Rainy Weather Games

"Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!" Being stuck inside because of rain is no fun, but with a few rainy weather games hidden away for… well, a rainy day, things don't have to be so glum. Browse through these wet weather activities to find something sure to put a smile on any face!

Puzzles

Whether it comes with five pieces or five hundred pieces, a puzzle can while away a few hours no matter what the weather. If children will be involved in putting it together, you might want to consider finding a puzzle that:

• Has large objects and distinct colours.
• Is based on a photograph with clear lines between objects.
• Is based on an educational theme or current favourite character.
• Has obvious border pieces that can be connected first.
• Sorting the puzzle pieces according to piece shape.
• Telling your children at the outset that the puzzle will take several days to complete.

Board Games

There's nothing like a good, old fashioned board games to take your minds off of the rain! Troop down to the basement to pull out your dusty version, or head to the high street for a modern remake. A few great board games for kids include:

• Snakes and Ladders
• Candyland
• Monopoly
• Scrabble Junior
• Pictionary Junior
• Checkers
• Chess

Card Games

They may be too young to play Texas Hold 'Em just yet, but kids will love a card game or two, particularly if they can bet with chocolate buttons! Break open a new pack of cards and get ready to deal for:

• Memory/Concentration
• Old Maid
• Go Fish
• War
• Slapjack
• Spit

Activity Videos

A rainy afternoon usually makes for a captive audience, so get everyone changed into comfortable clothes and get ready to learn a new activity. Yoga, dance and sport instruction are all widely available for home entertainment. Videos/DVDs that work particularly well for children include:

• Yoga Bugs
• Moving and Grooving (Dance, Fun and Fit for Kids)
• Boogie Beebies - Your Chance to Dance!
• How to Be a Dancing Fairy with Nadia Sawalha
• Little Kicks Fitness Workout for Kids
• Balamory - Rain or Shine

Writer Letters

If there are aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or friends out there, then there are people who would love a little surprise in the letter box! Help your children to make their own stationary and compose short letters. Allow them to decorate special envelopes before putting them in the post box. Assemble:

• Paper
• Coloured pencils
• Markers
• Stickers
• Glitter
• Envelopes

Clean Up

It may be hard to convince older children that cleaning the house is a game, but with a little creativity it just might work. Assemble all of your workers and advise them that they will be paid for their work (whether with coins, candies, a special trip to the video store or whatever else you feel comfortable with). Lay out the ground rules that all of their work will be checked by you, the boss, and then assign jobs such as:

• Dusting.
• Sorting toys.
• Picking up toys.
• Putting away books.
• Hanging up clothes.
• Arranging shoes into matching pairs.
• Transferring clean laundry to the appropriate bedrooms.
• Making beds.
• Putting dirty towels and clothes into hampers.
• Straightening bathrooms.

Waiting for the sun would make anyone weary. In the meantime, beat the rainy day blues with any number of these fun, family activities. Have fun!