With autumn now here in full force we are expecting lots more rainy weekends and with lots of outdoor activities off limits what can you do to prevent your children quickly getting bored of being stuck indoors? Here are some fun rainy day activities for kids this autumn and winter.
Online Games
Free online games for kids are great for children of school age, they can be played on the computer or even a tablet device and, thanks to the many developments in games they are educational as well as fun. Knowing your child is learning things related to their age or school activities can be great peace of mind! Make sure you pick a game which is age appropriate for your child so they can get the most out of it and if possible help them find a game related to the activities they have been completing in school. If you have an iPhone or iPad you will find lots of learning games available for free in the app store!
Baking
Baking with your children is a fun way of spending the afternoon and the skills they will learn whilst doing so will be invaluable! The possibilities are also endless, you could invest in a child specific cookbook which means easier recipes with less ingredients so your child can take a more hands on approach, you could simply use some of your own recipes, or you could make bases such as cookies and cupcakes and get your child you add the toppings and decorations such as icing, sweets and dried fruit. With Halloween approaching it can be a fun time to follow a spooky theme with your cakes and cookies! As well as baking you can also teach your child how to cook simple meals, or even create your own mini pizzas and let your children choose the toppings!
Arts and Crafts
This can be as fun as baking, although without the yummy treats at the end! Arts and crafts can be as simple as painting a picture. If you have a family birthday coming up or other such event why not let your child get creative and make handmade birthday cards? They have a far more effective touch than something which was store bought! Handmade gifts can also be created for the grandparents. Examples of such include creating salt dough hand and foot prints with your child which they can then paint! Salt dough opens up a world of handmade gift possibilities which are truly unique to your child's imagination.
Treasure Hunting
Perfect for the younger children, especially ones that love pirates and adventure. Create a series of clues or a map and then hide treats or further clues and questions around your house. This is a fun activity that everyone can get involved in and helps develop problem solving and map reading skills. Although this can be seen as an Easter activity it can easily be completed throughout the year with modifications for the time of year and the treats which are being used.
Sarah is a mummy blogger in the UK
