When the rain is hammering against the windows and the kids are bouncing off the walls, craft time is your secret weapon. You do not need to be artistic or spend a fortune — just a few simple supplies and a bit of imagination. Here are five rainy day craft ideas that will keep children entertained for hours.
1. Sand Art Bottles
Sand art is one of those activities that feels special to kids but requires zero skill from parents. Layer different coloured sands into a small bottle to create beautiful patterns. The results look genuinely impressive, and kids love the process of carefully pouring each layer.
What you need: A sand art kit with coloured sand and a bottle. We have ready-made sand art kits in our craft collection — everything included, no mess to prepare.
2. Air Dry Clay Animals
Give kids a block of air dry clay and let their imaginations run wild. They can sculpt animals, dinosaurs, bowls, or even little people. Once the clay dries overnight, they can paint their creations with poster paints or acrylics.
What you need: Air dry clay, a rolling surface, and paints for decorating. Our air dry clay craft kits come with everything needed to make specific animals like dogs, tortoises, ponies, and snails.
Age guide: Best for ages 3 and up with supervision. Older children can work independently.
3. Scratch Art Cards
Scratch art is brilliantly simple — kids use a wooden stylus to scratch away a dark surface and reveal rainbow colours underneath. They can draw pictures, write their names, or create patterns. It feels like magic every time.
What you need: A scratch art kit. Our scratch art decorations come in packs of 4 and include the stylus tool. No paint, no glue, no mess — just colourful creativity.
4. Painting and Colouring Marathons
Sometimes the classics are best. Set up a painting station with poster paints, brushes, and paper, or hand out colouring books and a big tin of pencils. Put on some music, lay down a plastic sheet (optional but wise), and let them create.
Pro tip: Bundle a colouring book with a pencil set or felt pens for a ready-made activity pack. Our art supplies range has everything from jumbo colouring books to paint brush sets.
5. Volcano Eruption Kits
If your kids like a bit of drama with their crafting (and let us be honest, most do), a volcano eruption kit is the ultimate rainy day winner. They build the volcano, paint it, then create a fizzy eruption using the included materials. It is part craft, part science experiment, and completely exciting.
What you need: A volcano kit — ours comes with everything from the mould to the eruption powder. Find it in our educational toys collection.
Setting Up for Success
A few tips to make rainy day crafting smoother:
- Protect surfaces — newspaper, plastic sheets, or an old tablecloth works perfectly
- Wear old clothes — or better yet, a painting apron
- Keep supplies stocked — having craft kits ready in a cupboard means you are never caught out
- Join in — kids love it when adults get creative alongside them
- Display the results — stick artwork on the fridge or a pinboard to boost their confidence
Rainy days do not have to mean bored children and frazzled parents. With the right supplies to hand, they can actually become some of the most creative and memorable days. Browse our full craft collection and stock up for the next downpour.