When you're stuck indoors with the kids on a stormy day, these easy rainy day crafts will help you pass the time without resorting to the TV!
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We had a huge rain storm yesterday, so instead of our usual run-around at the park followed by a leisurely walk home from school, we ran for cover. While we were running I racked my brain for some rainy day crafts to do with the boys indoors in case they needed some quick and easy entertainment at home.
We ended up working on the science of color experiment from our latest Kiwi Crate. We love KiwiCo crates because they are a craft box for moms like me who "can't deal with crafts"! (Read my post about our total adoration of Kiwi Crate here.)
Here are some super easy rainy day crafts for your list of last minute ideas for the kids, but if you're inclined to get out the markers, don't forget about these
MORE: 15 simplest drawing activities.
1. Easy Sail Boat Craft
This simple sail boat requires no folding or origami skills so it's great for younger kids whose little fingers are not yet skilled enough for origami. When your child has made a fleet of them, they can sail the boats indoors in the tub or a pan of water. Or, save them for when the rain lets up, find a great big puddle and hold a regatta!
MORE: This weather wheel craft will tell you when the skies have finally cleared up!
2. Origami Paper Boat
An origami paper boat is the perfect for a rainy day craft because when the rainfall is over, you can sail it in some friendly puddles. When I did this with my son I learned a lot about good techniques for crafting with a non-crafty kid!
3. Rain Painting
Draw with watercolor pencils and harness the power of rain to transform your child's art. This rainy day craft and art project also teaches a science lesson about saturation and diffusion!
4. Paper Dolls
When we made a paper doll chain, my son turned them into Star Wars clone troopers. How cool is that? In fact, kids can decorate a paper doll chain in an infinite number of ways to suit their interests.
For printable paper dolls, our mermaid paper dolls will provide a foundation for great pretend play.
MORE: Retro crafts for kids that are still super cool
5. Paper Airplanes
Keeping with the diy transportation theme, move on from boats to planes! Make and fly paper airplanes and design your own landing strips. Make it even easier with a book of instructions, complete with special paper. We ADORE this Klutz paper airplane book, which saved many an afternoon from after school meltdowns. The instructions are very thorough and it has some excellent plane designs.
6. Indoor Paper Boomerangs
Your kids don't have to wait for a sunny day to toss around a boomerang. Use our instructions to make and fly indoor paper boomerangs, which is a great activity that combines art with design and engineering.
7. Window Art
What better way to appreciate a rainy afternoon that by painting directing on the glass through which you observe the stormy weather patterns? Follow our instructions using washable paint to decorate the windows, (see our Mondrian-inspired windows!) or turn the window into a faux stained glass creation with this cellophane and dish soap technique.
MORE: 14 Stained Glass Window Art Ideas
8. Transforming Ninja Stars
Transforming ninja stars is an origami math art project that is best for older kids and tweens. Although the folding technique is not difficult, it does require patience. Click through to the post and watch our video for some how-to guidance.
9. Thaumatropes
I love how the old fashioned craft of thaumatropes continues to fascinate kids of all ages, and even grown-ups love them! While it's true that thaumatropes teach kids about the science behind "persistence of vision," they are irresistible and kids will love coming up with all kinds of ideas to make them.
Our video below show how to make a thaumatrope without a template, but if it's October, try using our Halloween thaumatrope template.
10. Melted Crayon Art
The warmth created while making melted crayon art paintings is a nice counterpoint to a chilly and rainy day. While you may remember this retro art project using a hotplate, our instructions give you an alternative–no hotplate needed!
MORE: Need more ideas? Our big list of Indoor Activities for Kids to the rescue!
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