Rainy-day activities using what you have at home

Offer a small choice rather than a full timetable. A pencil, a few sheets of paper and time together can be enough. Adapt the activities to your child and stop when they have had enough.

Let your child choose two ideas

Offer one creative activity and one activity to do together. For example: design an imaginary umbrella, then read in a blanket den. Keep the remaining ideas for another day rather than putting out every worksheet at once.

Make a four-picture story

Divide a sheet into four spaces. Draw a character, a place, a surprise and a happy ending. Younger children can tell the story aloud while a grown-up writes a few words; older children can add their own sentences.

Play a look-around game

From a safe place indoors, look for something round, patterned, soft or blue. Point to objects rather than collecting small items. Take turns choosing a clue, then draw the favourite thing you spotted.

Invent a game together

Use familiar toys or drawings already at home. Agree how to start, how to take turns and when the game ends. Try one round, then change a rule if it is confusing. Adults should supervise cutting and any small pieces.

Keep the printable part small

Start with one drawing page or the idea cards. Reading and word-search pages may need adult help; younger children can use the drawing prompts instead. Print only the activities that suit the child today.