Rainy Day Activities

CAMP MOMMY - 10 Rainy Day Activities

1. Library Day! If you haven't already, a rainy day is the perfect time to visit your local library to check out the summer schedule of activities and programs to keep kids busy and READING! Many libraries offer a Summer Reading Program with rewards and incentives to keep kids reading through the summer--today is the day to sign up! Even on not-rainy days, visit the library once a week so everyone can check out a book and a movie (libraries now lend VHS and DVD movies), so you will always have the rainy day back-up plan. (See Home Theatre below).
   
   
2. Movie Day! (See CAMP MOMMY Blogs on 5/31/2005)
   
   
3. Home Theatre (less expensive alternative!) - Set up a blanket fort, microwave a bowl of popcorn (or bake your own cookies or snacks), and put that Library VHS/DVD on for the Featured Presentation!
   
   
4. Game Day - Playing Cards, Jigsaw Puzzles, Board Games
   
   
5. PlayStation Tournament!
   
   
6. Cartoon Marathon
   
   
7. Arts & Crafts - Although I've realized certain challenges with Arts & Crafts that I am still working out: I'm not so happy with the craft kits I have purchased in the past, most recently some "really cool" metal box kits from Target (dry erase games, spool knitting, scrapbook - $4.99 each). The kits tend to be overly-complicated and the end product is, well...generally, crappy clutter. I'm thinking my recommendation is moving more toward "free form" arts & crafts. Stick with the basics: crayons, glue, scissors, yarn, popsicle sticks, etc. (Watch for a CAMP MOMMY Update on this issue!)
   
   
8. Baking & Cooking - LOVE the FAMILY FUN Cook Books:
   FAMILY FUN - Super Snacks
   FAMILY FUN - Fast Family Dinners
   
   
9. Set up a Store! This was 10-year-old Zach's solution this morning, which was brilliant, and kept all three kids busy for hours: The Blade Place. He collected up all his hundreds of Beyblade parts and pieces, organized them and put together a Beyblade Store, complete with cash register and menu of products and services, including building, repairing, cleaning, customizing, renting and purchasing Beyblades. All of his sales from his first day in business were to his younger brother and sister, who he also paid to help him with the store...it kept them all busy and happy, until we bailed out and went to McD's for lunch to get out of the house!
   
   
10. McDonald's - Just don't sit inside PlayLand! Let them play in the midst of chaos, behind the soundproof glass. Sit on the other side, with your soda or iced tea, and enjoy a few peaceful minutes with a good book or magazine. You can still see them!

Day #8 Total = $10 at McDonald's.
(Note: After unlimited soda refills, and a long afternoon with a four-year-old sugar-hyped hooligan, decided to drastically limit soda consumption and opt for milk and water on future rainy day outings to McD's...still living and learning!)