Snow Days, Rain Days, I Can’t Go Out and Play Days
Snowy and Rainy Days are not necessarily Days that you can’t go out, but there are times when you won’t want to go. I can think of times when it was snowing and it was so cold out that in less than 15 minutes, even if you bundled up well, your toes and nose and fingers would get so cold that you just could not stay out any longer.
I also remember days when it was raining, and I loved to play in the rain, but thunderstorms and just the pelting of the drops was enough to make you want to come inside!
So what’s a parent to do when one of “those” days hits and you really don’t want the kids “vegging” out in front of the TV?
Being Prepared for such an eventuality is the key! – Be ready, what more can I say?
A good laugh for winter months!
I’m sure that every parent in the world has had that time in their children’s lives where it doesn’t matter if the weather co-operates or not, the children are bored!
It happened every year in my house, two weeks into the summer, when the school days were not filling up their time, and they had more or less done as much of nothing as they ever wanted to do! Those famous grating words would come out of their mouths, I’m Bored!!!!
The same thing happens when they cannot go out! What Is a parent to do? TV has never been a great babysitter and I’m sure that that has not changed! So what are the options and where do you get the help you need?
Great Ideas to Making Creative and Fun Days – Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes, one does not fit all!
So you have one child who loves to draw, another who loves to move about and a third who likes to figure stuff out, how do you keep all of them busy without killing your patience in the meantime?
There are plenty of workbooks/idea books out there for just about any age group or level of dexterity for the kids.
The Toddler’s Busy Book: Toddler’s Busy Book
Toddlers will require an adult to play along with them, it’s a great way to bond and have fun, watching their thinking and motor skills develop.
Games for Kids: 101 Easy Indoor or Outdoor Games for Your Children to Have Fun Require Nothing or Little Equipment for Every Child Aged 3 and Up
If you don’t have a lot of room, you want games and things for the kids to do that don’t require a whole lot of other “stuff”.
Great Big Book of Children’s Games
Young children are easy, because there is so much for them to learn and do, older children can sometimes be more difficult to keep busy.
Indoor Action Games for Elementary Children: Active Games and Academic Activities for Fun and Fitness
Sitting in one spot, is probably the worst part of being stuck indoors, let’s get the kids moving and having fun at the same time.
For those children that really enjoy learning, there are brain games that can be played and the time spent playing will also be teaching them something they didn’t know before.
If you have the space, then having a “special trunk/creative box” is the way to go! – You don’t need a lot of space, but if you can find a dedicated place to keep a storage box, filled with crafty items, paper, scissors, glue, construction paper, markers, crayons, books, stickers, balloons, old magazines, beads, and baubles, packing peanuts, glitter, water paints and at least one book of “how to’s” then you are all set!
In my home I have an old roll of paper that was given to me by someone who worked in an industry that used this type of paper! I have used this for my own hobbies, and will use it with my grandchildren too! Floor space and/or a clear tabletop are all that are required.
I can cut out pieces of paper to lay on the floor or table and set out the paints, markers, crayons, glue and extras and just supervise or assist when required! Words of encouragement or a helpful hand when help is needed keep the kids “working” on their masterpieces, without any grumbling.
While they are busy at work, I can bake some cookies and if one of the children doesn’t want to draw, color or glue stuff, they can come into the kitchen and help with the baking. That’s a really great way to get the kids involved with making and eating good food! Most of them are having fun at the same time and don’t even realize it!
Your own Tickle Trunk, can be filled with any number of things. – Depending on it’s size and configuration, it can be a one stop play station for just about any
It doesn’t even really have to be a trunk, it can also be portable drawers or a cupboard that isn’t being used for anything special. It is entirely up to you where you put together your “fun stash” for those days when going outside just isn’t possible.
With a trunk like this, you could have smaller container inside for any number of crafts or dressing up. You can even stencil something really nice on the black background! Make it fun!
Spectrum 47970 Medium Storage Basket, Chrome
Smaller items can go into here and you can see what is in there, hopefully it will spark some creativity.
Art Alternatives Art Party Super Set
Great for keeping pencils, markers, pens, crayons and writing instruments handy and tidy too!
Love the no spill and the color coded paint cups. These are so easy to use and clean up is easy!
Half of the battle to come up with something for the kids to do other than watch TV, is to be ready for those occasions!
Getting a trunk together is not very difficult at all. There are hundreds of ways to have something interesting in there for that time when you don’t want to turn on the TV and still have some fun.
Arts and crafts are a wonderful way for children to learn to use not only their imagination, but it also helps them to develop coordination and fine motor skills.
Your own particular “Tickle Trunk” could be filled with construction paper, regular paper, coloring books, and a host of bric-a-brac, that can be turned into a one of a kind work of art!
Be diligent in seeing other uses for things you have around your home. Old birthday cards, Christmas cards, or magazines can be the starting point for any number of ideas. Instead of throwing them into the recycling bin, take them and put them into the Tickle Trunk!
Anytime you are out at the Dollar store, at the end of a particular “season”, buy a couple of things to add to the trunk! Or if you have been crafting yourself and have left over items, into the trunk they go.
Crayons too small to use anymore, don’t throw them away, fun and fabulous t-shirts can be made by shaving the crayons onto an older t-shirt and then with help and a warm iron, melt your design into your old t-shirt, to make something new again.
I have lots of plastic lace, beads, pop can tops, some old clean cans, hammers and nails and made candle holders like the old tin punched types.
There are endless ways to use things that don’t cost a lot of money, and you use your imagination to repurpose something that has already been used once……it’s great fun and sometimes the kids come up with really great ideas themselves.
Time spent with your children on those can’t go out to play days, are never wasted. The memories that you are making with them, will stay with them for years to come!
What’s in your Tickle Trunk? – Here’s some great ideas to get you started!
Mr. Dressup, was a Canadian show for children. He always had something wonderful in his Tickle Trunk and maybe you can take a few of his ideas and make them your own! There is no lack of ideas out there!
Just a little about Mr. Dressup and his way of having fun with kids.
Organizing your crafts is probably the most important thing you will do, Have everything that the kids will need for a fun time in one place and easily available.
Having everything handy and ready is the key to getting the kids interested in making things.
Organizing doesn’t have to be expensive, look around and you will find what you need right in your home.
I love the idea of having everything in one place, no searching for glue sticks or markers or clips or anything else, it’s all right here.
Do you encourage Creativity in your children? – Children learn in so many different ways, crafting or acting or playing games are just some of them. Do you enjoy doing crafty things with your children or grandchildren?
If you have some really good ideas, share them with us right here. I’m sure that everyone can learn something from someone else’s experiences.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
February 27, 2015
I never heard of Mr. Dressup, but his program is delightful. So many things to do as we wait for spring weather. I’m already into getting more organized. Hopefully I’ll be done soon when the weather breaks.