Rainy Day Activities for Families-Things to do Indoors

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Rainy Day Activities..

"Rainy Day Activities"

..that make staying indoors memorable and fun!

It’s howling a gale outside, the rain is lashing against the window panes and the weather is just too awful to even contemplate dancing in the rain!

It’s got me thinking what is a family to do faced with bored teens and restless parents. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that if we could alter our thinking and look at the opportunity we have to spend family time together, we can create long-lasting memories for our children, and even better memories for ourselves.

I started a list of rainy-day activities for all age-groups, that I hope to develop with your help!  Here are some ideas I’ve thought of, so far..

  • Make up a silly story and take it in turns to add the next line.
  • Bake cupcakes together and have a tea party complete with cups and saucers.
  • Play your favourite board-game that’s guaranteed to get everyone involved!
  • Start that huge puzzle you were given, but have always put off.
  • Open up a beauty salon and ask your daughters to give you a manicure and make-up session, very giggle-worthy!
  • Play Jenga, s stacking game guaranteed to engage everyone!
  • Hold a dressing up competition as to who can look the daftest!
  • Put your tent up in the living room and read adventure stories to the kids, like Treasure Island or Swallows and Amazons!
  • Watch an old fashioned family movie, get the kids to help make popcorn, make cinema tickets and  show you to your seats!
  • Create a film and allow responsible children to take charge of a video camera and use their creativity- the only limit is the imagination!
  • Try making friendship bracelets- you can learn the craft on this you tube tutorial
  • Try making these Easy Crazy Crayon Party Favors
  • Got a dog? Why not lay a trail of treats and watch as your pooch discovers them one by one!
  • Make your own personalised Door Knob Hanger!
  • Make and pilot your very own Origami Paper Airplane
  • Create your own wave-maker: 1x 2 litre soda bottle, fill half with water and other half with clear vegetable oil, add food colouring, seal and tight and hey presto!
  • Collect particles in the air above your bed and examine them with a microscope..eeeh!
  • Make your own custom made memory card game-just cut 6 or 12 identically sized cards and draw pairs of whatever you like!
  • Make a T-shirt Scarf.
  • Check out this Walnut Candle Tutorial and light to your home on the darkest nights!
  • Bake a delicious Devon Apple Cake and learn some interesting apple facts!

What are your favourite rainy day activities?  What are some of your most cherished childhood memories from long, wet days spent inside your house?  Please share your thoughts or links with us, and we’ll add them to this list!

Photo credit

 

Homeacre Hop

 

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Category: parenting

Avatar of Rebecca Watkins

About the Author (Author Profile)

Rebecca Watkins worked as a professional photo journalist and travelled the world with her husband John, before settling down as a stay at home mother to their three daughters. They have recently moved back from the French Alps to an old cottage in Devon, England. Rebecca’s days are filled with visits to the beach, animated discussions and in the best moments, happiness and creativity in her family home of five. The other moments are filled with craziness and chaos and she loves those too.

Comments (8)

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  1. Rachel says:
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    These are great suggestions for not only rainy days but when it’s super hot outside – we live in Phoenix and long summer days can sure feel oppressive! Great list. :)

  2. Becky says:
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    Great post! We are due to get a ton of rain tomorrow, so this comes just in time.

  3. Barb says:
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    I’ve had the kids color pictures with markers and then take them out in the rain to have the colors spread and run together. Watercolor paper is usually best for this.
    Barb recently posted..motivation monday: ginger butternut squash apple soupMy Profile

  4. SmartGirlStyle says:
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    We’ve laid out pillows in a circle around the family room and jumped from one to the next, avoiding falling into the crocodile-infested lava pit. :) And baked chocolate chip cookies or decorated sugar cookies. But, really, I love your list here. Bookmarking this for future reference. Thank you!
    -Brittney
    http://smartgirlstyle.blogspot.com (my shiny new home-centered blog; come on by if you’d like!)
    SmartGirlStyle recently posted..modern art with vintage zippersMy Profile

  5. Elizabetta says:
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    These are great tips. We do get bored at times when we get to stay indoors and don’t have anything to do. Actually, now that you have reminded me, I think I’ll take out my knitting materials the next time it rains so that I can make myself a nice T-shirt scarf.

  6. Dipa from suitedash.com says:
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    The entire east coast is reeling under the lash of “Sandy the Superstorm”. Thanks for sharing these ideas-surely going to implement some of them. However, without power, some of these activities might not be possible. Thanks again for the share!
    Dipa recently posted..Flora Letter BoxMy Profile

  7. Lisa Lynn says:
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    How I miss those days when my son wanted to do things like this! He is pretty busy with his music and studies these days :)
    Thanks for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop!
    Lisa Lynn recently posted..Feels a Little Like SpringMy Profile

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