10 Rainy Day Ideas
Rainy days (or quarantine days!) are great for enjoying the activities we don’t always have time for when it’s sunny and we’re busy out and about with friends. Here are some ideas for when you’re stuck inside at home with the kids!
1. Games
These could be board games like Twister, Bonanza, Pictionary, Scattegories, and countless others, or games that require little more than your imagination such as charades and hide and seek. One of our kids’ favourites is “Towers”, a game that involves trying to knock down the opposite team’s block towers by rolling a ball.
2. Reading
In addition to encouraging your kids to read for themselves, try reading aloud to your kids – if you pick something that grabs them, they’ll love it! This has the added benefit of introducing your kids to books of a higher reading level than they are capable of managing on their own. Alternatively, try audio books from the library or online. They can even be doing other activities such as colouring in at the same time!
3. Art & Craft
Colouring in is often popular with girls especially, but why not try teaching them (and yourself!) to knit, sew, cross stitch or do wood work? You can find templates online for constructing 3D shapes out of paper, or for making Star Wars themed snowflakes! Pinterest, of course, has tonnes of ideas for crafty activities, and you can sign up to online art tutorials on a website like Artventure for drawing lessons.
4. Write and perform a play
Our kids recently came up with their own short play with some other homeschooling friends, and had a ball practising it and performing it in front of a few adults! There’s no reason why they couldn’t do this by themselves, and perform it via video to share with family and friends!
5. Make a movie
If your kids have access to a camera or smart phone, this would be a fun way to spend some time. I used to love making movies with my friend when we were kids! Again, this could be shared with others via the internet.
6. Lego competition
If your kids are into Lego, you could help them set up a competition amongst themselves or perhaps work together to create something to impress their friends!
7. Writing competition
This one might take a little more convincing, unless your child is really into writing! But kids love to have a reason or an audience for writing something, so if they know you’re planning on sending their stories to Nana or if they can read them to their friends on a video, it might get them a little more excited!
8. Online dance or exercise class
There are loads of online tutorials on dancing, exercise and even martial arts! A fun way to get some exercise while stuck indoors!
9. Cooking or baking
Kids tend to love cooking, and the more often they do it the more competent they’ll become! You could either rotate the kids through the different steps, or allow one child to help with one dinner or baking session at a time.
10. Make a picture book
This could be fiction, from a story they have made up, or non-fiction, like a report on something that interests them. Your child may need help with the planning and binding bits! But they will enjoy making the Cover and About the Author sections, and seeing the finished product!
