Rainy days can be lovely.
For approximately 14 minutes.
Then someone is bored, someone else is hungry despite having just eaten, and the house has somehow become far too small.
Time to make something.
The best rainy-day crafts don't require a complicated shopping list or an adult hovering over every step. They're the ones that give kids enough of an idea to get started — and enough freedom to take it somewhere completely unexpected.
Here are a few to keep up your sleeve.
1. Make a beaded bag charm
Give kids a pile of colourful beads and you'll quickly discover just how seriously they can take arranging tiny objects.
A DIY beaded bag charm is simple enough for beginners and gives them something they can actually use when they're finished.
Choose a colour theme, add letter beads, mix in cute shapes or deliberately make the most chaotic charm possible.
Clip the finished creation onto a backpack, keys or pencil case — or make another for a friend.
2. Create a cardboard mini world
Never underestimate the humble cardboard box.
Add paper, markers, tape and whatever else you have lying around and turn it into a miniature world.
A tiny shop.
A house for a toy.
A zoo.
A secret hideout.
An inexplicably elaborate home for a rock named Steven.
The less direction you give this one, the better.
3. Make friendship bracelets
A classic for a reason.
Use embroidery thread, elastic or beads to create bracelets for friends and family.
Older kids can experiment with patterns and lettering, while younger makers can simply choose colours and thread larger beads.
Try making pairs — one to keep and one to give away.
4. Decorate a boring thing
This is an excellent category of craft because you probably already have everything you need.
Find something ordinary:
A notebook.
A pencil case.
A little storage box.
A photo frame.
A plant pot.
Then make it considerably less ordinary.
Use paint, stickers, beads, ribbons, paper, markers or anything else in the craft cupboard.
5. Invent a creature
Paper. Pens. Googly eyes if you're feeling fancy.
Now invent an animal that doesn't exist.
How many legs does it have? Where does it live? What does it eat? Does it have a name? Is it friendly? Can it fly? Why does it have seventeen eyeballs?
This can easily turn into drawing, storytelling, modelling with clay or building the creature from recycled materials.
One tiny prompt; a surprisingly big activity.
6. Make something for someone else
Give the rainy-day craft a purpose by asking kids to make something for another person.
A card for Grandma.
A charm for their best friend.
A drawing for their teacher.
A bracelet for their sibling.
A tiny surprise for someone who needs cheering up.
Choosing colours and details for another person adds a whole extra layer to the making process.
7. Have a mystery craft challenge
Put a random assortment of craft supplies into a bag or box.
Each child chooses five things without looking.
Those are their supplies.
Now make something.
This works especially well when the contents are slightly ridiculous. A pom-pom, three beads, a piece of ribbon, a paddle-pop stick and one googly eye?
Excellent.
Good luck.
8. Create your own keychain or backpack accessory
Let kids design something that represents them.
Use their initials, favourite colours, hobbies, animals or completely random things they happen to love right now.
A personalised beaded keychain or bag charm is an easy place to start because there doesn't need to be a prescribed pattern.
Just choose, thread, create.
Rainy days are good for imaginations.
We spend a lot of time trying to keep kids entertained.
But sometimes all they really need is some interesting things and permission to play with them.
Put the supplies on the table.
Let them make a mess.
Let the colours clash.
Let them change their minds.
Let whatever they're making turn into something completely different halfway through.
That's where the good stuff happens.
Bubbl Beads is all about colourful, hands-on creativity for kids big and small — little projects designed to be made your way.
Rain optional.
Find your Bubbl.