20 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids at Home
When the rain settles in across Bundaberg, keeping the kids entertained indoors can feel like a challenge. But a rainy day at home doesn’t have to mean hours in front of the television!
We’ve put together 20 fun, creative and budget-friendly activities to keep little hands busy, curious minds exploring and the whole family entertained.
Whether you’ve got a busy toddler, a curious preschooler or older kids looking for something different, there’s something here for everyone. Best of all, most of these activities use things you probably already have at home.
Get Creative
1. Make Your Own Playdough
Ages 2–8 | Low cost
Homemade playdough is always a winner! Mix up a batch using flour, salt, water and a little oil, then add food colouring for extra fun.
Bring out cookie cutters, rolling pins and plastic utensils and let the kids create their own masterpieces.
Make it extra fun: Set up a pretend bakery and have the kids make cupcakes, biscuits and birthday cakes.
2. Create a Cardboard Box City
Ages 3–12 | Free
Don’t throw away those delivery boxes! Turn them into houses, garages, shops, castles or even a whole city.
Use markers, stickers and coloured paper to decorate your creations. Older kids can design roads, signs and buildings, while younger children can enjoy imaginative play.
3. Make a Rainy Day Art Gallery
Ages 2–12 | Low cost
Bring out the paints, crayons, pencils and paper and let the creativity flow.
Give everyone a theme such as animals, underwater adventures or favourite places around Bundaberg.
Once the artwork is finished, create a family gallery along the hallway and invite everyone to the grand opening.
4. Make Your Own Puppets
Ages 3–10 | Low cost
Old socks, paper bags and cardboard can become wonderful puppets.
Add paper eyes, wool hair and colourful decorations, then encourage the kids to create their own characters.
Use the back of the couch as a puppet theatre and enjoy a family performance.
Get Moving Indoors
5. Build an Indoor Obstacle Course
Ages 2–12 | Free
Who says you can’t be active inside?
Use cushions, chairs, blankets and masking tape to create an obstacle course around the living room.
Kids can crawl under tables, step over cushions, balance along a tape line and jump between designated spots.
Make it extra fun: Let older children design the course and challenge the family to complete it. Keep obstacles low, stable and away from sharp furniture.
6. Have a Dance Party
Ages 2–12 | Free
Turn up the music and get everyone moving!
Play musical statues, freeze dance or have a dance-off. Let each child choose their favourite song.
For an extra challenge, ask the kids to choreograph a dance routine and perform it for the family.
7. Play Balloon Volleyball
Ages 8–12 | Low cost
Clear a space in the living room and use a balloon as your volleyball.
The aim is simple: keep the balloon off the ground!
Play individually, in teams or see how many times the family can tap it before it lands.
Adult supervision is important. Keep balloons and broken balloon pieces away from younger children because of choking risks.
8. Try Indoor Yoga and Animal Movements
Ages 2–10 | Free
Can you stretch like a cat, balance like a flamingo or hop like a frog?
Animal-inspired movement games are a fun way to keep children active when outdoor play isn’t possible.
Finish with some gentle stretching and quiet time.
Become Little Scientists
9. Create a Mini Science Laboratory
Ages 4–12 | Low cost
Turn your kitchen into a science lab with simple experiments using everyday ingredients.
Try adding vinegar to baking soda, watching food colouring move through water or discovering which household objects float and sink.
Encourage children to make predictions before each experiment.
Ask them: What do you think will happen? Why do you think that happened?
Always supervise experiments and avoid mixing household cleaning products.
10. Make a Rain Gauge
Ages 5–12 | Low cost
Why not turn the rainy weather into a learning opportunity?
Use a clear, straight-sided container and a ruler to measure how much rain falls during the day.
Place it outside in a safe, open location and record the rainfall each morning. Older kids can create a chart comparing rainfall across the week.
Only collect readings when it’s safe to go outside.
11. Build a LEGO Challenge
Ages 4–12 | Free if you have blocks
Give the kids a building challenge using LEGO or other construction blocks.
Can they build a bridge, a rocket, a zoo, their dream house or the tallest tower possible?
Older children can work from a design brief, while younger children can experiment with shapes and colours. Use age-appropriate blocks for younger children.
12. Go on an Indoor Treasure Hunt
Ages 3–12 | Free
Hide clues around the house and send the kids on an adventure.
For younger children, use pictures or simple instructions such as “Find something blue.”
Older children can solve riddles, puzzles and maths clues to find the next location.
The treasure at the end could be a favourite snack, a homemade certificate or the chance to choose the next family activity.
Let Their Imaginations Run Wild
13. Build the Ultimate Blanket Fort
Ages 2–12 | Free
Gather sheets, blankets, cushions and chairs to build a cosy indoor hideaway.
Once your fort is ready, fill it with books, soft toys and battery-operated lights.
It’s the perfect place for reading, storytelling or enjoying a little quiet time. Make sure the fort is well ventilated and safely constructed.
14. Open a Pretend Café or Shop
Ages 3–10 | Free
Turn the playroom into a café, supermarket or restaurant.
Kids can design menus, create price tags, take orders and practise using pretend money.
Older children can calculate totals and change, while younger children enjoy serving their customers.
15. Put on a Family Talent Show
Ages 4–12 | Free
Let everyone show off their special talents!
Singing, dancing, magic tricks, jokes or storytelling — anything goes.
Create tickets, decorate a stage area and invite the family to watch the big performance.
16. Make a Family Movie
Ages 6–12 | Free
Give older kids the challenge of creating their own short movie.
They can write a script, create costumes, act out scenes and film the production using a phone or tablet.
Try making a mystery, comedy or superhero adventure.
Finish with a family movie premiere, complete with homemade tickets and popcorn!
Slow Down and Enjoy Some Quiet Time
17. Bake Something Delicious
Ages 2–12 | Low cost
Rainy days are perfect for baking.
Try muffins, biscuits, banana bread or homemade pizzas.
Younger children can help pour, stir and decorate, while older children can practise reading recipes, measuring ingredients and following instructions.
It’s a fun way to build everyday skills, and there’s something delicious to enjoy afterwards!
18. Have a Board Game Afternoon
Ages 3–12 | Free if you own games
Pull out the board games, card games and puzzles.
Choose age-appropriate games that encourage everyone to participate.
You could even challenge older kids to invent their own board game, complete with rules and playing pieces.
19. Create a Reading Nook
Ages 2–12 | Free
Choose a cosy corner, add cushions and blankets, and bring out a selection of favourite books.
Take turns reading aloud or let older children read to younger siblings.
You could also listen to an audiobook together while drawing pictures inspired by the story.
Don’t have enough books at home? Visit your local Bundaberg Regional Library to stock up before the next rainy day.
20. Make a Rainy Day Activity Jar
Ages 3–12 | Free
Write your favourite indoor activities on small pieces of paper and place them in a jar.
Whenever someone says, “I’m bored!”, they can pick an activity.
Get the children involved in choosing what goes into the jar so everyone has something to look forward to.
A Little Boredom Is Okay, Too!
You don’t need to organise every minute of the day. Sometimes a little downtime gives children the opportunity to use their imagination, make their own choices and discover new ways to play.
Mix active activities with quieter options, follow your child’s interests and remember that simple activities are often the most enjoyable.
Rainy days can be a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect as a family and create memories together — without spending a fortune.
Looking for somewhere to go when the rain won’t stop?
There are plenty of family-friendly indoor attractions to explore across the Bundaberg Region, including museums, libraries, galleries and entertainment venues.
