Free Printable Rainy Day I Spy Counting Activity

🌧️ Why Play I Spy? (It’s More Than Just a Game!)

If you’ve ever played I Spy with a preschooler, you know how much they LOVE hunting for hidden objects! But beyond just being fun, this classic game builds real, essential skills that help kids with early learning and beyond.

Here’s what makes I Spy activities so beneficial for young learners:

🔍 1. Visual Scanning & Attention to Detail

I Spy games encourage kids to carefully examine a picture, looking for specific objects. This helps build visual discrimination, which is an important pre-reading skill. Think about how kids need to distinguish letters and numbers when learning to read and write—this activity strengthens those observation skills!

🔢 2. Counting & Number Recognition

This Rainy Day I Spy printable includes objects in different quantities, making it a perfect counting activity! Kids practice counting to 10, recognizing numbers, and building one-to-one correspondence (understanding that each item they count represents one number).

🗣️ 3. Vocabulary & Language Development

While searching for objects, kids can name each one (umbrella, raincoat, puddle, etc.), reinforcing weather-related vocabulary. You can even encourage full sentences, like:
🧒 “I found 3 rain boots!”
👩‍🏫 “Great! What color are they?”

✍️ 4. Fine Motor Skills

Whether kids are circling objects with a crayon, using stickers, or marking their findings with a dot marker, they are strengthening their fine motor muscles—an essential step toward better handwriting skills!

How to Use the Rainy Day I Spy Printable

This activity is super simple to set up:

1️⃣ Print the I Spy sheet (laminate it for reuse if you want).
2️⃣ Give your child a dry-erase marker, dot marker, stickers, or just their finger to keep track of what they find.
3️⃣ Encourage them to count aloud as they find each object.
4️⃣ Use a number chart or ten frame for extra counting support if needed.

And voila! A fun, hands-on math and language activity that keeps kids engaged without a huge mess. (Win-win, right?!)

Counting to 10 with I Spy

This Rainy Day I Spy printable is also a great way to practice counting to 10! Here’s how you can extend the learning:

✨ For younger preschoolers: Focus on finding and counting just 1-5 objects first.

✨ For kids ready for a challenge: Have them count all of the items, then compare which ones have more or fewer.

✨ For extra number recognition practice: Write numbers 1-10 on a piece of paper and have kids match each object they find to the correct number.

  Fun Extensions & Accompanying Activities

Want to take this activity even further? Try these fun ideas!

📊 Make a Graph – Count how many of each object are on the page and create a simple bar graph together. (This introduces early data skills!)

🖍️ Color & Find – Instead of just circling objects, have kids color each one a specific color before counting.

📖 Storytelling Fun – Use the I Spy picture to create a rainy day adventure story! Ask, “What would happen if all the umbrellas blew away in the wind?”

🌧️ Rainy Day Sensory Bin – Add mini toy umbrellas, rain boots, and water beads to a sensory bin and let kids match objects to the I Spy sheet.

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💡 How to Adapt for Different Learners & Abilities

Every child learns differently, so here are some easy adaptations to make this activity work for all of your little learners:

✔️ For Younger Learners – Instead of finding all the objects, focus on just one or two at a time. You can also give visual clues like pointing to the general area where an object is hiding.

✔️ For Kids Who Need Counting Help – Use small counters or ten frames to help kids count accurately (one counter for each object they find).

✔️ For Non-Verbal or Emerging Speakers – Have kids point to the objects or use an AAC device to “tell” you what they found.

✔️ For More Advanced Learners – Encourage simple addition or subtraction! (“You found 3 umbrellas. If I add 2 more, how many do we have?”)

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📚 3 Perfect Picture Books for a Rainy Day Theme

📖 1. “Rain” by Linda Ashman

• A sweet and simple story showing two very different reactions to a rainy day—one grumpy, one joyful! Great for discussing emotions and perspectives.

📖 2. “The Rain Came Down” by David Shannon

• A hilarious, chaotic chain reaction of events happens when the rain starts falling—kids will love the fun, silly storytelling and expressive illustrations.

📖 3. “What Makes It Rain?” (Usborne Lift-the-Flap First Questions & Answers) by Katie Daynes

• A fantastic interactive nonfiction book that answers all those little-kid “why” questions about rain! With flaps to lift, colorful illustrations, and simple explanations, it’s perfect for preschoolers and early learners who are curious about how rain forms, why we need it, and what happens during a storm.

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🎶 Fun Rainy Day Songs & Videos for Preschoolers

🌧️ “Singing in the Rain” by the Learning Station

• A soothing song that pairs well with a quiet activity like the Rainy Day I Spy printable!

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These books and songs will help bring the theme to life, making learning even more interactive and fun.

🎉 Grab Your FREE Rainy Day I Spy Printable!

This FREE printable is perfect for preschool classrooms, homeschool learning, or just a fun indoor activity when the weather isn’t cooperating!

✨ Download your Rainy Day I Spy activity below and let the learning begin! ✨

Do you love using I Spy games with your kids? Drop a comment below and let me know how you’re using this printable in your classroom or home! 😊

More Free Printable Weather Activities

• Weather I Spy Game
• Weather Chart
• Weather Brain Break Cube
• Preschool Weather Pack

More Activities You’ll Love:

Rainy Day Activities for Kids:

• Rainy Day Scavenger Hunt
• Rainy Day CVC Word Building Activity
• Rainy Day Dice Game for Counting: Roll and Count