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GREAT RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Miserable, gloomy weather doesn't have to translate into a miserable, gloomy day at home for you and your children. Let the storm rage outside; you can fill your house with laughter and learning. Try a few of these suggestions, and watch their imaginations take off.

1) Create a giant marble run. The sky's the limit with this one. You don't need to limit your run to the size of the ones you see in the toy store. Use blocks, cardboard tubes from wrapping paper or papers towels, books, old pots and pans and anything else you can come up with. Don't be surprised if by the end of the day the structure fills the room.

Educational benefits: Helps develop visual-spatial skills.

2) With a microphone, a tape recorder, and items for percussion sounds, your
children can be DJ's or radio personalities for a day. They can write out a script, or perform spontaneously.

Educational benefits: Organizational, teamwork and oral communication skills.

3) Using a video camera, your children can create commercials, or similar types of
video productions. Use a computer to edit or add music or narration.

Educational benefits: Develops computer, video and performance skills.

4) Make paper airplanes and have a competition. There is more than one way to
make a paper airplane. If you purchase a book on airplane making ahead of time, and put it away for the rainy day, your children can learn to make a few different types. Then, encourage them to make their own modifications. Have them hold competitions to see what styles and modifications fly the longest, go the highest, and are easiest to aim.

Educational benefits: Awareness of basic principles of physics

5) Using a timer, have children compete against themselves to see how many times they can do a specific activity in a minute. How many times can they hop on one foot? How many times can they blink their eyes?

Educational benefits: Greater awareness of the concept of time; physical activity

6) Have the children create carnival games using acceptable items around the house and some inexpensive prizes. Tossing balls into a basket, "cake" walks and penny tossing competitions are just a few examples. Then invite some neighbors and friends to join the fun. Their parents will no doubt be thrilled to have a rainy day activity!

Educational benefits: Develops organizational skills.

While most of what you need for these activities can be found around the house, some of these require a little preparation. You may want to create a "rainy day box" in which to collect and store the supplies.

Learn more about this author, Frances Simon.
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