If you’re one of the many (many) parents who catches a glimpse of the weather forecast, see’s rain, rain and more rain and silently screams to themselves, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve got a bundle of toddlers underfoot, a couple of rambunctious pre-schoolers or a pack of discerning school kids, the age old struggle of ‘what to do with the kids in the rain’ unifies parents regardless of their children’s ages.
With winter in full swing which often means a lot of rain on the forecast so we’ve pulled together the best sanity saving rainy day activities for your kids to enjoy. BYO gumboots.
1. Take a walk on the wild side
When it’s been bucketing down all day and things have started to go pear shape, a walk outside in the rain can be the best solution. Bundle up the kids in boots and raincoats, grab your own wet weather gear and take to the park or streets. Kids of all ages love muddy puddles, sliding through wet grass and discovering the new landscape that comes with the rain. A hot bath as soon as you walk through the front door afterwards just adds to the occasion (and means bath time can be ticked off your bedtime list.)
2. Take a dip, in the bath
There’s something a bit special about a middle of the day bath. Younger kids especially can completely blown away by the prospect of a bath while it’s still light. Fill the tub with bubbles if you’ve got them and whip up some of these DIY bath paints for a solid hour of entertainment.
3. Tea for two
Tea parties may not be as popular with slightly older kids but in our experience, if the treats are delicious enough, you’ll quickly convert them. Make it extra special by setting up in a tent or teepee (or under the dining table), invite a select group of soft toy friends and serve tea and biccies. You could even make a 1/2 day activity of it by incorporating by baking some treats for the tea party in the morning and serving them up fresh out of the oven. Try our kid friendly Healthy Jam Drops, healthy shortbreads or chocolate coconut slice
4. Craft time
Whether you like or loathe it, craft is a fantastic way to keep little heads and hands occupied. Generally, the sensory based activities tend to be the most popular (think finger painting or playdough making and play). Try mixing up a batch of our edible finger paints or super easy homemade playdough. The kids can help with the prep and reap the rewards with plenty of fun play!
5. Puzzles, board games and lego
If your puzzles, board games and lego haven’t got a workout in awhile, a rainy day is the perfect time to pull them out. Lego in particular is amazingly good at uniting the whole family in the one task, regardless of age or ability. Simple boardgames and puzzles are also popular with kids of all ages, especially if you set some challenges for the older kids.
