Rainy days often confine us indoors, but there are tons of great ways to have a little indoor fun, especially when you have a little one at home. In fact, they offer a unique opportunity to engage in some cozy, indoor activities with your baby. Whether it’s the sound of raindrops pattering against the window or the peaceful gray skies, a rainy day can be the perfect backdrop for bonding and fun. Here are some baby-friendly activities suitable for those aged 6 to 18 months, to enjoy during the next downpour.
Engage in Sensory Play
Sensory play is crucial for babies as it supports their developing brains and bodies. With the soothing rhythm of rain offering a natural soundtrack, try these sensory stimulating activities:
Edible Indoor ‘Sand’
This activity is perfect for babies who are just starting to explore with their fingers and toes. All you will need is some blended cereal, some oil and a few drops of food coloring (optional). Simply mix the ingredients together until they have formed the desired texture, then let your little one squish, squash and poke away.
This activity stimulates different senses such as touch, sight and even taste. Babies will enjoy the texture of the sand-like mixture, the bright colors, and the taste if they happen to put it in their mouths. You can also add some toys like plastic buckets or shovels to make it even more exciting.
Mini Indoor Obstacle Course
For babies who are crawling or starting to walk, creating a mini obstacle course is an excellent way to help them develop their gross motor skills and burn off some energy. Lay out some playmats, blankets, and items like pillows and cushions to create different obstacles for your little one to navigate around. You can even incorporate some of their toys into the course to make it more engaging.
Rainy Day Sensory Bottles
Another great sensory activity is making your own rain-inspired sensory bottles. All you need are empty plastic bottles, water, glitter, and food coloring. Fill the bottles with water and add a few drops of food coloring for a vibrant effect. Then add some glitter to mimic raindrops falling in a stormy sky. Seal the bottles tightly and let your baby shake them up. The glitter will swirl and create a mesmerizing effect that will keep your little one entertained for hours. This activity also helps develop hand-eye coordination as they try to grasp and shake the bottles.
Water Play
Although you’re inside, water play can still be wonderfully entertaining. Fill a shallow dish with a small amount of water and provide cups and spoons for splashing and pouring. You can also add some food coloring to the water for a colorful sensory experience. This activity helps develop fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
Textured Touch
Babies are naturally curious and enjoy exploring different textures. Collect a variety of safe household items with different textures, such as a fluffy towel, a smooth wooden spoon, or a shiny piece of foil, and encourage your baby to explore the varied sensations. You can also create a touch board using materials such as bubble wrap, sandpaper, cotton balls, and fabrics with different textures. Let your baby touch and feel the various materials while describing the sensations to them.This activity helps develop your baby’s tactile senses and promotes exploration and curiosity.
Read and Sing Together
Rainy days are perfect for cuddling up with a good book or singing some nursery rhymes. Babies love listening to their caregivers’ voices and it’s a great bonding opportunity for both of you. Here are some ideas for rainy day reading and singing:
Book Nook
Create a cozy space in your home with pillows, blankets, and books. Choose board books with textures, flaps, or mirrors. These features encourage interaction and engagement with the story. As you read, make silly noises or use different voices to keep your baby’s attention and make it more entertaining.
Nursery Rhyme Sing-Along
Singing nursery rhymes is a fun and interactive way to bond with your baby. You can find many songs about rain or weather, such as “Rain, Rain Go Away” and “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring”. Encourage your little one to sing along by clapping their hands or tapping their feet.
Music Time
Music is also a great way to engage with your baby on a rainy day. Play some soothing music and dance with your little one or let them explore different sounds by providing them with safe musical toys like tambourines or shakers.
Create Some Art
Art is a fantastic way to engage your little one’s creativity while developing fine motor skills. Here are some simple rainy day art activities you can try.
Finger Painting Fun
Finger painting is a great activity for babies as they can easily join in and create their masterpieces. All you need is some paper, non-toxic finger paints, and a tray to contain any mess. Encourage your little one to squish and spread the paint with their fingers or even their toes.
Hand and Footprint Art
Capture the memories of a rainy day by creating some hand and footprint art with your little one. Use non-toxic paints to make prints of their hands and feet on paper, or even on a canvas for a more permanent keepsake. You can also use these prints to create animals or other fun designs. This activity promotes sensory exploration, creativity, and fine motor skills.
Mess Free Painting
If you’re not in the mood for cleaning up a mess, try this mess-free painting activity. Fill a clear plastic bag with non-toxic paint and tape it securely to a flat surface like a window or tabletop. Encourage your baby to spread and mix the colors inside the bag by pressing their hands against it. This activity stimulates their senses without creating any mess.
Rainy days may limit outdoor activities, but they also provide an opportunity for you to bond with your baby through fun and engaging indoor activities. By incorporating sensory play, reading and singing, and some art projects into your rainy day routine, you can keep your little one entertained while promoting their development.