With the current health crisis in our nation and in our world, many people are being forced to stay home to work and in many cases, children are also home from school in an effort to contain the COVID19. Last winter, I wrote the weekly newsletter, CONNECT THE DOTS, featured some boredom-busting ideas for rainy/snowy days that might be fun in this situation as well. You will find it below, in the hopes that there will be a nugget of fun tohelp you weather this situation, too.

First published in January 2019:

Whether it is a rainy day or an unexpected snowstorm, being stuck inside can leave kids (and adults) feeling a bit restless. While it rarely snows down here in the south, for some of you, it is a daily occurrence. We, on the other hand, have been experiencing so much rain that I feel that we all might need webbed feet soon. As a teacher, I vividly remember praying for sunny days so that the kids could get outdoors and run off some of that pent-up energy.

If it is just rain that is keeping you indoors (without thunder and lightning, of course), consider spending a little time outside anyway. Water itself is not harmful and can be lots of fun as long as you are prepared. Bundle up in raincoats and boots or grab an umbrella and go outside for an impromptu “rain dance”. Measure how much rain there has been with a rain gauge (like the one in you make in the Weather Watch box) or  take a few minutes to splash in the puddles on your driveway.

Of course, sometimes there are thunderstorms or it is just too cold, so the next time you are cooped up indoors due to rain or snow, why not try one of these fun activities.

5 Ways to Make the Best of a Rainy/Snowy Day

1. Micro Treasure Hunt - Give each child a tiny box or bag (Altoids tins are perfect for this) and let them go around the house filling their box with as many tiny objects as they can find. (Examples: paper clip, pea, button, tiny Lego, bead, barrette, pony-tail holder, etc.)

2. Make a fort - Grab a sheet or blanket form the linen closet and build an old-fashioned fort by draping it over a table or a couple of chairs. Let the kids bring in their favorite stuffed animals and books or pretend they are having a camp out in the woods.

3. Window clings - Give your child a wet sponge or small spray bottle and some vinyl clings or fun foam bathtub toys. Using a window or glass door (I like to use our storm door), let the kids spray a little water and press on the shapes.

4. Fashion Show - Put some adult old clothes in a box and let the kids pick out things to wear in a make-shift fashion show. Play some fun music and use a pretend microphone to MC the event.

5. Yarn maze treasure hunt - See if your child can get to the "treasure" on the other side of a hallway maze by unwinding a skein of yarn and taping it in a zigzag pattern from wall to wall down your hallway. Place the treasure—a favorite toy or a special treat—just beyond the maze's edge. See if your child can steal it without touching the yarn "laser beams." If your kid touches them, he has to start over. 

"I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny!"
-Dr. Seuss-

Rainy/snowy days are also great times to cook together or have a dance party, but you don't have to entertain the kids every single minute they are indoors. When the drops start dropping, or the snow is not stopping, don't despair. Providing even a few minutes of respite from the dreariness can transform the day into one that kids will enjoy and remember and help you keep your sanity in the process! 

Make the most of these days, working and playing as you are able, and don’t forget to wash your hands!!