Easy Kids Crafts for Rainy Days (Using What You Already Have)

Rainy days have a way of turning a cozy morning into a chorus of "I'm bored" by lunchtime. That is when we reach for these easy kids crafts. They use the paper, cardboard and pantry staples you probably already have, take very little prep and keep kids busy long enough for you to finish your coffee while it is still warm.

We have grouped ideas by age and attention span, plus a few tips for keeping the mess manageable. Pick one or two, set out the supplies and let the creativity flow.

Set Up a Simple Craft Station

A little setup saves a lot of cleanup. Before you start:

• Cover the table with an old shower curtain, a cut-open paper bag or a vinyl tablecloth.
• Put kids in an old T-shirt as a smock.
• Pour paint into a muffin tin or egg carton so each color has its own cup.
• Keep a damp washcloth or baby wipes within arm's reach.

Easy Kids Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Little ones love process over product. Focus on squishing, sticking and smearing, and expect very little to look like anything, which is perfectly fine.

Homemade Playdough

1. In a pot, mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar.
2. Stir in 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and a few drops of food coloring.
3. An adult should cook it over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, usually a few minutes.
4. Let it cool until it is comfortable to touch, then knead until smooth.
5. Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag.

Homemade playdough is not meant to be eaten, and the high salt content can make pets sick, so keep it away from dogs.

Sticky Wall Collage

Tape a sheet of clear contact paper to the wall, sticky side out. Hand over tissue paper squares, yarn bits and paper shapes and let toddlers press them on. No glue, no mess.

Paper Plate and Paper Crafts

Paper plates are cheap and sturdy enough to handle lots of glue and paint.

• Paper plate animals: Paint a plate, then add ears, eyes and whiskers cut from construction paper. Lions, cats and frogs are big hits.
• Rain sticks and shakers: Fill a sealed paper tube or two plates stapled together with dry rice or beans. Make sure everything is sealed tight, and save this one for kids old enough not to put small items in their mouths.
• Magazine collages: Give older preschoolers a theme like "things that are blue" and let them cut and paste.
• Paper chains: Use them to count down to a birthday or vacation.

Cardboard Box Creations

Never underestimate the power of a big box. Cardboard crafts are perfect for school-age kids who want to build something they can actually play with.

1. Pick a project together: a car, a rocket, a puppet theater, a dollhouse or a marble run made from paper towel tubes.
2. An adult should handle any cutting with a box cutter. Kids can use safety scissors for details.
3. Assemble with painter's tape or school glue.
4. Decorate with markers, paint and leftover paper.
5. Play with it for days, then recycle when the next big box arrives.

Got an artist on your hands? Our DIY Christmas decorations post includes lots of paper projects kids can help with year-round.

Crafts for Older Kids

School-age kids and tweens are ready for crafts with a few more steps and a finished product they can be proud of.

• Painted rocks or pots: Paint small stones or flower pots with acrylic paint. Our terracotta pot makeover has easy design ideas.
• Friendship bracelets: Embroidery floss and a strip of tape on the table edge are all you need.
• Simple hand sewing: Felt pouches and stuffed shapes are a great intro. See our beginner sewing projects for more.
• Homemade cards: Have kids make a stack of birthday and thank-you cards to send to family.

Crafts That Get Kids Moving

Sometimes a rainy day calls for burning off energy, not just sitting still. These easy kids crafts double as active play:

• Painter's tape roads: Tape roads, parking spots and train tracks across the floor for toy cars. It peels up cleanly from most hard floors, though test a small spot first.
• Paper airplane contest: Fold several designs, decorate them and see whose flies the farthest down the hallway.
• Sock puppets and a show: Turn odd socks into puppets with markers and felt, then drape a blanket over a table for an instant stage.
• Indoor scavenger hunt: Draw simple picture clues for younger kids and hide them around the house.

Safety and Cleanup Tips

• Choose supplies labeled washable and non-toxic.
• Keep small items like beads, buttons, googly eyes and dried beans away from children under three, since they are choking hazards.
• Glue guns, craft knives and the stove are for grown-ups. Supervise scissors with younger kids.
• Make cleanup part of the craft. Set a timer for five minutes and see who can put away the most supplies.

Want more inspiration? Take our project finder quiz or explore the full DIYs for moms collection for ideas the whole family can enjoy.

Frequently asked questions