reading tips,book recommendationsrainy day activitiesread aloudschildren's bookspicture booksstorytime
Top read-alouds for rainy day giggles
Rainy days are the perfect excuse to pile up on the couch and crack open the silliest, most giggle-inducing books you can find. Here are our top picks for rainy day read-alouds that will keep kids laughing.
Banana Fun Bread
February 23, 2026
Rainy days. They cancel outdoor playtime, turn recess into "indoor voices only," and somehow make kids twice as wiggly. But here's the thing: rainy days are also the perfect excuse to pile up on the couch (or reading rug) and crack open the silliest, most giggle-inducing books you can find.
1. Soaked by Abi Cushman
Bear is not having it. The rain? Terrible. The puddles? Annoying. The whole vibe? Grumpy central. But then Bear's quirky friends show up with ideas to make the rainy day fun, and spoiler alert: Bear eventually gets on board. This book nails the humor of a character who starts off cranky and ends up soaked in fun (literally). Kids love seeing Bear's transformation from rain-hater to rain-lover, and the illustrations are colorful and expressive. Perfect for that kid in your group who's also not thrilled about being stuck inside.
Why it works for giggles: Bear's grumpy faces are comedy gold, and the silly friends steal every scene.
2. Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Is it a duck? Is it a rabbit? This optical illusion picture book turns into a hilarious argument between two unseen narrators, and kids absolutely love picking sides. The back-and-forth banter is pure comedy, and the simple illustrations make it perfect for even the youngest readers.
Why it works for giggles: The debate format gets kids yelling at the book (in the best way possible).
3. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Dragons. Tacos. What more do you need? This book is a masterclass in absurd humor. The deadpan delivery of facts about dragons and their taco obsession (and their very strong feelings about spicy salsa) makes it endlessly re-readable. Kids ask for this one over and over.
Why it works for giggles: The straight-faced logic about dragons and tacos is comedy perfection.
4. The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
If your kids are slightly older (or just love chaos), The Bad Guys series is a goldmine. The comic-book style, the ridiculous plot twists, and the characters' constant failures make every page a laugh riot. These books practically read themselves aloud.
Why it works for giggles: The slapstick humor and self-aware jokes land every time.
5. Banana Fun Bread by Lear Riojas
And of course, we can't make a rainy day read-aloud list without mentioning our favorite runaway banana bread. Banana Fun Bread is the story of a loaf of banana bread that escapes the kitchen and goes on a wild adventure, and it's packed with the kind of chaotic, joyful energy that rainy days were made for. The rhymes are bouncy, the illustrations are vibrant, and the story has just enough silliness to keep kids giggling from the first page to the last. It's the perfect book to read with funny voices, dramatic pauses, and maximum enthusiasm.
Why it works for giggles: A runaway banana bread on a wild adventure? That's pure, unapologetic, chaotic joy.
Bonus Tip: Grab a Free Rainy Day Coloring Sheet
Want to extend the fun after storytime? We've got a free downloadable coloring sheet featuring our favorite runaway banana bread character. Kids can color while you read, or save it for after the giggles die down (if they ever do). It's perfect for rainy day activities, and it's a great way to keep the literacy fun going even after you close the book. Plus, it's totally free: just grab it and print as many copies as you need.
[Download your free coloring sheet here](/activities-resources) and add it to your rainy day toolkit.
Wrap It Up with Giggles (and Banana Fun Bread)
Rainy days don't have to be a drag. With the right books, a cozy reading spot, and a willingness to embrace the chaos, you can turn any stormy afternoon into a memory your kids will talk about for weeks. Whether you're diving into Bear's grumpy-to-happy arc, quacking along with Ducky, or chasing a runaway banana bread, the key is finding books that make kids want to read. Books that make them laugh, shout, and ask for "one more time!"
And if you're looking for the perfect blend of silly, educational, and giggle-inducing, Banana Fun Bread is waiting for you.
[Get your copy of Banana Fun Bread now](/) and make rainy days the best days.
Now go grab a stack of books, a pile of pillows, and let the giggles begin. Rain or shine, storytime is always a good time.
1. Soaked by Abi Cushman
Bear is not having it. The rain? Terrible. The puddles? Annoying. The whole vibe? Grumpy central. But then Bear's quirky friends show up with ideas to make the rainy day fun, and spoiler alert: Bear eventually gets on board. This book nails the humor of a character who starts off cranky and ends up soaked in fun (literally). Kids love seeing Bear's transformation from rain-hater to rain-lover, and the illustrations are colorful and expressive. Perfect for that kid in your group who's also not thrilled about being stuck inside.
Why it works for giggles: Bear's grumpy faces are comedy gold, and the silly friends steal every scene.
2. Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Is it a duck? Is it a rabbit? This optical illusion picture book turns into a hilarious argument between two unseen narrators, and kids absolutely love picking sides. The back-and-forth banter is pure comedy, and the simple illustrations make it perfect for even the youngest readers.
Why it works for giggles: The debate format gets kids yelling at the book (in the best way possible).
3. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Dragons. Tacos. What more do you need? This book is a masterclass in absurd humor. The deadpan delivery of facts about dragons and their taco obsession (and their very strong feelings about spicy salsa) makes it endlessly re-readable. Kids ask for this one over and over.
Why it works for giggles: The straight-faced logic about dragons and tacos is comedy perfection.
4. The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
If your kids are slightly older (or just love chaos), The Bad Guys series is a goldmine. The comic-book style, the ridiculous plot twists, and the characters' constant failures make every page a laugh riot. These books practically read themselves aloud.
Why it works for giggles: The slapstick humor and self-aware jokes land every time.
5. Banana Fun Bread by Lear Riojas
And of course, we can't make a rainy day read-aloud list without mentioning our favorite runaway banana bread. Banana Fun Bread is the story of a loaf of banana bread that escapes the kitchen and goes on a wild adventure, and it's packed with the kind of chaotic, joyful energy that rainy days were made for. The rhymes are bouncy, the illustrations are vibrant, and the story has just enough silliness to keep kids giggling from the first page to the last. It's the perfect book to read with funny voices, dramatic pauses, and maximum enthusiasm.
Why it works for giggles: A runaway banana bread on a wild adventure? That's pure, unapologetic, chaotic joy.
Bonus Tip: Grab a Free Rainy Day Coloring Sheet
Want to extend the fun after storytime? We've got a free downloadable coloring sheet featuring our favorite runaway banana bread character. Kids can color while you read, or save it for after the giggles die down (if they ever do). It's perfect for rainy day activities, and it's a great way to keep the literacy fun going even after you close the book. Plus, it's totally free: just grab it and print as many copies as you need.
[Download your free coloring sheet here](/activities-resources) and add it to your rainy day toolkit.
Wrap It Up with Giggles (and Banana Fun Bread)
Rainy days don't have to be a drag. With the right books, a cozy reading spot, and a willingness to embrace the chaos, you can turn any stormy afternoon into a memory your kids will talk about for weeks. Whether you're diving into Bear's grumpy-to-happy arc, quacking along with Ducky, or chasing a runaway banana bread, the key is finding books that make kids want to read. Books that make them laugh, shout, and ask for "one more time!"
And if you're looking for the perfect blend of silly, educational, and giggle-inducing, Banana Fun Bread is waiting for you.
[Get your copy of Banana Fun Bread now](/) and make rainy days the best days.
Now go grab a stack of books, a pile of pillows, and let the giggles begin. Rain or shine, storytime is always a good time.