15 Rain Crafts for Kids in Preschool

Rainy days with little kids can feel extra long. You want something calming, hands-on, and not a total glitter explosion. These projects are simple to prep, quick to clean, and look way fancier than they are.

Each idea builds fine-motor skills and invites quiet play, while still giving kids that “I made this!” pride.

Pick one, set it up in five minutes, and let the soft, rainy-day magic begin.

1. Drippy Raindrop Suncatcher

A glowing window craft that looks like stained glass but is totally kid-proof. The layered blues and clear “raindrops” catch light and turn a gray day sparkly.

Materials Needed:

1. Clear contact paper
2. Tissue paper (blues/whites)
3. Sequins or foil confetti

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a large raindrop shape from clear contact paper; peel the backing.
2. 2. Stick tissue paper bits onto the sticky side, overlapping colors.
3. 3. Sprinkle a few sequins for sparkle “drops.”
4. 4. Seal with another layer of contact paper and press onto a window.

2. Cloud Puff Painting

Dreamy, textured clouds that kids can squish and swirl. The puffy paint dries raised, making the clouds look real and touchable.

Materials Needed:

1. Shaving cream
2. White school glue
3. Blue construction paper

How to make it:

1. 1. Mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue to make puffy paint.
2. 2. Spoon blobs onto blue paper.
3. 3. Swirl with fingers or a craft stick to form chunky clouds.
4. 4. Let dry; the clouds stay puffy and soft-looking.

3. Rainbow Drip City

A silhouette city with watercolor rains that streak like neon. The black skyline makes the colors pop, and kids love watching the paint drip.

Materials Needed:

1. Watercolor paints
2. Thick white paper
3. Black construction paper

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut simple building shapes from black paper and glue along the bottom of the white paper.
2. 2. Paint bright watercolor lines at the top edge.
3. 3. Lift the paper and spray or drip water so colors run down like rain.
4. 4. Lay flat to dry for a glossy, rainy skyline.

4. Raindrop Bead Window Hanger

Shimmering “raindrops” that twinkle in the light. This easy beading project looks like a fancy window charm but uses simple materials.

Materials Needed:

1. Clear pony beads
2. String or fishing line
3. Craft stick

How to make it:

1. 1. Tie several lengths of string to a craft stick.
2. 2. Thread clear beads onto each string to make raindrop strands.
3. 3. Knot the ends to keep beads from sliding off.
4. 4. Hang the stick across a window with tape or a loop of string.

5. Paper Plate Umbrella Parade

Cute, curved umbrellas that line up like a little parade. Kids decorate each one differently for a colorful wall display.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plates
2. Markers or paint
3. Pipe cleaners

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut a paper plate in half to make the umbrella top.
2. 2. Decorate with dots, stripes, or stickers.
3. 3. Poke a small hole and add a pipe cleaner handle, bent into a “J.”
4. 4. Tape to a wall in a row to make an umbrella parade.

6. Rain Stick Shaker Tube

A gentle rain sound maker that’s calm and mesmerizing. The slow trickle of rice through twisty paper makes a soothing shaker.

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard tube (paper towel)
2. Dry rice
3. Aluminum foil

How to make it:

1. 1. Crumple and twist a long strip of foil into a spiral and slide it inside the tube.
2. 2. Add a handful of rice.
3. 3. Seal both ends with foil and tape.
4. 4. Decorate the outside with markers or washi tape and tilt to hear the “rain.”

7. Splatter Storm Art

Bold, energetic “storm” paintings made with safe splatters. The soft grays and surprise lightning streaks feel dramatic but are easy to control.

Materials Needed:

1. Washable tempera paint
2. Large white paper
3. Toothbrush or paintbrush

How to make it:

1. 1. Thin gray and blue paint with a bit of water.
2. 2. Dip a toothbrush and flick bristles toward the paper for soft rain speckles.
3. 3. Add a few thicker brush swipes for wind and clouds.
4. 4. Finish with a quick yellow zigzag “lightning” stroke.

8. Bubble Wrap Rain Prints

Bumpy, dotty rain textures that stamp perfectly every time. Kids love pressing and peeling to reveal hundreds of “raindrops.”

Materials Needed:

1. Bubble wrap
2. Blue paint
3. White paper

How to make it:

1. 1. Paint the bumpy side of bubble wrap with blue paint.
2. 2. Flip onto white paper and press gently all over.
3. 3. Peel to reveal dotty raindrop prints.
4. 4. Repeat with different blues for layered rain.

9. Coffee Filter Rainbows

Soft, blended rainbows that bloom as they dry. The colors spread like magic and feel calm to watch.

Materials Needed:

1. Coffee filters
2. Washable markers
3. Spray bottle with water

How to make it:

1. 1. Flatten a coffee filter and color arcs with markers.
2. 2. Lightly mist with water to blend the colors.
3. 3. Let dry flat so the rainbow sets.
4. 4. Tape to a window or string into a garland.

10. Puddle Jump Footprint Art

Playful footprints that look like tiny puddle splashes. Kids love seeing their shoe prints turn into art.

Materials Needed:

1. Washable blue paint
2. Large paper roll
3. Baby wipes or damp cloth

How to make it:

1. 1. Roll out a long sheet of paper on the floor.
2. 2. Brush or sponge blue paint onto the bottoms of clean shoes or bare feet.
3. 3. Step across the paper to make “puddle” prints.
4. 4. Wipe feet and add marker ripples when dry.

11. Raindrop Counting Chain

A hanging number chain that turns math into art. Each dangling drop is a chance to count, compare, and admire.

Materials Needed:

1. Blue cardstock
2. Marker
3. Yarn

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut out several raindrop shapes from cardstock.
2. 2. Number them 1–10 (or more) with a marker.
3. 3. Punch a hole at the top of each and string onto yarn in order.
4. 4. Hang the chain in a doorway for a rainy-day counting helper.

12. Weather Wheel Spinner

A simple spinner kids can turn to “today’s weather.” The bright icons help little ones talk about rain, clouds, and sun.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plate
2. Split pin (brad)
3. Crayons

How to make it:

1. 1. Divide a paper plate into sections with a marker.
2. 2. Draw simple icons: sun, cloud, rain, thunder, rainbow.
3. 3. Cut a small arrow from scrap paper and poke both pieces with a brad in the center.
4. 4. Color and spin to set today’s forecast.

13. Soft Felt Raindrop Garland

Cozy, cushy drops that look boutique-level cute. The simple stitching or gluing makes it preschool-friendly and decorative.

Materials Needed:

1. Felt sheets (blues/white)
2. Yarn or string
3. School glue

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut multiple raindrop shapes from felt.
2. 2. Fold the top edge slightly and glue a small loop for hanging, or glue directly onto a string.
3. 3. Space drops along the string evenly.
4. 4. Hang across a window or bookshelf.

14. Silver Lining Cloud Collage

A shiny-cloud collage that feels artsy and calm. The mixed whites and silvers give a luxe look with very little effort.

Materials Needed:

1. Cotton balls
2. Aluminum foil
3. Blue cardstock

How to make it:

1. 1. Tear foil into soft cloud shapes and glue to blue cardstock.
2. 2. Pull cotton balls gently to fluff and glue around the foil for texture.
3. 3. Add small foil strips as “silver linings.”
4. 4. Press flat and let dry.

15. Umbrella Buddy Stick Puppets

Friendly little umbrella characters for rainy-day stories. The faces and patterns make them irresistible for pretend play.

Materials Needed:

1. Colored paper
2. Craft sticks
3. Stickers

How to make it:

1. 1. Cut semi-circles for umbrella tops and small circles for faces.
2. 2. Decorate with stickers and draw smiles.
3. 3. Glue the face under the umbrella and attach a craft stick handle.
4. 4. Put on a mini “rainy day” puppet show.