Wet weather doesn’t have to mean staying home- Check out these free places to take kids on rainy days!
We’ve all been there- waking up to rain coming down in buckets or drizzling just enough to be a total nuisance. Those are the days that make you want to grab another cup of coffee and climb back in bed! But, duty calls and the kids are counting on you to turn their boredom into excitement, no matter what the weather is like.
Finding fun things to do on rainy days can be a challenge for both kids and adults. As parents, we have to come up with creative ways to entertain and amuse the little ones or risk going stir-crazy!
Avoid spending yet another wet afternoon stuck in the house and head out on an adventure that won’t even cost you the price of admission. Try these free and fun places to take kids on rainy days:
Pet Store
The pet store is always exciting for young kids. From saying hi to the cats and dogs up for adoption to watching the fish swim around their tanks to listening to parakeets put on a show, pet shops are full of fun. Whether you’re a pet owner or not, your kids will definitely get a kick out of getting up close and personal with all kinds of animals. It can also be a fun learning experience, too.
Bowling
Take the kids to the bowling alley for an afternoon of fun and games. You may be thinking, wait a minute- this one isn’t free! Well, there’s an amazing program that allows kids to bowl free every day in the summer at participating bowling alleys. Check out KidsBowlFree.com to find a participating bowling alley in your area and sign your children up for the summer.
Read: Creative Ways to Entertain Kids Indoors
Lego Store
One of my kids’ favorite things to do on rainy days is building Lego sets. You probably have lots of Legos at home too, but instead of having them litter your floors, take the kiddos to the Lego store to build. Not only do they have tables set up for kids to play, but many Lego stores also host special events throughout the year. Find out where your closest Lego store is here.
Local Fire Station
Stop by your local firehouse to let the kids have a closer look at the trucks. Staff will usually be happy to talk to kids about the importance of fire safety and explain the features and functions of all the important equipment. As an extra awesome gesture, consider bringing a little something sweet for the firehouse crew, like cookies, as a thank-you for all of their hard work! (You may want to give the fire station a call before heading over to make sure it’s a good time to visit).
Hardware Store
When it comes to cool places to take the kids, you may not think of the hardware store. However, it can be an interesting and exciting stop for curious kids! From tractors to power tools to hardware of all shapes and sizes, there’s a lot to explore. Kids who love to build, take things apart and put them back together again and figure out how things work will be especially intrigued. The hardware store is a fun learning opportunity for kids of all ages, and wandering around the store is totally free!
Library
A popular place to bring kids no matter the weather, the library is always entertaining! Spend hours reading books, playing, or even checking out a free program for kids. Look up your local libraries to see what they offer. The library is a truly great place to go when you need to get the kids out of the house, especially on rainy days.
Ikea
Enjoy window shopping? Head over to Ikea to wander around the showrooms. Let the kids try out the sofas and have a little fun in the kid’s department. You can also drop the little ones off at Ikea’s Smaland where they’ll be able to play under the watchful eye of a supervisor while you browse. Win-win for everyone!
Greenhouse
Just because it’s wet outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beauty of nature! Head to a local greenhouse to explore seasonal plants and enjoy a little warmth and humidity, too.
Museums
Many museums offer free admission days or hold special events geared towards kids and families. Look for museums in your area and sign up for their mailing list to receive information on upcoming events.
Creek or Walking Trail
Put on your raincoats and boots, grab the umbrellas, and head outside! Few activities bring kids as much joy as splashing in puddles, so why not look at a rainy day as an opportunity to get a little dirty? Take the kids to a nearby creek or walking trail to explore the outdoors when it’s wet.
Other almost free places to take kids on rainy days:
Restaurants/Mall Indoor Play Areas
Grab lunch and keep the kids active at a fast food restaurant or mall with an indoor play place.
Dollar Store
Bust out your wallet, cough up a couple of bucks, and let the kids pick out whatever they want! They’ll be thrilled and it won’t cost you more than a few dollars.
Michael’s Crafts
Michael’s Crafts hosts a kids crafting club every Saturday from 10 am to noon. Check here to find the details for your local store.
Home Depot Kid’s Workshops
Stop by your local Home Depot to check out cool kid’s workshops for a small fee.
Don’t let wet weather keep you indoors. Head out for an afternoon of fun to any of these free places to take kids on rainy days.