It’s Raining, It’s Pouring: 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 the South Bay.
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Things to Do On a Rainy Day in the South Bay
Living in the South Bay means enjoying plenty of sunshine, but there are so many things to do with kids that don’t involve a day at the beach. Check out the best indoor activities in the the South Bay the next time El Nino ruins your plans.
Visit a Museum
There is no shortage of excellent museums near the South Bay, 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
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, Adventureplex in Manhattan Beach, or LOOMA Space in Lomita.
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
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 public library branches across the South Bay. Check with your local branch to see what activities they are currently offering.
RELATED: 8 Free Things Your LA Public Library Card Gives You
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.
RELATED: Guide to Southern California Zoos & Aquariums
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, like the AMC Del Amo 18 or AMC South Bay Galleria 16 and catch a family-friendly matinee.
Play Games
Head to a local arcade or bowling alley for fun and games while it rains. Bigger kids will love Battleground LA in Redondo Beach, a vibrant VR gaming center video arcade offering a variety of virtual reality games for players of all ages and skill levels. Dave & Busters in Torrance is another great option. For something a little more physical, try a game of bowling or head to K1 Speed in Torrance and race around the indoor go-kart track.
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.
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.
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!
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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RELATED:
Ultimate Guide to 101 Fun Things to Do in the South Bay with Kids
