20 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids (Screen-Free Rainy Days)

When the weather forecast is splattered with rain, kids don’t have to be glued to their screens or cooped up in their rooms. In fact, those storm clouds don’t have to be so gloomy at all. They can bring exciting opportunities for family fun and indoor activities that spark the imagination and create lasting memories.

That’s where these rainy day activities for kids come in.

Whether you’re carving out a few hours of play or hunkering down for a week of storms, we’ve got you covered. No need to plug in the gaming consoles or spend hours trying to find a movie everyone wants to watch. 

Just use our go-to list of fun indoor activities to bust boredom and make those rainy days fly by.

The benefits of screen-free indoor activities

Screen-free indoor activities give kids the freedom to explore their creativity, discover new interests, and develop essential skills for growth. Instead of just zoning out in front of the TV or swiping through apps, they can tackle hands-on projects and problem-solving challenges. These screen-free activities can help:

• Boost creativity: Challenge kids to build structures, solve puzzles, and navigate games with their own two hands. No digital tools needed.
• Support brain development: Sharpen focus, hand-eye coordination, memorization, and strategic thinking skills with tactile activities.
• Strengthen family relationships: Build meaningful connections and learn about each other’s unique skills and interests through collaborative play.

20 fun indoor activities for kids of all ages

Clouds getting you down? Make the most of any rainy day with these creative indoor activities for families and kids:

Indoor activities for 2-3-year-olds (toddlers)

Choose from go-to games and sensory experiences to keep curious kids busy and engaged in creative play.

1. Practice color sorting

Open up a tub of Plus-Plus BIG—pieces specially designed to be grasped by little hands—and challenge kids to sort them by color. They’ll build fine motor skills and learn new colors as they make their own stacks.

2. Sensory bin archaeological adventure

Hide those Plus-Plus BIG pieces in sensory bins of kinetic sand, rice, or cotton balls and invite kids to embark on their own little archaeological adventure. They’ll enjoy the satisfaction of finding each hidden piece and playing with new textures.

3. Make your own play dough

Unlock two rainy day activities in one: Make your own play dough at home and then use the finished product to mold new masterpieces. All it takes is some flour, oil, salt, and food coloring to get cooking.

4. Bring your favorite animals to life

Let your kids’ imagination run wild with 3D animal puzzles of their favorite furry friends. Follow along with our easy-to-use instructions for building animals like flamingos, bunnies, and penguins. Or see what your kids create on their own.

5. Design fun patterns—and repeat

Start a colorful pattern—like red, red, blue—with Plus-Plus pieces and ask kids to repeat it, building their logic and problem-solving skills. And then switch!

Indoor activities for 3-5-year-olds (preschoolers)

Open up new worlds of imagination with these playful projects and building activities for preschoolers.

6. Create a rainy day scene

Need inspiration? Just look out the window! Work with kids to piece together dreamy clouds, colorful rainbows, and raindrops, taking the weather into your own hands—literally.

7. Construct a cozy pillow fort

Pull off those couch cushions and open up the linen closet to build a little fortress, castle, or nook to do puzzles right in your living room.

8. Try a speed building challenge

Spread out an array of Plus-Plus BIG pieces. Set the timer for one minute. And…go! See how many five-piece towers or structures kids can build before time runs out.

9. Make wearable art pieces

Design bracelets, watches, and necklaces in pastel, glittery, and neon colors. So everyone can show off their unique style or even create wearable gifts for each other. 

10. Build letters to spell names

Write your names or initials on paper. Then use your drawings as a guide to build each letter with Plus-Plus. This way, kids can practice spelling their own names with fun shapes and bright colors.

11. Start a family time capsule

Gather special mementos and trinkets—like family pictures, cards, and notes to your future selves—and seal them in a container to open at a later date. Maybe even on another rainy day!

Indoor activities for 6-11-year-olds (grade-schoolers)

Spark creativity and build valuable STEM skills with these family fun activities.

12. Build the sturdiest bridge

Who can build a bridge that holds a small toy car? Set a sturdy foundation with Plus-Plus Baseplates and then challenge your future architects and engineers to start problem-solving.

13. Design an indoor scavenger hunt

Plant clever clues in each room so kids can put on their detective hats and start searching for their hidden prize. Maybe they’ll be rewarded with a favorite snack or even another puzzle to solve.

14. Create your own board game

Tired of Monopoly and Scrabble? Let kids design their own games—not just the rules, but the pieces, too. Plus-Plus is perfect for crafting unique dice, personalized tokens, and card holders, taking your family game night to a whole new level.

15. Build fantastical figures together

Start simple. Create a figure and then pass it around so everyone can add a fun accessory or quirky feature—think cape, jetpack, or funny hat. After a few turns, see what kind of goofy character you created. You can even take the game further and come up with a silly story for your new friend.

16. Do a blind taste test

Let kids sample mystery snacks or drinks—while blindfolded—and try to guess different brands or flavors. They can also rank their favorites and try to describe the unique tastes or ingredients. They may even discover new foods they didn’t know they liked!

Indoor activities for 12-18-year-olds (teens)

Turn your rainy day refuge into a creative lab of engineering challenges and daring designs—unlocking new passions and skills for your teens.

17. Create household items you can use

Need a new phone stand for your desk? Want to help your kid personalize their toothbrush holder? Plus-Plus makes it easy to build everyday objects in innovative and extraordinary ways—one piece at a time.

18. Design 2D mosaics to display

Create mesmerizing geometric patterns or cute and clever art pieces that your teens would be proud to display. Choose from a range of Puzzle by Number kits that cater to all kinds of interests, from rocketships and rainbows to unicorns and U.S. maps!

19. Build by memory

Make your own clever build—one that’s as simple or as complicated as you want. Then show it to your family for 30 seconds and challenge them to reconstruct it from memory. It’s a game that’s sure to bring laughs and some never-before-seen creations.

20. Design the tallest freestanding tower

Using 100 Plus-Plus pieces, see who can create the tallest and wackiest tower, only to rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa. No extra fortifications allowed! And if they all start to fall, see whose structure stands for the longest time before toppling.

Make rainy days shine with Plus-Plus

With fun family activities to keep kids busy indoors, you don’t need to wish the rainy days away. In fact, you might even look forward to the next gloomy forecast! Because it’ll bring fun opportunities to create, learn, and play as a family—no screens needed.

Just make sure you have your favorite toys and materials on hand. So even if an unexpected storm rolls through, you’ll be ready with boredom-busting puzzles and projects everyone can enjoy.

Explore more Plus-Plus sets for hours of creative and educational fun.