Monday, January 12, 2009

What to do on a rainy day?

Living in Seattle comes with its share of rainy days, especially this time of year. And it's about this time of the winter after the holidays, that I long for spring. So I've been compiling a little list for myself of fun things to do on "rainy days" when I'm stuck inside the house looking for something to do with my boys other than sit in front of the TV. Some of the ideas are from magazines or friends and some of them are Joseph's creations or really simple things.

1. Bowling. You can use empty water bottles or 2 liter bottles. Set 'em up and knock 'em down.

2. Build a fort with chairs, couches and blankets. We like to read stories in ours or play Uno.

3. Make "spider webs." Joseph loves to tape yarn up across doorways and furniture to make spiderwebs.

4. Good old fashioned hide and seek.

5. Sock war. Also a Parent magazine idea. Grab a bunch of rolled up socks and throw them at each other from behind couches.

6. Dance Party! Very good for getting energy out when stuck in the house.

7. Bathtime in the middle of the day. Why not? And I don't know why I never thought of this, but someone told me they blow bubbles for their kids in the tub. I thought that was brilliant. I hate blowing bubbles in the house because they make the floor sticky, and outside they blow away too fast. The bathtub is the perfect place!

8. Inside picnic. Lay out a blanket in the living room and eat sandwiches. Joseph likes to pretend we're at the beach. :)

9. Play with flashlights in a dark room. Show off your shadow puppet skills.

10. Play dough. I've found that if I put on some kid music, Joseph plays longer as he sings along.

11. Why not go out in it? Joseph loves to hold his own umbrella and we count snails as we walk the block.

What do you like to do on a rainy day?

10 comments:

Shannon said...

Those are some good ideas :)

Emily said...

Those are all good ideas! I know as well as you do that rainy days in the northwest can be long and many...but with all those fun things to do your kids can still be entertained!

It might even make the winter go by faster having things to do...or maybe not. I would LOVE a rainy day here once in awhile.

I hope the sun comes out every once in awhile for you, I know how much you guys love to be out!

Jared and Erin said...

What a bunch of great ideas. I need to start a list for myself. Although I don't have kids, sometimes I feel trapped by our weather too and run out of fun things to do on my break from the daily chores.

Jonathan and Michelle said...

what a good little mom you are! we love to declare pajama days at our house and watch movies!

Carol and Bruce said...

Those are some excellent ideas, I am going to do some of those things with the day care kids. I think they would love throwing sox.

I love to bake on rainy days.

Katie said...

Rain? What is that?

Jenni.Woodmansee said...

Being your kid sounds like the funnest thing ever! SEriously- sounds like you guys have so much fun on rainy days! and all days in general! I loved it!!!

rose said...

i've got to change that "rainy" to "windy". it may be sunny and clear, but super windy here. so those are some great ideas! i love doing bubbles in the tub- we will definitely try that one.
hopefully there are some sunny days ahead for you!

Stephanie said...

We don't get too many rainy days in Vegas, but the summers are so hot we can't go outside unless we are in the water. I'm liking your ideas, so i'll have to write them down because in a few months i'm going to be needing them.

cannon said...

Another idea...a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt in your house. Even in Utah by the end of winter I find myself searching for ideas to keep my boys busy.