Rainy Day Activities for Kids

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When those rainy days approach you can almost smell the sense of panic in the air of moms everywhere as they ask themselves: “What on earth am I going to do to keep the kids occupied ALL day long?” The day quickly becomes a combination of fending off snack requests every 3 milliseconds and resisting the urge to just let them blankly stare at the technology trifecta: the TV, IPad and computer. Below are a few ideas that will help you get through those days when the clouds (and rain, and thunder, and hail) roll in.

Shaving Cream Fun

For as little as $1 (I’m looking at you Dollar store), this will keep your kids occupied for quite some time with a super sensory experience. Not only is it extremely easy to clean up, it has the added bonus of the flashback of smelling like your dad when he got done shaving. Take out a placemat, give each kid a bottle of their own shaving cream and in the words of the 90’s group Bel Biv Devoe, let the kids smack it up, flip it, rub it down!

Cheap, easy to clean up and entertains the kids for a good bit of time!

Balloon Tennis

Kids, young and older, love balloons. Cut one room in half. Some people want to get all fancy schmancy and construct an actual indoor net, but I’m more of a minimalist. And if truth be told, I’m lazy. I will just turn the coffee table sideways in the opposite direction to serve as the “net.” Give each kid a paper plate to use as their “racquet.” Help the kids keep score as they release that pent up energy on that little ball of air. One benefit of balloon tennis is that big sibling can accidentally hit little sibling in the head with the “ball” and it’s no big deal. Game on!

Recycling Bin Sculptures

One of the awesome things about kids is their ability to see possibilities. The recycling bin is filled with good materials for imaginative construction. Let the kids go “dumpster diving” for a few of the cleaner recycled materials. Give them tape, scissors and some space and tell them to come up with a new tool or invention. This will eat up some time as they think about, plan and perfect their little invention. I had no idea how resourceful the recycling bin could be until my son jumped into ours, took out an old box and created Diesel 10’s claw. The downside is that it now takes up space and is on the verge of becoming a future hoarder, but there’s plenty of time to address that in therapy. Right now I’m just trying to survive a rainy day.

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I had no idea what a treasure trove the recycling bin could be until my son jumped in and made Diesel 10’s claw out of an old box.

Surrender

When all else fails, give the kids their bathing suit, an umbrella and let them go out and play in it! Kids are way too cool to worry about their hair frizzing up and are able to enjoy those moments that we’ve lost our affection for. Let them show you what it means to smile in the stormy weather.

What are some of your tired and true ideas for keeping the kids entertained when you have the bad weather blues?

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Kristen McGuire
Kristen is a wife, mother and full-time special education teacher. Born in Connecticut, she has lived in Washington, DC, North Carolina and now happily calls Columbia home. Her children, the tortoise and the hare, were adopted from South Korea and are now 7 and 4. This “Dawson’s Creek” enthusiast was convinced if she scored a spot as an extra on the show, a famous actor would fall in love with her and whisk her away to pursue a life of parties and Prada. She scored the spot, but not the actor. With a chronic case of Wanderlust, she can be found day-tripping throughout the Carolinas and planning excursions to visit family across the US. She could be a contestant on "World's Worst Cook" as she has ruined instant pudding not once...but twice.

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