Rainy Day Activities for Kids: Surviving the British Weather
When the weather's rubbish and everyone's climbing the walls. Indoor ideas for UK dads — free, cheap, and the ones that actually keep them busy.
It's day three of the half-term rain. The living room looks like a soft play centre after a hurricane. Someone has asked "what can we do?" approximately 47 times.
British weather means rainy days are part of the deal. The good news: some of the best memories happen when you're stuck indoors and get creative. Here's a dad's guide to surviving — and even enjoying — the wet days.
The golden rules of rainy days
- Lower your standards. The house will get messy. Embrace it or contain it (one room only).
- You don't have to entertain them every second. Boredom breeds creativity. Give them a starter idea, then step back.
- Mix active and calm. An hour of chaos (obstacle course, dance party) followed by something quieter (film, Lego) works better than six hours of either.
- Get outside anyway. A 20-minute puddle jump in wellies can reset everyone's mood. You're not made of sugar.
Free indoor activities
Epic den building
Ages: 3–10
Every blanket, every cushion, every chair. Build the biggest den ever. Have lunch inside it. Add fairy lights if you've got them. The construction is half the fun — let them lead the design.
Kitchen science
Ages: 4–10
Vinegar volcanoes, slime, colour mixing, dancing raisins. Search "easy science experiments for kids" — hundreds of ideas with cupboard ingredients. Bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, food colouring, cornflour. Messy, brilliant, and they're learning.
Board game tournament
Ages: 5+
Dig out the games. Set up a bracket. Crown a champion. Prizes for the winner (extra screen time, choose dinner, etc.). Uno, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride — whatever you've got. The competitive element keeps them engaged.
Movie marathon
Ages: 4+
Pick a film series. Build a sofa fort. Make popcorn. Close the curtains. Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter — let them choose. Take breaks between films for snacks and movement. No phones.
Indoor obstacle course
Ages: 3–10
Cushions to jump over, chairs to crawl under, a blanket tunnel, "don't touch the floor" (lava) sections. Time each other. Add a blindfold round for chaos. Burns energy without leaving the house.
LEGO challenge
Ages: 4–12
Set themed challenges: tallest tower, best vehicle, create a scene from a film. Give everyone the same number of bricks. Vote on winners. Take photos before they get dismantled.
Cardboard box creations
Ages: 3–8
Rockets, cars, houses, robots. Amazon delivery boxes finally have a purpose. Scissors, tape, paints. Let them sit inside and pretend — that's half the fun.
Budget activities (£5–15)
Baking
Ages: 3+
Pick a recipe together. Shop for ingredients. Bake and decorate. Cakes, biscuits, pizza. £5–10. They're learning, you get something to eat, and the kitchen smells good.
Craft project
Ages: 5+
Papier-mâché, tie-dye t-shirts, a big painting. Pick one project and commit. £5–15 for supplies. The mess is temporary; the memory isn't.
Swimming
Ages: All
Indoor pool. Most leisure centres have family sessions. Inflatables, slides, or just a swim. £5–15. They'll sleep well after.
Cinema
Ages: 4+
Vue Mini Mornings, Odeon Kids — £2–3 per ticket in the holidays. Check your local. Popcorn is optional but recommended.
When they need to burn energy
Trampoline park
Ages: 5+
Book a session. Foam pits, dodgeball zones, bouncing. £10–20. High energy, contained chaos. Book online for weekend slots.
Soft play
Ages: 1–7
Noise, climbing, coffee for you. £5–10. They'll nap after. You might need to as well.
Puddle jumping
Ages: 2–8
Wellies on, waterproofs on, find the biggest puddles. Compete for the biggest splash. Take slow-mo videos. Have a warm bath and hot chocolate ready when you get home. Free. Resets everyone.
Screen time: make it count
Rainy days and screens often go together. If you're going to use them:
- Watch together when you can. A film as a family beats everyone on different devices.
- Choose quality. A documentary, a good film, or an educational game. Not endless YouTube.
- Set a limit and stick to it. "One film, then we're doing X." The NetDads Screen Time Contract can help set expectations.
The "I'm bored" response
When they say they're bored:
- Offer 3 options. "We could build a den, do some baking, or go to the pool. You choose."
- Give them a challenge. "See if you can build a tower taller than you" or "Find 10 things that are blue."
- Let them be bored. Seriously. Boredom leads to creativity. Give it 10 minutes before stepping in.
- One-on-one time. Sometimes "I'm bored" means "I want your attention." 20 minutes of focused play can fix it.
Planning a rainy week
If you're facing a full week of wet weather, mix it up. One active day (trampoline, swimming), one creative day (baking, craft), one chill day (films, games), one "get outside anyway" day (puddle jumping, short walk). The NetDads Holiday Planner includes rainy day options when you're planning a holiday week.
FAQ
How do I stop them fighting when they're stuck inside?
Give them space. Separate rooms if needed. Mix solo activities (reading, Lego) with shared ones (board games, film). Sometimes the best thing is 30 minutes apart.
What if I'm working from home?
Set clear boundaries. "From 9–12 I'm working. Here are 3 things you can do. At 12 we'll have lunch together." A visual schedule helps younger kids. Rotate activities so they're not on screens all morning.
My partner and I disagree on screen time for rainy days.
Discuss when you're not mid-crisis. Agree on a rough limit (e.g. 2 hours max, or one film + one game). Consistency helps. And remember: one heavy screen day in the holidays won't break them.
When should we just get outside anyway?
If it's not actually dangerous — just wet — a 20–30 minute walk or puddle session can transform the day. Wellies, waterproofs, hot chocolate after. British kids are made for this.
Rainy days are when the best forts get built, the best cakes get made, and the best films get watched. Lean into it.