I know spring fever is in full bloom at our house–but the “showers” needed to bring our flowers are keeping us stuck inside too often! Here are some more ideas of new things you can do with your kids.
Rainy Day Box
This requires a bit of planning ahead, but it’s a great idea from my husband’s aunt. She bought a variety of dollar toys and different craft supplies and put them in a box she called her Rainy Day box. Then, the kids could get the box out on rainy days ONLY. At the end of the day, the box got put away.
What’s Hidden?
You need: a small bag or box, 3-6 small objects (ex. toy car, pen, magnet, comb, dollar bill, rubberband)
Show the objects to the child and talk about what each one is called/used for. Then, your child covers his eyes while you put one object into the bag. Can your child look at the remaining objects and guess which one is hiding? (If he has trouble, give him some descriptive clues.)
Repeat a few times. Adjust the number of objects if the game is too hard/easy. Try taking out two objects at the same time. Give your child a chance to hide object and you guess.
*This is a great game to play if you’re stuck in line or a waiting room somewhere. Use objects from your purse or diaper bag.
Dips and Dippers
This if fun for snack time or even lunch:
Let your child experiment with tastes and textures by providing a variety of foods for dips and dipping. Ice cube trays and muffin tins work great for keeping everything separate.
Encourage your child to mix and match (play with his food!) and then rate what he likes the best and least. Help him make a list or chart—with happy and sad faces or stickers. (You should taste some and give ratings too!)
Ideas for dips: yogurts, peanut butter, cream cheese, salad dressings, pudding, applesauce or any pureed fruits & vegetables (baby food), salsa or nacho cheese dip
Ideas for dippers: fresh fruits & vegetables (cut in small pieces), pretzels, cheese, crackers, chips, small pieces of bagel or toast, fingers!
Dance Party
Turn on a variety of music and dance with your children. Move some furniture if you need to so everyone has plenty of space. You’ll want comfortable clothes and maybe scarves or hats as props. An empty spice container makes a good microphone. Take turns being a leader and let everyone else imitate the leader’s moves. Or put someone in charge of the pause/stop button and have everyone freeze when the music stops. This is a great time to get silly and laugh together. End with slower tunes to help everyone wind down.
Ocean in a Bottle
Find a clear jar or bottle with a lid. (A plastic water bottle with label removed works well.)
Put in about 1 cup of baby oil (or cooking oil), then add a cup of water. Put the lid on tightly and ask your child to shake it up. What do you see happening? Next, add a few drops of food coloring, small plastic toys, coins, marbles, glitter or foil confetti. Put the lid on tightly (you may want to use some glue) and have your child shake it, tip it, roll it, etc. Talk about what you see.
Flashlight Fun
You need: A bright flashlight, a small piece of cardboard (or dark paper)
Cut a very tiny shape (bug, heart, star) from the center of the cardboard. Go with your child into a very dark room or closet. Shine the flashlight through the cardboard and look for your shape on the wall or ceiling. Shine it in different places and have your child find it. Of course, your child will want a turn holding the flashlight too.
This is also a time to talk about shadows and take turns making up your own hand shadows on the wall.
Maybe you’ll want to have a few favorite toys with you—look at their shadows on the wall and make up a story—sort of a shadow puppet show. Encourage your child to participate.
Basket Train
Tie a couple laundry baskets together securely to make an indoor train. Your child can help fill the baskets with stuffed animal and doll “passengers”. (An older baby or toddler may want a ride too.) Tie a rope or belt around the front basket and help your child pull the train through the house. Don’t forget to make sound effects, and stop at various “stations” to pick up or drop off other riders.
How about a laundry train that drops off clean clothes in the appropriate bedrooms? Or a train that finds toys, books, and other clutter around your house and takes them to their homes?
