by Sharon Meyer

Created on: March 19, 2009

Remember the nursery rhyme, "Rain Rain Go Away, Little Children Want To Play"? Rainy days need not cause headaches for mothers and be boring for children. All it takes is a little planning before the next rainy day comes and you will never again have the problem of bored children looking for something to do

In our home we set aside a special box of toys that only come out on rainy days. That's the rule and we stick to it. Children tend to get bored with the toys they play with on a daily basis so by sticking to the rainy day toy box rule you will never encounter this problem.

There is no need not go broke trying to fill your rainy day toy box. Remember to keep it simple. Rainy days are great days for arts and crafts projects, painting, science experiments, cooking with mom or even just watching special rainy day videos.

Get yourself a large twenty gallon plastic container with a lid or even two smaller sizes. Just remember that this box will need to be stored away on sunny days so consider your storage needs before purchasing

Start your box off with things from around your house. Save all empty containers from your kitchen. Empty large round oatmeal boxes are always a big hit with children and can be transformed into anything from a rocket ship to a piggy bank. Do the same thing with the finished paper towel rolls and the toilet paper rolls.

Visit your local dollar store and pick up a few dollar toys, crayons, construction paper, scissors, glitter and glue. Don't forget to pick up the unconventional. In the kitchen isle look for plastic measuring cups so the kids can measure just how much rain really did come down. A cheap unbreakable thermometer and barometer will keep them busy also. How about a ruler and measuring tape or even a compass? Just use your imagination and let the kids come up with the ideas on how to use them.

There are some great craft books at bookstores that you can buy and also keep in your rainy day box. Choose one that has all types of craft projects to try. We have also added to our box , large pasta that can be strung for necklaces and alphabet pasta for writing words and gluing onto construction paper. The same can be done with rice. For added fun we use food coloring to dye the pasta and rice different colors.

A pile of old magazines are great for cutting and gluing collages. Toss in some music tapes or Cd's and some special books for reading. What goes into your box is limited only by your imagination. Don't forget to keep adding new things so that each time your kids open their rainy day toy box there is a new adventure waiting for them.

More Rainy Day Toy Box Ideas

beads, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, stickers, puzzles, puzzle books, popsicle sticks, magic markers, colored pencils, yarn, paper coffee filters, deck of cards and paper plates

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