We’ve all been there. It’s been raining for days on end, and everyone is getting restless inside. If you hear that whiny "I’m bored!" one more time, you may just have to tape someone’s mouth shut. Hopefully this article can be of some help, so put down the duct tape and read on for fresh ideas.
Get Crafty
There are literally dozens of ways to make art, and most can be done with what you already have at home. There are your basics, of course – coloring, play-dough, painting, etc. Even those old standbys can be spiced up. Print out coloring pages from the internet with your child’s favorite characters or animals, and make them their own coloring book. Invest in a large roll of paper, and cover your entire table, floor, or wall for them to paint or color. Try painting on fabric instead of paper. Provided you’re using washable paint (as I’m sure you are) let them strip down to their diapers and paint their bodies. Instead of store bought, make your own play-dough with one of the recipes found here. When you’re ready to play, use cookie cutters, utensils, Mr. Potato Head pieces, anything that looks like fun. Build a play-dough obstacle course for toy cars to navigate, or a play-dough city for toy dinosaurs to destroy. You can also make ‘oobleck’, which is messy, but so cool. While you’re in the messy mood, why not try finger paint? You can make your own (edible!) finger paints with this recipe. For very young kids, fill a Ziploc bag with the finger paints, let the air out, and zip it shut. Then put that duct tape to good use and seal the bag. Put it on the table in front of your little one, and let them have at it. They will love running their fingers ‘through’ the paint, and watching the colors swirl together. You will love that they stay clean. Have your child make a collage – use stickers, magazine cutouts, feathers, pom-poms, whatever you have. For older kids, you will find that the recycle bin offers loads of supplies and possibilities for inventing. Haul it out, throw in some tape, glue, paint, and whatever else you (or they) can think of. Then sit back, and watch the wheels start to turn.
Use Your Imagination
Kids love to pretend, especially when the grownups play along. Play dress up, and act the part. Or get completely silly and mix up your characters. Dress in a cowboy outfit, and talk like a pirate. If you don’t have costumes, let the kids wear mom or dad’s clothes. Pretend to be the baby, and let them take care of you! Pretend to be a monster (or the dreaded ‘tickle monster’) and chase them around the house. Make your own family circus, and put on a show. Put on some music, and dance until you drop. Tie some ribbons onto a stick and make a ribbon dance wand (or fairy princess wand). Dig out the jingle bells, and shake them while you dance. You can even make your own music with pots and pans, a bottle full of rice or beans, or the cheese grater and a spoon. Look through the recycling again, and bring out any good-sized boxes, just leave them in the living room, and watch the magic. Make a pillow pile in the middle of the living room for jumping into, or hiding under. Find somewhere to build a fort, bring flashlights, and serve snacks inside. Or just lay a blanket on the floor and have a ‘picnic.’ Build, but not with blocks. Use boxes, canned goods, books, or playing cards. Have a scavenger hunt, and see who can find everything on the list the fastest. For younger kids, draw sketches of what they need to find. Make an obstacle course for your kids, or have them make one for their toys. Have a pillow fight, and jump on the beds.
Make a Mess
Not that all of the ideas thus far have been particularly neat, but sometimes it’s just fun to make a mess for the heck of it. Just think of the time a bath will kill as an added bonus. Head to the kitchen and let your child ‘cook’ – give them a bowl, a spoon, and a few ingredients, and see what they can invent. Or bake something together, and then enjoy your yummy creation together later. Blow bubbles and see how many tools you can find to blow bubbles with. Make your own bubble soap using one of these recipes. Fill a cookie sheet with whipped cream or shaving cream (or just spray it onto the table). Add some food coloring and small toys or utensils, then sit back and let the kids do the rest. Fill the sink with a few inches of water, some cups and toys. Bring a chair over, and cover it with a towel so it doesn’t get slippery. Then let your kids play in the water. You can do the same with some large pots on the floor, if you prefer. Add a little dish soap for bubbles, or food coloring, for more fun.
Relax and Unwind
Sometimes there is nothing better on a rainy day than hunkering down with the ones you love. Snuggle up and read stories. Use that pillow pile from before, or read in your awesome new fort. Make watching a movie an event. Pop popcorn and turn off the lights for the theatre experience at home. While you’ve got the lights off, grab a flashlight and tell scary stories. Or turn them back on, and tell not-so-scary stories. Microwave s’mores or hot cocoa and relax in front of the fire (if you don’t have a fireplace, borrow this fire.)
Get Out of the House
If all else fails, you can always escape the house. You can head to the library or a local book store for story time. Find out what your local YMCA or community center offers. Many have indoor open swim times, or even indoor playgrounds set up, which can be a lifesaver, particularly in the long winter months. If you’re not afraid to get wet (or of a little laundry), dress the kids and let them splash around in the puddles outside. Or bring the outside in if the snow has you housebound. Grab a cookie sheet, a large stockpot, or other container, and fill it with snow. Let the kids make a mess of it in the kitchen, and don’t forget – a little food coloring can go a long way. Find a mall playground to play at, or head out for a matinee at the local theatre. Take the kids to see the animals at the pet store, or even your local animal shelter. Just make sure they know that no one is coming home with you! For an extra special memory, call your local fire station, and ask for a tour. Most of the time, they are happy to show you around, fire trucks and all, a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Show boredom who’s boss, and when the weather finally improves you will all emerge happier for it.
