10 Rainy Day Activities To Do With The Kids

1. Tickle, wrestle and bring out your inner cuddle monster. I’m a firm believer that physical play and roughhousing is important for many reasons. I remember reading a research paper by Dr Richard Fletcher from the University of Newcastle a few years ago that looked more closely at the importance of rough-and-tumble play as a key aspect of male parenting that is important for child development and having one of those aha moments. It can strengthen the bond between father and son (and I’m certain daughter as well) and teaches a range of social skills. Invest in a great lounge room floor rug and you’re set.

 

2. Indoor Obstacle Course. We’re really lucky that our house has been built around a middle point meaning you can circle the inside rooms in a one clear loop (omitting the bedrooms of course). This provides the perfect route for an indoor obstacle course. We line the dining chairs up to create a tunnel, placing a sheet across them to ensure the kids lay on their tummies and pull themselves through. Cushions become stepping stones in one section of the course and our Ikea box storage a balance beam. The key is to arrange existing furniture in such a way that they become the obstacle. Utilising sheets and towels you can extend the course so it becomes more of a challenge.

 

3. Cook together. Source an easy peasy recipe online and let the kids crack the eggs, stir the bowl, do much of the cooking and then lick the bowl under your watchful eye. Baking is always fun, better when it is messy. A favourite food based activity for us is to turn cream into butter.

 

4. Build a fort. Kids seem to love building inside. With a few dining chairs, blankets, sheets or even towels, you can create fortress for the kids in your lounge room. You may find pegs are a useful resource to keep everything in place. We like to build our fort in our lounge room. On constructing our fort we furnish inside with pillows and blanks so we have a comfy space.

 

5. Board Games. Never underestimate the power of a board game. Over the years I have accumulated a plethora of board games and regularly introduce these to the kids. New skills are learned and laughter is sure to wrap around your time together. Celebrity Head, Monopoly, Operation, Scattegories…..the list is endless.

 

6. Spider web tumble. I use streamers for this game but you could use string. I create a web across one of our door frames and challenge the kids to move to the other side without breaking a streamer. This game can be adapted and expanded to suit your house and the ages of your kids.

 

7. Matchbox Scavenger Hunt. This became a popular post when we shared it earlier this year. You will need a matchbox for each participant. Simply provide a short list of items to be found and launch the activity. Remind the kids that  their items need to fit into the matchbox.

 

8. Craft. So many options! Before you start I think it is a good idea to create and prepare your own craft box that you can bring out when in rains. I try to fill mine with a few special items from Smiggle and Micador before bulking it up with foam, material, glue and paper from places like Kmart and my local $2.00 store. 

 

9. Fashion Parade. Think outside the wardrobe for this one and spin the game. Grab a few old newspapers, masking tape, toilet paper and scissors and let the kids design their own outfits for each other. Read The Paperbag Princess too!

 

10. Dominos or marble run….which do you choose?