Author: Jenny Wise
Rain, rain go away … or help us make this a fun day! When your kids are stuck inside, it can be hard to keep them entertained. Wouldn’t it be great if you could help them build their minds and bodies? You’re in luck! Here are a few ways you can entertain your kids when they’re spending rainy hours indoors:
Draw Something Fun
Do you have some paper and pencils around your house? Then you have all you need to create some fun drawings. Drawing is a very relaxing way to pass the time and gives kids a chance to express their creativity. You can check online for steps to draw other kid favorites such as animals, dinosaurs, and cartoon characters. Or just use your imagination and come up with something unique! Kid art is always so free and expressive, and you may just be impressed at what they come up with all on their own.
Want to take your family’s artistic abilities a step further? Rather than simply drawing, use those cardboard boxes that have been piling up, and use a printable template to help your kids create a bulldozer, grocery store, or even a pirate ship! (Just be sure you’re in charge of the cardboard-cutting duties.) They’ll not only have fun creating them today, but their crafts will provide hours of fun the next time the clouds roll in.
Pick Up or Create an Instrument
When you’ve had enough of quiet time, let music brighten up your day. Break out the banjo, beat some drums, or play that recorder you have stuffed in the back of the closet. Kids will love learning how to play their favorite songs or being able to pick up new tunes. But what if you don’t have an instrument? You can still create musical joy by using household objects to make your own. Let your kids figure out how to play drinking glasses or build a tissue box guitar. Either way, you’ll enjoy making music as a family.
Weave Some Stories
Nothing sets the scene for a good story like a little bit of rain. Take advantage of the atmosphere with a little family storytime. Gather everyone around the living room or a fireplace, and let each person take turns making up their own story. You can make up funny or spooky tales, depending on your mood. You can even make storytime into a game where you build a story together. Have one person start, and then each person can add a sentence or two. You’re bound to be entertained by the wild tales you spin.
Stretch Those Muscles
When the kids can’t get outside to play, that energy can cause you stress. Luckily, there are quite a few workouts online that are geared toward little ones. One of the best ways to get their bodies moving and help them relax is a little bit of yoga. Pull up some simple practices online and have them stretch out to their favorite music. Got kids with a lot of energy to burn? Try out a few acroyoga poses or some safe tumbling around the house. You can even get in on the fun and burn some calories yourself. Studies show that kids who exercise regularly are less prone to health problems like obesity, so get moving indoors when it rains outside.
Have Tasty Fun in the Kitchen
Rainy days are bound to lead to some movie-time fun. Make sure your family is prepared with some healthy and tasty homemade snacks. You can roll out some whole wheat pizza dough and have everyone go through the steps to make their own individual pizza. Want something a little sweeter? Look for healthy baking recipes online that feature fresh fruit, crunchy granola, and even some hidden veggies. Choose recipes that allow them to be creative, and always stress the importance of kitchen and food safety.
Create Your Own Weather Inside
When the skies are gray outside, try putting together some exciting, educational weather and science experiments inside. Grab a few items, including some dish soap and glitter, to create your own elephant’s toothpaste, or make some colorful rain clouds inside a mason jar. Aside from giving your children a better understanding of the world around them, you are also helping to create essential scientific curiosity.
Don’t let rainy days get you down! Grab your kids and your laptop to find some educational, fun tutorials you can complete inside. When bedtime rolls around, you’ll be thankful that you did!
Photo Credit: Pixabay
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