We often think of rainy days as being a bad thing but with a little imagination, it can be a great thing.
You can really have some fun family bonding time with these rainy day activities for families.
There are a lot of great rainy-day games for families to enjoy.
Whether you have kids or adults, some of these games can be played indoors and others outdoors.
When it’s a rainy day and you can’t go outside for fun with the children, consider playing some fun indoor games to stay entertained and occupied.
If you’re not sure which games to play, these are 50 fantastic options worth considering.
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50 Fun Rainy Day Activities For Families
Next time it’s a gloomy day, don’t despair! Staying indoors doesn’t have to be boring.
Just grab this list of fun rainy day activities for families and get busy!
1. Hide and Seek
You can’t go wrong with a good game of hide and seek.
Find the perfect places to hide, such as in the basement, under the kitchen table, or even behind the couch.
2. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Create an indoor scavenger hunt.
You can go through the alphabet and ask everyone to bring something that begins with each letter or you can create a list of items the kids have to find.
3. Tic-Tac-Toe
Grab a sheet of paper, a pen, and some markers and start playing a good old-fashioned game of Tic-Tac-Toe.
It’s fun, easy to do without any equipment, and perfect for children of all ages.
4. Charades
Have fun showing activities without saying what they are while everyone else tries to guess.
A good game of charades lasts for hours and leaves the whole room smiling from ear to ear.
5. Simon Says
Why not play a good ol’ game of Simon Says. Let each person in the household take turns being Simon to make things more exciting for everyone.
6. Duck, Duck, Goose
Bring out your inner child with a traditional game of Duck, Duck, Goose.
It’s easy for even young children to understand the rules.
7. Connect Four
Even if you don’t have the actual game yourself, you can still play a good game of Connect Four with the family.
See who can connect four colored dots in a row first.
8. Jenga
This is one of my favorite rainy day activities for familiars because it is a game that is perfect for all ages.
Bring out the box of Jenga and start stacking those bricks.
It’s a fun and simple game that keeps families occupied for hours.
9. Homemade Obstacle Course
Active games are a great way for children to get exercise, learn new skills and have fun.
There are many different types of active games, from simple ones that can be played in the backyard, to more complex ones that require special equipment or facilities.
One great idea is to set up a homemade obstacle course in the house.
Of course, make sure it’s a safe one so that the kids can test their skills while having a genuinely good time.
10. Dots and Boxes
Play a game of dots and boxes. All you need to play this game is a sheet of paper, some pencils, and markers. It’s that simple.
11. Balloon Toss
Enjoy a game of balloon toss. Blow up a balloon and then play with it like it’s a hot potato, pausing the music at specific times.
Whoever is still holding the balloon when the music shuts off is out of the game.
12. Get Crafty
Arts and crafts are a great way to spend time with friends or family. They can also be a great way to relax and get creative.
There are all sorts of arts and crafts that you can do, from painting and drawing to quilting and knitting.
13. Twister
Who doesn’t enjoy a good game of Twister? If you have it at home, it makes for one of the funniest rainy day activities for families!
Just place it on the floor of your living room or dining room and let the laughs begin.
14. Chess
If you have slightly older kids, a rainy day is the perfect opportunity for them to learn a strategy game like Chess.
15. Checkers
Similar to chess but even easier and better for younger kids, checkers is another fun game to play inside on rainy days when you want to keep your children entertained.
16. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Who says pin the tail on the donkey is only for birthday parties?
You can set one up in the house, blindfold everyone, and see who makes it closest to the tail. Use stickers if you don’t have anything to be a tail.
17. Playdoh
You can easily make your own playdough in just a few minutes and it will keep the kids entertained forever. I like playing with it too!
Here are some simple DIY playdough recipes:
Peppermint Playdough Recipe {Make in 5 Minutes}
Easy to make Pumpkin scented playdough
How To Make Gingerbread Playdough
18. Nerf Gun Battle
Load the nerf guns with bullets and get into the battle of a lifetime.
It’s a fun way to spend an hour or more running around with the kids.
19. Make some DIY Gifts
Get a head start on holiday season by making some gifts on a rainy day.
One easy to make idea is this Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe.
20. Indoor Bowling
Get ready for some indoor bowling.
You can use plastic bottles as the bowling pins and use a pair of rolled up socks at the bowling ball.
21. Ring Toss
Keep busy with a good game of ring toss.
See who can get the most rings on the bottles to win a small prize.
22. Board Games
Board games are a great way to spend time with friends and family.
They can be educational, as well as provide hours of entertainment.
Some popular board games include Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue. Here are even more awesome board games for kids.
Candyland is a top-rated board game for a reason. Children love it!
So, if you have it at home, pull it out and get ready to have some fun.
23. Musical Chairs
Do you remember when you were in school and you’d play musical chairs?
Now you can do the same thing at home with your kiddos.
24. Pillow Fight
Enjoy a competition and some fun rough housing if your kids are into that!
25. Bean Bag Toss
If you have some mini bean bags at home, set up target areas with tape on the floor and aim your bags to those areas.
See how many points each person can get.
26. Hopscotch with Tape
Create a hopscotch using tape instead of chalk.
It’s a fun way to keep the kids active, even on a rainy, boring day.
27. Hamper Toss
Put a hamper or laundry basket on one side of the room and see how many shots each person can make using a small ball or rolled up pair of socks.
28. Bake Cookies
Bake some easy cookies then have fun decorating them with thing you have in the house – chocolate chips, nuts and sprinkles.
Throw a contest to see who makes the best cookie.
29. Play Cards
Card games have been around for centuries and are a popular form of entertainment.
There are many different types of card games, but all involve players taking turns drawing cards and playing them to form combinations that either win the hand or take the pot.
Some card games, like poker, can be quite complex, while others, like crazy eights, are simple enough for children to play.
30. Ping Pong
Enjoy a ping pong battle that tests your speed and endurance.
You’ll have the kids tired in no time when they’re playing this game.
31. I Spy
Keep it simple with a quick game of I Spy.
See what things you notice and vice versa inside the home.
32. Spa Party
Make homemade face masks with avocado and oats and sit back and enjoy an in home spa.
Pedicures and manicures optional!
33. Block Building Competition
Have a block building competition with your loved ones.
Find out who can get as creative as possible using the blocks to build something unique.
34. Plastic Horseshoes
Play with plastic horseshoes inside the home.
It’s as fun as the original game and safer for children because the horseshoes aren’t so heavy.
35. Red Light, Green Light
Get the kids moving around and laughing with a good game of Red Light, Green Light.
Children love this game!
36. Tea Party
Okay, it’s not as much of a game as it is a relaxing thing to do, but having a tea party is a great way to spend a rainy day.
It’s fun and can keep your little ones entertained even longer.
37. Build a Fort
A pillow fort is always a fun activity and kids love hiding in a cozy den.
Bonus points if you have a picnic there too!
38. Arm Wrestling
Consider having an arm wrestling competition if your kids are into it.
39. Puzzles
If you want some peace and quiet for a bit, how about relaxing with a puzzle?
40. Air Balloon
Toss the balloon in the air and do what you can to keep it from falling to the ground.
The person who drops it is out of the game.
41. Animal Hopping Game
Have your children hop like animals from one side of the room to the next.
It’s a great way to get them moving around and having a good time while sharing lots of laughs.
42. Balloon Volleyball
Play volleyball with a balloon, bouncing it from one side to the next.
It’s a lot safer to use a balloon when playing volleyball in the house.
43. Dance Party
Put some tunes on and have a blast creating routines.
My kids love putting on dance shows for us after they have made a few routines up.
44. Balloon Hockey
Yep, you can even play hockey with a balloon.
It’s going to be more of a challenge, but that makes it fun and exciting, too.
45. Floor Is Lava
Kids love playing Floor Is Lava. Make it fun by putting different obstacles around on the floor for them to jump from one spot to the next.
46. Letter Learning Game
Place letters on the floor and have your children jump or do different movements to get to each one.
This game is fun for younger children learning to recognize letters.
47. Apple Painting
If you have apples or potatoes you can have a lot of fun painting with the. Just cut shapes out (stars, triangles etc) and go to town.
48. Speed Card Game
Teach your children how to play Speed, a classic card game.
It can keep them entertained for hours.
49. Sensory Bucket Game
Sensory bins are one of my all time favorite rainy day activities for families.
Yes they are for kids but trust me, running your hands through a bucket of dried lentils or sand is fun at any age!
Fill a bucket with sand and toys and then have your children dig through the bucket to see what they can find.
The sensory bucket is fun and improves fine motor skills. If you have rice or dried lentils, you can make a fun Easy Fall Sensory Bin
50. Sock Toss
Don’t forget about the sock toss!
Roll your socks up and aim them at a basket or specific spot on the floor.
With games like these, you don’t have to worry about feeling bored on a rainy day with the family
Rainy Day Activities For Families – Final Thoughts
Do you have a rainy day game that you love to play with your family?
If so, be sure to share it with us in the comments below!
