Spring is here. And here come April showers!
I absolutely adore thunderstorms. I mean the really big ones. I love watching the clouds form and pile higher. I sit and wait for the sudden streaks of lightning traveling across the sky. I smile while listening to the splatters of heavy raindrops and rolling thunder. This is my happy place.
Luckily, my son appreciates the rain, too. I was hoping he wouldn’t be afraid of the weather (though I understand why many are). But how can he not be excited when I have a huge smile on my face knowing a storm is coming? I’m partly in awe of extreme weather. My inner storm chaser is bursting to get out!
That’s the rain I love. I don’t love the drizzle for days on end. I don’t love the gloomy skies and constant clouds that make me question if the sun is even still there. And I don’t love being stuck inside with nothing to do. That’s when we get too cranky with each other. So here’s our top 10 list of go-to activities for rainy days:
Top 10 Rainy Day Activities
1. Cooking or Baking:
A cold or rainy day is perfect for spending some time together in the kitchen. You can pick a favorite recipe or try a new one. It’s also a great opportunity to teach about safe kitchen practices (how to chop etc.) and how to measure for the recipe. And when you’re done, you get a great snack and they can help you wash the dishes.
2. Board Games:
I loved board games growing up. Some of my fondest memories are game nights with my mom. Being stuck indoors is a great excuse to open the closet and bring out the games. My son is just getting into them but Memory, Trouble, and Chutes & Ladders can keep his attention. I look forward to when he really gets into them, but for now these are great learning opportunities as well as fun. Puzzles are great, too!
3. Build a Fort:
We love using our kitchen table or chairs as a fort. We take a pile of blankets and build something new every time. My son also has a Lightning McQueen tent that joins the party, too. If it’s dark outside you might as well build a dark cave. I suggest getting a flash light and a book! It’s almost like camping. And sometimes there isn’t enough room for mom, which means I get to enjoy a cup of tea!
4. Play Dress Up:
That’s right–let your kiddo(s) dress up however they want! Princess, superhero, pirates, PJs, your jewelry or shoes… you name it! But be sure to snap a photo for future embarrassment.
5. Paint:
Stuck inside with nothing to do? Get messy! My son uses an old button-up shirt of his dad’s to paint in. Use whatever you have on hand. I have a lot of random supplies from when I had more time to be creative. So we have plenty of options sitting around. One of our favorites is to paint wooden birdhouses. If you don’t have the supplies you need, just grab some crayons and plain paper.
6. Movie Day:
And when I say ‘movie day,’ I mean with popcorn, of course! Does your family have a favorite? Or are you desperate for something new (because you’ve seen Cars 1,403 times)? You can’t go wrong if you’re snuggled on the couch, under a blanket with a big bowl of popcorn.
7. Make Birdfeeders:
If you’re sick of the dreary weather and ready for spring, why not plan ahead? You can easily make a bird feeder out of a toilet paper tube covered in peanut butter then rolled in birdseed. It’s a quick and easy project that the birds in your yard will love once the rain stops.
8. Dance Party:
Sometimes when it’s been raining for days we feel too cooped up. As much as we love lazy days, we need movement, too. Choose some of your favorite songs and some silly kid picks. Mix it up, but most importantly, shake it! It’s hard not to smile and laugh when you’re dancing to your favorite song!
9. Hide and Seek:
We’ve had a lot of entertainment playing Hide & Seek on wet days. It also teaches your child about counting while having fun. Another variation is doing an Easter egg hunt inside. If you’re anything like me, your living room might still be littered in plastic eggs and those pesky strands of plastic grass. We put all sorts of his tiny treasures in them and take turns hiding and finding.
10. Splash Party!
And if all else fails indoors, go splash in the puddles! Once the storm has passed and it’s safe, go outside. Or maybe it’s day three of gloom and you need a change of scenery. Escape the house and watch your child’s face light up while stomping in puddles.
