Easy DIY Sensory Play Ideas for Rainy Days

Rainy days can be magical—puddles on the windows, the soothing sound of raindrops, and a perfect excuse to stay in your pyjamas a little longer. But for parents of little ones aged 1 to 5, rainy days can also mean boredom, wiggles, and what-on-earth-do-I-do-now?!

Enter: Sensory play—a wonderful, hands-on way for toddlers and preschoolers to explore the world through touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste! And the best part? You don’t need fancy materials or a Pinterest-worthy setup. Just a few household items, a bit of imagination, and your child is off on an exciting, brain-boosting adventure—without even leaving the living room.

So grab a towel (things might get a little messy!), and let’s dive into some easy DIY sensory play ideas for rainy days.

☁️ 1. Cloud Dough: Soft, Squishy, and Satisfying

Cloud dough is like a magical blend between flour and playdough. It’s silky soft, easy to mould, and only takes two ingredients!

What you need:

• 2 cups plain flour

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or baby oil

Optional add-ins: Food colouring, cinnamon, lavender, or even glitter for a sparkly twist.

How to play:
Mix the flour and oil until it forms a crumbly dough. Your little one can squish, scoop, mould, and shape it with cookie cutters, plastic animals, or their hands.

Why it’s great: Builds fine motor skills, encourages imaginative play, and feels soooo nice!

🌈 2. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

Bright, cheerful, and endlessly fun, rainbow rice is a sensory favourite that’s surprisingly easy to make.

What you need:

• Uncooked rice (about 6 cups)

• Vinegar or hand sanitiser (for drying)

• Food colouring

• Ziplock bags

• A tray or large bin

How to play:
Divide rice into separate bags, add a few drops of food colouring and a teaspoon of vinegar or hand sanitiser. Seal and shake! Let it dry on baking paper, then mix your colours in a bin.

Add scoops, cups, toy animals, or spoons for your child to dig and pour.

Why it’s great: Enhances colour recognition, develops scooping/pouring coordination, and provides calming tactile input.

❄️ 3. Frozen Treasure Hunt

Perfect for curious little explorers who love a mystery!

What you need:

• Small toys (plastic animals, LEGO, buttons, etc.)

• Ice cube trays or a plastic container

• Water

• Salt and droppers/spoons

How to play:
Place the toys in a container, fill with water, and freeze overnight. The next day, give your child salt, warm water in a bowl, droppers, or small spoons and let them “rescue” the toys from the ice.

Why it’s great: Encourages problem-solving, introduces basic science (melting and freezing), and builds fine motor strength.

🍝 4. Spaghetti Sensory Worms

It’s wiggly. It’s jiggly. It’s spaghetti fun!

What you need:

• Cooked spaghetti (cooled and lightly oiled)

• Food colouring (optional)

• A large tray or bowl

How to play:
Dye the spaghetti in different colours if you like, then toss it into a bin or tray. Kids can explore the slimy texture, cut it with kid-safe scissors, sort colours, or even make "spaghetti art."

Why it’s great: Stimulates tactile exploration and helps picky eaters become more comfortable with different textures.

🧼 5. Soapy Animal Wash

Rainy days = bath day for toys!

What you need:

• Plastic animals or toy cars

• Two containers: one for soapy water, one for rinsing

• Sponges, toothbrushes, or cloths

How to play:
Let your child give their “pets” or cars a wash. Use warm, soapy water and rinse when they’re squeaky clean. Add bubbles for extra fun!

Why it’s great: Teaches self-care routines, improves grip strength, and gives those toys a good clean too!

🧁 6. Edible Sensory Play: Yogurt Painting

For your tiny Picassos who still like to taste-test everything!

What you need:

• Plain or vanilla yogurt

• Food colouring

• Muffin tin or small bowls

• Paintbrushes or fingers

How to play:
Mix small amounts of yogurt with food colouring and let your little one paint on a tray, plate, or even baking paper.

Why it’s great: Safe for younger toddlers, promotes creativity, and introduces the concept of colour blending.

🧂 7. Shaker Bottles and Rainmakers

Let’s bring the sound of the rain inside—without the wet clothes.

What you need:

• Empty plastic bottles

• Dry items like rice, lentils, pasta, or beads

• Glitter, buttons, or sequins (optional)

• Duct tape (to seal)

How to play:
Let your child help fill bottles with different items. Seal them tight and shake! Listen to the different sounds. You can even make a “rainmaker” with a cardboard tube and rice.

Why it’s great: Builds auditory awareness, fine motor skills, and cause-and-effect understanding.

🎨 8. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting

Pop! Splash! Squish! This one’s a riot (and best done with an old shower curtain underneath!).

What you need:

• Bubble wrap

• Tape

• Washable paint

• Paper (butcher’s paper or cardboard works best)

How to play:
Tape bubble wrap to your child's feet and pour a few blobs of paint onto paper. Let them stomp, jump, and dance their way to colourful, textured art.

Why it’s great: Supports gross motor development and provides sensory feedback in a super fun way.

🌟 Tips for Sensory Play Success

• Supervise closely, especially with small objects or messy materials.

• Lay down a plastic sheet or towel to catch the chaos.

• Keep wipes or a damp cloth nearby for quick clean-ups.

• Follow your child’s lead—some might want to dive in, others might need gentle encouragement.

• If your child doesn’t like messy play at first, try dry materials like rice, pom-poms, or cereal to build comfort.

🌧️ Embrace the Rainy Day Magic

Sensory play isn’t just “keeping them busy”—it’s sparking joy, curiosity, and learning all at once. These easy DIY ideas are fun, affordable, and designed to suit any little explorer from age 1 to 5.

So next time the skies are grey and the puddles are calling, you’ll have a treasure trove of sensory adventures waiting indoors. All it takes is a few ingredients, a sprinkle of creativity, and your child’s natural wonder.

Let the giggles, squishes, and discoveries begin—rain or shine!