27 Easy Rainy Day Toddler Activities For 1 Year Olds

You wake up to the pitter-patter of rain on the window, and for a split second, it’s bliss. Cozy, warm, dreamy.

But then reality smacks you in the face—your toddler.

The little tornado is already up, staring out the window with the kind of disappointment that only a missed playground day can bring. And you? You’re left wondering,

“What am I going to do today?”

Rainy days don’t have to be endless loops of “Baby Shark” and breakdowns (yours or theirs). Here’s a treasure chest of indoor rainy day toddler activities to save your sanity while keeping your little one happy, entertained, and maybe even a little smarter (win-win).

PS.: At the bottom you’ll find some outdoor ideas that aren’t really outdoors, like going to a kids café.

Fun Indoor Activities for Toddlers If You Want to Stay At Home

Let’s start with the energy burners because, let’s be honest, toddlers are like Energizer bunnies on steroids.

1. Interactive Obstacle Course

Grab pillows, chairs, and toys—basically anything that isn’t nailed down. Create a little course through your living room. Crawl under the table, hop over the pillows, and finish with a heroic leap onto the couch.

• Why it’s awesome: Gross motor skills, coordination, and burning off that extra-high energy.
• Pro Tip: Pretend they’re pirates escaping a shark or astronauts jumping on the moon. Bonus points if you join in.

2. DIY Bowling Game

Got some plastic bottles and a ball? Congrats, you’re now running a bowling alley. Line up the bottles, grab a soft ball, and let your toddler knock them down.

• Make it fun: Draw faces on the bottles or turn them into animals. Suddenly, it’s a zoo, and your toddler is a lion tamer!

3. Find the Teddy

This one is gold! It’s basically hide-and-seek but with a fluffy twist. Grab your toddler’s favorite stuffed animal. Hide it somewhere in the room—not too hard, we’re not trying to stump Sherlock here. Then, let your little detective loose!

• Make it extra fun: You can amp up the excitement by giving clues like, “Is Teddy under the table?” or go full dramatic: “Oh no, Teddy is lost! We have to save him before naptime!” The toddler giggles will make your day.
• And when they finally find Teddy, a heroic celebration with lots of hugs and kisses.

4. The Chasing Game : A Super Fun Indoor Activity

Get ready to channel your inner wild animal!

• Let your toddler loose: Your toddler runs or crawls away, giggling like they already know they’re going to be chased.
• Be the predator: Get on all fours and growl like a bear or roar like a lion (bonus points for dramatic sound effects).
• The chase is on: Crawl after them, pretending to almost “catch” them before they escape. I like to catch my son a few times and tickle him and than let him escape again.

Make it extra wild:

• Add obstacles like pillows or blankets for them to climb over.
• Switch roles and let them be the lion while you escape (because hey, cardio can wait).

This energy-burning stay-at-home activity is guaranteed to turn those rainy-day blues into squeals of joy—and you might even sneak in a workout. 🐾

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Educational Indoor Activities for Toddlers:

Okay, time to sneak in some learning without them even noticing (the ultimate parenting hack).

5. Color Sorting with Household Items

Grab some cups and colored toys, or even random objects from around the house. Show your toddler to sort them by color. I Have realiyed my 15 month old starts doing that.

• Why it’s genius: Teaches color recognition, sorting, and fine motor skills.

6. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

Write letters on paper or use magnetic ones, then hide them around the house. Let your toddler go on a “treasure hunt” to find them.

• Pro Tip: Pair letters with matching objects (like “B” for ball). It’s like Dora the Explorer, but you’re Swiper, swiping their boredom away.

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Creative Indoor Activities for Toddlers

If your toddler’s the artsy type (or you’re the one), these will keep their hands busy and your walls (mostly) marker-free.

PS.: My friend introduced me to these genius markers that can be wiped off for toddlers:

7. DIY Rain Art

Let them color on paper with washable markers. Then lightly spray it with water. Magic happens as the colors swirl together.

• Why it’s fun: It’s messy, but not too messy, and it looks cool. Plus, it’s like letting them play in the rain… inside.

8. Homemade Playdough

Whip up some playdough (or pull out the store-bought stuff you’ve been hoarding). Let them create shapes, pretend food, or little animals.

• Why it works: It’s hands-on, creative, and keeps them sitting still for a solid 20 minutes. Need a recipe? Check out my playdough guide here.

9. Cardboard Box Creations

Got a box lying around? Turn it into a spaceship, a car, or a fort. Hand over crayons, stickers, and tape, and let them go wild. My toddler loves to crawl through.

• Pro Tip: Call it their “secret hideout” and watch their imagination do the rest.

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Sensory Activities for Toddlers Indoors Includes Messy Play:

If you’re all about that calming sensory play life (or just need a quiet moment to drink your cold coffee), these are gold.

10. Sensory Bin Adventures

Fill a bin with rice, sand, or even pasta. Add toys, spoons, and cups. Pick a theme—like a beach with shells or a farm with little animal toys—and let them dig in.

• Keywords I’m sneaking in here: farm themed sensory bins for toddlers indoors.
• Pro Tip: Place a towel underneath.

11. Rainy Day Sensory Bottles

Grab an empty plastic bottle, fill it with water, glitter, and a few small toys, and voila! Instant calming tool. Here are super easy Sensory Bottle Ideas.

12. Water Play: A Messy Stay-at-Home Activity

I have a whole post on water play ideas here. My toddler loves to play in water, with water anything water. If your home is nice and warm you can try this indoors:

• Grab a container: A large bowl, shallow bin, or even the sink works great.
• Add some water: Just a little—enough to splash but not soak your house!
• Add some toys: Bath toys, spoons, cups, or anything that won’t sink your mood if it gets wet.

Make it extra fun:

• Add baby-safe bubbles or a drop of food coloring for a magical touch.
• Challenge them to “rescue” toys or pour water from one cup to another.

This stay-at-home activity is perfect for keeping little hands busy.

Quiet Activities for Toddlers on Rainy Days

Some days you just need them to sit still for five minutes. These are your lifeline.

13. Sticker Fun

Give them a sticker book or plain paper to decorate. It’s like magic—toddlers + stickers = total focus. They probably end up everywhere. I give Luca the ones that aren’t totally flat. And he absolutely loves them.

• Why it rocks: Fine motor skills for them, silence for you.

14. Storytime Corner

Set up a cozy nook with pillows, blankets, and a few books. Add interactive ones with flaps or textures for extra fun.

• Pro Tip: Let them pick the books, but maybe hide the one they’ll beg you to read five times in a row.

15. Magnetic Fun

Magnets are the ultimate rainy day lifesaver! You don’t need to do anything to make them fun. Really low prep.

• Let the fun begin: Stick, unstick, and repeat—it’s oddly satisfying!

• Find some magnets: Alphabet magnets, animals, or those random fridge ones you forgot about.

Luca loves especially the ones I’ve brought back from my travels. My mum also bought him some magnetic cubes.

16. Cupboard Sorting: The Ultimate Toddler Organizer Game

If your toddler is anything like mine, cupboards are their happy place. Here’s how to turn their obsession into a stay-at-home activity:

• Set up a “toddler cupboard”: Clear out a low cupboard and fill it with safe, rarely-used stuff—think pots, plastic bowls, wooden spoons, or Tupperware lids.
• Let the sorting begin: Watch as they gleefully empty it, stack it, bang it, and then (sometimes!) put everything back in.
• Repeat endlessly: Because they’ll never get bored of this one.

Pro Tip: Add in measuring cups or containers with lids they can match. Ok maybe that’s why it’s hard to keep my home mess-free.

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Rainy Day Boredom Busters for Toddlers

When you’ve got 10 minutes and no energy left, these are lifesavers:

• Indoor Dance Party: Play their favorite songs and let them go wild. (Bonus if you join in for some cardio.)
• Baking Together: Simple recipes like cookies or muffins are a hit. Toddlers love mixing, and you get a snack at the end.
• Pretend Play Stations: Turn your living room into a grocery store, a doctor’s office, or a café.
• Balloon Volleyball: Blow up a balloon and see how long you can keep it in the air. Zero setup, 100% fun.