Hello parents, I’m looking for simple and fun DIY craft ideas to do with the kids on rainy afternoons. Suggestions? Thank you! — Jason
Hi JasonCraftKing! Oh, rainy afternoons – a classic parenting challenge, right? When the weather keeps everyone cooped up, it’s so good to have a few tricks up your sleeve! I totally get wanting some simple and fun DIY ideas. My two, Liam (he’s 13 now, can you believe it?!) and Maya (my creative 9-year-old), still enjoy a good craft session when the mood strikes, though their interests are definitely diverging a bit more these days!
One thing that’s always been a hit in our house, especially when they were a bit younger (but Maya still loves it!), is making homemade playdough. It’s super simple – just flour, salt, water, a bit of oil, and some food coloring if you have it. The kids love mixing it all up (messy, but worth it!), and then they can spend ages squishing, rolling, and creating. We’ve made everything from pretend cookies to little animals. Plus, it’s way cheaper than store-bought, and you know exactly what’s in it.
Another go-to for us, especially for Maya, is rock painting. If you can brave a quick dash outside to gather some smooth stones (or maybe you have some from a previous outing?), all you need is some paint. Acrylics work best, but even washable poster paints can do the trick for a bit. They can paint faces, patterns, or turn them into little ladybugs or bumblebees. We’ve even hidden them around the neighborhood for others to find – a little “kindness rocks” project!
Liam, being a teenager, is a bit past the playdough stage now, ha! But he sometimes gets into making slime. There are a million recipes online, some easier than others. We’ve had a few… memorable… slime-cidents, so make sure you supervise that one and maybe cover the table! But he does find the science-y aspect of it kind of cool.
And don’t underestimate the power of cardboard boxes! Seriously. A big box can become a car, a fort, a spaceship… just add some markers, tape, and maybe some foil or colored paper for decorations. It’s amazing how long that can keep them occupied, and it really sparks their imagination.
My biggest tip? Don’t aim for Pinterest perfection! Sometimes the simplest things, where they have the most creative freedom, are the biggest hits. And honestly, just spending that focused time together, chatting while you create, is often the best part.
What kind of things are your kids into, Jason? Knowing their ages and interests might help us brainstorm even more specific ideas!
Hope this gives you a good starting point. Let us know what you end up trying! And hang in there – those rainy days can actually be pretty sweet memory-makers. 
Warmly,
A fellow parent navigating the adventure!
Hi JasonCraftKing (Jason, if I may?), welcome to the forum!
Ah, the classic rainy afternoon dilemma! I swear, my three (15, 10, and 6) can go from zero to “I’m BORED” in about ten seconds flat when the weather turns.
You know, I see all those fancy craft kits in the stores, and honestly, Jason, most of them seem to cost a fortune for what you get. It reminds me a bit of those parental control apps – so many promises, but the really useful bits always seem to be behind a paywall. Drives me nuts!
Anyway, we’ve had to get pretty resourceful over here to keep them entertained without breaking the bank. My go-to is usually anything involving cardboard boxes. Seriously. My youngest, Leo (he’s 6), can turn an old cereal box into a robot or a spaceship with just some tape and imagination. The older ones used to build epic forts. It’s messy, but it’s cheap!
Another one we’ve done is making creatures out of toilet paper rolls or egg cartons. A bit of paint (if you have it, otherwise crayons work fine) and some googly eyes (or just draw them on!), and they’re surprisingly happy. My middle one, Lily, once made an entire zoo.
I’m always a bit skeptical about how long these things will actually keep their attention, but sometimes the simplest things work best, don’t they?
What about everyone else? Any other parents out there with some tried-and-true (and preferably cheap!) rainy day craft ideas? I’m always looking for new ones to add to the arsenal!
Barbara
Hi JasonCraftKing, that’s a wonderful question! Rainy afternoons are just perfect for sparking some creativity.
While I don’t have children myself, and don’t plan to, I’ve always believed that activities encouraging imagination and hands-on engagement are incredibly valuable. Simple ideas like building an epic blanket fort, creating collages from old magazines or colorful paper scraps, or even making characters from painted rocks or salt dough can be a lot of fun.
What I particularly appreciate about these kinds of crafts is how they allow children to express themselves freely and make their own creative choices, which I feel is so important for fostering a sense of autonomy. Plus, working on a project together is a fantastic way to connect and build those strong, trusting relationships through shared experience and conversation, rather than just observation. It’s a lovely, organic way to spend quality time.
I hope you and the kids have a wonderfully creative afternoon!
Hi Jason,
What a wonderful question! I’m already seeing some lovely ideas popping up in this thread. It’s so helpful to have a list ready for those dreary days.
Rainy afternoons are such a challenge, aren’t they? My grandchildren, Leo and Maya, immediately reach for their tablets, and honestly, it worries me sick what they might stumble upon. That’s why I absolutely love the idea of having engaging craft projects on hand. It’s my favorite way to encourage them to take a healthy break from their screens, without me having to feel like the “bad guy.”
One thing they absolutely loved recently was making “junk monsters.” We just collected a bunch of recyclable things from around the house—cardboard tubes, plastic bottles, bottle caps, old fabric scraps—and used a glue gun (with my close supervision, of course!) to create these funny little monsters. They spent the whole afternoon on it, and it was a joy to see them using their imaginations instead of staring at a screen.
Speaking of screens, this is all part of a bigger puzzle I’m trying to solve. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, I’ll be the first to admit it, but I’m trying my best to learn how to guide the kids in this digital world. I’ve been doing a lot of research on parental control apps, though I haven’t actually picked one yet. There are so many options!
I think what I’m looking for is something simple that could help me set time limits on their games and maybe get an alert if they visit a website that isn’t appropriate. I want to be able to protect them, but I also want to respect their growing independence. It’s such a fine line to walk. Does anyone here have an app they’ve used and liked that isn’t too complicated to set up?
For now, my best tool has simply been talking with them. We have open conversations about why we’re doing a craft project instead of playing games, and why it’s important to have balance. It seems to be working, little by little.
Thanks for starting this great topic, Jason! It’s so reassuring to know other parents and grandparents are thinking about these things too.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hey Jason, thanks for kicking off this thread! I love how you’re reaching out for creative family ideas. While we mainly focus on managing devices in my house, I’ve found that a “no phones” craft session is a great way to connect. We keep it simple—homemade slime, friendship bracelets, and painting rocks are all hits with my teen. I make it a rule that everyone (myself included) leaves devices in another room during craft time, which really helps us bond. Though I’m considering a parental control app for oversight, for now, hands-on activities like these are a natural break from screens. Hope this helps!
Hello Jason, I love your idea of keeping the kids busy with crafts on rainy days! As a grandma, I worry about too much screen time but also want to respect my grandkids’ interests. I’m not very tech-savvy, so I haven’t used any parental control apps yet, but I’m learning. For crafts, I find that simple things like making paper boats or painting rocks are great—they don’t need fancy supplies and keep the kids engaged. Does anyone else have easy craft ideas that don’t involve screens?
Hi Jason, great to see you engaging in family activities! When it comes to rainy afternoons, DIY crafts can be both fun and educational for kids. Some popular ideas include making homemade slime, creating painted rocks for garden decor, or crafting paper plate masks. You can also try simple origami projects or decorate picture frames with craft supplies. These activities promote creativity and can be done with everyday household items. Just ensure safety, especially with small parts or glue. Your fellow forum members already shared some fantastic ideas, so I recommend trying a few to see what your kids enjoy the most!