Rainy days need a plan, not a pile of toys. Coloring works because it scales from calm solo time to group activities without turning your house into a craft explosion.
Use these ideas with digital coloring, printables, or both.
Pick two themes before you start
Most rainy day fights are decision fights. Theme-first choices reduce the arguing.
Pick two themes and stick to them for the day:
Kids can still choose, but they are choosing inside a smaller box.
Set the room up for success
Before you start, do two things:
- protect one surface (table or desk)
- choose one bin for supplies and keep it there
If you are printing, add one more:
- print a small stack (6 to 12 pages) so you are not printing mid-meltdown
If you want a no-mess start, open a page and color online first:
Use time boxes so the day does not blur
Rainy days go better with predictable blocks. You do not need a full schedule; you need three anchors.
Try this simple rhythm:
- Block 1 (10 to 20 minutes): coloring + one activity from the list below
- Block 2 (5 minutes): movement reset (stretch, hallway walk, tidy)
- Block 3 (10 to 20 minutes): second coloring round
If you repeat the same rhythm twice, you get a full morning without constant improvising.
Activity 1: the three-color challenge
Pick any page and limit the palette to three colors.
Why it works:
- fewer choices
- faster start
- better focus
Good themes for this:
Make it easier for younger kids:
- pick the three colors for them
- start by coloring one big shape together
Make it more interesting for older kids:
- the three colors must include one "wild" color
- one color is background only
Activity 2: make a story page
After the page is colored, ask two questions:
- Who is the character?
- What happened right before this scene?
Then write one sentence together and put it on the fridge.
If you want the story prompt to be faster, use this fill-in:
"Today, ___ went to ___ and found ___."
This works well with:
Activity 3: color the same page in two moods
Print two copies or save and restart digitally.
Try:
- sunny vs. night
- summer vs. winter
- calm vs. wild
Holidays and fantasy themes make this fun:
Add a clear rule so kids do not debate forever:
- first version is "normal"
- second version is "silly"
Silly rules are helpful:
- purple grass
- rainbow dinosaur
- nighttime snow scene
Activity 4: sibling swap
Each kid colors one part, then swaps.
Rules that prevent fights:
- no crossing out
- no "fixing" someone else's choice
- each kid signs their section
If siblings are different ages, assign roles:
- younger kid colors big areas
- older kid colors details
That reduces frustration for both kids.
Activity 5: background builder
Pick a page with a clear main subject.
Goal: make the background the star.
Ideas:
- gradient sky
- patterned ground (dots, stripes, zigzags)
- one color family (all blues, all greens)
If your kid gets stuck, give one constraint:
- "Only circles."
- "Only stripes."
- "Only warm colors."
Activity 6: gallery walk
When pages are done, tape them on a wall in a simple line.
Then do a quick walk-through:
- each kid points to one detail they like
- each kid picks one page that makes them smile
You end up with a clean finish and a kid who feels seen.
If you want less talking, use a silent version:
- each kid places a sticker or a small mark next to their favorite detail
- no comments needed
Activity 7: the "pick fast" button
If browsing turns into a debate, remove the choice.
Set a timer and start.
If your kid asks for a reroll, allow one. Then start the timer.
End with an easy win
Rainy days go better when the last activity ends smoothly.
Try this closer:
- save or collect finished pages
- pick tomorrow's first page
- put supplies back in one bin
If you want one place to start, choose a category and let kids pick:
If you want a calm digital session with a clear stop, use this routine:
If the day is getting loud, switch to a calm block
Rainy days sometimes ramp up even with a plan. When you feel the energy rising, switch the goal from "fun" to "calm."
- pick a simpler page
- use a three-color limit
- set a shorter timer (6 minutes)