Here Are Some Rainy Day Projects Kids Can Gift to the People They Love

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Rainy days have a way of trapping the energy indoors. Sometimes that’s good news; kids get bored fast, but boredom often leads to good stuff. When it’s gray outside, a little structure goes a long way, especially if there’s a point to it. Making something with their hands, something they can actually give to someone.

That lands differently, especially when it’s a mess they’re proud of.

Clay Keepsakes That Lock in a Moment

You don't need fancy molds. Grab some air-dry clay, flatten it out, and let little fingers (or toes) press down. It’s simple, yes, but wildly sentimental — especially if a grandparent lives out of town or hasn’t seen the kid in a while. You can press in names, or the date, or a heart, and then just let it dry. These handprint clay pieces kids can craft end up as fridge art, shelf art, or drawer treasures nobody throws away.

Turn Their Words Into Art (Literally)

Here’s the part where you hand them the keyboard. A kid types something — “a unicorn made of waffles flying over Paris at night” — and the screen paints it for them. AI art tools like this one let them build digital prints that look like watercolor or oil paintings, and they can change the lighting, colors, and even the vibe. It’s instant, it’s wildly fun, and best of all? They can frame it and gift it with total confidence because with an AI painting generator, the idea is theirs, just boosted with a little help from technology.

Paint Something That Hangs or Marks a Page

Get a $2 frame from the craft bin or Dollar Store. Let the kid go wild on it with stamps or neon markers. Add a drawing inside — or better, a tiny note to a cousin or aunt. If your kid’s old enough to fold cardstock, making bookmarks is a winner, too. These painted picture frames and colorful cardboard bookmarks hold up in the mail and feel just as personal as any store-bought thing.

Puzzles and Mobiles Made from Their Weird Ideas

This one’s about letting the chaos in. Kids can draw a weird picture, cut it into puzzle pieces, and challenge a sibling to solve it. Or maybe they build a rainy-day mobile — clouds, droplets, string — and hang it in the kitchen window. Add a story behind it (“this is a thunder cloud that eats socks”) and it turns into a conversation. Try these fun rainy day puzzles and weather mobile ideas if you're out of concepts.

Add Some Science, Then Give It Away

You’ve got crafty kids, and you’ve got science kids. The magic happens when those overlap. There are projects — like bath bombs or light-up greeting cards — where they mix colors, measure reactions, and end up with something beautiful. Not just fun to make — these rainy day crafts that spark science play are fun to wrap up and give away, too.

Art That’s Wet, Wild, and Flat Enough to Ship

Think rainy-themed cards, or watercolor boats with tiny glued-on flags. Tape the edges, hand them a straw or dropper, and let the paint run wild. It’s a little messy, but dries quick — and feels way more handmade than it looks. You can mail one of these with a little note and still make someone’s day. Here are some easy sailboats and rain painting projects that don’t require a single screen.

Holiday Vibes, Even in July

Some kids love the idea of planning ahead — birthdays, winter holidays, anything. Break out the paper scraps and ribbon and have them make a “coupon book” (think: free hug, 1 clean room, joke on command). Or help them layer cocoa mix into a jar with a cute tag. These indoor craft ideas for giving handmade gifts might sound like December projects, but they work in July just as well — and they stash easy in a closet until it’s time.

The best part of giving isn’t the ribbon or the “wow” — it’s the making. These projects let kids stay busy, yes. But they also give them ownership, the good kind. They can look at a gift and think, “I did that,” and someone else will look at it and smile. That’s a lot more than just filling a rainy day.

A note from the Creative Kids Virtual Preschool

A huge thank you to Charlene Roth for contributing this wonderful article to our Creative Kids Virtual Preschool community! As a dedicated stay-at-home mother of four, Charlene is deeply committed to prioritizing children’s health and happiness through proactive safety. This mission led her to found Safety Kid, an invaluable resource for parents.

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