Rainy Day Fun! 7 Lovely Ways to Keep the Kids Entertained ☔🌈
We all know the feeling. You’ve planned a lovely day out, the kids are full of energy, and then you look out of the window… rain, rain and more rain!
But don’t worry! A rainy day doesn’t have to mean bored little ones, endless screen time or hearing “I’m boooored!” for the hundredth time.
Sometimes, the best family memories are made on those unexpected days when plans change and you have to get a little creative.
So, whether you’re staying cosy indoors or feeling brave enough to pull on your wellies, we’ve put together 7 fun and easy rainy day ideas to keep the whole family smiling.
🎲 1. Dust Off Those Board Games!
When was the last time you enjoyed a good old-fashioned family games afternoon?
With tablets, games consoles and televisions keeping everyone entertained, it’s easy to forget just how much fun a simple board game can be.
Rainy days are the perfect excuse to dig out those family favourites!
Whether it’s a competitive game of Uno, a wobbly tower of Jenga or a round of Snakes and Ladders with the little ones, there’s something lovely about everyone gathering around the table for a bit of fun.
And let’s face it, there’s always that one family member who takes winning a little too seriously! 😂
💜 Little tip: Let the kids choose the games and have a few snacks ready. Before you know it, the afternoon will have flown by!
🎉 2. Throw Your Very Own Rainy Day Party!
Who says you need a birthday or special occasion to throw a party?
Turn a gloomy afternoon into something exciting by hosting your very own family celebration!
Let the children dress up in their favourite outfits, put on some music and transform the living room into a mini dance floor.
You could even make some party food, decorate the room with homemade bunting or have a little disco with flashing lights.
The best part? No invitations, no big preparations and absolutely no pressure to make everything perfect.
Just music, laughter and a whole lot of silly dancing!
💜 Little tip: Let everyone choose their favourite song for the party playlist. You might discover some interesting musical tastes along the way!
🌧️ 3. Pull On Your Wellies and Splash in Those Puddles!
Yes, you read that right. We’re suggesting heading OUT into the rain!
Sometimes, the best way to beat the rainy day blues is to embrace the weather.
Wrap everyone up in waterproof coats, pull on those wellies and head outside for a little adventure.
Jump in puddles, look for snails, watch the raindrops or see who can make the biggest splash.
Children often love the freedom of getting a little muddy, and there’s something wonderfully refreshing about enjoying the outdoors without worrying about a bit of rain.
And afterwards? There’s nothing better than coming home, getting into warm, dry clothes and enjoying a hot chocolate together.
💜 Little tip: Pack a spare set of clothes and avoid heading out during thunderstorms or severe weather.
📦 4. Make a Family Time Capsule
This is such a lovely activity, especially if you have children of different ages.
Find an old shoebox or container and turn it into your very own family time capsule.
Ask everyone to add something that represents their life right now.
It could be a drawing, a family photograph, a handwritten note, a list of favourite things or even a letter to their future selves.
You could ask the children questions like:
- What’s your favourite thing to do at the moment?
- Who are your best friends?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What’s your favourite family memory?
Seal everything up, write the date on the box and agree when you’ll open it again.
Imagine how lovely it’ll be to look back in a year or two and see just how much everyone has grown and changed.
💜 Little tip: Take a family photo on the day and pop it inside. Future you will be glad you did!
🎨 5. Get Creative with a Rainy Day Scrapbook
If your little ones enjoy colouring, cutting, sticking and getting creative, this one’s for you!
Gather some paper, crayons, stickers, old magazines and family photographs, and let everyone create their own scrapbook pages.
You could make a scrapbook all about your family’s favourite memories, holidays, days out or even the funny things your children say.
And it doesn’t have to be finished in one day.
Keep it somewhere safe and bring it out whenever the weather keeps you indoors.
Over time, you’ll have a wonderful collection of memories to look back on.
💜 Little tip: Younger children can join in with stickers, handprints and drawings, whilst older children might enjoy writing little stories or captions.
Don’t worry about making it look perfect. The messier and more colourful, the better!
🏛️ 6. Head Out for a Museum Adventure
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you have to stay at home.
London is full of wonderful museums, galleries and indoor attractions that are perfect for family days out.
From discovering dinosaurs and exploring space to getting hands-on with interactive exhibits, there’s so much for curious little minds to enjoy.
And the good news? Many of London’s museums offer free general admission, making them a brilliant option when you’re looking for an affordable family outing.
A few favourites worth exploring include:
- Natural History Museum – Perfect for little dinosaur lovers and curious explorers.
- Science Museum – Packed with fascinating discoveries and interactive experiences.
- Young V&A – A wonderful place for children to explore creativity, play and imagination.
- London Transport Museum – Great for little ones who love buses, trains and all things transport.
Just remember to check opening times, booking requirements and any charges for special exhibitions before visiting.
💜 Little tip: You don’t have to see everything in one visit. Pick a couple of areas your children will enjoy and explore at your own pace.
👑 7. Let the Kids Be in Charge!
Now, this one could get interesting!
How about giving each family member a turn at being in charge of the day’s activities?
For one hour, they get to choose what everyone does together.
It could be building a giant blanket fort, watching a favourite film, baking cupcakes, playing hide-and-seek or putting on a family talent show.
You might be surprised by what your children come up with when they’re given a little freedom to plan the fun.
Of course, a few ground rules might be needed (ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner probably isn’t the best idea!), but it’s a lovely way to make everyone feel included.
And who knows? You might discover a new family tradition.
💜 Little tip: Write everyone’s activity choices on little pieces of paper and pop them into a jar. Then take turns picking one whenever you need a little inspiration.
💜 A Little Rain Doesn’t Have to Spoil the Fun!
Rainy days might not always go to plan, but they can still be full of laughter, creativity and lovely family moments.
Whether you’re jumping in puddles, getting competitive over a board game or heading out to explore somewhere new, it’s often the simplest activities that create the happiest memories.
And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, we’re here to help!
At Design My Days, we love helping families discover brilliant activities, events and places to visit across London, whatever the weather.
👉 Explore family-friendly activities and days out on Design My Days
We’d Love to Hear Your Ideas!
What’s your family’s favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
Do you have a go-to activity that always keeps the little ones entertained?
We’d love to hear your ideas! Share them with the Design My Days community so we can all find a little more inspiration for those rainy afternoons.
Here’s to making happy memories, come rain or shine! ☔💜
The Design My Days Team
