Rainy days don’t have to mean bored children either wreaking havoc from room to room or sitting numbly hypnotized by the television screen. With some quick thinking and helpful suggestions, children can engage their minds and enjoy themselves indoors. Studies often attribute children’s misbehavior to boredom, so getting children involved in enriching activities can make a rainy day enjoyable for everyone.

Engage Their Imaginations
Break out the Halloween costumes, provide fun props, or dig up some of your old clothes, so children can play dress up. Encourage them to make a show. If they need ideas, suggest they perform a well known story, song or poem, like The Three Little Pigs, “I’m a Little Teapot” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” In addition to preparing their costumes, creating a set and rehearsing their show, they can even busy themselves with making tickets and programs.

Get Them Moving
Create a safe obstacle course in the living room. Make a path of ottomans or footstools for going around. Use pillows for jumping over. Drape a sheet over two chairs to fashion a tunnel for going through. Cut out some simple cardboard arrows to show the direction of the path, and get ready as children try to master your fun course. When they tire of the course you made, let them design a safe course of their own. A stopwatch or kitchen timer can be a fun way for children to try to top their own times through the courses.

Dance the Day Away
Turn up the tunes, and enjoy some toe-tapping fun. Play some of your children’s favorite tunes and watch them move to the music. If you’ve grown tired of hearing the same children’s songs over and over, introduce them to some of your favorite music. Do simple dances like the Macarena or the Chicken Dance. Encourage your children to create their own dances. For a bit more structure, play an easy game in which children dance until you call out, “Freeze!” Enjoy their stiff, silly poses until you direct them to start dancing again. Let them take turns being the caller, and join in the rhythmic fun.

Organize an Art Show
Pull out the art supplies, and get their creative juices flowing. Have your children create several pieces of art to display in a family art showcase. As they’re busily working, you can create the exhibit space. String several long pieces of ribbon or twine between chairs. Artwork can be fastened along the strings with clips to create a gallery of hanging masterpieces. If your children need ideas for their artwork, give them a few suggestions, like making a self-portrait, drawing a favorite place, or creating a scene from nature. When your children have finished their artwork, stroll through together, admiring their pieces.

Fix Some Tasty Treats
Consider getting your children into the kitchen to prepare a healthy snack, a simple dish or a whole meal. Work together to make a delicious fruit salad or a refreshing smoothie. Fix a fancy crudite and cheese platter with favorite vegetables, dressings and cheeses. If you’re looking for a more involved activity, follow a recipe together, letting them take the lead in safe and appropriate steps. If you choose a baking project, have some icing and sprinkles on hand for creative decorating. You can improvise and provide toppings like raisons and chocolate chips, then let your children create their own original concoctions. Don’t forget to wash those hands before you begin your culinary feats.

Don’t dread another rainy day indoors with your children. With a little creativity and the desire to have fun, you can turn a dreary, damp day into an entertaining, enriching experience. Remember to consider your children’s interests, and don’t be afraid to join in the fun. Stormy weather can be the perfect opportunity to spend time with your children, while creating lasting family memories.

Kevin Andersen is the owner of Personalized Story Time Book which specializes in unique and custom children’s titles such as The Three Little Pigs and Scooby Doo Book.

[tags]children, indoor, activities , kids[/tags]