What to Do on a Rainy Day with a 10 Year Old?

It’s pouring outside. Again. Your 10-year-old is pacing around the house like a caged tiger, already bored 15 minutes into their weekend. You’ve said no to more screen time again, and now they’re complaining that there’s “nothing fun to do.”

Sound familiar?

Rainy days with kids can be a real test of creativity and patience, especially when they’re at that in-between age of 10. They’re too old for some of the toddler games, but not quite ready to entertain themselves entirely like a teenager. And let’s face it: rainy days can be exhausting when you're juggling work-from-home tasks, laundry, and a kitchen full of snack requests.

But don’t worry. You're not alone and you don’t have to dread the sound of raindrops on the window. Let’s talk about practical, creative, and sanity-saving ways to keep your 10-year-old engaged, curious, and maybe even learning a thing or two while staying dry inside.

Why Rainy Days Are Harder Than They Look

Most 10-year-olds thrive on movement, stimulation, and social connection. When stuck indoors, they miss out on running around with friends, exploring nature, or burning off energy. According to a 2023 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids aged 6–12 need at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day to support healthy development, something that often takes a hit during bad weather.

Additionally, in a study by the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, researchers found that boredom in school-aged children can lead to irritability, restlessness, and reduced cognitive engagement. In other words: boredom isn’t just annoying, it’s developmentally disruptive.

So how do we avoid the rainy-day slump?

1. Build Something Amazing

If your child loves hands-on challenges, a rainy day is the perfect time to dive into a building project. This isn’t just busywork, it’s brainwork.

STEM-focused kits like those from Sillbird, which are designed for kids who love to tinker, explore, and create. Whether it’s constructing a remote-controlled robot, designing a solar-powered car, or figuring out how gears and motors work together, these toys offer both entertainment and education.

For example, ecoEbot encourage problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity, all wrapped in a super fun package. You build it, you wire it, you control it. And while your child is immersed in figuring out how to get that robot to turn left or pick up an object, you’re watching real learning happen.

And if you're wondering whether toys like these actually help kids academically, research says yes. A 2020 study published in Science Education International found that STEM-based play significantly improves critical thinking and scientific reasoning in children aged 8–12. So while your child sees a cool robot, you're seeing the foundations of future learning—win-win.

2. Create a “Rainy Day Adventure Jar”

This one takes five minutes to set up and saves hours of "I'm boooored" later.

Grab a jar (or a bowl), some paper, and invite your 10-year-old to help you brainstorm a bunch of activities to fold up and toss in. When the rain hits, let them pick an activity at random.

Some ideas to include:

• Invent a new board game using only socks and coins

• Make a stop-motion animation using LEGO or toys

• Write a mystery story that ends in a cliffhanger

• Turn the living room into a mini escape room

The beauty of this is that it gives kids agency and surprise, two things 10-year-olds crave. Even better? You can prep it in advance when the weather forecast looks gloomy.

3. Turn the Kitchen Into a Lab

Forget just baking cookies. Bring science into your kitchen with simple, safe experiments that will blow your child’s mind, and maybe even yours. 

Try:

• DIY slime with household ingredients

• Elephant toothpaste (safety goggles recommended!)

• Making invisible ink with lemon juice

• Exploring density with the famous rainbow in a jar experiment

Not only are these fun and messy (in the best way), but they also sneak in science skills like observation, hypothesis testing, and cause-and-effect understanding. According to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), hands-on science “encourages inquiry, resilience, and engagement”—exactly what you want on a rainy afternoon.

4. Cozy Reading Challenge (With a Twist)

Most parents wish their 10-year-old would read more. But just handing them a book doesn’t always work. So here’s the twist: make it a challenge.

Set up a cozy corner with pillows, blankets, and warm drinks. Create a “reading bingo” card where each square has a fun task:

• Read a book with a dragon in it

• Read under a blanket fort

• Read aloud to a stuffed animal

• Read upside down

Each completed task earns a small reward, a sticker, a piece of gum, 10 minutes of YouTube time, or just bragging rights.

Research by Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report shows that children who associate reading with fun are more likely to become lifelong readers. Turning reading into a game removes the pressure and brings back the joy.

5. Learn a New Skill Together

Rainy days can be a great opportunity to slow down and try something totally new, ideally something you can do side-by-side. Think less “homework” and more “cool life skill.”

Here are a few ideas:

• Learn basic sign language using online videos

• Practice origami and make a paper zoo

• Start a simple coding project using free platforms like Scratch

• Try a magic trick and learn how to perform it

Doing it together also strengthens your bond. A 2021 report from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child emphasizes that “children build resilience when they have at least one stable and responsive relationship with an adult.” Your time, especially in shared learning, is worth more than any screen or gadget.

6. Start a Time Capsule

This one is great for introspective or creative kids. Grab a shoebox or an empty jar and fill it with:

• A handwritten letter to their future self

• A list of their favorite things right now

• A drawing or photo

• A small toy or trinket

• Something silly that made them laugh recently

Seal it with a note that says, “Do not open until [insert date, maybe their 13th birthday].” You’ll be surprised how meaningful this becomes over time.

It also helps children process their emotions and memories, skills that contribute to emotional intelligence and self-reflection, both crucial developmental areas for tweens.

7. The Great Living Room Olympics

Need to burn some energy indoors? It’s time for the Rainy Day Games. Set up obstacle courses using couch cushions, broomsticks, laundry baskets, whatever you’ve got.

Challenge them with:

• Crab walks across the room

• Paper plate ice skating

• Sock toss into a bucket

• Timed balloon keep-up contests

Keep a score chart. Offer a goofy medal (foil-wrapped cardboard works great). Take silly photos. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s laughter and movement.

And yes, physical play is brain food too. The CDC states that physical activity “can improve concentration and memory, enhance mood, and reduce anxiety”all things we want for our kids on long rainy days.