Salt Dough Creations

Make salt dough with flour, salt, and water, and let kids shape it into ornaments, animals, or handprints. Bake their creations in the oven and paint them once cooled. A timeless craft that leaves lasting keepsakes.

Paper Straw Jewelry

Use paper straws cut into small pieces to make colorful necklaces or bracelets. Kids can string them together, creating patterns with different colors and textures. A lightweight, easy craft perfect for little hands. Great for quick and fun crafting sessions.

Rainy Day Cardboard Maze

Create a marble maze using a shallow cardboard box and straws or popsicle sticks as barriers. Let kids design the layout before gluing everything in place. Drop in a marble and watch them navigate it through the maze. A mix of crafting and problem-solving.

No-Sew Sock Puppets

Use old socks to create fun puppets by adding googly eyes, yarn for hair, and felt pieces for mouths. Let kids personalize their characters with unique outfits or accessories. Great for puppet shows and storytelling fun. Easy and mess-free!

Nature Collage

Even on rainy days, kids can use collected leaves, sticks, and flowers to make a nature-inspired collage. Glue the items onto cardstock and use markers to add finishing touches. Add glitter or paint for extra flair. A creative way to bring the outdoors inside.

Paper Cup Wind Chimes

Paint paper cups and string them with bells, beads, or buttons to create colorful wind chimes. Hang them near a window to catch the breeze. This craft combines art and sound for a unique sensory experience. A delightful project for rainy day fun!