The Magic of Rainy Day Play: Finding Joy and Learning in Every Drop
There’s something truly special about the smell of rain on warm spring days. I still remember, vividly, running barefoot through puddles, laughing as the water splashed up around me, that simple, pure joy of childhood. It wasn’t just play; it was discovery. The rhythm of the rain, the cool touch of water, and the excitement of exploring a transformed world, all of it was a lesson in wonder.
At Sugartree Lane Preschool, we see those same moments unfold with our tamariki every time the clouds roll in. The squeals of delight as umbrellas pop open, the curiosity as little hands trace raindrops down a window — these are not interruptions to learning, they are learning.
Rain Play Builds Resilience, Curiosity, and Connection
According to the Education Review Office’s Te Ara Poutama – Indicators of Quality for Early Childhood Education (2020), high-quality early learning environments provide children with opportunities to explore and take part in meaningful, sensory-rich experiences. Rainy day play fits beautifully into this framework, it’s open-ended, imaginative, and deeply connected to Te Whāriki’s strands of Mana aotūroa | Exploration and Mana atua | Wellbeing.
When tamariki splash in puddles, catch raindrops on their tongues, or watch water flow down a drain, they’re developing scientific thinking and working theories about how the world works. Te Whāriki describes this as “playing, imagining, inventing and experimenting”… vital dispositions that form the foundation of lifelong learning.
Outdoor rain play also nurtures physical confidence. The uneven, slippery surfaces challenge children to move carefully and with intention, strengthening balance, coordination, and self-regulation. These experiences, paired with kaiako support, help children learn to assess risk safely and develop trust in their own abilities.
Embracing Te Ao Māori Perspectives
From a Te Ao Māori lens, rain (ua) is a taonga, a life-giving force that connects us to the natural world and its cycles. When our tamariki play in the rain, they’re engaging in manaaki i te taiao, caring for and understanding the environment. This aligns closely with the ERO’s guidance that children should “take part in caring for this place” and build respect for the natural world around them.
The Wonder of Simple Things
In today’s fast-paced world, moments of simplicity, like rain play, remind us of what truly matters in early childhood education: wonder, connection, and the joy of discovery.
When we allow children to experience the natural world in all its forms, sun, wind, and rain, we’re nurturing not only their curiosity, but their resilience and sense of belonging. Rain play teaches patience, observation, and appreciation for the rhythms of life.
And perhaps, as we stand under umbrellas watching them splash and laugh, it also reconnects us, the adults, with the childlike wonder we once felt.
Because learning doesn’t just happen indoors. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen under grey skies, with muddy boots and big smiles. 🌧️💛
Kaiako: Supporting Every Moment of Joy and Safety
None of this magic happens without our incredible kaiako. At Sugartree Lane, our teachers always put the wellbeing and learning of tamariki first, ensuring every outdoor experience is safe, nurturing, and full of opportunity.
They prepare the space thoughtfully: checking surfaces, guiding children to dress appropriately, and turning each splash into a conversation about cause and effect, textures, or temperature. Most importantly, they join in the joy, modelling curiosity, delight, and mindfulness.
As Te Ara Poutama highlights, high-quality teaching means “intentional and culturally responsive pedagogy.” Our kaiako embody that, understanding when to step back and let exploration lead, and when to step in with gentle guidance and encouragement.
In today’s fast-paced world, moments of simplicity, like rain play, remind us of what truly matters in early childhood education: wonder, connection, and the joy of discovery.
When we allow children to experience the natural world in all its forms, sun, wind, and rain, we’re nurturing not only their curiosity, but their resilience and sense of belonging. Rain play teaches patience, observation, and appreciation for the rhythms of life.
And perhaps, as we stand under umbrellas watching them splash and laugh, it also reconnects us, the adults, with the childlike wonder we once felt.
Because learning doesn’t just happen indoors. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen under grey skies, with muddy boots and big smiles. 🌧️💛
