Rainy days (and super hot days) are prime time for creativity, exploration, and learning. My own personal flair is for non-war-games types of activities (no nerf fights for me!), and I was always a terrible hide-and-seeker. So here are my top 10 ideas from my own experiences and around the web for indoor fun!
1) 3D Masking Tape Maze
Materials Needed: masking tape, hallway
A long hallway is the perfect place for this activity.
Take strips of masking tape wall-to-wall up and down the hallway for some spy-tastic large motor play. For an added challenge (especially for the slightly older set), you can make a more challenging maze a timed event, or a simpler maze into an instructional activity. One person (blindfolded) takes directions from another to navigate the maze without tripping any of the masking tape lasers for an auditory comprehension and expressive language activity.
If you don't have a long hallway, rigging up a couple of sheets of cardboard makes a great course too.
2) Balloon Paddleball
Materials Needed: Balloon(s), paper plates, popsicle or paint sticks, glue or tape
This one is an old favorite. Paper plates attached to paint sticks become paddles, and the balloon is the "ball." This is another great activity for large motor involvement, and can be a great way for kids to "get their wiggles out" if the day includes sitting down for craft or learning activities as well.
3) Mixing Bowl Beanbag Toss
Materials Needed: Mixing or serving bowls (various sizes), beanbags (or bean-stuffed socks), or cardboard, markers, tape.
This is the last of my big motor tricks, but it's a favorite. For a kiddo who needs more sensory input for this kind of thing, you can use super heavy beanbags (think tube sock stuffed with popcorn or homemade heating pad). The game itself is pretty straightforward. Each bowl is labelled with a point value, with farther away and/or smaller bowls being worth more. Throw down a tape-line for older kids to stand behind, and get to tossin'. The dollar bin at Target or your favorite dollar store are great sources for cheapy big bowls.
4) Marble Rally
Materials Needed: marbles and a bucket are essential, pool noodles, funnels, books and boxes for elevation, toilet paper or paper towel tubes, tape, are all optional, but fun. Marble race kits exist for smaller enterprises or to add variety Creativity is rewarded here!
Build a track and send your marbles down the chute. When I was a kid, we used the top of my dad's recliner or the dining table as a starting point and worked down from there. Chairs, boxes, tables, and cushions are awesome additional supports. You can also cut your tubes in half and hang them from the wall like these folks did. Want a little competition? Make it a race on a dual track.
5) Masking Tape Race Track
Materials Needed: cars, masking or painter's tape, bare floor or wall, paper (optional)
For this little project, building is half the fun. Create a road or raceway for your cars to explore. Paper can be used for drawing landscapes, towns, etc or for things like "water hazards." You can make parking lots, runways, city streets, stoplights...the possibilities are endless here. Talk about all the places you're making, what your cars are doing, play "red light, green light", or make car noises.
6) Pencil Eraser Stamp Art
Materials Needed: pencils with new erasers (cheap ones are perfect), ink pads or paint, paper, newsprint to cover table
This activity is a personal favorite of mine. It's a great way to let your creative juices flow whether you're four or forty-five. I will readily confess to enjoying the heck out of this even now, without kids. Dot art is an awesome fine motor activity, and a great way to practice language skills like asking for help, requesting (and learning) colors, spatial concepts, patterns and shapes, storytelling, and creature creating.
Do you have any other go-to activities when the weather keeps you indoors? I'd love to hear about them!
-Lindsey
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