Looking for a fun game on a rainy day that isn't another card game or board game? You've come to the right place.
Rainy days can be a challenge in any preschool classroom, but they also offer a unique opportunity to get creative with kids activities that promote both fun and learning. When the weather keeps us indoors, it’s essential to have a toolkit of engaging indoor play options that support early childhood education and child development.
In this blog, I’ll share seven simple, safe, and active indoor daycare games that are perfect for rainy days. These activities are designed to keep little ones moving, learning, and smiling, even when the weather outside is less than ideal. Each game encourages essential skills like teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving while ensuring that the kids stay active and engaged. So, the next time a rainy day rolls in, you’ll be ready to turn it into a day of fun, learning, and growth!
Monsoon Musical Chairs
For this classic game of musical chairs you will need, well, chairs and some sort of music player! You will need one less chair per person playing the game. Typically the teacher leading the game will arrange the chairs in a circle, facing outwards. When the music starts, the kids walk, dance, or skip around the chairs, and when the teacher stops the music, the kids playing have to sit in an open chair as fast as possible. The child that didn’t get a seat is out. Along with that child the teacher will remove another chair and start the next round. The game ends when there is only one chair left with one kid sitting in it! Your kids can get in some great physical activity with this indoor game.
Yoga
For yoga all you need are comfy clothes, and typically a mat, but the floor is just fine too. I remember we would learn all the simple poses like child's pose, cat cow, and tree pose. Yoga is one of those quiet time activities that can also aid in child development for a toddler. My daycare teacher would always read these poems (that I think she wrote herself) that would have poses for us to do as she read along. I always loved when we did the mermaid pose! If you're not the poem writing type, don't worry - a google search for a younger kids yoga routine works just as well!
Chair Ball
Chair Ball was always a very competitive rainy day game at my daycare, and a great boredom buster. To play chair ball all you need are some sturdy chairs, a basket for the goal, and a soft ball. We used a giant pom pom ball. To set up chair ball, split the class up into two teams, and arrange the students chairs to form a foosball-esque grid. Start the ball in the middle of the area, have your kids kick the ball back and forth - they have to stay seated the whole time, so if they can't reach ball, give it a nudge in their direction. For older children with higher skill, using a basket for a goal is great, with younger kids just marking a side to get the ball across will be more than enough to make this a fun activity!
Simon Says
Simon Says is a classic game and a great last minute indoors activity! It's also a good game for helping a toddler develop both their listening skills and social skills. When I was in preschool, usually one of the teachers would be Simon, but occasionally, they would let us young kids take turns. We really had no clue what we were doing, but it was a great toddler activity regardless. In "Simon Says," one player (Simon) gives commands starting with "Simon says." Players must follow these commands. If a command is given without "Simon says," players should not follow it. Those who do are out. The game continues until only one player remains.
Balloon Volleyball
A great indoor recess game for a rainy day, all you need for this indoor game is a balloon and some sort of net or divide to establish sides. We often used tape or string, but a real net would be best if available. Balloon Volleyball is played just like regular volleyball but with children, balloons, and zero spatial awareness. It's a fun activity for multiple children, and a great alternative to board games. The kids are separated into two teams, each on one side of the net. They will hit the balloon back and forth over the net until the balloon hits the ground. Whichever team failed to keep the balloon off the ground allowed the other team to earn a point. We bumped into each other constantly, but as long as the balloon didn’t touch the ground, we didn't mind!
Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt
Sensory bins and scavenger hunts are two rainy day activities that can easily combine to form a powerhouse of learning and fun! To start you'll need bins, sensory materials (pom pom balls, pipe cleaners, play dough), items to use for the scavenger hunt, and either printed or hand written lists of the items to find. If completing the scavenger hunt as a class, write the list of items on a white board display them on a large screen. To make a sensory bin, simply fill a bin with pom pom balls, pipe cleaners, or play dough - and let each kid explore the texture and shape of the objects (be careful with young ones and choking hazards). Then, place the bins around the room and hide as many items as you'd like in the bins and the rest around the room. After explaining the challenge, set the kids loose and have them find the items! To add a social element, form the group into teams of two to three so they can work on their communication and social skills.
Obstacle Courses
An obstacle course is one of those outdoor or indoor activities that are a fun time regardless of age, but I developed my love for them from daycare. As someone who has always preferred the air conditioning, I loved when we had a rainy day because that meant we could possibly be having an indoor obstacle course, one of the most active indoor games we played. The equipment needed for an obstacle course and the way you navigate through them is limitless and can be catered to young kids of varying abilities. We would use things like a hula hoop, a cardboard box, and pool noodles , but you can use whatever materials you'd like. To keep your obstacle course safe, just be mindful of tripping hazards when setting it up, and remind the children that it's not a race.Rainy days can be just as exciting as sunny ones with the right activities. Incorporating games that are simple, safe, and engaging transforms any gloomy day into an opportunity for creativity and laughter. From energetic games like musical chairs to the calming practice of yoga, these activities cater to all energy levels and interests. Even setting up a mini science experiment using a plastic cup can spark curiosity and wonder in preschoolers. These games not only keep the little ones entertained but also foster essential skills and family fun, ensuring that every rainy day at daycare is a memorable adventure.
