Well, summer is well and truly over. Actually, for most of us it never arrived this year! But now Autumn is here the nights are getting darker, the days colder and Christmas will be here before you know it.
Rainy days might mean staying indoors, but they don’t have to mean boredom! They provide the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your kids, engage their creativity and create lasting memories.
If you’re stuck inside on a cold wet autumn day, here are five ways you can keep the kids entertained without handing them your phone!
Indoor treasure hunt
An indoor treasure hunt is a thrilling adventure that can turn a rainy day into an exciting quest. You can hide “treasures” around the house and create clues or a treasure map for your kids to follow.
How to Set It Up:
- Choose a theme for the treasure hunt, like pirates, detectives or explorers.
- Hide small toys or treats in various locations throughout your home.
- Create clues that lead your kids from one spot to the next, with each clue revealing a piece of the puzzle.
- Watch as your little adventurers eagerly search for the hidden treasures.
Creative arts and crafts
Arts and crafts are a fantastic way to stimulate your children’s creativity and keep them engaged on a rainy day.
Ideas:
- Paint colourful rainbows, clouds or rainy day scenes on paper.
- Craft unique greeting cards or make personalised bookmarks.
- Create paper plate masks or colourful paper collages.
Set Up:
- Gather art supplies like coloured paper, markers, crayons, glue and scissors.
- Lay out a dedicated crafting area with plenty of space for your kids to work.
- Encourage them to express themselves through their artwork.
Build a fort
Who doesn’t love a good fort? Building indoor forts is an imaginative and collaborative activity that can turn a dull day into a fantastic adventure! Defend your fort from the stuffed toys trying to invade! And never, ever forget the password.
Steps:
- Gather blankets, pillows, cushions, and some furniture.
- Use these materials to create cozy hideouts, castles or secret caves.
- Encourage your kids to let their imagination run wild as they design and play inside their forts.
Bake or cook together
Baking or cooking together not only teaches kids valuable life skills but also provides a delicious treat at the end!
Ideas:
- Bake cookies and decorate them with colourful icing.
- Make homemade pizza with a variety of toppings.
- Prepare simple sandwiches or creative wraps with their favourite ingredients.
Preparation:
- Ensure safety by supervising younger kids during cooking and using child-safe utensils.
- Emphasise the importance of following recipes and measuring ingredients accurately.
Build a home cinema
Obviously we don’t mean install a projector and screen! Kids will remember and appreciate more the time you turned out all the lights, brought down the duvet and pillows off your bed, and made some popcorn in the microwave. A family movie can make a rainy day a fond and cozy memory.
Suggestions:
- Pick age-appropriate movies that cater to your children’s interests.
- Create a comfy viewing area with blankets and pillows.
- Engage your kids in discussions about the plot to help their comprehension.
Of course, you don’t have to stay inside…
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t go out! Embrace the rain by putting on welly boots, waterproof jackets and go jump in some puddles! Puddle jumping is a simple yet incredibly fun rainy day activity that can provide hours of entertainment. And if they get a bit wet, well, so what? You’re only young once.