6 'Offline' Activities for a Rainy Day
When you can't get outside to play sports or enjoy some time at the park because of rain in the forecast, plan some hands-on activities at home. Kids of all ages can stay plenty busy with online games and chatting with friends on the Web, but spending "face time" with parents is a necessary bonding experience and will also give you all a chance to create some fun memories together! Crafting and other offline activities can teach kids some new skills, help them explore a new hobby, and offer some quality family time together.
Here are six offline activities to enjoy with your kids on a rainy day:
#1: Coloring Projects
Pull out some coloring books, crayons, and markers for a few hours of coloring or freestyle art. Pick a theme for the projects and let kids be as creative as they want to be with their masterpiece. Mom and dad can join the fun and everyone can share their creations afterwards. Consider framing the art in the playroom so that kids remember the time spent together.
#2: Baking Cupcakes or Cookies
Pick out a simple cupcake or cookie recipe from your favorite cookbook - or just stick with a boxed mix - and bake up a storm! Let kids pick out their favorite colored sprinkles and icing colors so they can decorate one or two of their very own.
#3: Painting Projects
Is there any furniture in the kids' room that could use a fresh coat of paint? What about some small pieces of furniture that could be painted with a pretty design or the kids' favorite cartoon character? Choose a piece of furniture that might be in need of a mini-makeover and pull together the paints or stencils needed to work on a painting project together.
#4: Board Game Night
Kids may be so used to playing traditional board games in an online format that they miss out on the fun of sitting down and playing a game face-to-face with other players. Enjoy a game night together where you can play word games or classic board games - these were always a fun event to look forward to in my house. Test your skills with a trivia game or just have fun with a classic game of Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, or Pictionary.
#5: Card Games
Separate the family into teams and play a few rounds of your favorite card games. A few games of cards can be a great way to learn some new skills and also just catch up on the week. Easy games to teach kids include Crazy Eights, Go Fish, and Spoons.
#6: Cooking
Teach the kids how to prepare their favorite meal by setting up a cooking demo event in your kitchen. This can be a fun way for kids to learn something new and get some practical experience in the kitchen. You could have them help you prepare the ingredients and walk them through each step of the recipe. Show them how to measure ingredients and do a taste test of each item before serving the actual meal for lunch or dinner.
Content by Sabah Karimi.
