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It’s raining, it’s pouring, and are your kids screaming, “this is boring!” too?
As glad as we are that Southern California is getting plenty of much-needed rainwater after years of drought conditions, it’s not so great on keeping your kids occupied inside front! Luckily we’ve compiled a list of fun and easy activities to keep everyone from losing their minds while cooping up inside!
Let them be bored
We know. What kind of list is this? Don’t worry; we’ve got plenty of fun ahead, but before we get there, remember that it’s not only ok but good for our kids to be bored. Studies have shown that when parents let their kids become bored, it forces kids’ brains to kickstart creativity and innovation. Yes, this might mean your kids start gathering random junk from around the house to build a replica of the leaning tower of Piza, but letting them get bored is helping them develop their brains and sense of creativity and wonder.
Embrace the rain.
No, we mean it! As a kid, there is something really magical about playing in the rain like some kind of feral animal (and we mean that in the nicest way possible!). Whether your kids run out into the rain with no shirt and head straight for the mud or jump on the trampoline to get an extra splash with each bounce, allowing your kids to play in the rain and get as messy as possible is part of the glory of childhood. Plus, this is a great way to get all the squirms and wiggles out, AND a perfect excuse for a good ol’ hot bath. What’s cozier than rolling in the mud and rain, then getting into a warm bath and toasty pj’s?
Make a Cocoa Bar
We know not everyone loves a rainy day, but we have to admit there is something pretty cozy about being warm and dry inside while it’s wet and cold outside. And we can’t think of anything cozier than a hot mug of cocoa! So surprise the kids with a cocoa bar after a rainy day at school. Get your favorite cocoa mix, fun marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, and candy… the sky’s the limit! Let everyone make their cocoa concoction and curl up to watch a movie together. If making a cocoa bar at home feels like a bit much, you can always hit up your favorite drive-thru coffee shop and get cocoa for the family. Pro Tip: In-n-out happens to offer free cocoa to kids on rainy days!
Puzzle it out
It can be super tempting to rely on screen time while it’s raining, but there are plenty of ways to keep your kids busy and off of screens. Jigsaw Puzzles are one great way to keep the screens at bay. Puzzles require focus and teamwork, and they’re calming! If your family has never been one to puzzle, make it a family trip to the store to pick one out. (You can often find brand-new, never been opened puzzles in second-hand stores, so keep your eyes out for them!) When you get home, put on a calming soundtrack to get everyone in the right headspace (we love finding calming playlists on youtube!). If your puzzle is advanced enough and you have a large flat space, you can drag the puzzling out for at least a couple of days! And once you’ve finished, you can either frame the puzzle or enjoy the sometimes more fun task of breaking it apart!
Host a Family Game Night
Whether you invite friends over or not, rainy days are perfect for a good old-fashioned game night! In a post-Covid Lockdown world, there are tons of amazing family-friendly games to choose from, but don’t forget the old standby of go fish, mad libs, Candyland, and even 52 card pick up! To make the night even less stressful, order delivery to keep the clean-up to a minimum!
Get Bookish
What better time to pick a book to read as a family than during a rainy day? There’s something special about huddling together over a story (humans have been doing it since prehistoric times!) and getting lost in a new world. And while most families leave the stories for bedtime, there are no rules about when you can read together as a family. And if reading out loud together feels daunting, there are always audiobooks! These are easy to pause and come back to, and there are plenty of free resources around the web.
Bake something yummy
Nothing is better than a chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven, especially on a rainy day! Baking can be stressful with little kids, but if you can embrace the mess, it’s also a really great activity for your kids to learn while having fun. Baking is part science, part art, and downright delicious! So whether you’re making great granny’s banana bread or sugar cookies to decorate, your kids will be thoroughly entertained and learn to help in the kitchen.
See a Movie
Sometimes you just can’t stay home anymore, and we get it! So now is the time to hit up a matinee at your favorite movie theater! Most cities have discount theaters that show movies you may have missed, and tickets are cheap. Plus, did you know that when you order a large popcorn at most movie theaters, they offer a free refill that you can get before your movie starts? So ask the concession stand for your refill now and a few extra boxes for each kiddo. No sharing drama or having to leave the movie for your refill! And while we would never tell you to head to the dollar store to pick out candy and smuggle it into the theater, we’re sure you can get creative!
Go to the museum
One of the best things about SoCal is that we have access to a ton of incredible museums. No matter the age of your kids, there’s a museum with something that will capture their attention. And even if museums might not be your thing, there are aquariums too. We love the idea of taking drawing pads and colored pencils to the aquarium and letting your kids draw a beautiful underwater masterpiece.
Get Crafty
One of the best solutions for fidgety energy is to get creative. So bust out the crafts! Of course, crafting can get messy, but there are plenty of low-mess ideas on Pinterest. For example, you can learn how to make friendship bracelets, try finger knitting, or create a collage from old magazines. But don’t let the mess hold you back! Rainy days are perfect for allowing your creative juices to flow, and part of your creativity is learning how to clean up the mess you made while making art! You can even host a “fancy” art show at home after dinner so everyone can enjoy the creative genius of every family member.
Camp the Great Indoors
Rainy days are perfect for mixing things up and making life a little extra special, and since you can’t be outside, bring the outdoors in! Make a big blanket tent in the living room, bust out the sleeping bags, and if you’ve got a fireplace, make a campfire to roast marshmallows, whip up some chili for dinner, and send the kiddos off to bed at Camp Home. It’s sure to be a special memory for everyone!
We know rainy days can feel like an added burden as a parent, but we hope these ideas help you and your kids embrace the beauty and wonder of rainy days and create some core memories that will last a lifetime!
