It’s a rainy weekend, and your kids are BORED. Have no fear! You can check out this handy info for moms when it comes time for rainy day activities!
The first thing I do when getting ready for the long, rainy fall weekends is head to the dollar store. I pick up some cheap plastic tablecloths, a couple of batches of finger paint and plenty of inexpensive wet wipes. That way the kids can have fun and cleanup is a snap. If you can get your hands on a few rolls of leftover wrapping paper when the sales run after Christmas, the glossy slick back sides are great for finger painting!!
Another great activity is the indoor picnic. Yup, those plastic tablecloths can come in handy here, too! Rent a movie and crash out with REAL picnic food - sandwiches, chips and lemonade. Nice thing about a picnic indoors is that popcorn makes a healthy, appropriate dessert!
Mom support groups are a great way to spend those rainy days. Consider starting one just for those soggy afternoons - if you all pick up the phone and network, you can throw together an impromptu potluck. The kids can enjoy each other’s company while you moms have some chat time. Name yourselves the ‘Cold, Cold, Wet Day’ club after the famous Cat in the Hat book, and remember that a rainy day means a play-date!
If you like to go on outings with your kids, consider a virtual zoo or museum visit. You can find great educational sites online, with virtual tours of some of the country’s best zoos and museum. Learning together as a family is always fun, and it gives you and your kids a chance to connect. Print out some fact sheets about some of their favorite animals, or encourage them to make their own artwork. Your refrigerator can become a museum!
Consider starting a good family blog, and encourage your fellow parents to chime in with their own rainy day activities. You can mix and match and share ideas and encouragement, and make it through bad weather without getting cabin fever. No-one said you had to do it alone, and what better place to get feedback than from other parents in your community?
As a last resort, if it isn’t freezing out, relax and let them go outside. While they splash in puddles and scream, you can be running a hot bath, cooking up hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course!) and laying out PJ’s for a slumber party in front of the movie. Trust me, playing in the rain is something every kid should get to do at least ten times before they grow up. Strip them down and throw them in the tub, toss the muddy clothes in the washer, and watch them crash for the night in exhausted, glowing happiness.
Don’t let rainy weekends get you down - make them times to be remembered!
Love the dollar store - we go there frequently!! Just a note about the paint though - we’ve bought dollar store paint before and it stained. So unless it says “washable”, while you’re there grab some rain ponchos for smocks…
Loved these tips! Jeanne’s, too - I didn’t even think of that. Now we have a game plan for this winter
LOve that virtual field trip idea! thanks!