Creative Arts and Crafts Ideas to Keep Kids Engaged on Rainy Days

When the weather outside is gloomy, keeping kids entertained indoors can feel like a bit of a challenge. But rainy days don't have to mean boredom! With a little creativity, you can turn a quiet afternoon into a fun, crafty adventure. Best of all, these arts and crafts ideas are low-cost, easy to set up, and are guaranteed to keep the little ones busy, engaged, and smiling! 

1. Paper Plate Animals 

Turn those plain paper plates into an animal kingdom! Grab some markers, glue, scissors, and whatever scraps of fabric, buttons, or pom-poms you’ve got lying around. Let the kids choose their favourite animals to create—maybe a friendly lion, a colourful peacock, or a sleepy panda. The best part? No need for perfection—let their imaginations run wild! 

What you’ll need: 

• Paper plates 

• Markers or crayons 

• Glue, buttons, cotton balls, fabric scraps 

2. Handprint Art 

Who doesn’t love a good handprint craft? Get some non-toxic, washable paints, and let the kids dip their hands in and press them onto paper to create their very own handprint masterpieces. They can turn their handprints into everything from flowers and fish to dinosaurs and dragons. And when they’re done, you’ll have a lasting memory of those tiny hands! 

What you’ll need: 

• Paint (washable and kid-safe) 

• Construction paper 

• Paintbrushes 

3. DIY Rainbow Pasta Necklaces 

You probably have everything you need for this one already in your pantry. Take some uncooked pasta (penne or macaroni works best), mix it with a little food colouring and vinegar in separate zip-lock bags, and shake until the pasta takes on bright, vibrant colours. Once dry, the kids can string them together to create colourful necklaces or bracelets. It’s a fun, mess-free activity that also doubles as a great motor skills exercise! 

What you’ll need: 

• Uncooked pasta 

• Food colouring 

• String or yarn 

4. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars 

Rainy days are the perfect time for a bit of indoor exploring, and what better tool for the job than a pair of DIY binoculars? Take two toilet paper rolls, glue them together, and let the kids decorate them with paint, stickers, or markers. Tie on a string, and they’re ready to go on an indoor safari. You can even create a scavenger hunt to make things extra exciting! 

What you’ll need: 

• Empty toilet paper rolls 

• Glue 

• Paint, markers, stickers 

• String 

5. Egg Carton Caterpillars 

Egg cartons can be transformed into adorable caterpillars in just a few simple steps. Cut an empty egg carton into strips, let the kids paint them, then add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. These cute critters are easy to make and can be used for imaginative play long after the crafting is done. 

What you’ll need: 

• Empty egg cartons 

• Paint 

• Googly eyes 

• Pipe cleaners 

6. Homemade Playdough 

Making your own playdough is surprisingly easy, and the best part? You can customise it with colours, glitter, and even essential oils for a sensory experience. Involve the kids in the making process too—it’s a great way to teach them about measuring and mixing. Once the dough is ready, they’ll spend hours creating shapes, animals, and whatever else their little imaginations can dream up. 

What you’ll need: 

• 2 cups of flour 

• 1/2 cup of salt 

• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar 

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 

• 1 1/2 cups of boiling water 

• Food colouring, glitter (optional) 

7. Paper Bag Puppets 

Who knew a simple paper bag could become a creative puppet show? Grab some brown lunch bags, and let the kids turn them into their very own puppet characters using markers, construction paper, buttons, and googly eyes. Once the puppets are done, they can put on a fun puppet show, complete with silly voices and a creative storyline. 

What you’ll need: 

• Brown paper bags 

• Construction paper 

• Glue, googly eyes, markers 

8. Rainy Day Collage 

Why not embrace the weather with a themed craft? Let the kids make their very own rainy day collage using cotton balls for clouds, blue yarn for rain, and construction paper for puddles. This craft is super easy to set up and gives them a chance to express their creativity while also talking about the weather and nature. 

What you’ll need: 

• Construction paper 

• Cotton balls 

• Blue yarn or string 

• Glue 

9. Salt Dough Creations 

Salt dough is a fun and easy way to let kids mould and create little sculptures. All you need is flour, salt, and water! Once the kids have crafted their shapes, animals, or handprints, bake them in the oven at a low temperature until they harden. After that, the little artists can paint their creations however they like. 

What you’ll need: 

• 2 cups of flour 

• 1 cup of salt 

• 1 cup of water 

• Paint (for decorating) 

10. Sticker Storybooks 

This one’s perfect for budding authors and storytellers. Gather some paper, fold it into a mini booklet, and let the kids fill the pages with stickers, drawings, and their own written stories. Whether they’re crafting a tale about pirates, princesses, or animals, the possibilities are endless. It’s a great way to combine creativity with literacy skills, all while having fun. 

What you’ll need: 

• Stickers 

• Paper (for the book) 

• Crayons, markers 

• Glue 

Don’t make rainy days boring! 

Rainy days don’t have to be dull or dreary! With a few simple supplies and a lot of imagination, your kids (and their nannies!) can stay entertained for hours. These low-cost, high-engagement arts and crafts ideas will not only keep the little ones busy, but they’ll also help develop fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving. Plus, you’ll create some wonderful memories together, and maybe even a fridge full of masterpieces to show off! 

So, the next time those raindrops start falling, grab some craft supplies, and turn a wet afternoon into an unforgettable adventure!