Rainy days can feel long, but they offer a unique opportunity to engage with your little ones in new and exciting ways. At The Astor, we believe in turning every day into an adventure! Here are 10 of our favorite activities that are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers on those drizzly days:

1. Indoor Treasure Hunt

Spark the imagination with a thrilling indoor treasure hunt. Hide small toys or treats around the house, and craft simple clues to lead your young explorers from one location to the next. This fun game keeps your children moving and enhances their problem-solving skills. Below is a sample guide to building your scavenger hunt: 

Theme:
Colors and Shapes

Materials Needed:
– Clue Cards –
– A small basket or bag for each child to collect their items –
– A list of items to find – 

Setup Instructions:
1. Write simple clues or draw shapes and colors on cards that guide the children to find specific items around the house. 
2. If you want to make it more challenging, you can hide a few items from the list around the house in safe, easy-to-reach places.
3. Explain how to play and give each child their basket/bag.

Sample Clue Cards:
Something round and red (e.g., a red ball)
A blue square (e.g., a blue book or block)
Something soft and yellow (e.g., a yellow towel)
Something hard and green (e.g., a green apple)
Something long and brown (e.g., a wooden spoon)

Once they have found all the items go through them and discuss the shapes and colors to reinforce learning.

2. Get Crafty

Pull out the craft supplies and let your child’s creativity flourish. From paper plate masks to homemade cards, crafting helps develop fine motor skills and allows children to express themselves artistically. Plus, you’ll have some beautiful keepsakes to remember the day!

3. Bake Up Some Fun

Rainy days are perfect for warming up the kitchen with some baking. Simple recipes like cookies or cupcakes are great for little hands. Children can help with measuring, mixing, and, of course, the best part—decorating! Remember to be patient, and lean into the mess: clean up is also part of the activity. 

4. Story Time Magic

Create a cozy corner filled with pillows and blankets, grab some beloved books, and dive into storytelling. You can read to your child, or make it interactive by building a story together. This activity calms and stirs the imagination. Do you need some ideas? Read our blog on The Astor’s Top Picks for Children’s Books. 

5. Puzzle Play

Puzzles are a fantastic way to challenge young minds. Working on puzzles suited to their age helps children improve their problem-solving abilities, attention span, and hand-eye coordination.

6. Dance the Rain Away

Why walk when you can dance? Turn up some tunes and throw a dance party in your living room. It’s a wonderful way to get some exercise and share a lot of laughs. 

7. Creative Play with Playdough

Playdough isn’t just fun; it’s educational. Manipulating playdough helps develop those little muscles in your child’s hands, paving the way for good writing skills later on. PBS provides an excellent video and recipe for homemade playdough.

8. Indoor Camping Adventure

Set up a tent indoors or build a fort from blankets and chairs. This makes for an exciting new environment for your child to play and imagine in. You could combine this with #4 Story Time Magic or make it a fun viewing spot for a movie night. 

9. Educational Video Games

Many age-appropriate video games can make learning fun. These games can help teach numbers, letters, and basic problem-solving skills in a format that children love. ABC Mouse is an example of an excellent and well-reviewed resource for educational video games. 

10. Splish-Splash Water Play

Set up a water play area in the kitchen or bathroom. Simple items like cups, bowls, and small toys can turn water play into a fascinating science and sensory activity. Be sure to lay down plenty of towels to give your little one space to truly explore. 

At The Astor, we love turning less-than-perfect weather into perfect opportunities for learning and fun. Try these activities at home and watch your little one thrive, rain or shine! 

Interested in learning more about The Astor and our Full-Day Educational Preschool and Daycare options?
Contact us today to schedule a tour!