The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plains. But, today it's in your neck of the woods. You've got kids, they've got energy. What to do? Never fear! Ideas are here! Rainy day activities don't have to be complicated or expensive. Here are a few that should help lighten the stress of having the kids stuck in the house all day long.

Start off by building a tent under the dining room table or, if you have loft beds, under one of those. Get some books and read. Let your kids help make a PB & J sandwich and have a picnic with some music on in the living room. Get those toys out that you've spent so much money on and play soldiers and Barbies.

If you want to teach them something while playing, get a bowl and stick it outside. Set the timer for one hour and then measure how much rainfall you're getting in your area. Get some cornstarch and water and put it in a balloon. Now you've got your own stress balls. Get an empty milk carton or pop bottle and put some baking soda and vinegar and let them watch the action! Let them help with the laundry and finances. Teach them to use a calculator.

Get all the art supplies you own out and make some puppets. Hide behind your couch and put on a show. Bake cookies together or anything else that won't make a huge mess. Most of you probably have at least one board game or some cards. Play a game with your kids.

Need to clean? Need to work? Make a treasure hunt for your children and dedicate a box for all their findings. Have your kids write a book of poetry. Turn off the TV and make one out of a cardboard box. Help them make finger puppets and let them make their own TV show. Give them a puzzle to do. Put a kid-friendly movie on.

Take a breather, bundle up and go for a walk in the rain. Let them stomp and get a little wet! Collect some of nature's gifts and press them with wax paper. Take pictures of the bugs you find and look them up on the internet to find out what they are and what they do.

There are so many ideas for you and your children to do, it makes a rainy day a fun day!

Learn more about this author, Carisa Silvesan.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Great rainy day activities to do with your children?
We want to hear your view. Write now!