WHAT TO DO ON A RAINY DAY IN THE MALDIVES WITH KIDS

What can I do with my kids in the Maldives… on a rainy day?

If you’re asking this question, you’re likely in one of two scenarios:

A:  You’re in the Maldives, it’s raining, and you’re starting to panic. 
B:  You’re in the planning stages of your Maldives family trip and you’re thinking of booking your trip in the summer months, when the area usually sees more rain.  You’re wondering if you’re doomed if it does rain during your trip.

Either way – don’t stress! 

I’m a mom of three and our family loves the Maldives!  While we’ve only had a couple of days of rain on our Maldives trips, I understand the slight anxiety of being ‘stuck inside’ on a rainy day.

Luckily, there’s actually plenty to keep your kids entertained in the Maldives, even if it’s raining!  Some of my suggestions they’ll love (like taking a sushi-making class, playing at the kids club, or watching a movie), while others will be less popular (breaking out the homework). 

There’s plenty here to keep your family busy until the sun comes back out! 

Join my free Facebook group, Maldives with Kids – Travel Planning & Advice!

Before You Get to the Maldives – Things to Do

There are a couple of things you can do before you even get to the Maldives:

Book During ‘Drier’ Months

If you’re really concerned about avoiding rain, try to book during ‘traditionally drier times.’  For example, reserve your stay in February or March instead of July or August.  But remember that the likelihood of drier weather during those periods comes at a price – higher rates for resort stays.   

Make Sure Your Resort Has a Kids Club

If you’re traveling to the Maldives with kids, I highly recommend heading to a resort with a kids club.  True, it’s a family trip and you want to spend time together, but kids clubs are great for:

• Helping your kids make new friends
• Teaching your kids about Maldivian culture (through games and crafts)
• Learning about natural life in the Maldives (from hermit crabs to the flora and underwater life)
• Giving mom and dad a little bit of time to themselves

My boys (ages 4, 7, 10) adore going to the kids club.  They’ve done all of the above, and I treasure all of the arts and crafts they do (I still wear my bracelets!).

Helpful Tip:  Don’t just check if there’s a kids club – find out the age minimum and maximum.   It’ll be disappointing if you show up with your 3-year-old only to find out the minimum age for the kids club is 4.

What to Do if It Rains While You’re in the Maldives with Kids

Give In To Screens

Watch a movie on the television in your room (many resorts have Netflix or movie channels).  Let your kids use a tablet or play a video game.  For example, our kids bring an electronic device for the plane, and if it rains in the Maldives, they can get on and play/watch.

Take Advantage of the Resort’s Indoor Facilities

Use the kids club, game room, or rec center.  Play ping pong with your kids, let them eat popcorn and enjoy movie time at the kids club, or book a children’s spa session.

Go Swimming

If it’s raining but not stormy, you can still swim.    In fact, it’s fun in the Maldives because it’s still really warm out.  Hop in the sea or in the pool.

Please do not swim if there’s thunder or lightning!

Sign Up for a Class

Even if the classes don’t look kid-focused, you still may be able to participate.  For example, at Emerald Faarufushi, my 7-year-old and I took a sushi-making class. 

Chat with other Emerald Faarufushi travelers in my free Facebook group, Emerald Faarufushi Maldives – Planning & Advice!

Hang Out Together in a Covered Area

Grab your playing cards or UNO and play a few rounds on the covered patio of your villa.  Or, head to public areas for a cocktail (or mocktail) and play board games, watch soccer games on the big screen television at the bar, or read books on comfortable lounge chairs.  Relax in a hammock (if covered),

You can move around with umbrellas or ponchos (likely provided in your room), or call a golf cart/buggy for a ride.

Get Out the Homework

I can hear the sighs from your kids from here, but if it’s raining, take the chance to get some homework done.  My boys did homework on the plane and a couple of evenings in the room.  Had it rained, I would’ve gotten their books out in a jiffy.

Dig Into Your Back-Up Bag

I always try to have a small bag of goodies with me for moments of boredom or waiting (for example, if our flight gets delayed).  This bag can come in handy on a rainy day in the Maldives!  Ideas for what to put in it:

• Books
• Worksheets or coloring pages
• Hotwheels race cars
• Play dough
• Crayons and paper
• Wiki Stixx
• Small games like Pass the Pigs or Yahtzee
• Color Wonder markers and notepads

Helpful Tip:  Avoid bringing markers or slime or anything else that could leave stains or damage linens, etc. 

Look Into Kids’ Spa Treatments

I say ‘look into’ because the prices can be hefty, so it may not be a realistic rainy day family activity.  My oldest son wants to get a massage in the Maldives, and we told him he’s welcome to – with his money!

Your resort may have a mom/child massage option or other kids’ treatments like manicures or facials.  Some resorts also have (sometimes free!) spa activities like warm and cold pools or steam rooms.  They usually must be reserved in advance, but it’s always worth checking.

Ask for a Behind the Scenes Tour

Some resorts offer a look at how the resort functions behind the scenes… things like:

• How does the island get water to the rooms (for showers and drinking)?
• Is there a garden on the island?
• What happens to toilet waste?
• How is trash dealt with?
• What’s recycled, and how?
• Which plants and flowers grow on the island?
• How are insects managed?

You may also have access to a marine biologist or staff in the dive center. 

Good To Know:  These usually aren’t advertised, but we’ve had both resorts offer them to us.  Unfortunately, we were too late in our trip to make it work timing-wise, but a behind-the-scenes tour is high on my list for our next family trip to the Maldives.

I hope your trip is full of sunshine, but if not, now you have plenty of ideas for how to pass the time with your kids until the sun comes back out!