Rainy-Day Music Games for Toddlers: 12 Ideas for Indoor Fun
Stuck inside? Twelve easy rainy-day music games for toddlers using pots, scarves and cushions, plus setup tips, safety notes and ways to adapt for babies.
By The Cuddle & Sing team · · 5 min read
When the rain sets in and the park is off the table, rainy-day music games for toddlers can turn a long afternoon indoors into something fun. All twelve ideas below use things you already have at home — pots, spoons, scarves, cushions and your own voice — and most take less than a minute to set up.
Sydney’s wet days can arrive in runs, so it helps to have a few games up your sleeve. Mix energetic games with calm ones, follow your toddler’s lead, and don’t worry about doing them “right”. The point is simply to play together.
The short version
- Twelve indoor music games that need nothing more than household items and a bit of floor space.
- Mix energetic games with calm ones so the afternoon doesn’t end in a meltdown.
- Simple safety checks: clear the floor, seal homemade shakers and supervise.
- Easy tweaks for babies and older toddlers so siblings can play together.
Quick setup for indoor music play
- Clear a space. Push the coffee table aside and move anything breakable or tippy out of reach.
- Make a music basket. A wooden spoon, a couple of saucepans or plastic bowls, a scarf or two and a sealed shaker.
- Have music ready. A playlist you both enjoy, or just your voice.
- Check the floor. Socks on smooth floors can be slippery — bare feet or grippy socks are safer for dancing.
Energetic games: for wiggles and bounces
1. Freeze dance
Dance while the music plays and freeze when it stops. For younger toddlers, freeze together while holding hands. For older ones, freeze in a silly shape.
2. Marching parade
Line up your band and march through every room singing a favourite song — Wheels on the Bus works well. Wave to the rain at each window as you pass.
3. Animal walks to music
Slow, heavy music for elephant stomps; light, quiet music for tiptoeing mice; bouncy music for kangaroo hops. Let your toddler choose the next animal.
4. Sticky-tape line walk
Make a wiggly line on the floor with painter’s tape and walk along it to a steady beat — clap or tap a pot as you go. Speed up, slow down, then try walking it backwards.
5. High and low stretch
Sing or play high notes and stretch up tall to the ceiling; sing low notes and crouch down small. Go slowly between the two like a lift going up and down.
Making-music games: your living-room band
6. Pot-and-pan band
Upturned pots, bowls and a wooden spoon make a great drum kit. Play fast and slow, loud and quiet, or take turns: you play, then they play.
7. Rain-sound shakers
Listen to the rain together, then try to copy it with sealed shakers. Light drizzle is a gentle shake; a downpour is a big one. Add a pot “thunder” rumble if your toddler enjoys it.
8. Echo clapping
Clap a short pattern and invite your toddler to copy. Start with two or three claps. If they clap their own pattern, copy it back — turn-taking is the fun part.
Gentle games: for winding down
9. Scarf dancing
Wave a light scarf to slow music — float it up high, let it drift down onto your toddler’s head, and play peek-a-boo. Swap to faster music for twirling, then back to slow.
10. Musical cushions (nobody’s out)
Scatter cushions on the floor and walk or dance around them. When the music stops, everyone finds a cushion to sit on. No one is eliminated — just add or move cushions to keep it fun for little ones.
11. Bath-time songs
An early bath can be a lovely rainy-day reset. Sing Five Little Ducks or Row, Row, Row Your Boat with gentle splashing actions, and always stay within arm’s reach.
12. Calm-down drum
Tap a slow, steady beat on a pot or cushion and breathe in time together. Gradually tap more and more softly until the drum is a whisper. A nice way to end playtime before a nap or dinner.
Adapting the games for babies and older toddlers
For babies
Carry your baby for freeze dance, marching and animal walks, and do the movements together. Bounce gently on your lap for high and low, and let your baby grasp a scarf or a sealed shaker. Keep sounds soft and watch for signs they’ve had enough.
For older toddlers
Give them the job of leader: they choose the animal, stop the music or play a pattern for you to copy. Add opposites — fast and slow, loud and quiet — and longer rhythm patterns.
Playing with siblings
Older siblings often love being the “band leader” for a younger one. Freeze dance, the marching parade and the pot-and-pan band work well across ages.
Tips for a happier rainy afternoon
- Alternate energy levels. Follow a bouncy game with a calm one to avoid over-excitement.
- Keep it short. A few minutes per game is plenty — move on before boredom sets in.
- Repeat favourites. Toddlers often want the same game again and again, and that’s fine.
- Join in. Your enthusiasm is the best invitation there is.
For more ideas, see our toddler music activities to try at home and bedtime songs for a calm wind-down.
Rain or shine: music together each week
One nice thing about an indoor music class is that the weather doesn’t matter. Cuddle & Sing runs small, live-music classes across Sydney’s North Shore and the Hills District, with groups for babies, toddlers and older toddlers. A parent or carer stays for the whole class, and we provide all the instruments. See our age groups, find a location near you or book a class.
Questions parents ask
What can I do with a toddler on a rainy day at home?
Music games are a great option: freeze dance, a marching parade, a pot-and-pan band, scarf dancing and musical cushions all work indoors with household items. Mix energetic games with calmer ones.
Do I need instruments for these games?
No. Saucepans, plastic bowls, wooden spoons, scarves and cushions are plenty. If you make shakers, seal them tightly and supervise, as small fillings can be a choking hazard.
How do I calm my toddler down after energetic play?
Finish with a gentle game like scarf dancing to slow music or the calm-down drum, where you tap a slow beat and gradually get quieter together.
Can babies join in rainy-day music games?
Yes. Carry your baby for dancing and marching, bounce them gently on your lap for high and low, and offer a scarf or a sealed shaker to hold. Keep sounds soft and follow their cues.
Are there indoor music classes for toddlers in Sydney?
Yes — Cuddle & Sing runs indoor live music classes for babies and toddlers across the Lower North Shore, Upper North Shore and Hills District, so the weather never cancels the fun.
This article shares general ideas for families and isn’t medical or developmental advice. Every child is different — if you have questions about your child’s health or development, your GP or Child and Family Health Nurse is a great place to start.
Live music for little ones
Come and sing with us
Cuddle & Sing runs small, musician-led classes for babies and toddlers across Sydney’s North Shore and the Hills — with you right there in the music.
