Rainy Day Rescue: Indoor Activities for Kids That Nannies and Parents Can Count On

Summer storms may cool things down in Nashville, but they can also bring chaos to your carefully planned day-- especially when the kids are stuck inside with enery to burn. Whether you're a parent trying to work from home or a nanny looking to keep kids entertained and engaged, a rainy day doesn't have to mean screen time overload.

Looking for rainy day activities for kids are favorites among our Nashville nanny team-- and they work great for parents, too. At Tried and True - Nannies & Sitters, our nannies are pros at turning stormy afternoons into cozy, creative adventures. Here's a roundup of fun, low-prep indoor activities that are kid-approved and grownup-friendly-- perfect for days when going outside just isn't an option.

Build a Fort (and Let Them Stay in It All Day)

There's something magical about blankets, pillows, and a flashlight. Kids love creating their own space-- and it's a great way to encourage imagination, storytelling, and downtime.

Tip: Turn it into a "reading cave" or "movie fort" with a theme and snacks.

DIY Obstacle Course

Get their bodies moving with a safe, simple obstacle course using furniture, toys, and masking tape. Think hopscotch on tiles, crawl-under-the-chair tunnels, and jumping from pillow to pillow.

Nanny Bonus: Set a timer and encourage them to "beat their score"-- great for burning off energy indoors!

Kitchen Helpers: Simple Snack Crafts

Rainy days are perfect for letting kids help in the kitchen. Choose snacks they can assemble themselves like:

• Fruit kabobs

• DIY trail mix

• Rice cake "pizzas" with nut butter and toppings

It's messy fun with a tasty payoff-- and a great chance to teach basic skills and responsibility.

Rainy Day Scavenger Hunt Activities for Kids

Create a list of items for your child to find around the house. You can theme it by color, shape, or texture, or tie it to a story you read together.

Twist: Include activity prompts like "find something fuzzy, then do 10 jumping jacks!"

Rainy Day Talent Show Activities for Kids

Let your kids sing, dance, tell jokes, or perform a silly skit. Set up a pretend stage with a flashlight spotlight and record it (with parent permission!) for an adorable memory.

Nanny Tip: Turn it into a "Show and Tell" where each child shows a favorite toy or tells a story.

Rainy Day Craft Activities for Kids (No Glitter Needed)

Set up a low-mess craft zone with paper, stickers, scissors, pipe cleaners, and coloring sheets. Pinterest and printables can be your best friend here.

Don't overthink it-- kids love process art more than perfect results.

Story Time + Book Bingo

Break out the books and make it an event. Read aloud in silly voices, act out scenes, or play "book bingo" where they mark off things like:

• A talking animal

• A character who wears red

• Something that rhymes

Reading doesn't have to be quiet-- it can be the highlight of the day!

Rainy days can test your patience-- but with a little creativity (and maybe a little coffee), they can also become some of the most memorable, giggly, imaginitive days of summer. Having a few go-to rainy day activites for kids makes cloudly days less stressful and a lot more fun.

At Tried and True - Nannies & Sitters, we connect families with nannies who bring patience, play, and flexibility-- rain or shine. If you're looking for a professional caregiver who can keep your kids engaged and happy, even when the weather doesn't cooperate, we'd love to help.