rainy day activity box :: 5 ideas to keep kids busy

Summer is here and that means that most of our kiddos will be off from school and at home playing and enjoying themselves. Of course, on days when it is raining or the heat is just too much this means that they will be indoors driving everyone nuts. In an effort to avoid a one way ticket to crazy town when my kids are stuck indoors I have prepared myself with the necessary items for these 5 distraction ideas.

1. Fabric Coloring :: when I suggested this idea to my older kids one jumped up and down with excitement to draw her own design for a hat and the other quickly exclaimed that she would want to make her own leggings. Quite frankly, I love how much time I know she would need to spend to create an entire pair of leggings. Buy some fabric markers, have each kid pick out a clothing item or accessory and let them go wild.

2. New Movie :: a new movie or digital rental that kids can watch over and over without restrictions can go a LONG way to keeping them distracted when stuck indoors. Whatever you pick make sure to save it for a day when you truly need the distraction!

3. Paper Streamer Laser Maze :: a few rolls of crepe paper streamers, a roll of tape, and imagination are all kids need to have fun with this activity. The goal is to first make a paper maze by criss crossing a room or space with the paper “laser” streamers and then get through the maze without touching or breaking the “lasers.” Pro Tip – tell your kids before hand which items in a room cannot be used to anchor their “lasers” (i.e. televisions, grandma’s antique lamp, or pieces of artwork).

4. Crafts, Games, or Puzzles :: pick up a new puzzle, board game, or card game (these could be great garage sale finds!), paint with water activity books, paint by numbers, foam stickers, coloring books, puppet making supplies, etc. Pick whatever you think would be a great ways to keep your kids occupied for a solid chunk of time.

5. Play in the Rain :: most kids LOVE playing in a nice summer rainstorm and you will win some major mom points for letting them do the unexpected. Galoshes are optional and getting completely soaked is a must! Hose them off before coming inside if there was too much mud and hopefully everyone makes some great memories together. Obviously check your local weather before going out to make sure there is not danger of lightening or high winds, etc.

What ways do you keep your kids entertained when there is a summer rain day or it is just too hot to safely play outside?