It can sometimes be a struggle to get the kids ready and out of the house, but this gets even harder when it is bucketing down with rain. Be prepared with all you need for some fun activities for the kids to do around the house.
1. Learn Some Science
What you'll need:
First of all, for a science experiment make sure you have a plan. The
CSIRO website has loads of fun science experiments for kids. Print of a few of these in advance, and that way you can make sure you have everything. Thankfully most experiments use things you can already find around the house.
Working with fun experiments at home is a really great way to get kids interested in science and learning. They'll have loads of fun creating different mixtures and effects. If you child gets really into it, there are also different science sets you can buy them for even more experimental fun.
2. Bake Up a storm
What you'll need:
Baking really depends on what you're making, but here is a great selection to keep in your cupboards so that you'll be able to make something.
Flour
Self Raising Flour
Icing Sugar
Caster Sugar
Brown Sugar
Vanilla Essence or Vanilla Bean Paste
Food Colouring
Sprinkles
Eggs
Bicarb Soda
Cocoa Powder
Chocolate Chips or Chocolate MeltsIf you keep your cupboards stocked then baking is a fun and very cheap activity for you to do with your kids. Let them pick the recipe, make sure you've got the supplies and bake away. It is also a great chance to teach them about kitchen safety. Cupcakes or cookies are usually the easiest recipes to bake with your kids.
Yummy Choc Chip Cookies
3. Have a Board Game Party
What you'll need:
Obviously you'll need a huge selection of board games for the kids to choose from. A lot of them have kids and adults versions, so you can choose the one that is right for your family.
Trivial Pursuit
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Jenga
Scrabble
Monopoly
Candy Land
The Game of Life
Scategories
Taboo
PictionaryOnce you've got your games let your kids each choose one game to play. This way everyone gets a shot at their favourite game. If you have younger children, you may want to make up some of your own rules so that the games are more fun for them. This activity can keep you entertained for hours while the rain pours outside.
4. Build a Fort
What you'll need:
This depends on what type of fort you want to make, but here is a general run down of what you need:
Sheets
Pillows and cushions
Blankets
Lollies
Chairs or Wooden poles
Fairy Lights for Added DecorationYour kids will have a ball creating their own fort in the middle of your living room, it will be a time when they're encouraged to make a mess of things. Let them design their own forts and decorate them however they see fit. Give them some cardboard to create their own 'kids only' signs or get in on the action yourself, and join them in their snuggly forts. Check out this
guide to making your own fort.
5. Paint a Picture
What you'll need:
A Canvas
Some Paints
Paintbrushes
A SmockPick up a few blank canvases and some paints around the house, and on the next rainy day let your kids explore their inner artist. You don't even need paintbrushes, kids will love getting creative with just their fingers. Let them each paint their own masterpiece, or get everyone to contribute to the same piece. You may even want to let them hang their painting in their room once it's done.
You Could Also Make and Paint Some Papier Mache Creations
6. Have a Movie Marathon
What you'll need:
A great selection of kid friendly movies. Stock up on your own supply, or head to the video store. The
Telstra T-Box is also a great source of movies available for hire from your living room.
A movie marathon is a great excuse to snuggle on the couch with your kids while the weather rages outside. Let them pick the movies that they want to watch, and maybe slip in a few of your favourites too. You could try tackling something like a Lord of the Rings, Toy Story or
Harry Potter marathon, where you watch all the films in one series.
7. Create a Movie or Play
What you'll need:
A Video Camera
Dress-Ups
Paper and a PenGrab the kids together and help them put on a play or record a movie. Kids love getting creative in front of the camera or an audience, and you'll be amazed by what they can come up with. Let them write their own scripts, either from scratch or based on their favourite tales. They will then love rehearsing and performing. You can help them make props and costumes for their show, and if you record it make sure you keep a collection of all their performances. You may want to give yourself the director hat to make sure all of the kids get to have fun.
Find Fun Costumes for Your Kids
So stock up, and next rainy day get your kids involved with something fun inside. They'll have lots of fun, and you'll have a great time spending some quality time with your kids.
