10 RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

1. AMAZING CONSTRUCTION
Materials needed
Solid color plastic straws

Connect the straws by squeezing the end of the straw and sliding it into the end of another straw. Once the kids are started, introduce the concept of an architect and how the architech uses his imgination to design some really cool and unusual structures. Appoint each child as head architect of his own structure and let the building really kick in. Shortly after this point, you may want to “suggest” that they can “go” through another straw by cutting a slit through it (you may want to help with the younger kids). At the end, you can make a big deal out of each structure by announcing different awards for each design (ie: largest, greatest use of imgination, most straws used, etc).

2. MADISON AVENUE JEALOUSY
Materials needed
Solid colored umbrella
Fabric pens (Crayola makes “Fabric Markers”, found at most local craft stores)
Arcylic paint and brushes

Introduce this craft to the kids as their chance to show off their creative talents that will make New York fashion seem like nothing. Cover a large area of the floor with newpaper or plastic drop cloth (you will need some storage space for drying). Open the umbrella and decorate each section with the fabric pens and/or paints. You can do either side of the umbrella, whichever is easier for the kids (depending on age and skill level). For the older kids, the umbrella can tell a story, with each section leading into the next section. Let the finished umbrella dry at least 24 hours before closing (or taking out into the rain).

3. ASSEMBLY LINE MANIA
Materials needed
Shoe box with top
Acrylic paint and brushes (and/or Sharpie pens)
Samll paper plates (paint containment area)
Scissors
Glue
Masking tape
Craft wire
(4) black buttons (approx 2″ or largeris good size)
(2) large beads (1/4″ buttons will also work)
Driver and passenger (tall flexible toy man works great)

Cover a table with newspaper (or nothing if you don’t care if a little paint is spilled on it). Tape the lid onto the box. Cut out the front portion (approx 6″). This will be the passenger compartment. The kids can do this or you can trace out an oval and have them “help” you cut (depending on their ages). Next is the axle and wheel assembly. Punch a whole on each side of the vehicle about 1″ from the back. Insert the craft wire through the holes, then through the buttons and back into the box. Tie off inside box. Parents may want to bypass the wheels and head lights due to choking hazard. Repeat this step for the front wheels and axle. Next attach the smaller buttons to the front of the vehicle for the headlights. You can certainly add a learning component here on how a car is made (depending on how familiar you are with the assemby process of a real vehicle). Free free to add doors, windowshields, etc. Finally the vehicle is ready for the paint shop. Pour paint on to paper plate (one for each color). You can offer to have one or two plates to the kids to “create” their own colors. Let each child “paint” their own car or truck. At the end, let them pick a name for their creation and put on the front or side.

4. RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING, WELL ALL OVER
Material needed
Dry towels waiting
Maybe warm shower

Hey, sometimes all the fun is in the problem. Rainy day usually keeps everyone inside so go ahead and buck the trend and head outside. Get the bikes out and ride through the puddles (no need to go around them). The kids will fugure out what to do all by themselves once they get over the shock of you allowing them to go outside. A quick game of soccer, water pollo without the pool, who knows what the kids will do but it is really fun to watch. Great way to run some energy off. Be ready with dry towels when everyone figures out that the rain can be really cold. By the way, this can be a great way to get the boys to actually want to do bath time (just to get warm).

5. BOWLING LEAGUE
Materials needed
Modeling clay
Disposable plastic cups
Duct tape (you should always have some around)
Small ball (tennis, Nerf, rubber)

First, let’s make the bowling pins. Stick a small lump of modeling clay (about 1″ thick is good) on to the inside of the cup. Invert a second cup and set it on top of the cup with the clay. Then duct tape them together. Congratulations, you just made your first bowling pin. Repeat this process till 10 pins are made. This a great activity to help the younger kids with their math. Tell them you need two cups for each pin and a total of 10 pins. The older kids can help the younger kids to assembly. Pretend you are at a bowling pin assembly plant. You can even have a short “break” time and have veryone gather to have “coffee” in the cafateria. Have an official pin tender set up the pins. Four in back, three next and so on. Each player gets two consecutive rolls. You can be the official score keeper or just count each pin as one point. Maybe do a simple banquet at the end with paper plate awards.

6. INDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE
Materials needed
Obstacles (pillows, furniture, chairs, ballons, use your imgination)
String
Paper and tape

Plot your course. Couse might look something like this: crawl under and over chairs, walk to the kitchen touching only paper feet taped to floor, crawl under kitchen table without touching hanging ballons, slide under a string between two chairs, then back to family/living room on same paper feet, crawl through a tunnel made of couch pillows, and finally the finish line. To make the course even more challenging, tape toilet paper rolls (full or emtpy) to the palm of each hand. Each contestant must finish with the roll/tube unsmashed to qualify for the next round. You can then add the same to their feet. You can add silly rules at each station like singing a favorite song, jump on one foot 10 times, etc. The variations are endless.

7. SEARCH AND FIND
Materials needed
Simple celebration feast (cookies and milk is cool)

Let the kids pick the first hider. You may want to help pick (use kid friendly “I’m thinking of a number” and remind the younger ones everyone will get to play). Explain to this kids that they are on a deserted island after the tour boat you were on was in a big storm and blown way off course. Everyone is accounted for EXPECT (name the child who is hiding). While you are explaining the situation, have the lost person hide (give him/her at least 3-4 mintues to find that perfect spot to be “lost”. Then instruct that they must find their lost comrade before dark and it will best if everyone splits up to start the search. When one of the search party finds their lost comrade, tell he/she to squeeze into the same place to comfort their found friend. Soon the place will be jammed with kids. When the last person finds his lost comrade, have the kids repeat the process till everyone gets to be “lost”. At the very end, have a simple celebration feast in the kitchen.

8. HANDS ON MUSEUMS
Materials needed
Car to go

Did you know that there is over 10,000 taste buds on the human tongue, the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly upside down and backwards or that flys have taste buds on their feet??? These and much more can be discovered at your local hands on museum. It can be a great place to get your kids excited about science and how things work in a very fun environment. To find if your area has one, Google “hands on musuem” with your city name.

9. ROCK WALL CLIMBING
Materials needed
Car to go

Kids will love this activity. Great way to build confidence and burn some energy off. Remember to encourage the kids after a disappointing climb. They can always come back on another rainy day. To find one in your area, Google “indoor rock climbing wall”.

10.  HEY YOGI, LET’S EAT
Materials needed
Lunch meat
Peanut butter and jelly
Bread
Whatever else sounds good
Stuffed animals

Pretend it’s summer and have a picnic lunch on a blanket in the middle of the living room. Bring out all the stuffed animals for a touch of the outdoors.

Comments