Rain Sensory & Toddler Storytime
Choose two of the following rain and weather-themed storytime books and pair them with these songs, crafts, and sensory play ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Toddler or Sensory Storytime. Visit The Youth Desk’s Sensory Storytime page for a complete sensory storytime overview and more detailed guidance.
Rain & Weather Toddler & Sensory Storytime Books
Felt Raindrop Props
For songbooks like Split! Splat!, give children a fun manipulative to hold and lift/sway/bounce along to the beat. Felt raindrops are easy to make if you’ve got blue felt in your craft closet. Children can lift them high and drop them to the ground. Check out FeltBoardMagic.com for more raindrop songs and felt patterns.
Rain Sensory Storytime Movement Songs
Little Raindrops Falling Down Song
Sing to the tune “London Bridge is Falling Down.”
Little raindrops falling down (hold hands up high and gently “rain” fingers down)
Falling down, falling down
Little raindrops falling down
Then they make a splash! (clap hands)
Bigger raindrops falling down (pat knees)
Falling down, falling down
Bigger raindrops falling down
Then they make a splash! (clap hands)
Giant raindrop falling down (stomp feet)
Falling down, falling down
Giant raindrops falling down
Then they make a splash! (clap hands)
Raindrops Hit the Ground Song
Sing to the tune “If You’re Happy & You Know .” I’ve used this version for years and have yet to track down the source, so if you know where it comes from, please share it in the comments! The key to this version is to start the song slowly and speed up as you go. The kids LOVE patting their legs and going faster and faster!
First a little raindrop hits the ground (pat legs slowly)
Then another little raindrop hits the ground
Then another and another (pat legs faster)
And another and another (and faster!)
And pretty soon we hear a different sound
SPLASH! (clap hands!)
Five Little Umbrellas Rhyme
Place five umbrellas in different colors on a felt or magnet board. Take one off as the rhyme goes along to count down from five to none. If you gave the children umbrellas during the story, they can use them with this song, too! Encourage them to hide their umbrella behind their back each time one comes off the board.
Five umbrellas stood by the back door,
The red one went outside, then there were four
Four umbrellas, pretty as could be
The blue one went outside, then there were three
Three umbrellas with nothing to do
The green one went outside, then there were two
Two umbrellas not having much fun
The yellow went outside, then there was one
Just one umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside, and that was all!
Rain Sensory Play Crafts & Activities
Ending Sensory Storytime with free play provides children and their caregivers with an excellent opportunity to explore and socialize. Set out any puppets or flannel board pieces you used during storytime for attendees to enjoy, and offer one of these great rain and weather-themed play activities.
Rain Cloud Craft
This craft was created by my dear friend and amazing children’s librarian, Bekah. Simply tape ribbons on the back of a white cardstock cloud, then glue cotton balls on the front. Work those fine motor skills and hand muscles by letting kids pull apart the cotton balls to fluff them up and by squeezing the glue bottle.
Supplies Needed:
- White cardstock clouds
- Cotton balls
- White Elmer’s glue
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Tape
Rainy Day Pom Sorting
If you have cups and poms in your craft closet, you’re all set for this sorting activity that supports fine motor development and hand-eye coordination. You can also get fancy and offer tongs and place cloud/sun/rain pictures on your cups. The blog Just Reed & Play has more info and fun tips for this activity.
Supplies Needed:
- Pom balls
- Colorful paper cups or toilet paper tubes wrapped in colorful paper
- Tongs (optional)
Umbrella Craft
This fun craft requires only cardstock, craft sticks, crayons, and tape or glue. Set the supplies out at the end of your storytime, OR precut and glue the umbrellas to the craft sticks ahead of time for kids to use as props during the storytime, which they can color later. For more information and tips on this activity, visit TeacherWeena.Blogspot.com.
Supplies Needed:
- Cardstock umbrella templates
- Craft sticks
- Crayons
- Tape or glue
- Scissors (if cardstock umbrellas aren’t precut)
Water Sensory Bin
Embrace the mess and offer a water table or sensory bin! Add an inch or two of water to a bin, along with some cotton ball “clouds,” a strainer, and a cup or two for water exploration, for an absolute blast for kids. Or make your life easier by skipping the water and simply filling the bin with cotton balls. The blog Play Teach Repeat has more ideas for water sensory play.
