by Dr. M

Created on: September 04, 2007

Rainy-day Activities for Family Fun

Low-lying, gray clouds hover, lighting radiates the sky, thunder resounds in the air, and my creative endeavors to keep my four children entertained on rainy days have me constantly searching for captivating activities. During the last thunderstorm, our family pastimes lasted from sunrise to sunset. The following activities we delighted in as a family we believe will bring enjoyment to your family:

1. Sipping our cups of steaming hot chocolate, our first rainy-day activity begins with grilling pancake creations. My sons gather dipping bowls and place toppings such as, sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, vanilla icing, and jam within each bowl. The girls mix pancake batter and pour a few tablespoons of mixture into individual serving bowls. The children mix ingredients of choice into their batter concocting unique pancakes "de jour." My youngest daughter's favorite pancake: semi-sweet milk chocolate chips folded into the pancake mix, grilled to a golden brown, and topped with vanilla icing.

2. After cleaning breakfast dishes, we gather in the garage and begin building waxed-paper airplanes and boats. We prepare for airplane and boat competitions: the person whose airplane flies the farthest in the rain wins the airplane competition; the person whose boat travels down the rain gutter the fastest and farthest wins the boat competition. This science activity is a rainy-day favorite the youngest toddler to the oldest grandparent will have fun.

3. After airplane and boat competition, we dry off and head inside. It's now time for board games. We have a closet full of games for every age: Apple to Apple, Junior Pictionary, Junior Outbust, Yahtzee, Bingo, and Scrabble. As the children get older, more educational and exciting games include: Ticket to Ride, The Settlers of Catan, Rummikub, Risk, Stratego, and Sequence. Sometimes the adults facilitate more than one game being played, which allows all to participate.

4. When the children are ready for more hands-on entertainment, we make homemade play dough by mixing flour, salt, water, and food coloring to make unique creations. Playing with colors, making cookie cutter designs, and hand molding is a relaxing experience. These imaginative play-dough fashions allow us to be creative while staying dry indoors.

5. By evening time, we've worked up an appetite. The family communes together for another culinary experience. Slicing, dicing, and shredding preparing a meal brings us comfort. During the meal preparation, there is a job for everyone: the boys grate cheese, blend up marinates, toss together a salad, and blend refreshing beverages; the girls combine new ingredients and surprise us with new creations. Cooking is an opportune time to teach the children measurements, temperatures, timing, collaboration, cooperation, and patience.

6. One last activity: sitting around the dinner table eating, sharing, reminiscing about the day.

These rainy-day activities can be enjoyed all in one fabulous rainy day. There are numerous activities for families to experience together while building positive family-bonding traditions and life-time memories. May your family delight in some of our family fun activities during the next rainy day.

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