On any vacation, whether one by the beach, or in the mountains, or following your favourite team across the country and world, there will be times when you and the family are stuck in a hotel because of weather.
This can be a tricky time for parents with little kids. More than likely, you’ve spent the last few weeks hyping up your kids (whether intentionally or not) about how exciting this holiday will be.
And now they’re stuck in a hotel.
So, while your outdoor plans may be on hold, your life and your kid’s lives continue on regardless.
Which begs the question: how do you keep your kids entertained and engaged during those times when you are stuck inside a hotel.
Well, we’ve got 10 rainy-day activities that are designed to bring the fun indoors. With a little imagination and some resources available at your hotel, you can make the most of a rain day together with your kids.
1. Build a Fort with Blankets and Pillows
What kid doesn’t like playing in a fort they made out of blankets and pillows.
Gather all the pillows, blankets, and cushions you can find in the room. Drape blankets over chairs, beds, or even luggage to create a makeshift tent.
Encourage your kids to help design the fort, whether by suggesting where to put certain pieces or choosing how big to make it.
Once you’ve finished the fort, bring in some cozy elements like stuffed animals, snacks and drinks, and some torches for a funny, dimly-lit hideaway.
Once safely ensconced within the protective walls of the fort, you can read some books to your kids, or let them use their imaginations to turn the fort into whatever they wants. Maybe it’s a secret castle, or a dangerous cave being explored by intrepid adventurers.
You can even have a mini “camping trip” inside by pretending you’re sleeping under the stars.
Building forts fosters your kids creativity and teamwork, with strengthening their imagination and familial bonds. It’s simple, engaging, and the end result provides a cozy spot for more activities throughout the day.
2. Host a Movie Marathon or Watch a New Show
Ok, so watching TV seems like an obvious choice for a rainy day, and possibly, not a particularly inventive one.
So … be inventive with it.
If your hotel room has a TV with streaming services, or if you have a tablet or laptop, you can queue up a selection of family-friendly films. Choose a theme to make it more exciting—maybe it’s a Disney princess day, or you can watch all the films in a specific series like “Toy Story” or “Harry Potter.”
To make the experience feel more like a movie theatre, consider ordering room service or creating your own snack bar. Let the kids “order” popcorn, fruit, or cookies.
You could even let them design movie tickets on the hotel’s notepads or scrap paper, so they feel like they’re going to the movies.
If you want to add an interactive element, pause the movie halfway and ask them to predict what will happen next. After each film, discuss everyone’s favourite part or character. This activity keeps kids entertained for hours and lets you relax as well, all while staying cozy indoors.
3. Hotel Room Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt in your hotel room is a fantastic way to keep your kids entertained while sharpening their problem-solving skills.
You can start by finding and gathering some small items to hide around the room, things like toys, coins, snacks, or any small souvenirs you might have picked up during your travels.
You could even use things like a TV remote or a hairbrush if you’re short on items. Just remember where you put them, particularly the TV remote.
Next, write simple clues on pieces of paper or hotel stationery, directing your kids to find the hidden objects. For example, a clue could be “Look where we rest our heads at night” to send them searching under pillows. We’re not talking The Da Vinci Code level clues, here.
For younger kids, make the clues even easier, such as drawings or verbal directions, and for older kids, you can make them more challenging with riddles or descriptive hints.
To make it even more exciting, create a treasure map or have a “grand prize” at the end, like a special treat or an activity you’ll do later in the day. The hunt engages their minds and adds an element of adventure to being indoors.
4. Craft Time with What’s Available
Even if you didn’t bring a suitcase full of craft supplies, you can still have a fun and creative craft session with your kids.
Have a look around your hotel room. You should be able to see enough materials like hotel stationery, brochures, napkins, and any wrappers or packaging from snacks.
Gather them together and challenge your kids to make something unique, like postcards to send back home, or even small sculptures using paper and tape. You can create simple origami using the brochures or make funny characters by drawing faces on napkins and using string or shoelaces to add hair.
If you have access to a nearby convenience store, you can always pick up some basic supplies like crayons, scissors, or glue, if you want to brave the weather, but part of the fun is getting creative with what’s available.
Kids can make bookmarks, design paper animals, or even try their hand at hotel room fashion, using napkins and pillowcases to create silly outfits for a mini fashion show.
Craft time helps your kids tap into their creativity and gives them a sense of accomplishment when they see what they’ve made from everyday items.
5. Hotel Room Olympics
Turn your hotel room into an Olympic arena by creating a series of fun and simple challenges for your kids. You can start by picking a few “events” that are easy to set up in a small space.
One possible ‘event’ could be a pillowcase sack race; each child steps into a pillowcase and hops from one side of the room to the other.
Another event could be a simple jumping contest; from a spot on the floor, see how long your child can jump, without a run up.
You could even have a “ball toss” event by crumpling up some paper and trying to throw it into the bin from different distances.
If you have more than one child, they can compete for fun prizes, like being the “champion” for the day or getting to pick the next activity.
If you only have one child, have them compete against their own best times or scores. At the end of the competition, you can have a mini awards ceremony with medals made from ribbons or paper. Hotel Room Olympics not only burn off energy but also encourage friendly competition and lots of laughs.
6. Write a Travel Journal or Scrapbook
A rainy day is a great opportunity to slow down and reflect on your vacation, and creating a travel journal or scrapbook is a perfect way to do that with kids. If they’re old enough, encourage them to write down their favourite memories from the trip so far.
They can describe the places they’ve visited, the food they’ve eaten, or any funny moments that happened.
If your kids are younger, they can draw pictures of their experiences instead. You can enhance the journal or scrapbook by adding items you’ve collected during your travels, like ticket stubs, maps, or brochures.
If you didn’t bring a blank notebook, don’t worry—you can use hotel stationery or even just fold some blank paper into a mini booklet. Have the kids decorate the covers with drawings or stickers if you have any.
As the trip progresses, they can keep adding to their journals, which also gives them something to look back on when they get home. It’s a creative, reflective activity that adds an extra layer of meaning to your travels.
7. Play Card Games or Board Games
Something as simple as having a deck of cards can turn a dull rainy day in the hotel into an afternoon of fun. As can packing a travel-size board game.
Card games are simple, portable, and can keep kids entertained for hours. Play classic games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Old Maid with younger kids, or try more challenging ones like Rummy or Solitaire with older children.
If you didn’t pack a deck of cards, you can even make up games using other items—like playing a version of “I Spy” where they describe something in the room and the others have to guess it.
If you have a travel-sized board game, this is the perfect time to break it out. Games like Connect 4, chess, or checkers are easy to play in small spaces.
You could also create your own game by drawing a board on paper and using coins or other small objects as game pieces. Playing games together is a great way to bond, build problem-solving skills, and pass the time on a rainy day.
8. Room Service Adventure
Turn the novelty of room service into a full-blown adventure. First, let the kids explore the room service menu as if they’re planning a meal at a fancy restaurant. Have them help decide what to order for everyone, giving them a sense of control over the experience.
Once the food arrives, make it extra special by creating a restaurant-like atmosphere in the room. Set up a “restaurant table” by clearing a space and laying out the food nicely, using napkins and even folding them into fancy shapes if you want to get creative.
Encourage the kids to “present” the meal as if they’re the waiters, or role-play being guests at a high-end restaurant. If your kids are old enough, you can give them menus and ask them to play the part of a waiter, taking your “order” with a notepad.
The whole process, from ordering to eating, turns into an engaging and memorable experience. Not only does it make a rainy day feel special, but it also helps them learn about dining etiquette and decision-making.
9. Storytelling and Imagination Games
One thing kids have in abundance is imagination. A simple boring room becomes a grand adventure in space or a thrilling caper with pirate-robots with just a little imagination.
And rainy days are a great time to tap into it through storytelling and games. Gather your kids around and start a storytelling session where each person takes turns adding to the story.
You might start with a sentence like, “Once upon a time, there was a brave knight,” and let the kids continue from there. The story can go in any direction, and the sillier it gets, the more fun everyone will have.
Alternatively, play classic imagination games like “I Spy,” where one person describes something in the room without naming it, and the others guess what it is. Another great game is “20 Questions,” where one person thinks of an object, and the others have 20 chances to guess what it is by asking yes or no questions.
These games require no materials and are a perfect way to keep kids’ minds engaged while indoors. They’re also great for fostering creativity, problem-solving, and quick thinking.
10. Dance Party or Exercise Routine
A rainy day can make kids feel cooped up, so why not burn off some energy with a dance party or exercise session?
Clear a space in the hotel room by moving chairs or tables to the side. Then, choose some upbeat music—whether it’s from your phone, a travel speaker, or the hotel TV.
Let your kids take turns picking songs or even DJing the dance party. Encourage them to get silly with their dance moves and even try some dance-offs.
If they’re into it, you can teach them some simple routines or follow along with kid-friendly dance tutorials on YouTube.
If dancing isn’t their thing, opt for a short exercise routine. There are plenty of fun workout videos designed for kids that combine jumping, stretching, and yoga into quick sessions that will keep them engaged.
For younger kids, turn it into a game by pretending you’re animals—crawl like a bear, hop like a bunny, or stretch like a cat. A dance party or workout not only helps release pent-up energy but also lifts everyone’s mood, making the rainy day feel less dreary.
Conclusion
A rainy day doesn’t have to put a damper on your vacation. With these 10 fun and inventive activities, your hotel room can transform into an exciting playground, keeping kids entertained and parents stress-free.
Whether you’re crafting, watching movies, or organizing a treasure hunt, these ideas turn any indoor setting into an enjoyable, memorable experience. Embrace the chance to bond, get creative, and make new family memories, rain or shine. With the right mindset and activities, a rainy day can become one of the highlights of your holiday.