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Rainy
Day Activities
Few things can be more frustrating than being cooped up in the
house with restless children. Whether it’s only one day or a
series of days, every parent should have an emergency plan for
when the kids get bored. Below are some great ideas to use,
or alter for your own purposes, to keep the little ones from
climbing the walls. Most of the suggestions only require things
most likely already in your home.
Popsicle
Stick Puppet Show:
Get
out the construction paper, safety scissors and Popsicle sticks.
Depending on the time of year, make suggestions for characters.
If it’s around Halloween try bats, cats, ghosts, and pumpkins.
If Thanksgiving is approaching go for pilgrims, gourds, turkeys
and fall trees. Christmas will obviously merit Santas, bells,
Christmas trees, and presents. Help your children (if smaller)
draw and cut the sheets out of construction paper. Affix them
to Popsicle sticks with glue sticks (for easier cleanup). Now
all you need is and empty box big enough to put on the show.
Cut a section out for your "Theater", pop some popcorn and sit
back and enjoy the show. Then Moms and Dads should take a turn
putting on a show for the kids!
Felt
Games:
If
you’ve ever done a school project, chances are there’s felt
in your home. Cut out a bear, girl, boy or any other character.
Then make a wardrobe for all kinds of weather. This really doesn’t
require any skill other than a good imagination and being able
to use scissors. Take turns setting the scene by describing
the day, weather and time of day. Then dress your characters
appropriately. Of course, being silly wouldn’t hurt here. What’s
sillier than a bathing suit, a scarf, and flip flops in a snow
storm?
Create
A Treat:
Pull
out all your goodies - mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut
butter, popcorn, left over candy, chocolate sauce, cookies,
bread, ice cream, and any thing else you can think of. Let the
kids create their own treat from the selection offered. Remember,
now is no the time for a weak stomach, or to worry about the
dentist. A once and a while treat bonanza never hurt anyone!
Have a family vote on who created the most clever treat, then
sample each other’s art work.
Jewelry
Making:
Jewelry
making requires very little and kids love it. Find old necklaces
or beads from broken jewelry, elastic string, or even sturdy
sewing thread will work. Help the kids come up with color schemes
and patterns or just stand back and let them come up with everything
from start to finish. If you have left over, spare, or old buttons,
try letting them make button bracelets. Plain old buttons strung
on thread look pretty snazzy cozied up against one another.
Smaller kids will love the "music" they make when the shake
their wrists.
Keep
A Stash:
Above
all else, have age appropriate emergency toys for rainy day
occasions. Board games, coloring books, special movies, and
little dollar store toys bring excitement to even the grayest
day. A rainy day can seem ever worse if the family is bored
and searching for things to occupy their time. With a little
preparation, and advanced thought, rainy days can be as fun
as sunny ones.
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