10 Rainy Day Summer Holiday Ideas

What to do on a rainy day, in the summer holidays? We had a week in the holidays that was absolutely scorchio then all of a sudden, the rain started and doesn’t seem like it’s going to go away. The more kids you have, the more expensive it can get to keep them amused when it’s a wet summer, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are 10 free activities, to see you through those wet summer days.

1. Build A Fort

Get as many blankets and pillows as you can and create your own fort! Use furniture to help create the perfect structure.

2. Check Out A Local Museum

Most local museums are free or donation only and in the holidays you will find a lot hold events. Local to me, at the New Walk Museum, they are celebrating Ladybird books, along with their usual interactive exhibits and dinosaur section, which always keep the kids amused.

3. Create A Dressing Up Box

Time to go Marie Kondo and get rid of whatever doesn’t spark joy, whilst at the same time getting creative and adding to a dressing up box. With a little imagination and some scissors, it’s amazing what you come up with.

4. Make Play Dough

My go to playdough recipe is this no cook one from The Imagination Tree – I also stick a few drops of essentials oils in there too, it makes it smell lovely! If you stick it in a tub, it keeps for ages. I use the wilton gel colours to get vibrant shades.

5. Have A Movie Day

Grab some popcorn, dim the lights and stick on some films. Have ice-cream too if you’re feeling extra indulgent! If you want to go all out on the role play, create a red carpet and have the ‘stars’ of the show come to watch the premiere.

6. Go Swimming

In a bid to make sure we all stay active, you will find a lot of places will offer free swimming sessions, like they are doing at Oadby & Wigston swimming pools, run by Everyone Active.

7. Head To The Library

We love our local library and feel very fortunate that we still have as a resource. They have an under 5’s play session which runs throughout the holiday and they also have several reading challenges on too, usually themed. Definitely worth investigating to see if there is one near you with similar activities!

8. Hold An Indoor Picnic

Summer is all about eating al fresco, but if it’s tipping it down, don’t let that ruin your fun! We love a carpet picnic, we’ll spread the blanket out and still have some picnic type food for lunch. You can make it a teddy bear picnic too – and the bonus, no wasps to ruin your fun!

9. Have A Treasure Hunt

My boys are pirate mad, but even if your kids aren’t, you can still have fun with a treasure hunt! Make them a map, stash some items around the house and let them go on an adventure. Your imagination can run wild with this one!

10. Splash In Puddles

If cabin fever gets the better of you, just get out in the rain. Stick some waterproofs and wellies on and go and find some muddy puddles! At least it will still be warm!

Are there any other activities you love to do on rainy days? Let me know in the comments.