by Nan Keltie

Created on: March 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

There they are, standing at the window with expressions that match the gray skies outside - - downright gloomy. Why not turn those little frowns upside down? When you pitch a tent indoors and pull out the s'mores, the sunshine is sure to follow ... at least on their faces!

Pull out some bedsheets or blankets and hang them over tables to make a homemade tent for your little ones. If they're old enough to help, let them design their own tent. Our children loved pinning sheets together and draping them over couches and chairs to expand their layout. On days like that, our living room resembled a campsite for a traveling caravan.

Inside a homemade tent, young imaginations don't bed down - they wake up! Give your little ones time to come up with their own fun activities. If too much screen time has worn out their imagination stations (brains), here are some ideas:

The Campsite ~

A homemade tent becomes a realistic campsite when you add backpacks, low stools (or floor pillows) and a fire. While they stuff their packs with favorite toys, books and snacks, assemble the makings of a "fire." Red and yellow paper flames perched on sticks or wooden rulers just outside the tent are a perfect place to "warm their hands and cook" a meal.

Chow Time ~

Preheat hot-dogs, put them on chopsticks or skewers and let your little ones "roast" them over the campfire. Have buns and individual-size condiments ready, along with fruit and chips. Pack a small cooler of bottled water or juice for your campers. Best of all, serve s'mores for dessert!

Story time ~

When your little campers have their tummies full, crawl inside your homemade tent and read aloud from a chapter book. This trains your children to actively listen and imagine the story as it unfolds. One of the best books for camping out is The Boxcar Children (book 1). The adventures of Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny go well with "roughing it." As your children listen, they learn to picture the characters - and sometimes themselves - in the story.

Creative Play ~

We do our children no favors when all their toys are automatic, battery-operated or one-function-only gadgets. Spend some time with basic Lego blocks or Lincoln Logs. As our children design their own forts, cabins and campsites, their minds are busy learning. And they think they're just having fun!

I remember how our boys - at ages 8 and 11 - built their own chess board and chessmen out of Lego blocks. It took a lot of time to design it, but they were quite proud of it.

Next time a drip-drop day forces your children to stay inside, surprise them. Turn off the screens, grab up a pile of sheets and say, "Let's build a homemade tent!" You may have to help secure the structure with extra pins, but let them design it as much as possible.

Enjoy the magic of a homemade tent. Your children will no doubt come up with many more ways to enjoy your campsite, but one thing is certain: You'll be making rainy day memories with your children that will last a life-time.

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