Adams Media - Kids Activities for a Rainy Day: 25 boredom-busting ideas for tons of indoor fun!

Kids Activities
for a Rainy Day

25 boredom-busting ideas for tons of indoor fun!

Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Avon, Massachusetts

Contents

Introduction

As the parent of a young child, you have a unique role and opportunity. Studies show that early home life and experiences have the strongest impact on a childs development and future success. You can add fun, learning, and enrichment to your childs life every day with activities. Smart activities can also make your own life easier by entertaining your little one without large amounts of materials or advanced planning. There are many reasons why you may choose to do activities with your child, and theyre all good ones.

Since life with a little one doesnt stop as soon as bad weather strikes, its important to have a repertoire of stimulating activities for those days when its just too rainy or snowy to go outside. Proper indoor activities will help nurture creativity and imagination while also teaching your child effective communication strategies, and deepening the bond between the two of you. Just about any activity in this ebook will benefit your childs growth tremendously!

Here, weve collected 25 of the best indoor activities for young children and toddlers to try in your own living room. Some activities are games, some are arts and crafts projects that are easy and quick to clean up, and others are simply old favorites re-imagined. Most of the activities are quick to pull together, and require few if any specialized materials. And all of them, regardless of what type of activity they are, are sure to entertain your little one for hours of fun, regardless of the weather!

Beanbag Toss

This is a classic activity that will help your child develop motor skills. If you dont have beanbags, you can simply use rolled-up socks.

Activity for an individual child or a group

Age group: 1840 months

Duration of activity: 10 minutes

Activity Materials

Several beanbags

An empty receptacle, such as a box or basket

1. Give your child three or four beanbags and show her how to gently toss them.

2. Be creative in choosing a receptacle. Empty boxes or laundry baskets work well.

3. Let your child toss the beanbags into the receptacle.

Toddler Twister

Here is a simplified version of the classic game that will help your child with color recognition. You can still use the commercial game mat or create your own playing space, as described below.

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 3040 months

Duration of activity: 15 minutes

Activity Materials

Circles cut from construction paper (the size of a paper plate)

Masking tape

1. Tape the colored circles onto a hardwood or linoleum floor.

2. Call out one simple direction at a time for example, Put your foot on a blue spot. To add a challenge when your child has mastered the basic game, you can cut some of the circles into different shapes to test shape as well as color recognition.

Indoor Beach

With a little effort and creativity, it is easy to transform your living room into a wonderful surfside paradise, even on the rainiest of days. You can always find fun tropical-themed props at your local party-supply store, too.

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 1840 months

Duration of activity: 1 hour

Activity Materials

Beach towels

Large umbrella

Brown construction paper

Green crepe paper or ribbon

Wall adhesive (such as Sticky Tac)

Recording of beach-type music

Beach-theme posters (optional)

1. Set up the beach towels and the umbrella as you would if you were at the beach.

2. Cut out a palm tree trunk from the construction paper, and cut sections of crepe paper for the fronds. Crease each frond into a wide V before attaching them to the trunk. Post the completed palm tree on the wall.

3. Hang any other themed posters or props, and play your favorite tropical music.

Shoe-Box Golf

Since you cant be on the real greens when it rains, why not golf inside? This game tests your young childs motor skills and eye-hand coordination.

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 3040 months

Duration of activity: 20 minutes

Activity Materials

Shoe box

Scissors

Crayons

Masking tape

Golf or ping-pong ball

1. Cut a hole in the center of the shoe box lid just big enough to fit the golf ball.

2. Invite your child to decorate the inside of the lid with the crayons. (She can also decorate the rest of the box, but the inside of the lid is most visible as it is the playing field.)

3. Invert the lid and secure it over the empty box with a couple strips of masking tape. You want to be able to remove the lid to retrieve the ball.

4. Place the ball on the lid. Challenge your child to tilt the box back and forth and try to get the ball to fall in the hole.

Tea Party

This activity is fun for boys and girls. Instead of dolls, your child can invite favorite action figures or stuffed animals. This does not have to be an elaborate party. You can use real materials, but pretend props work just as well.

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 3040 months

Duration of activity: 20 minutes

Activity Materials

Tea set

Decorations of your choice

Table and chairs

Refreshments of your choice

1. Let your child help you plan and set up the event. What can you use for decorations? What will you serve?

2. Follow the level of your childs interest. You may simply need to put a few paper plates on a table, or your child may enjoy making placeholders, party hats, and so on.

3. Attend the party and be a good guest enjoy the refreshments, and keep the conversation lively!

Rainy-Day Pictures

Do not despair the next time rainy weather keeps your child indoors. This fun rainy-day picture will help chase the blues away.

Activity for an individual child

Age group: 3040 months

Duration of activity: 20 minutes

Activity Materials

1 sheet white construction paper

Crayons

3 or 4 large paper souffl or baking cups

3 or 4 pieces of yarn, each 3 inches long

White craft glue

1. Let your child use the crayons to color a rainy-day picture.

2. Show your child how to make paper-and-yarn umbrellas. Fold the baking cups (which will double as umbrella tops) in half and glue to the rainy-day picture. Glue yarn handles to the picture underneath each umbrella top.

Puzzle Hunt

Heres a new way to interest your child in puzzles and problem solving. It is best to use a puzzle that your child knows and can complete. Jumbo floor puzzles work best for this activity, but you can use any favorite jigsaw puzzle.