Rainy day, 5-year-olds
Stuck inside. All of these work in a living room. 115 ideas
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Burn energy
Sock Basketball
5–20 min 2–10 yrs Low mess- a laundry basket or bucket
- five or six pairs of socks
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Walking Water
5–20 min 4–11 yrs Low mess- six clear cups
- food coloring
- paper towels or coffee filters
- water
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Burn energy
Stuffy Toss
10–25 min 15 mo–6 yrs Low mess- stuffed animals
- a chair or cushion to land them on
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Rain In A Jar
10–20 min 3–10 yrs Some mess- shaving cream
- a clear jar or glass
- food coloring
- water
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Oil and Water Drops
10–20 min 3–8 yrs Some mess- vegetable oil
- food coloring
- water
- a clear cup and a few small cups
- +1 more
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Paper Plate Faces
15–30 min 3–8 yrs Low mess- paper plates or paper
- something to draw with
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Calm Down Jar
10–25 min 3–10 yrs Some mess- a clear plastic bottle with a lid
- warm water
- glitter or food coloring
Learn something
Fizzy Drips
15–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- baking soda
- white vinegar
- food coloring
- droppers or a teaspoon
Learn something
Leaf Cutting Tray
10–20 min 3–6 yrs Some mess- child safety scissors
- a tray or shallow tub
Learn something
Washing Line Words
15–30 min 4–8 yrs Low mess- clothes pegs
- string
- letters or paper to write them on
Burn energy
Shaker Making
15–35 min 3–9 yrs Some mess- small bottles or tubs with lids
- rice, beans or pasta
- tape to seal the lids
Learn something
Build A Boat That Floats
20–45 min 4–12 yrs Some mess- foil or a bottle for the hull
- water
- a tub of water
- a small figure as the passenger
Learn something
Balance And Weigh
20–40 min 4–10 yrs Low mess- kitchen scales, or a coat hanger and two cups
- small things to weigh
Learn something
Density Rainbow
20–35 min 5–12 yrs Some mess- a tall clear glass
- sugar
- water
- food coloring
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Cardboard Box Car
20–50 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a box big enough to sit in
- paper plates
- markers or crayons
Stay busy and calm
Home Shop
25–50 min 5–11 yrs Low mess- play money or real coins
- paper for price labels
Learn something
Rainbow Rice
20–45 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- uncooked white rice
- food coloring
- white vinegar
- zip-top bags
Learn something
Salt Dough Shapes
25–60 min 2–11 yrs Some mess- all-purpose flour
- salt
- water
- a mixing bowl
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Teddy's Check-Up
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- a stuffed animal or doll
- Good for siblings
Learn something
All Aboard Passengers
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- small people or animal figuresto buy
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Animal Footprint Fossils
10–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- toy animals or dinosaursto buy
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Buried Treasure Dig
10–30 min 3–7 yrs Some mess- kinetic sandto buy
- small treasures: buttons, coins or figures
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Train Cargo Delivery
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- cargo: pom-poms, small blocks or buttons
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Bubble Wrap Prints
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Some mess- a sheet of bubble wrapto buy
- washable paintto buy
- paper
Learn something
Marble Painting
10–25 min 3–9 yrs Messy- a box or rimmed tray
- washable paintto buy
- paper
- a marble or small ball
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Numbered Parking Lot
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- toy carsto buy
- a big sheet of paper or flattened box
- a marker
- Good for siblings
Burn energy
Sticky Target
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Low mess- clear contact paperto buy
- painter's tape
- scrap paper to scrunch into balls
Learn something
Trace and Match Shapes
10–25 min 3–6 yrs Low mess- magnetic tilesto buy
- paper
- a marker or crayon
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Animal Hospital
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- stuffed animals or toy animals
- painter's tape for bandages
Learn something
Block Bridge for the Train
15–40 min 3–8 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- wooden blocksto buy
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Stuffed Animal Picnic
15–40 min 18 mo–5 yrs Low mess- play food or a tea setto buy
- stuffed animals
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Play Dough Birthday Cakes
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- drinking straws cut short for candles
Stay busy and calm
Bean In A Jar
10–20 min 3–11 yrs Low mess- dried beans or seedsto buy
- a clear jar or glass
- cotton wool or paper towels
- water
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Cardboard Train Tunnel
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- a shoe box or cardboard box
Learn something
Paint the Toys
15–30 min 18 mo–5 yrs Messy- washable paintto buy
- plastic toys that can be washedto buy
- a tub or tray
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Pretend Pizza Shop
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess- play food for toppingsto buy
- paper plates for pizza crusts
Learn something
Toy Washing Station
15–45 min 18 mo–7 yrs Some mess- washable toysto buy
- warm water
- two tubs
Learn something
Tire Track Painting
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Messy- toy cars with wheelsto buy
- washable paintto buy
- a big sheet of paper
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Frozen Excavation
20–60 min 2–10 yrs Messy- small figures or carsto buy
- water
- a container to freeze in
Learn something
Small World Bin
25–90 min 2–9 yrs Messy- small figuresto buy
- a shallow tub or tray
- a filler like rice or dry pasta
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