I awoke this morning to a dark and dreary sky. Rainy days are not too common where we live, so we try to make the most of them. We love to snuggle in bed and read stories, or have hot cocoa by the fire.
While the girls and I love those comforts, there comes a point where we all (but in particular five year old Soleil) just need to move.
Out comes our rainy day jar. It is simple to make and we also use it at times when it’s too hot to go outside. Find some craft sticks and write an active activity on each with a sharpie. Then, put them all in jar, with the written on side at the bottom. Your kids take turns picking a stick to see what fun activity you’ll do. No craft sticks? Use slips of paper instead.
Somehow everything is more fun when you pull it out of a jar. The best part of this is you never know what you’re going to get, so make sure you only include things you’re willing to do at a moment’s notice!
Ideas for your jar:
Good old standards:
Freeze dance
Simon says
Hide and seek
Balloon or beach ball volleyball (try to keep the balloon or ball from touching the ground)
Make forts out of blankets and sheets
Games that may be in your closet:
Twister or Twister dance moves
Dance dance revolution
Toss across
Nerf guns – For extra fun, combine these with forts!
Plastic bowling or mini golf kits
Have a PE class:
Do you have any of these around your house?
Stability ball (So many uses!)
Workout videos, especially any fun dance ones
Jump rope
Mini trampoline
Or, just lead a class on your own. Kickboxing, salsa dancing, military-style workouts…the opportunities are endless. Make it fun!
Make something up!
My kids have all kinds of silly games that they’ve made up over time. I made up a now-infamous comb and marble game when I was little that my family still teases me about. Give your kids a ball, blanket, or stuffed animal and see what happens.
You pick!
This is by far our favorite stick. Whoever draws it gets to pick whatever they want to do.
Once we use a stick, we keep it out of the jar until it is empty, and then start over. That way, we get to do everything in the jar at least once. The only stick that goes back in, no matter how many times we use it is “You pick!”
If all else fails…
If you are stuck with too many rainy days in a row, why not bundle the kids up and let them splash around for a few minutes outside? You’ll most likely spend more time cleaning up than you do playing, but it’s a great mood-booster!
Have any rainy day traditions? I’d love to hear about them!
 |
Reminds me of Bruce Games. *moan*
Yes! Like Bruce games except…fun! I remember once he made us all go around and say what we would do if we won Miss America. But I secretly liked all his dorky games! And now I make my kids do them…
I always thought that Marble and Comb would become a classic! To me, it was a snapshot of your psyche then, and now: A little girl who knew how to make fun anywhere with anything. A most charming commentary on a life well-lived.
Oh my goodie gum drops! Remember Jacob putting on the wig and dress for the miss america contest during the Variety Show we did?? Outragous!! It was espically funny because he was the heart throb of the SBCC Youth Group. Oh yeah.
And your mom, she did such an awesome job at putting that whole show together. My parents still have the vid and we bust up laughing every time Gail falls off the stage while changing backdrops!!
Back to bruce games…I remember the game we had to say something about Misses Mumble tumbling down a hill. And of course Bruce Ball.
Memories…..
*snif*
You’re just the cutest mom. I bet the girls are in love with rainy days!
I cannot wait to put my rainy day jar together later tonight. And I am excited to see the kids reaction when they get to pick from all the activities when it’s too cold, hot, or wet outside! Thank you so much for the awesome idea!