It rained. It poured. The kids were bored.

 

Don't let a day indoors turn into dismal hours of lying in front of the TV. A rainy day can be a great opportunity to get the kids focused on some creative learning experiences like these:

Story Time Theater:
Start by selecting one of your favorite books and reading it to the kids. Then help them gather dress-up clothes and create props to use for acting out the book. A card table can become a cave, and a step stool can turn into a tall mountain. A quickly assembled paper headband with ears attached and a fuzzy sweater can transform a child into a furry forest animal. As you re-read the story, direct the children in acting out the tale.

Treasure Hunt:
Children love to search for hidden treasures and will spend lots of time doing this activity. Almost any small item can be hidden around the house. You might try hiding toy cars one time and stuffed animals the next. Another fun cooperative treasure hunting game starts with hiding the pieces of a simple board puzzle. As children find the pieces, they put them together to complete the puzzle. The letters of the alphabet or numbers from one to ten, printed on pieces of paper, are also fun to hide around the house. Once they have all been located, kids can complete the challenge of putting them in order!

Mazes and Tents:
Pull out the spare blankets and push around the furniture to create an indoor maze. Children will love to release their energy by slithering like a snake under the table and crawling like a mouse behind the couch! After they've completed the maze they can rest in a "tent" and read their favorite book by flashlight.

Creative Crafts:
Cover the table with newspaper and unleash the artist in every child! Pull out your paints, crayons, glue, beads, strings, and collage materials. Add some old magazines and a few envelopes for fun. Then give the kids the freedom to create a unique work of art.

Tea Party:
Turn your snack time into a royal event! Have the children help you to prepare for the tea by baking up some hot-cross buns. Simply have the kids arrange refrigerator biscuits on a pan. Next, have them take turns making an x in the top of each biscuit with a plastic knife. Mix together one tsp. of cinnamon and one Tbsp. of sugar and sprinkle it on top of the biscuits. Top each with a dot of butter. Bake according to package directions. While the treats are baking, it's time to get decked out in your fanciest dress-up duds. Well-dressed dolls and stuffed animals are welcome to join in the tea party, of course. Top off your tea party by serving warm apple juice with your delicious hot-cross buns, darling.