Boredom-busting activities for kids (and adults)
As if it isn't already hard enough to keep the kids entertained, throw some wet weather in the mix and boredom ensues. Here’s a list of activities to keep young ones entertained.
Hone your inner Da Vinci
Encourage the kids, both the toddlers and the teenagers, to get out the art supplies and start creating - the options are endless with this activity. There are clay sculptures to make and canvasses to paint with fingers, sponges and paint brushes.
Recycled items, such as plastic bottles, milk lids and cellophane, never goes amiss - kids are pretty innovative when given some glitter and glue.
Masking tape the floor
All you need is a roll of tape and a few toy cars to keep the young petrol heads busy for hours. Outline a racetrack throughout the entire house, let the kids decide how many lanes they want and what other household objects can feature in their little city.
For those youngsters not so interested in cars, use the masking tape - ensuring it's the kind that comes off easily - to create a makeshift hopscotch game.
Hold an indoor scavenger hunt
Take a moment to put together a list of clues, giving the first to the children and putting the rest in obscure places around the house - each clue leads the kids onto the next. Eventually, and not before they have worked as a team to brainstorm the answers, they will discover a trove of treasure, whether it be a delicious treat or another fun activity, such as a board game to play or a DVD to watch.
Here are three clues to get you started - I have four legs, but I don't have feet and I come in handy when it's time to eat. I rain on you when you need a scrub, I'm very much like my friend the tub. I'm filled with feathers or other soft fluff, to sleep without me can be quite tough.
Get busy in the kitchen
The wet weather is the perfect time to restock the plastic containers with delectable baked goods. It's also a great way to save some money on the weekly grocery bill and to introduce the children to some basic cooking skills.
But when the biscuit containers and cake stands have already been filled and the kids are still wanting to whip something up in the kitchen, why not make some play dough - it's easy and cheaper than the store-bought version. All you need is one cup of plain flour, one cup of water, half a cup of cooking salt, one tablespoon of cooking oil, one tablespoon of cream of tartar and some food colouring.
Go outside and get wet
Just because it's raining, it doesn't mean you have to be stuck inside all day - go outside and enjoy a bit of liquid sunshine.
Don a rain jacket and a pair of gumboots and go and have some fun amongst Mother Nature. There are worms to be found, puddles to stop in, mud to played with and rain to be danced under.
Written by Tara Shaskey. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
Related links:
A letter to my baby granddaughter I’ve yet to meet
Grandparents share timeless love advice with grandkids