With the weather taking a cooler turn this weekend, I thought we should focus on the preparation for the dreaded rainy day in the summer holidays.
It can be really daunting when you can’t go out with your little one and keep them occupied with days out such as going to a local farm or the park, so here are two lists, for your toddler and 4 to 7 year old, of activities that may give them a distraction from their screens for a couple of hours.
Toddlers
Indoor Obstacle Course
Need I say more? Get out your pop up tunnels, pillows to jump on, chairs and blankets to crawl under for the perfect obstacle course. Have fun not only making the obstacle course, maybe with your little one's help, but also watching them go round and have a blast.
Pompoms
This may sound simple, but it may be something your little one is interested in. Simply put some pompom's in a box they can reach in and get out some tongs if you have them, and that's it. See what they do with them, they may take them out, sort them into piles, put them back in the box, give them to you, the possibilities are endless.
Playdough
A classic, Playdough. Everyone loves playdough, so why not get it out for a rainy day activity. Make sure to put a cover on the table to minimise mess and get out the biscuit cutters, stamps and rolling pins! If you don’t have Playdough, it is really easy to make from home, make sure to check out this easy to use Playdough recipe.
Colour Hunt
A fun little game for you and your little one to play, and is a really good way for them to learn the colours. Simply say a colour, and they need to find the colour inside the house. It’s a great way to keep them occupied and doesn’t need any set up!
This is also a really fun idea for outside in the garden when it's sunny.
Decorate Biscuits
A rainy day wouldn’t be complete without some sweet treats. Either make some biscuits or buy some Rich Tea biscuits, make up some colourful icing with icing sugar, water and food colouring, and get out all the biscuit decorations you could think of! It is a pretty messy activity but can keep your little one occupied for quite a while, and you get to eat your wonderful creations after!
4-7 year olds
Baking
Get your baking hats on during a rainy day and create some really comforting sweet treats. Why not have a look at our mindful baking blog post for some ideas on what to make.
Origami
If you have some colourful paper lying around, this is a really good option. There isn’t a lot of mess left over, and it can keep your little ones occupied for a little while. Get creating fun shapes like a heart or mythical creatures like a dragon; the possibilities are endless!
Board Game
Dust off the board games, this is the perfect rainy day activity. Maybe a game of Monopoly or Pop to the Shops (my personal favourite), Connect 4 is also a really good idea if your little one isn’t at the reading stage yet.
The Pillow Fort
Another classic rainy day activity, making a pillow fort!
Get the pillows, blankets, sofas, chairs and tables at the ready to make the best pillow fort ever! Maybe even decorate your creation with some fairy lights!
Once you have your fort, you could play some games or watch a movie in your cosy shelter.
If you’ve liked some of these ideas on what to do on your next rainy day, go and make yourself a rainy day activity jar!
Put all your suggestions on strips of folded paper in a glass jar to keep out for your next rainy day.
Play in the rain
Most of these activities have been indoors, but the best part of a rainy day is playing out in the rain!
So get your waterproofs, Roy’s Boys wellies and character socks, and get jumping in those muddy puddles!
Go explore our wellies and welly socks now
