Looking out the window and seeing that it’s raining, the last thing you may feel like is getting your toddler up, about and out of the house.
But did you know that being out in the rain is actually good for us? Ever wonder why rain can feel so rejuvenating? According to a recent study, the electrons in the air when it rains actually help us feel better, not to mention how great that fresh rain smell is.
You may actually return from a day out with your toddler with both of you in a much better mood!
Here are some ideas for days out when it’s raining. And a few indoor-ish ‘days out’ when it’s really coming down.
1. Visit A Local National Trust Place or Museum
With the National Trust offering passes this summer, what better time to join for a month and benefit from all those outdoor spaces and play areas? They’re also running their ‘summer of play’, with loads of family-friendly things to do. Those under five get free entry any time of year.
Even if it’s raining, you can go for a day out to stomp under the trees or in the garden and woods. It’s bound to be quieter as well. A real plus if your toddler doesn’t like crowds. You’ll get all that fresh ‘just rained’ smell of the roses and other flowers in the garden. Perfect for stimulating the senses. And there will be new puddles and paths to explore as well.
If the rain gets really heavy, you can always shelter in the cafe or have a wander round the indoor spaces/house. Sometimes the place will have indoor activities specifically for children to experience.
2. Jump In Those Puddles
Toddlers are fascinated by water and puddles, as well as what happens when you jump into or over them. If it’s raining, then you have a great opportunity to find new and exciting puddles in your local area. Just be prepared to get wet!
With decent waterproofs and wellies, this can keep them entertained for quite a while. For a bit of variety, take along a scooter or bike and try riding through the puddles. If you want to stay a bit drier, take along a light ball, paper boat, or grab some leaves and sticks and try racing/floating some objects in the deeper puddles.
Outdoor swimming pools can still be fun on rainy days if the weather is otherwise warm!
Not sure what clothes to wear? Check out our All-Weather Guide To Outdoor Clothing
3. Go Wild At The Zoo Or Aquarium
The beauty of zoos is there will be a mixture of outdoor areas and indoor enclosures. With a bit of map reading, you can plan your trip to the aquarium or butterfly house when it’s wet, and venture outside to see the other animals when there’s just a light drizzle!
Budding naturalists may notice how animals will act differently in raining. Why not take a sketchpad or colouring pad, and spend some time drawing the animals?
4. Stomp In The Forest
The benefits of ‘forest bathing’ have been widely publicised, and we’d argue that ‘forest wading’ has the same benefits for toddlers. Wrap up in waterproofs, grab a pair of wellies and wander through those leaves.
With the shelter of the canopy, you may find a wood or forest is a more pleasant place to explore than the local park. You can also try a spot of den-building for extra shelter to have your picnic. Throw in some bug-hunting and you’ll probably all forget that it’s even raining in the first place.
5. Join a Nature or Gardening Group
You’ll find lots of outdoor toddler groups still run during the summer months. They embrace all weathers, in all seasons. For some inspiration and the company of other parents, sign up to one of these and see what ideas your local class provider has for interacting with nature.
6. Sink Into Soft Play (And Take A Stroll Too)
Soft play centres can often be very busy on rainy days. Try to go for an off-peak time if you can. If your soft play is in walking (or scooting) distance, you could ditch the car and make the journey there part of your day out to see what it brings. If you opt for a park or quiet route, you may find your toddler gets the benefit of seeing trees, or picking up leaves and twigs on the way there or back – and a splash in the puddles as well!
Or if you have any soft play blocks at home, why not buddy up with a friend or neighbour and build your own soft play centre for a day?!
7. Go On A Scavenger Hunt
You can download simple scavenger hunts for toddlers and take them along on a walk to your local park or outdoor area. With all the variety of flowers and leaves out in the summer, your toddler should get quite a haul!
8. Try Out The Tent or Shelter
A rainy day can be a great time to try out any sort of tent, or shelter. Even an old sheet will do! If you have a garden, your toddler can enjoy sheltering and ‘camping’ in their new den. If you need to venture further for some green space, find a couple of trees and see if you can build a mini-house together (tie a sheet to some trees perhaps with a bit of string!) Collect some small sticks or twigs for firewood, and add some leaves for bedding. You’ll be amazed at how creative your toddler can be with just a few resources.
Den-building can also be moved inside. Cushions, sofas and sheets are great tent-building supplies! See more indoor rainy day activities here.
9. Build The Beach
If you live near the sea, or are on holiday near a beach, then don’t let a bit of rain put you off. When it’s raining, the weather can be perfect for building on the beach. Try a castle with moat and see how the rain dapples the sand or erodes the walls (great for budding scientists). Or try a pebble or shell-hunt along the seashore. If you have a sandpit at home, water and sand play can be done with extra containers for catching the falling rain. Adding a few small toys like dinosaurs can really spark the imagination too.
“Sand and water used to entertain our toddler for hours in all weathers. Add a few empty yogurt pots and animal figures, and he’d build all sorts of habitats, like rivers, pools and mountains!”
-Liz, Team Happity
10. Perfect Those Photos (Or Pictures)
When it’s raining, familiar places can look very different. Leaves are shiny, flowers are sparkling with water, and raindrops are dripping through trees. If you have a simple toddler camera, try taking some new and unusual photos. Or see if your toddler wants to sketch under a tree. You never know, you might both find a bit of colouring therapeutic!
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
If You Found This Post Useful, You May Also Like:
15 easy to do rainy day activities for toddlers
0 Comments