Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day With Kids

Rainy days don’t have to put a damper on your fun. Getting stuck inside might sideline your plans, but it offers the perfect opportunity to get creative, enjoy some play time, and reconnect. There are so many exciting things to do on a rainy day with kids; you’ll be hoping for more rain in the forecast!

Whether you feel like venturing out of the house or plan to stay home, we’ve rounded up the best ways to spend a rainy day with kids in Los Angeles and the South Bay.

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Things to Do On a Rainy Day in Los Angeles

Los Angeles might be the city of sunshine, but there are plenty of things to do with kids that don’t involve a day at the beach. Check out the best indoor activities in the Los Angeles area the next time El Nino ruins your plans.

Visit a Museum

There is no shortage of excellent museums in Los Angeles, and many offer free admission to kids. From the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The Getty, there is something for everyone, from STEM fans to young artists. For more family-friendly and free museums, check out our guides to the best museums for families in Los Angeles:

Best Children’s Museums in Los Angeles & Orange County

The Best Museums for Kids in L.A.

The Best Car Museums for Kids in Southern California

Try An Immersive Adventure

Los Angeles has plenty of family-friendly immersive experiences that you can enjoy indoors. From the Dr. Seuss Experience at Santa Monica Place to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition, there’s something fun for people of all ages at one of these unique interactive exhibits. Check out our guide to the best immersive experiences for more ideas:

The Most Extraordinary Immersive Experiences in Los Angeles

Play Indoors

A lack of sunny weather can leave you wondering how to get your kids to get up and move. Move your park playdates inside at one of the unique indoor play places the city offers, like Dig It at the Del Amo Fashion Center. Check out our guides to the best indoor playgrounds to find a spot near you:

Best Indoor Playground and Play Spaces in the South Bay

28 + Best Indoor Playgrounds in Los Angeles (2023)

Check Out the Library

There’s no better way to spend a rainy day than curled up with a good book. A library card can open the door to a treasure trove of free books and more. Storytimes and craft activities are regularly offered at many Los Angeles Public Libraries. Check with your local branch to see what activities they are currently offering.

Head to an Aquarium

The beach might be a better option for sunny days, but if you want to see some creatures, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is the perfect place to go on a rainy day. With indoor exhibits, you can explore the ocean without getting wet.

Go For a Climb

You don’t need sunny weather to climb a mountain or at least a rock wall. Check out a rock wall climbing place like Sender City, which has multiple locations across West LA and Orange County.

Watch a Movie

A movie theater is a great place to be when wet weather keeps you indoors. Head to one of your favorite local movie theaters and catch a family-friendly matinee or ex

Try Out a New Class

A rainy day can be an excellent time to learn a new skill. From a cooking class to martial arts, try out a new kids’ class to explore some extracurricular activities you can keep going even when the sun returns.

Tempt Your Taste Buds

Have a picky eater at home? Take this opportunity to expand their palates with a field trip to a food hall. There are so many to choose from; you can turn this into a regular family adventure. You can also make a day of it by combining the foodie fun with something nearby. Check out the new Topanga Social at Westfield Topanga, where you can enjoy a meal and take in a movie or go shopping. Or head to Downtown L.A., where there are multiple food hall options, including the Spring Arcade Building and Grand Central Market. Afterward, head to the Last Bookstore or check out one of the many diverse museums in downtown.

Things to Do On a Rainy Day With Kids at Home

Not in the mood to venture out? When inclement weather strikes, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and keep the kids stimulated at home. Try one of these rainy-day activities the next time a downpour leaves you stuck indoors:

Burn Off Some Energy!

It’s easy to get lazy on a rainy day, but there are so many indoor activities that can keep you active even during the rainy season. Here are a few rainy-day activities you can do inside to get your kids up and moving:

Jump on leftover bubble wrap to pop it all
Create an obstacle course with furniture
Set a timer to see who can clean up their bedroom the fastest
Try out a headstand

These are just a few ideas; there are so many other options! Keeping active even on gloomy days is a great way to improve your kids’ mental health.

photo: Annie Spratt via Unsplash

Bake Some Yummy Treats

Whether you love baking or not, whipping out your cookie sheets or cake pans on a rainy day can be one of the most fun things to do. You can even make your treats “rainy day themed.” If you make cookies, add some grayish-blue frosting to match the weather outside. If you bake a cake, write a message on top like “Rain, rain, go away, come back another day!”

Have a Dance Party

What could be more fun than pumping up the music indoors on a rainy day? Take out the costumes, the boas, the wacky sunglasses, and host a wild dance party in your living room. Your kids will have a blast, and they won’t even realize they’re actually exercising. Join them in cutting a rug, and you’ll burn off some calories too. Plus, everyone will be ready for sleep by bedtime.

Make a Blanket Fort

One of the most fun things you can do on a rainy day is to build a fort and hide in it. Grab some blankets, sheets, clips, and hair ties, and start draping them around the house. Use furniture and other items to help the blankets stay off the ground. Tie different blankets together to make the fort even bigger. Once you tie them all together, you’ll be ready to crawl under with a book, snacks, and string lights to enjoy the rainy day snuggling up in your fort.

Have a Movie Marathon

Whether you binge-watch all of the Harry Potter movies or stream a few of your kids’ favorite movies in a row, you’ll love watching movies with the sound of rain right outside your window. Don’t forget to make popcorn or another fun, healthy snack for the movie marathon!

Jenga - Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day With Kids

photo: Michal Parzuchowski via Unsplash

Have an Afternoon of Games

If your kids love family game night, setting up an afternoon of different board games could be your version of one of the best days – rain or shine. Get out your favorite board games and set up a tournament. Let your kids pick which ones they want to play – and start playing! Some great options are Monopoly for a longer game or Throw Throw Burrito for a shorter one. Try card games like Uno and Go Fish, or look up some new games on the Internet to see if you and your kids can learn a new card game.

Spend Time Reading

If you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, it could be a great time to give your kids some quiet time to relax and read. Have your younger kids pick out a few of their favorite books to read together, or have them practice reading out loud to you. Have older kids read to younger siblings.

Make A Splash!

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean all the fun has to stay indoors! If the rain isn’t too heavy and you’re feeling brave, pull on your rain boots and go outside to splash. It will be messy, and you’ll need to dry off with warm clothes and maybe some hot cocoa afterward, but it will surely be an incredible memory your kids won’t forget.

Check out the weather forecast in your area for the next ten days. Is there any rain expected in the area? Start planning the things to do on a rainy day.

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It’s Raining, It’s Pouring: Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day With Kids