By Eva and Stella Fried
Although we all want to spend our spring and summer out in the sun and enjoying the great outdoors, the reality is that some days won’t be so sunny. It’s then that you might find yourself searching for rainy day activities to keep you entertained while you ride out a storm. So if you’re looking for a fun rainy day craft or even just a simple activity to pass the time, we’re here to help with projects for makers from experts to beginners.
Easy Rainy Day Crafts
These simple crafts are perfect rainy-day activities for beginners, children, and any makers looking for an easy project to relieve stress and wait for the thunder and lightning to pass.
Explore a New Craft
Punch needle is a fun and relaxing way to use up all of your yarn scraps and maybe discover a new hobby along the way! If you’re an avid crafter who hasn’t tried out punch needle yet, we highly recommend giving it a go.
With tons of different ways to add texture and creativity, punch needle is a great way to refresh your home décor and walls. Not sure where to get started with punch needle? Check out the how-to videos on our Instagram. Shop our punch needle supplies and kits so you’re stocked when the clouds roll in!
Punch needling might just become your new favorite hobby. We have many craft kits that make for a simple rainy day activity.
Rainy Day Crafts for Kids
Rainy days don’t have to mean the kids are cooped up in front of a screen. We have plenty of kits and activities for kids (and kids at heart, too)!
Kids will love stitching their very own ornament from Kiriki, giving them an early start on the holiday season. In the meantime, their ornaments can play together in one of Winding Road's cottage-core mushroom playhouses.
Need more activity inspo? Have your kids write a story based on the image in one of Phoebe Wahl's prints. Pro tip: These are all great activities for adults too — playtime is for everyone!
Rainy Day Craft Kits
For anyone looking to learn a new craft or just to have a little more direction in their make, we have a variety of kits perfect for all ages and skill levels. We have needle felting kits, embroidery kits, cross-stitch kits, and more waiting to be found.
This Mrs. Cat felt kit comes with all the tools for a fun activity.
DIY Towels for a Rainy Day Activity
Stay dry all summer long by sewing your own towels as a useful rainy day craft. Create a towel project during a day in and then use your creation to soak up all your summer fun, whether you go to the lake, hang by the pool, or need to dry off after getting caught in the rain.
Best Fabric for Sewing Towels
First, let’s talk materials before you get your towel game on. Terry cloth is the perfect fabric for all your towel makes, and at Sew to Speak, we are stocked up on some beautiful new terry cloth in Grape, Petrol, and Jeans.
Terry cloth is the perfect fabric for all your towel makes.
Hooded Towels
Make a classic towel or experiment by making a towel with a darling little hood. These are fantastic for little ones, but could be created in a larger size for adults, too.
Towel Dress Cover-Up
Why stop with just a towel? Try creating your very own unique towel dress coverup and add on beautiful ribbon accents for a one-of-a-kind touch.
Fun Needlework Projects
Yarn lovers, we have rainy day activities for you, too. Needlework projects are perfect for cozying up and catching up on shows or simply listening to the rain and thunder.
Enjoy a cozy day finishing up some of those work-in-progress projects.
Knitting
The gradient Whirl skeins from Scheepjes are perfect for any yarn lover looking to start their first gradient project. With names like Sherbet Rainbow, Popin Candy, and Raspberry Rocky Road, these beautifully dyed yarns are the cherry on top of any project.
Screen Porch Shawl, a free pattern from Purl Soho, would look just delectable knit up in a Whirl skein.
Crocheting
The Whirl skeins aren’t just great for knitting projects. For our crocheting friends, the Autumnal Triangle Shawl from ABC Knitting Patterns is a great way to make use of the gradient in the Whirl yarn.
Dreaming of Sunnier Days
These projects center on creations you’ll use when the sun comes back out to play. Why not make the most of a rainy day by creating something you’ll use for many summers to come?
DIY Bag
There are tons of bags you could make as a rainy day craft, but a classic favorite is the Bestie Bag from BF Patterns. Personalize with a fabric you love, and then take your creation with you on all your future adventures.
Summer Wardrobe
On the next rainy day, consider creating a new outfit for yourself or to gift a loved one. Liberty of London Tana Lawn bolts are perfect for quilts, bags, and, best of all, garments! These beautiful florals are just screaming to be made into a summery sun dress like the Lanti Swing Dress from Sew to Grow or these adorable Baby and Toddler Bloomers from Wiksten.
This Liberty of London Tana Lawn - Katie and Millie fabric is perfect for a sundress.
DIY Picnic Blanket
Create a fabulous improv quilt you can take on future picnics using these beautiful, rickly hand-dyed multi-colored bundles from Cherrywood Fabrics. Check out the 12-step, 8-step, and 4-step fat quarter bundles and 8-step half yard bundles in the shoppe as well as tons of bolts in a variety of colors.
Sewing or quilting can be the perfect way to add a bit of personality to your next picnic.
Whether you are waiting out a heat wave or riding out a thunderstorm, these rainy day activities are sure to keep you busy, creative, and making cool stuff all summer long. If you are looking for even more inspiration, we always have new projects and materials on our site and at our in-person classes.
About the Authors
At Sew to Speak, we are all about collaboration, and this blog post is no different! These words are a group effort with thoughtful input from Eva Fried and Stella Fried.
Since 2023, Eva Fried has been the co-owner of Sew to Speak; however, she has been a customer of the shop since 2013. Eva is a loving mom/wife, health care provider, and a self-taught lifelong maker with an unquenchable thirst for learning and creating.
Stella Fried has been a versatile team member at Sew to Speak since May 2023, but they have been a passionate maker for years. While they love to knit, crochet, and sew, they also express their creativity by making marketing magic on our Instagram and Facebook and when writing our fantastic newsletter.