by Michelle Ladd

Created on: June 04, 2008

Can a rainy day really be any fun? It may seem hopeless to keep the kids entertained when they are stuck inside all day but relax there are ways to let them have fun without them staying under you feet or on the T.V. all day. The first thing to remember is you have to be creative. Listed below are some ideas that I have thought of for you but feel free to run with these ideas and make them your own. Fashion Show: Get out the camera and let everyone get dressed up then hold a fashion show and take lots of pictures. Play: Let the kids choose their favorite book then turn it into a play. School house: Let the kids be the teachers and adults be the students. This is also a good idea to see what they have been learning in school themselves. Camp out: Turn the living room into a tent by putting blankets over furniture. Tell scary stories, sing camp songs, and roast marshmallows over a candle (adult supervision is required). Talent Show: Let everyone come up with something they are good at and take turns watching each other use their talents. Another thing that the kids will love is arts and crafts. Here is a list of some simple things for all ages. Spidey rings: take four pipe cleaners and twist them in the middle then spread them out to make eight legs. Take another pipe cleaner that is cut and make the ring. Put the legs four on each side of the ring then glue and a pompom to make the body.(Ages 4-9) Caterpillars: take large pompoms and glue together in a line to make the body. Glue eyes on the front pompom to make the face.(Ages 4-6) Hollywood Sidewalk: Get a large roll of paper and spread it out. Using finger paint let each child make hand and feet print with their names in the middle just like the Hollywood sidewalk.(Ages all) Plastic canvas:You take plastic canvas, yarn, and large plastic needles that are kid-safe and make designs. I loved to do this as a kid. It is alot of fun and fairly inexpensive. (Ages 5+) Don't forget to keep lunch fun too. You can make mini pizzas and let everyone do their own. This is easier if you make pizza bread. Tomato soup can have a ton of things added to it to make it fun. Baking cookies and cupcakes for dessert will keep them entertained for a bit too. Just relax and have fun. Even clean up can be fun for kids if you act excited about it yourself. Turn on the radio and dance around dusting and cleaning. Cooking and cleaning with your kids is not only fun but it also teaches them important life skills. Good luck to you and yours and never let a rainy day get you down.

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