10 Indoor Crafts to Keep Kids Busy on Rainy Days

Before You Start: Set Up for Stress-Free Crafting

• Prep a “maker tray”: tape, child scissors, glue stick, markers, crayons, washi tape, stickers.
• Time-box: 20–30 minutes per project keeps energy high; rotate stations if you have multiple kids.
• Surfaces & cleanup: Cover the table, keep a damp cloth handy, and end with a 2-minute “cleanup song.”

1) Paper Plate Animal Masks

Supplies: paper plates, markers/paint, scrap paper, glue, string or craft sticks.

Steps: Cut eye holes → color a face (cat, fox, panda) → glue ears/whiskers; add stick or string.

Tweak: Little kids color; older kids design 3D ears/snout. Put on a mini “mask parade.”

2) Sock-Puppet Theater

Supplies: clean socks, buttons or paper eyes, yarn, glue/tape; box for stage.

Steps: Add eyes/hair → decorate a box “stage” → improvise a 2-minute skit.

Tweak: Younger kids narrate; older kids script a short scene and make tickets.

3) Salt-Painting Watercolor

Supplies: thick paper, white glue, table salt, watercolors/food coloring, dropper/brush.

Steps: Draw lines with glue → sprinkle salt, shake off extra → touch colored water to salt and watch it travel.

Tweak: Try names, constellations, or map rivers for sneaky science.

4) Tissue “Stained Glass” Windows

Supplies: tissue paper squares, contact paper (or clear tape on wax paper), black paper for “lead.”

Steps: Stick tissue pieces onto contact paper → frame with black strips → hang on a window.

Tweak: Little ones make mosaics; older kids create themed designs (rainbows, leaves).

5) Cardboard City Build

Supplies: boxes, tubes, tape, markers, toy cars/figurines.

Steps: Fold simple buildings → draw windows/roads → connect with bridges/tunnels.

Tweak: Add traffic signs and a “delivery mission” to extend play.

6) No-Cook Cloud Dough

Supplies: 8 parts flour + 1 part oil (vegetable or baby), tray, cups/cookie cutters. (For gluten-free, use cornstarch.)

Steps: Mix → knead to sand-like texture → mold shapes.

Tweak: Add a drop of food coloring or a spoon of cocoa for scent; store airtight.

7) Marble Run on the Wall

Supplies: paper tubes, painter’s tape, marbles/pom-poms, bowl.

Steps: Tape tubes at angles → test and tweak slopes → race two marbles.

Tweak: Younger kids use pom-poms; older kids add “switches” and score zones.

8) DIY Instruments (Kitchen Band)

Supplies: rubber bands, boxes/tins (guitar), rice/beans + containers (shakers), wooden spoon (drumstick).

Steps: Stretch bands over a box → fill shakers and seal → form a band and play a favorite song.

Tweak: Explore rhythms: slow/fast, loud/soft. Record a 30-second “single.”

9) Origami Corner Bookmarks

Supplies: square paper, markers, scrap paper for eyes/ears.

Steps: Fold a corner pocket → decorate as monsters/animals → test in a bedtime book.

Tweak: Advanced: add teeth, horns, or layered patterns.

10) Make-Your-Own Board Game

Supplies: cardstock/poster board, markers, a die, small toys as tokens.

Steps: Draw a path with start/finish → add challenge squares (“jump 3 times,” “tell a joke”) → play and edit rules together.

Tweak: Theme it (space, jungle) and add cooperative goals to reduce competition.

Low-Mess Tips & Safety

• Contain glitter/loose bits: tray or baking sheet under projects.
• Choose kid-safe glues/markers; supervise cutting and small parts for younger children.
• Clean as you go: a tiny trash bowl on the table speeds tidy-up.

Rainy Day Bonus: Turn Crafts into Play

• Showtime: Use masks/puppets for a two-minute performance.
• Gallery wall: Tape salt paintings and stained glass in a “museum” hallway.
• City + marble run mash-up: Deliver “packages” through your cardboard city, then race marbles to the depot.

Conclusion

With a little setup and the ten projects above, you’ve got a toolbox of indoor crafts for kids that keep hands busy and imaginations brighter. Save this list for your next stormy afternoon—these rainy day activities are quick wins that build creativity, confidence, and hours of DIY kids projects joy.