Rainy Day Fun
As winter ends and spring finally arrives, parents still face entertaining their kids indoors on the stuck-inside rainy days. Depending on your child’s interests, there are still plenty of activities to keep him entertained for the day, both at home as well as around the area. I find it handy to keep a list of activities to turn to when I need some inspiration.
Arts & Crafts
If your child enjoys arts and crafts, try doing something exciting like finger painting with pudding or colored yogurt, painting animal crackers or experimenting with baking soda and different colored vinegar. We like to use measuring spoons, syringes, droppers and spray bottles for our vinegar.
Sensory Play
Let the kids experience different textures such as playing with dry beans, dry pasta, water beads, shaving cream, kinetic sand, dish soap bubbles or even water and ice! Another idea would be to turn off the lights and have fun with flashlights.
Technology
Especially if you’ve had a few days of being stuck inside and screen time is generally limited at your home, this can be a good time to increase time and make it more of a treat. Bonus points if it’s educational!
Get Outside!
Embrace the rain and head outdoors! Have a special umbrella or rain boots waiting as a surprise gift to brighten a gloomy day and help kids experience the rain through all their senses. There is a big puddle in our street that I let my kids splash in if it’s warm enough and there are no cars around. They love it!
Games
Teach young children how to play Old Maid or Candy Land or play one of your older child’s favorite board games with for a while. Playing together will be something kids remember. (Hint: Set a timer if you need an escape route.) There are also plenty of kid-friendly Minute to Win It type games on Pinterest to play together, as well as the classics hide and go seek and Simon says!
Exercise
Kids will always have energy to burn no matter the weather situation, so look up some kids exercise videos, turn the music up and have a dance party, or set up an obstacle course. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and if you time them, they can keep trying to beat their old time or compete with a sibling.
Baking
Baking together involves science, math and art, as well as getting to eat a tasty treat together at the end! Just be prepared to have more of a mess with your “helpers!”
Baths
Have the kids take an impromptu and fun bath during the day with bath crayons, bath paints and random non-toy toys from around the house. Allow youngsters to take a doll or toy in with them to give them a bath too. Carlee Young, Overland Park mom of two, adds the idea of having an inside beach party! “My girls had a swimming/dance party today with bathing suits and goggles for them and their stuffed animals!”
Forts/Tents
Give your kiddos permission to build a fort with couch cushions, pillows, blankets, etc., or bring out the pop-up play tents for the day.
Cleaning
Young children tend to think helping to clean is fun, and even if your children are older, they can still participate in some light housework when stuck inside. Have them wipe down the door knobs and light switches, wash windows, dust baseboards with socks, etc.
Stephanie Loux is the mom of soon-to-be-three little ones under 5 and writes from her home in Olathe.