Rainy Day Sanity Savers

The rain doesn't have to go away for kids to have a fun and energetic day of play. The fun is at your fingertips with these easy tips guaranteed to keep kids entertained on the rainiest of days!

1.) Indoor hopscotch or tic-tac-toe: If you have a linoleum or other non-staining floor, mark out a hopscotch game or tic-tac-toe game with a dry erase marker and let them have at it! (Test an inconspicuous spot first to be sure it will not stain-it should wipe up easily with a counter wipe or window cleaner and paper towel.) If dry erase markers are not an option, try masking tape.

2.) Scavenger hunt: Have the kids wait in one room of the house while you hide the clues to a treat set aside just for days like this. For younger kids who can't read, draw pictures or take pictures of clues with a digital camera and print them out. For older kids, make solving a math problem or a riddle part of the clue to sharpen their skills.

3.) Story time: There's no better day than a rainy one to haul out all the favorite stories in the house and have a marathon reading day! Hot cocoa is a must!

4.) Baking: Kids love to bake and it is a good way to work on their numbers and fractions. There are a number of kid friendly recipes easily available online.

5.) Hide-and-go-seek: A tried and true favorite. Challenge your kids by having them think up special rules, like only being able to hide in places with certain colors, etc.

6.) Dance party: Put on some great music and move with your kids! Let your hair down and boogie! Kids love getting the wiggles out and it's a great way for adults to burn some extra calories too.

7.) Living room volcano: Put pieces of paper down in random places on the floor. Tell the kids to jump from piece to piece, being careful not to step off onto the "lava" that is all over the rest of the floor!

8.) Window markers: Window markers are inexpensive and a lot of fun. Budding artists from toddlers on up can doodle and create as they watch for signs of sunshine!

9.) Pillowcase sack race: Only recommended for non-slip surfaces. Have kids race down a hallway or on any stretch of floor long enough to get up a good head of steam. If the hall is too narrow for two kids or you only have one child, have them race to beat time instead of each other.

10.) Don't forget those board games and puzzles: If you have board games or puzzles collecting dust in a closet, this is the time to haul them out and give them some play time. Enjoy!

Learn more about this author, DJ Evans.
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