UMBRELLAS & RAINDROPS

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Whether it is raining outside or not, these rainy day activities for preschoolers are the perfect play based learning opportunities. Where my family lives we can have entire weeks of pouring down rain everyday. On these days we enjoy splashing in puddles and using our umbrellas to play. After, we come inside to play a game. Or we curl up on the couch and then read umbrella themed books.

Books featuring umbrellas.

We read these books throughout the mini unit study to inspire imaginations.

• Firstly, Umbrella by Taro Yashima is a bittersweet telling of a little girl who uses her umbrella for the first time. When she does she discovers more independence.

• Secondly, The Umbrella by Dieter Schubert is a wordless book that will soar your child’s imagination to new heights.

• Also, The Umbrella by Jan Brett will make your child wonder how many animals can fit in their umbrella?

• Rain by Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child’s Garden of Verses

• Lastly, the book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña will encourage your child to find the joy in ordinary things.

Preschool mini unit study: Rain.

Rainy Day Activities #1: Buy an umbrella.

What’s more fun on a rainy day than shopping? Especially when shopping for an umbrella? Your 3-5 year old probably does not have an umbrella of their very own. And so buying an umbrella for your child with them in tow is a fun way to introduce the concept of money. In today’s day and age, our children see us insert a card and walk away. This activity is an excellent way for them to see and use money for possibly the first time. Also, it can be used as an excellent life lesson.

I give my preschooler a certain amount before we go in the store. There are usually more expensive umbrellas with their favorite characters on them. They can use all their money for the umbrella they really, really want or they can choose a plain umbrella and use the rest for something else. Whether that is candy or a small toy. Overall, they handle the money and make the decisions. I am simply there to help guide and explain their options.

Rainy Day Activities #2: Dance & splash in the “rain.”

On a perfect rainy day, Mick grabs his new umbrella and heads outside. Once there we twirl, dance, and splash in the puddles, laughing as raindrops patter around us. The joy of feeling the rain while staying dry under his colorful canopy is pure magic for a preschooler. If the skies are clear, we get creative. We do this by using the hose with a spray spout to mimic a gentle shower.

Overall, this transforms our backyard into a playful rain-soaked wonderland. Also, for a structured twist, visit Uu is for Umbrella to find detailed instructions on turning this splashing adventure into an engaging game that boosts coordination and imagination. This activity makes any day—rainy or not—a delightful opportunity for active learning and fun.

Indoor rainy day activities.

Rainy Day Activities #3: Umbrella raindrop addition.

As my preschooler, Mick, happily colored a vibrant page from Uu is for Umbrella, I prepared for our math adventure by printing the free umbrella and raindrop addition printable. We opted for dried beans as counters, though the printable includes raindrop cutouts as an alternative. Since this was Mick’s first encounter with addition, we proceeded gently. The main emphasis being the concept of combining quantities. Although this activity may be simple it is a meaningful introduction to math. This hands-on approach, blending creativity and learning, kept my kiddo engaged while building foundational skills in a fun, relaxed way.

Rainy Day Activities #4: Rain Cloud in a jar.

Gathered around the kitchen table, all the boys were buzzing with excitement as we embarked on a captivating indoor experiment: making it rain in a jar! The materials needed include: shaving cream, water, food coloring, and pipettes. Once I gathered supplies, we created a fluffy cloud atop a jar of water. The boys took turns carefully dripping colored water through the shaving cream. Their eyes were wide as blue “raindrops” slowly fell into the jar below, mimicking a miniature rainstorm.

Rain cloud in a jar, is a standout among rainy day activities for preschoolers. In short, it blends science, creativity, and wonder. It also keeps young minds engaged while sparking curiosity about weather. Overall, this experiment transforms a rainy afternoon into a memorable learning adventure.

Rainy Day Activities #5: Umbrella ball toss game.

The activity for today was using the newly purchased umbrella inside and upside down. We toss numbered balls into the canopy to score points and practice number recognition. If you are interested in the full instructions to turn this into a game and make it super educational then go to Number Recognition Game. This is a free resource for homeschooling families hoping to provide their 3-5 year old with structured learning that is also fun!

More rainy day activities for preschoolers.

As the rain taps gently on your windows, these rainy day activities for preschoolers offer a delightful blend of fun and learning, perfect for sparking creativity and curiosity. From splashing in puddles with a new umbrella to exploring math with raindrop addition or making it rain in a jar, each activity is designed to make those gray days vibrant and educational. Dive into the full week of play-based learning at Uu is for Umbrella and discover how the Letter of the Week curriculum transforms rainy days into opportunities for growth and joy. Grab your umbrella, and let the adventure begin!

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