Rainy days can be challenging for parents of 2-year-old toddlers. These active little ones may be used to playing outside or going to the park, but when the weather turns gray and damp, it can be hard to keep them occupied and happy indoors. However, with a little creativity, parents can provide fun and engaging rainy day toddler activities that will keep their toddlers entertained all day long.
A Common Question: How do I keep my toddler busy on a rainy day?
Keeping a toddler entertained on a rainy day can be a daunting task for parents. However, with a little bit of creativity and effort, there are plenty of fun and engaging rainy day toddler activities that can be done both indoors and outdoors. Some indoor activities include arts and crafts, story time, and games such as Simon says or duck duck goose. Outdoor activities like puddle jumping, cloud watching, and obstacle courses can keep toddlers active and engaged while enjoying the rain. The key to keeping toddlers busy on a rainy day is to plan ahead and have a variety of activities prepared. With these activities, parents can not only keep their toddlers occupied but also promote their cognitive and motor skills development.
Rainy Day Toddler Activities for 2 Year Olds
In this post, we will share 25 activities for 2-year-old toddlers that can be done on rainy days, both indoors and outdoors.
Indoor Rainy Day Toddler Activities:
Finger painting
Toddlers love to get their hands dirty, and finger painting is a perfect way to let them explore their creativity while also keeping them entertained. All you need is some non-toxic paint, paper, and a space that can get messy. Cover your floor or table with an old sheet or plastic and let your toddler go wild!
Sticker collage
Stickers are always a hit with toddlers, and making a sticker collage is an easy and fun activity that can keep them busy for a while. All you need are some stickers and a piece of paper. Let your toddler decorate the paper with stickers and talk to them about the colors and shapes they are using.
Play-doh
Play-doh is another classic activity that never gets old. You can buy store-bought play-doh or make your own at home with flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Let your toddler shape and mold the play-doh into different shapes and objects.
Homemade play-dough
Making play-dough from scratch can be a fun and educational activity for both you and your toddler. There are many recipes online, but a simple one involves mixing flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water in a pot and cooking it over medium heat until it forms a ball. Let the play-dough cool down and then let your toddler play with it.
Drawing with crayons
Crayons are a classic art supply that can keep toddlers entertained for hours. Provide your toddler with some paper and crayons, and let them draw whatever comes to their imagination.
Paper plate masks
Paper plate masks are a fun and easy craft that can be done with materials found around the house. All you need are some paper plates, markers, and scissors. Let your toddler decorate the paper plate with markers and cut out eye holes to create a mask.
Rice bin
Sensory bins are a great way to provide toddlers with an opportunity to explore different textures and materials. A rice bin is a simple and easy sensory bin that can be made with a large container and some uncooked rice. Let your toddler play with the rice and provide them with cups and spoons for scooping and pouring.
Sensory bottles
Sensory bottles are another fun and easy sensory activity that can keep toddlers entertained for a while. Simply fill a plastic bottle with water, food coloring, and glitter, and let your toddler shake and watch the glitter swirl.
Shaving cream play
Shaving cream play is a messy but fun activity that can be done in the bathtub or on a table covered with plastic. Provide your toddler with some shaving cream and let them play and explore the texture.
Water beads
Water beads are another sensory activity that can provide toddlers with a fun and tactile experience. These small, colorful beads expand when soaked in water, creating a squishy and slippery texture that is fun to touch and play with.
Treasure hunt
A treasure hunt is a fun and easy game that can keep toddlers entertained and engaged. Hide some small items around the house and give your toddler clues to help them find the treasures.
Simon says
Simon says is a classic game that can keep toddlers active and engaged while also helping them develop their listening and following directions skills. Give your toddler commands starting with “Simon says” such as “Simon says touch your nose,” and watch as they follow along.
Duck duck goose
Duck duck goose is another classic game that can be played indoors on a rainy day. Have your toddler sit in a circle with some friends or family members and choose one person to be “it.” That person will walk around the circle and tap each child’s head saying “duck” until they choose one child to say “goose.” The child who is tapped as “goose” will chase the “it” person around the circle, and if they catch them, they become the new “it.”
Follow the leader
Follow the leader is a fun game that can keep toddlers active and engaged. Choose one person to be the leader and have everyone else follow their movements. You can make it more challenging by having the leader do different actions such as jumping, twirling, or hopping.
Red light, green light
Red light, green light is another classic game that can be played indoors on a rainy day. Have your toddler stand at one end of the room while you stand at the other end. When you say “green light,” they can move towards you, but when you say “red light,” they have to stop. The first person to reach you wins!
Outdoor Rainy Day Toddler Activities:
Rainy walk
If the rain isn’t too heavy, taking a walk outside can be a fun and refreshing activity for toddlers. Put on some rain boots and a raincoat, and go explore the sights and sounds of the rainy day.
Puddle jumping
Puddle jumping is a classic rainy day activity that toddlers love. Put on some rain boots and find some puddles to jump in!
Make a rain gauge
Making a rain gauge can be a fun and educational activity for toddlers. You can use a plastic bottle and mark off measurements on the side with a marker. Place the gauge outside and check it periodically to see how much rain has fallen.
Cloud watching
Cloud watching can be a fun and relaxing activity for both you and your toddler. Lie down on a blanket outside and look up at the clouds, talking about the different shapes and formations you see.
Collecting rocks
Collecting rocks is a simple and fun outdoor activity that toddlers can enjoy. Take a walk around your neighborhood or local park and look for interesting rocks to collect.
Obstacle course
Creating an obstacle course can be a fun and active outdoor activity for toddlers. Use items such as cones, hula hoops, and jump ropes to create a course that your toddler can run through.
Balloon volleyball
Balloon volleyball is a fun and easy game that can be played outdoors on a rainy day. Blow up a balloon and use it to play volleyball with your toddler.
Mini basketball
A mini basketball hoop can be a fun addition to any backyard or indoor space. Let your toddler practice their basketball skills by shooting hoops.
Dancing
Dancing is a fun and active outdoor activity that can keep toddlers entertained and engaged. Put on some music and let your toddler dance and move to the beat.
Simon says (outdoor version)
Play Simon says with outdoor actions such as “Simon says jump in a puddle,” or “Simon says touch a tree.”
Keeping toddlers entertained on rainy days can be a challenge, but with a little creativity and planning, parents can provide fun and engaging activities that will keep their toddlers happy and busy all day long. Whether indoors or outdoors, there are many rainy day toddler activities that your little one can enjoy on a rainy day.
In addition to promoting cognitive and motor skills development, engaging in these activities can also foster a strong parent-child bond. Spending quality time with your toddler can strengthen your relationship and create lasting memories. It’s important to remember that every child is different and may have varying interests and attention spans. Parents can tailor these rainy day toddler activities to fit their child’s needs and preferences, and adjust accordingly if an activity is not working. By providing a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, parents can ensure that their toddlers have a fun and fulfilling rainy day experience. Remember to be patient and enjoy the moment with your little one. With these 25 rainy day toddler activities for 2 year olds, a rainy day can be turned into a memorable and enjoyable time for both you and your toddler.
Yumna is the lead author. She is a mom to two young children and have always been passionate about finding fun and educational activities for them. With her background in early childhood education, she strive to create engaging and age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development in toddlers.
