When the weather doesn't allow for outside play, it can be a challenge to keep students entertained. Or maybe you're a teacher looking for a change from the usual school day routine. Either way, give one of these fun rainy day classroom activities ideas a try!
1. Poetry Cafe
Wrapping up a poetry unit, or want to celebrate National Poetry Month? Host a poetry cafe in your classroom! *snap snap snap* Allow students to sip on their favorite beverage while their classmates share original poems with each other, or share one of our favorite poetry read alouds together.
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2. Classroom Talent Show
Your class is filled with fantastic students, each with their own special talents and gifts. Let them show off their skills to the class by hosting a classroom talent show!
3. Teach the Teacher
Turn the tables, and allow the students to become the teacher! Each student will pick a subject on which they feel they are an expert (building a Minecraft world, playing Happy Birthday on the keyboard, showing how to take care of a goldfish – really, anything goes!). The students must prepare a lesson plan and a five-minute presentation on their topic of expertise, and teach the class! This is great for practicing oral presentation skills, building confidence, and sharing individual interests with peers.
4. Make your own board game/Board Game Day
Did you know that students who play board games regularly have stronger math, problem-solving, and communication skills than those who don't? We should all be playing board games regularly!
For this activity, have students design and make their own board game:
- First, have a board game day in the classroom, where students can take turns playing board games (from your classroom collection or they can bring in their favorites from home).
- Study the different types of board games, and think about what a fun board game needs (game pieces, cards, dice, spinners, etc.).
- Then students will design their own games. When the project is complete, have another board game day when they can teach their game to the class and take turns playing together.
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5. STEM Arcade Day
Have you heard the story of Caine's Arcade? A boy used his imagination and building skills to make an arcade – entirely out of cardboard! Watch the inspirational video with the class, then have each student create their own cardboard arcade game. When all the games are complete, let the students have a “fun pass” by trying out each other's games!
6. Book Character Parade
This event can be done around Halloween, Read Across America Day, or any time of the year! Students will dress up as a beloved book character for the day, and parade around the school. Encourage students to bring in the character's book. This can also be a great exercise and review about character traits! Each student can write a small list or give a presentation about their favorite character and why they chose to dress like them.
7. Dance Party
Get grooving with dance party day! Make a playlist of students' favorite songs and listen throughout the day. Play a setlist of favorite Go Noodle Dances. Learn how to do a group dance (think Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, etc.). Do you have a parent or community member who teaches dance? Invite them into the class to give a lesson. You can even hang up a disco ball or dance lighting to set the mood for the day!
8. Field Day
Take the fun outside with Field Day! Students can participate in classic relay games (potato sack, three-legged race, balance the egg on a spoon, water balloon toss, etc.), obstacle courses, and team games like kickball. Invite parents to help out and have a ball! Students will benefit from physical activity while practicing teamwork and fair play!
9. Weather Report Day
Today's weather forecast is sunny with a chance of fun! Have each student research a different area in the United States, and some of the extreme weather that can be found there (think hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, blizzard, and extreme heat). Have students dress to impress, then give a live weather report to the class! For added fun, use a green screen and record students' reports. Then they can add special effects videos! For tips on how to use a green screen, check out this video.
10. Fort Day
This simple class reward is always a big hit! Have students bring supplies from home (sheets, pillow, etc.) and allow them to create their own desk fort for the day!
11. Pajama Day
Dream big with pajama day! Students will dress in their pajamas. For extra fun, they can even bring in a stuffed friend.
12. Book Tasting
Lay out books on each table/desk grouping. Students take turns reading books and filling out their book tasting menu.
Do you have any ideas for rainy day classroom activities? Let us know in the comments.
Happy teaching!
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