9 (Slightly Unusual) Rainy Day At Home Activities For Kids

Living in the UK we are no stranger to rainy days. When you’re stuck at home with kids though this can be a scary thought!

We have plenty of indoor places in Northants to take the kids however, it’s always good to have some ideas for when you don’t want to leave the house.

Here are 9 rainy day at home activities…

Upside-Down Art Gallery

Tape large sheets of paper under the table and let the kids lie on their backs to draw or paint like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel! Add a “gallery walk” at the end.

Indoor Obstacle Course – Backwards Edition

Instead of the usual obstacle course, make it quirky: kids can only move backwards, crawl under chairs in reverse, hop sideways, or balance a soft toy on their head while completing challenges.

Shadow Puppet Film Studio

Use a torch and a sheet or blank wall to create shadow puppet shows. For a twist, record the “movie” on your phone, add music, and premiere it to the family later with popcorn.

Mystery Box Challenge

Put random objects into shoeboxes (with a hole cut in the side). Kids take turns reaching in and guessing what’s inside. You can theme it (kitchen items, toys, natural objects) or make it silly by including unexpected combos.

DIY Escape Room

Create simple puzzles, clues, and “locked doors” (closed rooms or taped-off areas). Kids solve riddles or find hidden keys (paper cut-outs work!) to “escape” within a time limit.

Mini Museum Curators

Ask kids to pick their favourite collections (toys, rocks, LEGO creations, books) and set up a “museum” display with labels and stories about each item. Parents get a guided tour at the end.

Backwards Day

Wear clothes backwards, eat dessert first, talk in silly backwards sentences, and even watch a short film in reverse (lots of apps can do this!). Kids love the silliness of breaking “rules.”

Cardboard Arcade

Using cereal boxes, toilet rolls, and tape, kids can build their own arcade-style games (marble runs, mini basketball hoops, coin drop games). Play and earn tickets they can trade for small prizes (like choosing dinner).

Soundtrack Storytelling

Put on random instrumental music (mysterious, dramatic, funny) and get kids to act out or narrate a story that matches the soundtrack. Great for unleashing imagination!