What to do on a Rainy Day {guest post}

June 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

 
I squint slow, peeking to see if it’s time. Time for a new day of summer adventure, a brand new morn for delight. But this day greeted me with dark. Accompanied with soft patters along the window pane. My lips curl upwards as my 8 year-old frame leaps out of bed. A light squeal escapes as I race towards the kitchen. It’s a rainy summer day! You see, I looked forward to rainy days as much as I did the sunny ones. Due to my mother who always had tricks up her sleeve. And the best part about rainy days was I had no idea what would be in store. All I knew was there was some summer fun waiting to be discovered inside my decorated shoebox…  
When I became a parent, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to follow suit. And I must say, I have enjoyed the adventure of finding things new and old to put into the box for my 4 year-old son to discover on those rained-in days. To make things interesting, I change up the contents often. So it feels new each time it’s opened. Here are items that make it into our box:
  • travel size/card games
  • activity/sticker/coloring books
  • different play doh, molds with patterned scissors
  • dollar store/garage sale finds
  • beach ball or balloons to blow up and play with
  • colored glitter glue and foam paper
  • puzzles/books
  • finger paints or watercolor books
  • paper dolls/smaller trains/hot wheels
  • a toy not played with for a while
  • new instructions/project challenge for legos


And for the older child:

  • instructions and fun paper for folding origami or paper airplanes
  • how-to-draw books
  • silly putty or modeling clay
  • long, skinny balloons with how-to-make animal instructions
  • jig saw puzzles and travel size games
  • easy kid-friendly cookbooks
  • knitting needles and yarn with a pattern
  • disposable camera (if they can’t use yours) with a sheet listing things to take a picture of (something red, something hard, something that rhymes with ___, etc…)
  • problem solver puzzles
  • craft sticks and glue with a creative challenge
  • dominoes for pattern or game play

The best part? The possibilities are endless! And so is the fun. So spend some time having your child decorate his/her own rainy day shoe box. Let them find a few items to get it started. And find a place they know to run to when the patters on the pane greet them in the morning. 
 

Don’t have the space, time or energy for a rainy day box? Here’s some other things you could do:

  • Create some art, or bake something, and take them with as you visit an elderly person in your church or nursing home. One quick phone call and your church or nursing home will help you with the details.
  • Have a Barnes & Noble near you? Read 8 books, write them down on their form, and take it in to B&N for a free book! Details and form found HERE.
  • Picnic in your living room.
  • Pull out the sheets, blankets and sofa cushions and make a giant inside fort.
  • Have special rainy day chores. If they complete them, give them a special rainy day treat.
  • Make a Jesus Loves You Drive-thru Difference! Visit your favorite drive through, pay for the person behind you and make their day. You can even print, or have your child write out something for the cashier to give to them (Idea found here).
  • Create an obstacle course in your home.

Have fun putting a sunny spot on your rainy day! How about you? Do you have a rainy day box? What ideas do you have for rainy days? I’d love to hear.
 Nikki is a loved wife, blessed mom, mere child saved by grace who strives daily to live like she deserves it. She journals her thoughts on discovering joy in her everyday while striving to become all that God has made her to be over at her blog Simplystriving. You may also find her swapping recipes and sharing her healthy living journey over on her Facebook Page. Come fall, Homeschooling will be added to the mix. Stop on by, either place you feel more at home. She’d love to meet you!

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