10 Rainy Day Activity Ideas for Children
Welcome back to Day 3 of the 5 Days of Mothering & Homemaking Series. My series title is 5 Days of Summer Activities with Children. Today, we’re talking about what to do when it’s raining all day.
Do you love rainy days? or dread the chaos it brings? I do a little of both. Some days, I can’t wait until it all dries up so I can send energetic children out the door to run some energy off, but other days, I welcome the down time! Sometimes it’s nice to know that it’s OK to just lay around and be lazy, you know? A lot of times, it depends on how rowdy the kids of the house are being.
Today’s post will be dedicated to some extra activities that you can do with your children if they’re getting bored or needing to run some extra energy off. These may divert their attention for a little while!
1. Play Dress Up – Keep a dress up box full of things they can dress up with. We have hats, jewelry, play shoes, dresses, etc. I have lots of girls, so they’re always decked out in frilly clothes! Once they’re dressed up, invite them to a tea party at the kitchen table.
2. Make Finger Paint – This was a super easy recipe to whip up in a hurry.
3. Make Your Own Play Dough - Apparently making play dough is really easy. Why have I not been making it for years? My children let it dry out and then I don’t buy it for a long time. The toddler really loves to play with it with knives and cookie cutters. Here’s a recipe that I found:
4. Build tents out of sheets & blankets – or better yet, let them put up the tent in your living room!
5. Read Aloud - We just finished a book from The Freedom Girls called The Story of Ruth Through a Child’s Eyes. We’re thinking of reading Anne of Green Gables next. Do you have a favorite summer read aloud?
6. Bake Brownies – We love baking Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies. In fact, we just made them the other day. Here’s the recipe:
7. Indoor Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of some common things that each child can find. Whoever finds their list first, wins the game!
8. Go “Swimming” in the tub – My girls love to pretend. Pretending that you’re at the pool, all while getting wet is so much fun to them. They get decked out in their swim suits and go splish and splash at the “pool”. They bring their dolls that can get wet and any other water toys they feel like playing with.
9. Indoor Bowling – If you don’t have a toy bowling set, no worries. Save up your Pringles chips cans or other cans or toys that can be knocked over. Use any ball and see how many they can get each time they roll the ball at them. Keep score if you want to. Just remember to HAVE FUN!
10. Blow Bubbles inside – I know, I know, that just really sounds WRONG to some of you. Have you ever considered that it really doesn’t make that big of a mess? Well, yes, maybe if little hands dump the bubbles it may, but…lay out a few towels or a sheet in the kitchen and let them enjoy blowing bubbles for a while.
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This post is the 3rd in a series of 5 Days of Summer Activities with Children. Don’t forget to visit the other 20 bloggers participating in the series. You can read about their topics by clicking the picture below.
These are wonderful ideas. I'm going to have to remember the blowing bubbles inside and I would like to try making the finger paint.
This comes at the perfect time since today is a rainy day!
Loving the finger paint idea!
I was so amazed at how simple the finger paint recipe was! I hope they like it!!
These are all such great ideas! I especially like the tent building, baking and reading – but I don't know if I could get up the guts to blow bubbles inside
lol, I understand. Some people can get past it, some just can't. Glad you like my more mellow ideas though.
Stopping by from Raising Arrows …. I love these ideas. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most fun
Thanks for stopping by Jamie! I agree, simple is often more fun than anything. Probably because mom is less frazzled! LOL
I love the brownie recipe! Thank you! I also loved the idea of bowling inside, hubby plays tennis so we always have lots of tennis ball containers that will work perfectly
Thank you again!
Yes, the tennis ball containers WILL be perfect. You're welcome!
These are great – I've pinned a few to try with my girls
Thanks so much for linking up with the Summer Connections blog hop!