This big list of what to do with baby on rainy days covers every stage and offers tons of simple, doable activities to keep both mom and baby happy when the weather isn’t exactly “happy.” Knowing how to pass the time with a baby when it’s raining is such a common question—new mamas want to keep baby stimulated, avoid boredom, and still create joy while stuck indoors. Rainy days can feel long, especially when you’re trying to enrich their development and, let’s be honest, dodge cabin fever. The good news? Indoor days are full of bonding opportunities. With a little creativity and gentle structure, you can turn gloomy weather into cozy, memorable moments.
It’s actually raining while I write this, and let me tell you, I have had years of rainy days with my kids. So I get it. Sometimes it’s cool to just sit around, take it easy, and chill until the storm passes.
However, some rainy days last a lot longer depending where you live and of course, whatever Mother Nature decides.
So, this comprehensive guide—written with both developmental value and real-life mom life practicality in mind—covers soothing activities, sensory play, bonding games, learning experiences, and rainy-day routines that make the day easier for both baby and you. Let’s go!
Why Rainy-Day Activities Matter
Babies thrive on simple routines and sensory experiences. It doesn’t have to be complicated, mama.
When you can’t go outside for fresh air or stroller time, filling the day with tactile, auditory, and bonding activities helps:
- Support brain development
- Strengthen motor skills
- Reduce fussiness and overstimulation
- Improve parent–baby connection
- Make the day feel smoother and more structured
Indoor activities don’t need to be fussy, messy, and a “thing”. In fact, they can be things that just go along with the days regular routine and needs. A few intentional, baby-safe ideas go a long way…without stress!
0–12 Months: Rainy-Day Activities by Age
Newborn to 3 Months
At this stage, babies mainly want closeness, soft sensory input, and rhythmic motion. If you have a foam playmat area, it becomes even easier to set them up for stimulation, and not “storms”.
Try:
- Contact naps while you listen to soft rain sounds
- Watching rain outside the window and playing eye spy or pointing to things and naming them. Let them touch the cold window and feel the air.
- Black-and-white or high-contrast cards for early visual tracking
- Slow dancing while holding baby (great for soothing witching-hour fussiness)
- Gentle tummy time on your chest. This is great before naptime.
- Reading board books—your voice is the activity
- Shadow play using a soft lamp for contrast
- Rolling a ball on the playmat
- Kick piano playmat – Babies LOVE this!
4–6 Months
This is the “curious and grabby” phase—perfect for sensory play.
Try:
- Soft sensory baskets (textures like satin, muslin, silicone, gentle crinkles) Just stuff various baskets with items. They love taking things out of baskets and putting them back in. Be sure the baskets are very short and watch them while they play this activity.
- Rainy-day mirror play—babies love faces!
- Indoor blanket picnics with rattles and books
- Gum-safe teething toys + frozen washcloths
- Peekaboo stations behind pillows or soft blankets. Simply hide things…it’s like hide and seek.
- Singing sessions with hand motions (Itsy Bitsy Spider is on-theme!)
6–9 Months
Now babies are rolling, scooting, or crawling. They need movement—and safe exploration. If you have stairs a baby gate is a must have!
Try:
- Obstacle course with pillows and soft tunnels
- Water play in a shallow pan using warm water + floating toys
- Stacking cups or silicone bowls
- Sensory bags (sealed Ziplock with hair gel, beads, glitter—supervised only) I actually duct tape the bags so nothing leaks out.
- Kitchen band time (wooden spoons + upside-down pots) So easy! I would do this while I washed dishes.
- Storytime with lift-the-flap books
- Bath time with toys. Supervised.
9–12 Months
This is the “into everything” stage—great for early learning activities. Trust your baby that they are capable of many things and excited to learn. Everything is newer and more captivating.
Try:
- Simple rhythm games (clap, tap, repeat)
- Cardboard box playground—sit in it, push it, decorate it
- Sensory play with various items, kitchen things, dough. Supervised.
- Tunnel crawling using a blanket draped over chairs. Supervised.
- Play chase by crawling around and tagging eachother.
- Rolling ball ramps made from paper towel tubes
- Simple indoor scavenger find (show baby an object and help them find it)
Rainy-Day Sensory Play Ideas (All Ages 3–12 Months)
1. “Rain in a Bottle” Sensory Shaker
Fill a clear bottle with water + a little oil + beads or glitter.
Great for visual tracking and calming focus.
2. Cuddle Time
This is one of the best and easiest things to do. It promotes lots of bonding. If you are breastfeeding, use a nursing friendly shirt and have some skin to skin time. Trust me, this is quality time, times 100.
3. Cozy Indoor “Nature” Walk
Walk baby around your home describing textures, lights, smells, and colors. Plants are a good one and even things in the kitchen or living room.
This is language-rich and stimulating without being overstimulating.
4. Sock Puppet Show
Use your hands, funny voices, and soft puppets to entertain baby with simple motions.
Perfect for bonding.
5. Sensory Ball Play
You can use:
- Spiky massage balls
- Soft plush balls
- Silicone baby balls
Roll them to baby, past baby, or around baby. Talk about under, over, around, side, and other words that describe position.
Specific Bonding Activities for Rainy Days
Babies don’t need fancy toys—they need interaction more than anything.
Here are rainy-day favorites that specifically build attachment:
- Face-to-face babbling time
- Baby-wearing while you do light chores
- Reading with exaggerated expressions
- Mirror smiles
- Nursing, Skin to Skin, and holding during naps
- Singing their name in simple songs
Easy Calm-Down Activities When Baby Gets Fussy
Rainy days can mean more fussiness due to less movement, lack of what to do outdoors with a baby, and sunlight. Try:
- Warm bath
- Dim lights + white noise + rocking
- Stroller nap indoors (yes, it works!)
- Window watching—babies love watching the rain
- Soft sensory play
- Holding and walking around
- Laying in bed and talking, singing, books, or just cuddles
- Snacks and age appropriate finger foods
Rainy-Day Learning Moments
Use the cozy vibe to introduce simple learning concepts. Sometimes it’s in these indoor moments with your baby you can actually focus on speech, new words, new sounds, and showing them new things in detail.
- Colors: “This blanket is blue. Your toy is yellow.”
- Textures: “Soft, bumpy, smooth, squishy.”
- Sounds: Tap objects and let baby hear the difference.
- Cause + effect: Knock over soft towers or press musical toys.
It’s developmentally rich without feeling like “school.”
If You Need to Get Things Done
Rainy days = extra clingy babies. These setups help:
1. Baby-Wearing Station
Put baby in a structured baby carrier while you:
- Answer emails
- Prep meals
- Lightly tidy
- Fold laundry
- Workout – yes! Even a few squats or walking around while baby wearing can keep mom moving and feeling good.
2. Safe Play Area Setup
Create a “rainy-day zone” with:
- Soft mat
- A few books
- 2–3 toys
- A mirror or sensory item
- Make sure there is a gate if you have a wandering baby and want to keep them more in one area.
Rotating toys every hour keeps baby engaged.
3. High Chair Play
Try:
- Silicone toys
- Frozen fruit feeders – Try these mesh frozen food holders that can go in the freezer.
- Edible finger paints made of yogurt (for older babies)
- Stacking cups
Cozy Family Moments
Rainy days are perfect for slowing down.
Try:
- Matching pajama morning
- Picnic lunch on the floor
- Family blanket fort
- Watching the rain together
These become core memories so whip out your camera! Maybe you will get some frame-worthy pictures on your indoors day with your baby.
Rainy-Day Safety Tips
- Avoid small objects or anything a baby can put fully in their mouth.
- Always supervise sensory bins or water play.
- Keep floors dry to prevent slips if baby is crawling or cruising.
- Avoid weighted blankets or heavy items in forts.
Rainy days don’t have to feel long or stressful. These moments (even the messy ones) become part of the sweetest memories of early parenthood. I hope you found something here that works perfect for you and your little one.
What activity did you try? Feel free to comment and share with us moms.
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