Rainy Day Ideas

Keeping kids happy and entertained on a rainy day can be challenging! Here are some ideas that might help:

Make a Tent

Recreate the excitement of camping by letting your child make their own tent indoors. Use an old sheet or large piece of cloth and peg it over chairs to make the tent and then put a blanket or cushions on the floor. Children can bring toys or snacks into the tent and pretend they're camping. Why not make a picnic lunch and join in the fun too!

Make Prints

Prints can be as simple or as intricate as you like! The trick with prints is to have reasonably thick paint, but use only a small amount of paint on each article so the picture doesn't get smudged. You can make lovely prints with everyday items you have around the house:

• Some fruits (like apples and pears) make nice prints - just cut them in half.
• Vegetables such as potatoes and carrots can easily be cut into attractive shapes - cut one end flat then carve a shape into it.
• Sponge can easily be cut to make different shapes too!
• Leaves with strong shapes make lovely prints - try ferns or leaves with prominent veins on the back.
• Paper makes really interesting prints - try rolling it into shapes or just scrunching it up.
• Try different types of material - denim, lace and leather all make quite different patterns.

Baking

Many kids love to bake and it teaches them valuable skills. Older children will be able to do most things in the kitchen and may only need help with cooking over elements. Younger children will enjoy rolling dough, cutting biscuits into shapes and decorating cakes. Our Recipes has a few ideas that you can make together!

Make Puppets

Puppet making can be a great way to spend an afternoon and can provide hours of entertainment afterward. Many children love to perform and put on puppet shows!

• Try finger puppets for very small children.
• Older children may enjoy making puppets from paper mache:
• • Blow up a small balloon and glue strips of paper all over it in several layers. Leave a small hole at the bottom where the knot is. You can layer up paper to sculpt noses, eyes and mouth.
  • When the glue is dry, burst the balloon pull it out the hole at the bottom.
  • Then decorate your puppet - paint the face, add hair, hats or even jewellery to give the puppet its character.
  • To make a body for the puppet, cut a piece of material to fit over your hand.