18 Screen Free Rainy Day Activities for the Whole Family

Rainy days are part and parcel of life in the UK. We may love our stunning countryside, cosy pub lunches and changing seasons… but wow, it really does rain a lot, doesn’t it? And once you’ve exhausted the usual go-tos..done some colouring, read a book, completed a puzzle - only to realise it’s still pouring outside, the boredom can hit hard.

Before long the children are bouncing off the walls, climbing the furniture and asking "what can we do now?" for the hundredth time. If you’re desperate for screen-free ideas that don’t involve endless preparation (or losing your sanity), you’re in the right place.

Here are 18 fun, screen-free rainy day activities to keep your children busy, happy and entertained - no tablets or TVs required.

18 fun, screen free rainy day activities

1. Asteroid Aim

You'll need: a 'goal' (we use a washing basket) and either rolled up foil or regular balls. Take it in turns to throw the balls into the basket. The winner is whoever gets the most in the goal.

2. Feely Boxes

You'll need: a cardboard box and some interesting contents.

You can either make several boxes (as pictured) or make one box and change what is inside each time. At this time of year cotton wool and plastic spiders work well but you could even put a toy inside and ask your family to guess what it is.

3. Shape Throw

You'll need: some tape and beanbags.

Mark out some shapes using tape. I use washi tape as it peels off easily. Take it in turns to be the person who calls out the shape names and the person who throw the beanbag.

4. Lazer Game

You'll need: string, twine, rope or ribbon.

Mark out string lazers across a doorframe or area in your home. Can you each fit through the gaps to get into the room without touching the laser?

5. Cardboard Dance Mat

You'll need a large piece of cardboard and paint or pens.

Divide the cardboard into equal sized squares. Add a symbol to each box. To play, you can either create a sequence of symbols to remember and copy, or have a dancing competition and every time the music stops you stand on a given symbol.

6. Indoor Sensory Path

You'll need: whatever you have. Sheets, packaging and door mats work well. Lay it out to create a path and move around it in different ways. How does it feel if you crawl along it? What about walking with bare feet?

7. Love Heart Throw

You'll need: cardboard, scissors and an old tube.

Cut the cardboard into hearts. Circles also work. Take it in turns to toss the cardboard shape towards the tube and seek if you can 'hook' them on.

8. Giant Noughts and Crosses

You'll need: tape, paper plates (noughts) and cardboard (crosses).

Using the tape create a 3 by 3 grid. Take it in turns to place your symbol down. The idea of the game is to get 3 in a row.

9. Photo Booth

You'll need: a large piece of cardboard, a pen, some props and a camera..

First, cut a square out of the cardboard. You can decorate the cardboard if you wish or leave it plain. Dress up using the props, stand behind the photo booth. and snap away.

10. Balloon Tennis

You'll need: a balloon, a paper plate for each player.

If you only try one of these activities, make it this one. The paper plate is your bat and the balloon is your ball. You can either play tennis or badminton or just keepy uppy.

11. Chores

Hear me out...children love doing things they aren't usually allowed to do. A cloth and water in a spray bottle can be entertaining and helpful. Pairing socks is great for their learning and also one less thing to do. Don't worry if they don't do things quite how you would, this is about keeping them entertained rather than them doing a deep clean.

12. Bath painting

Use either shaving foam, shower gel or yoghurt and mix with food colouring. Add paintbrushes and you're ready to decorate either the bath, shower or sink. Encourage your child to rinse it all off again afterwards.

13. Den building

Let your child take the lead with this one. What can they find to hide under? Blankets, chairs and cushions work well indoors. The beauty of this activity is that once you've built it you can continue playing inside it.

14. Listen to a Relaxation Audio

Get comfy, listen to the soothing sounds and calm narration and just enjoy some time to be still.

15. Hide and Seek Ted

Grab a teddy. Probably not your child's favourite one, just incase. Take turns to hide it around the room/your home.

16. Block Bowling

Build a tower out of building blocks. These are your new bowling pins. Using a ball, and taking it in turns, roll the ball towards the tower. The winner is whoever knocks the most blocks down.

17. Indoor treasure hunt

This is my favourite on those days where you just need to sit down for ten minutes. Find a space in your house and get comfortable. Explain that you're going to be doing a treasure hunt and that you child is the detective. Ask them to find something red (for example) and bring it back to you. Then ask them to search for something green. You don't have to do colours, any theme will work, it all depends how long you'd like that game to last.

18. Puddle jumping

Because if you can't beat the rain you might as well join it!

If you liked these ideas then you'll LOVE this...31 Quality Time activities to enjoy with your family:

Which one is your family's fave? Let me know in the comments!