DIY Building Blocks for Rainy Day Play

Spring is here and with it comes the rain! While splashing in puddles is always a good time, you may also be looking for fun indoor activities to pass the time with your little one. These DIY Building Blocks for a Rainy Day are the perfect solution to keep the kiddos busy for hours and are easily stored for the next time! Check out what you’ll need and some guided play ideas enjoy together.

What You’ll Need

These DIY Building Blocks can be made in a number of ways. We already have a huge stockpile of Amazon boxes so that is what we used. To decorate each block you can draw, paint, color, or even use decorative paper/vinyl to create the style of block you want. Use Velcro to adhere the flaps together so the can be broken down and rebuilt as needed. Here are some supplies you may or may not use depending on which way you go:

• carboard boxes of various sizes
• paint
• markers
• scrapbooking paper
• Velcro strips
• scissors
• glue

Block Pattern Options

I wanted my daughter to have lots of options with her blocks so that her imagination could soar. We started with one pattern on one side of each box over multiple boxes. Then added other patterns to the other sides of each box. This way she can turn and face out whichever pattern she wants for her build at the time; maybe a castle one day or a house the next! Here are just a few options that I thought of, but the possibilities are endless:

• brick
• rock or stone
• grass and foliage
• water
• bamboo reeds
• house walls

Guided STEM Play Ideas

Some rainy days we like to free play, but other days it takes a little bit of guiding to keep our toddler interested. When we those days happen, we use the STEM ideas below to make our DIY Building Block rainy day activity a little more structured, plus a learning activity! Overall, she is still using her own imagination.

1. draw a blueprint and build
2. create the tallest tower and count blocks
3. build and measure a bridge
4. construct a cave – how many [insert toy]’s can fit inside?
5. design a dreamhouse with all the the essential structures (i.e. windows, doors, chimney, etc.)
6. set up a stage and perform a play

I’ve had this idea since before my daughter was born because I LOVED my cardboard building blocks growing up. It was always a time that I felt most free and creative. Adding a variety of patterns and themes to our toddler’s DIY Building Blocks sparks even more ideas. This rainy day activity has become our family favorite! Hope you enjoy it too and make lots of great memories together.

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