by Julie Latchem

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: June 02, 2008

With an annual rainfall of 58.6 inches (1488 mm), raining again mom!' is a fairly common sound for mothers across Miami, but with such downpours it's simply no good being dry on ideas! When outdoor play is not an option there are stacks of fun and exciting ways to engage your children at home.

To help your children use up a little of their youthful energy try Indoor Olympics'! Firstly, clear as much space as possible. Devise a set of indoor activities such as egg and spoon race, pillowcase race, shot-put target practise, and obstacle courses. Involve children in the making of any equipment in preparation for the games, then hold your Indoor Olympics' competition, keeping a clear tally of the scores!

After using up all that energy no doubt some sustenance will be needed! Taking children into the kitchen may be your worst nightmare but there are many simple recipes that children will love! Pizza, fairy cakes, fruit kebabs are all fun and straightforward for you and your children. The below links provide excellent safety tips and child friendly recipes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mostof_cookingwith children1.shtml
http://www.childrensrecipes.com/
http: //www.cookeryclub.co.uk/features/children

Another great way to involve their taste buds is Taste and Tell'! Simply gather together a variety of foods and one at a time place a small amount in your child's mouth. They can be blindfolded or have their eyes shut to make it more difficult. Ask them to identify the food. Try and use a variety of samples so you can discuss the taste; sweet, sour, salty etc. If one food sample at a time is easy, combine foods to make it more challenging.

Involving different senses in play is crucial for your child's learning and development, kitchen musicians', as an activity involves several of these. Hunt around for utensils that can be turned into instruments. Plastic tubs filled with pulses make excellent percussion, saucepans and wooden spoons great drums, plastic bottles part filled with water, effective woodwind and elastic bands stretched over tubs a makeshift guitar! This little lot is certain to help your child's coordination and stimulate their ears; it might however drive yours crazy so it's worth having the next task lined up!

Finally, to stimulate your child's tactile ability, play dough is fantastic not only for modelling skills but their imagination. Dough does not have to be bought, it can be made easily at home and there are a stunning range of items waiting to be made. Consult the links below for instructions for home made dough's.
http://www.multihobbies.com/saltdough/
http:/ /www.amazingmoms.com/htm/artclayrecipes.htm

Clearly the home made approach may not suit everyone and naturally there are many modern alternatives i.e. television, computers and toys. Remember, however easy as these are, such static activities will not stimulate your child and their senses as vividly as such tasks detailed above.

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