The Best Kids Activities for Rainy Days
You look out the window and notice that the weather has turned into one of those powerful Spring storms and the rain is pounding the side of your house. This intense rainstorm should not come as a complete surprise. From March to May, monthly precipitation ranges from a high of 5.94 inches in Hawaii to a low of 0.77 inches in Arizona.
But wherever you live, you can be sure a Spring storm will keep you and your family stuck indoors for at least a few days while Spring showers move through your neighborhood. What’s a parent to do?
Rainy Day Activities
It's raining, it's pouring and the kids say it's boring!
You could plop them in front of the television set, or let them play on the computer, but this time, think out of the box to involve your entire family in some fun-filled, non-screen-oriented activities.
Here are some great kid’s activities for rainy days when a Spring shower keeps them indoors.
1. Get Crafty
Fresh fruit is wonderful this time of year but doesn't have to be just for eating. Why not try a fun and simple “fruit print” activity this afternoon? This craft is perfect for kids of all ages. Tots can explore tapping and pressing the fruits in various colors of paint, while older kids can create patterns and match colors to fruits. Show them your pride and hang them on the refrigerator to show off their artistry.
2. Indoor Treasure Hunt
Great for kids of any age, because you can customize the clues to their level. Try your hand at being Dr. Seuss and create rhyming clues for fun. You can even create a version for preschoolers with pictures that you draw or print out from the computer.
The clues will guide players from one spot to the next, building anticipation for the big treasure they’ll find at the end. As your treasure hunters move from one clue to the next, go along to cheer and encourage them and to help if they get stuck. But be sure to allow them to think for themselves as much as possible and play the game at their own pace. After all, it’s raining outside, so there doesn’t need to be a time limit on the game.
You can even have a grand prize for the child who finds everything first or makes it a team event so everyone wins. A steaming mug of hot chocolate on a rainy day for all to enjoy is always a big hit!
3. Balloon Volleyball
If you have a few kids at home, you can create a safe indoor volleyball game. Take a broom and lay it across two chairs as a net, and play volleyball with a balloon or soft beach ball. Make sure it doesn’t hit the ground! Balloon ping pong can be another variation, using wooden spoons to hit the balloon over the “net”.
Older kids can be told they have to sit down throughout the game while the younger kids can stand and move around. Of course, choose a place in the house where your children can get rambunctious without the danger of breaking your favorite knickknack.
4. Cards and Board Games
Remember the card games you used to play as a child? Why not teach your kids how to play the games you treasured when growing up? A “Go Fish” tournament or learning Gin Rummy will create memories for both you and your young ones.
Or make the fun also a time of education with a game of Scrabble or Scrabble Junior. Pictionary is sure to create giggles. For older kids, introduce them to Colonel Mustard in the game of Clue and little kids will get hours of joy from Hungry Hippos and Candyland.
One of the hottest new games although a bit messy is Pie Face. This game is filled with fun and suspense, and somebody’s bound to get splatted! Just put some delicious whipped cream from home or the wet sponge on the “hand” of this hilarious game unit and start turning the handles. Kids as young as five years old can play along with parents and grandparents.
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5. Fort Fun
A tradition all kids participate in while growing up is making forts out of furniture, blankets, and cushions. The next rainy day that comes around, help your kids construct their own super fort in the family room. You can even have lunch in the new dwelling to make it special. They'll stay busy all day long with fun, quiet activities to play inside their new imaginary tent.
6. Kitchen Cooking
As long as the kids are stuck indoors, why not spend the day together making a family-favorite recipe? Whether it’s chili, cookies or hot dogs, get your kids involved by assigning each of them a part in the cooking process. Not only will they feel important and useful, they'll also be proud of their delicious delicacy. Plus, you get to sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor together.
7. Act It Out
Charades is a great family game for a rainy day. Split into two teams. Each team should write down words, names, places, books, movies, etc. on pieces of paper. These are then exchanged with the other team's. Teams take turns picking a piece of paper and silently acting out what's on the paper. Each time a player takes a turn, use a stopwatch to track the time. The team with the shortest overall time is the winner.
Try a twist on the game of charades. Rosetta Stone helps improve pronunciation and build confidence for a variety of languages. If your family is planning a trip to a foreign country or if your kids are studying a second language in school, using words from Rosetta Stone in a game of charades provides a fun way to keep learning. Plus, will help expand kids' vocabulary and knowledge.
(For the best deals on your fun and educational experience, use a Rosetta Stone coupon!)
8. Dance Party
Kids can go stir-crazy when cooped up indoors all day. Help release some of that energy with some lively music and slick moves. Dancing around the house will bring you and your kids closer while you burn off pent-up energy and get some exercise. Include the latest craze of lip-syncing into the dancing. Kids love to show off their ability to mimic their favorite pop icons and you may find a future rock star in your own home!
Being stuck indoors on a rainy day shouldn’t stop you from getting the kids active, and having fun. There is literally an endless supply of kid’s activities for rainy days. And with a little thought and advance planning, a rainy day at home can turn into a special time without the need for technology.