Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers can turn a gloomy, wet day into a joyful indoor adventure. When the weather keeps little ones stuck inside, it can be a real challenge to keep them entertained and happy. Instead of letting the rainy day blues take over, craft time offers the perfect solution to engage toddlers in a fun and meaningful way.
Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers
Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers are a fun way to keep little ones happy and busy indoors. These simple activities boost creativity, build skills, and make rainy days enjoyable.
Paper Plate Umbrella Craft
Turn an ordinary paper plate into a colorful umbrella to brighten up a rainy day! Toddlers will enjoy painting, gluing, and decorating their umbrella halves. This craft is simple, fun, and great for working on hand-eye coordination. Add a paper handle to complete the look.
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Cut a paper plate in half to form the umbrella shape
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Let toddlers paint or color it in bright colors
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Use stickers, glitter, or foam shapes for extra fun
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Attach a craft stick or pipe cleaner as the handle
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Display it on windows or walls for cheerful decor
Cotton Ball Rain Cloud
Bring the clouds inside by letting toddlers build their own soft, fluffy rain cloud. This craft helps little ones explore textures while making something cute. It’s perfect for storytelling or learning about weather. Add paper raindrops for a complete effect.
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Glue cotton balls onto a cloud-shaped paper
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Cut and hang blue paper raindrops from string
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Let toddlers pull and stretch cotton for sensory play
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Add googly eyes for a cloud character
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Hang it up with yarn to create a mobile
Finger Painting Thunderstorm
Let toddlers get a little messy with this expressive thunderstorm painting. Using only their fingers and paint, they’ll love creating clouds, raindrops, and lightning. It’s a great activity to teach weather and emotions. Make sure to prep the space for an easy clean-up.
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Use dark paint for stormy skies and white for clouds
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Guide them to draw zig-zag lightning shapes
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Encourage different finger motions for texture
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Use washable, non-toxic paint
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Tape the paper to the table to avoid sliding
Raindrop Suncatchers
This beautiful and bright craft lets toddlers bring light into a rainy day. These suncatchers are made with colorful tissue paper and clear contact paper. They stick easily to windows and look magical in natural light. Plus, it’s a tear-and-stick activity—perfect for little hands.
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Cut contact paper into raindrop shapes
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Tear up tissue paper into small pieces
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Let toddlers place tissue bits on sticky side
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Cover with another piece of contact paper
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Tape to the window and watch it shine
Puddle Jump Footprint Art
Let toddlers “jump in puddles” indoors with this creative and silly footprint painting. It combines movement, paint, and art all in one fun session. This craft encourages gross motor skills and creativity. Be prepared for giggles—and a little cleanup!
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Use blue washable paint to mimic puddles
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Let toddlers step in paint and walk on paper
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Create raindrops with fingers or stamps
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Wipe feet immediately after each print
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Add a sunshine or rainbow for extra fun
Rain Stick Shakers
Toddlers love music, and these rain stick shakers add sound to the stormy atmosphere. Made with simple items like cardboard tubes and rice, they’re fun to shake and decorate. These sensory instruments also help with rhythm and focus.
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Use paper towel rolls or mailing tubes
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Fill with rice, pasta, or small beads
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Seal ends with paper and tape
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Decorate with markers, paint, or stickers
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Supervise closely during shaking
Felt Weather Board
Teach toddlers about the changing weather with a soft, interactive felt board. They can arrange clouds, sun, and raindrops however they like. It’s a quiet and educational craft that promotes storytelling and weather awareness.
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Use a large piece of felt as a base board
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Cut shapes like clouds, raindrops, and suns from colorful felt
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Let toddlers stick and restick the pieces
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Add Velcro dots for better hold
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Ask questions like “What’s the weather today?”
Popsicle Stick Rain Puppets
Create little puppet friends for storytelling time using popsicle sticks and paper cutouts. Toddlers can act out rain adventures or sing songs with their new characters. It’s a hands-on way to develop imagination and confidence.
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Draw or print out umbrella, cloud, or raindrop shapes
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Color and decorate with crayons and glitter
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Glue to popsicle sticks to make puppets
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Put on a mini puppet show together
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Store in a cup or box for later use
Tissue Paper Umbrellas
Let toddlers craft their own tissue paper umbrellas bursting with color. Tearing and gluing tissue helps improve motor control and creativity. This project is easy to prep and looks beautiful when finished.
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Cut umbrella shapes from construction paper
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Tear tissue paper into small colorful pieces
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Glue the pieces to the umbrella for decoration
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Use pipe cleaner for the handle
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Add rain stickers around the craft for fun
Handprint Rainbow
This vibrant rainbow is made entirely from your toddler’s handprints. It’s a great keepsake and a cheerful activity on a dull day. Plus, it introduces colors and sequences in a hands-on way.
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Use one color of paint for each handprint
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Stamp hands in a curved rainbow order
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Add cotton clouds at the ends
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Write the child’s name and date
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Let it dry and frame for display
Sticker Rainy Day Scene
Stickers are always a hit with toddlers! Give them a rainy day background and a bunch of weather-themed stickers to create their own scene. This craft is very low-mess and perfect for travel or quiet time.
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Print or draw a simple background (street, sky, houses)
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Use weather stickers: clouds, puddles, umbrellas
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Encourage story-building through their scene
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Provide sticker books with large, easy-to-peel stickers
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Store extras in a small zip bag for later use
Bubble Wrap Rain Painting
Add texture and sensory fun with bubble wrap painting. Toddlers press painted bubble wrap onto paper to create a rain effect. It’s unique, easy, and very satisfying.
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Paint blue on bubble wrap with a roller or sponge
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Press a paper onto it to transfer the pattern
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Use dark colors to create stormy skies
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Let toddlers feel and pop unused bubble wrap
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Talk about how rain feels and sounds
DIY Weather Hat
Let your toddler become part of the weather with a DIY weather hat. Choose rain, sun, clouds, or all three! This wearable craft is interactive and imaginative.
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Use a paper band to fit around their head
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Cut and decorate weather shapes to glue on top
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Add streamers for rain or rays for sun
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Let them wear it and pretend to be the weather
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Take fun photos for memory-keeping
Recycled Bottle Rain Shakers
Turn empty water bottles into musical rain shakers. Toddlers will enjoy filling, shaking, and decorating them. This craft teaches recycling and cause-and-effect.
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Use clear plastic bottles with lids
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Fill with rice, beans, or beads (not too full)
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Secure the lid tightly with tape
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Wrap with paper and decorate with crayons
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Shake to make rain sounds during story time
Sponge Stamping Rain Art
Soft and squishy sponges become the perfect stampers for rainy designs. This is a fun painting method toddlers will love trying out. Cut the sponges into different shapes to create a whole scene.
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Cut sponges into cloud, raindrop, and umbrella shapes
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Dip into washable paint and press on paper
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Use multiple colors for a lively picture
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Let toddlers explore with their own patterns
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Easy to wash and reuse the sponges
Storage and Cleanup Tips
Crafting with toddlers is fun, but it can also get a little messy! With a few simple tricks, you can keep your space organized and make cleanup quick and easy. Having a system in place also makes it easier to jump into a new activity anytime the rain starts falling. Here are some helpful tips to stay prepared and tidy during and after craft time:
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Keep a craft bin ready with toddler-safe supplies
Stock a plastic bin or basket with non-toxic glue, child-safe scissors, crayons, stickers, paper, and other basic items. This makes it easy to grab and go when inspiration strikes. -
Use trays or mats to contain the mess
Lay down old newspapers, plastic trays, or washable mats to protect your table or floor. These make cleanup much quicker and keep paint, glue, and glitter in one spot. -
Have wipes or wet cloths nearby
Accidents and sticky fingers are part of the fun—keep baby wipes or a damp cloth within reach to clean up quickly without interrupting the activity. -
Use labeled storage bags or containers for loose items
Organize small items like buttons, googly eyes, or foam shapes in zip bags or containers. This keeps things easy to find and helps toddlers learn to tidy up. -
Store artwork in a scrapbook or display wall
Save your toddler’s masterpieces in a binder with plastic sleeves or showcase them on a rotating art wall at home. This builds their confidence and reduces clutter.
FAQ
What are the best craft supplies for toddlers on rainy days?
The best Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers supplies are safe and easy to use, like jumbo crayons, washable paints, glue sticks, construction paper, cotton balls, stickers, and sponges. Always choose non-toxic and toddler-friendly materials.
How do I keep my toddler interested in crafts?
Keep activities short and simple. Let them choose colors or decorations, and don’t worry about the final look—focus on the fun. Try turning crafts into a game or story to keep their attention.
Are these Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers safe for 1–2-year-olds?
Yes, most of the crafts are safe with adult supervision. Use large-sized supplies to avoid choking hazards, avoid sharp tools, and always stay nearby while they work.
How long should Rainy Day Crafts for Toddlers take?
Most toddler-friendly crafts should take about 10 to 20 minutes. If your toddler is enjoying it, feel free to let them continue longer, but don’t force it if they lose interest.

Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.









