Summer is the time to be outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. That is until stormy days roll in and keep everyone cooped up inside. I like a rainy day once in a while. The noise is soothing while I sit on the couch and read a book or watch a movie. However, it can be a bummer, especially if you canceled plans due to the weather. In that case, your kids might be unhappy and complain that they are bored. Rainy days usually mean you are the entertainer. They will look to you for ideas of what to do. But don’t worry; we have you covered!
Here are some things to do on a summer rainy day:
Board Games & Card Games
If you have some board games in your house, rainy days are the perfect opportunity to play with them. These games can get a bit competitive (at least in my house, it does), but it’s all just for fun! A deck of cards can be used as well. There are many different games you can play with them. If you want to spend a lot of time playing a game, I suggest you bring out Monopoly. That game will keep everyone occupied for the day, and it may have to carry on to another day!
Hold a Family Book Club
To engage in some summer reading, pick up a book! Read a book as a family and have a group discussion. It can help with reading comprehension and strengthen the reading experience as well. If you are looking for new books to add to your bookshelf, check out the options on our website. Each book comes with a free reader’s guide, which is also on our webpage!
Bake or Cook a New Recipe
Nothing is better than warm cookies! Pull out the cookbooks, or search online for something everyone wants to try. It could be a sweet treat like cookies, muffins, or a meal for lunch/dinner. Or you could bake some warm bread just like Papan & Vanessa in the book What the Bread Says. Have your little chefs help you. It makes the end product much more rewarding when everyone pitches in! Then you will have a tasty treat to enjoy and might even have leftovers to take to the park or the pool on a sunny day.
Here’s something to help with your Summer Time! Download your FREE Printable Here!
Have a Dance Party
Dance parties were my favorite as a kid. Well, it was more me performing for my parents. Either way, singing, and dancing can be lots of fun. You could even incorporate playing freeze dance too. Make a playlist of everyone’s favorite songs and let them get their sillies out. This is a great way to get your kids moving while inside!
Draw & Color
If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity, try drawing/coloring. All you need is a pencil and paper for drawing, and some coloring utensils to color pictures. If you need some coloring pages, check out some free printables on our webpage! Just click on a book and scroll down. There you will see an option to get some coloring pages. When this activity ends, there will be many beautiful pictures to hang up around the house!
Have a Make Believe Vacation
Something I did with my siblings on a rainy day was pretend we were on a vacation. The place we often picked was Hawaii. We would make props with paper & colored pencils, like the sun or the beach. I’d ask my mom to make a special treat for us as we “sunbathed” on our towels in the family room. It sounds kind of silly, but I remember having fun. So if your family went somewhere recently or wants to go somewhere, make it happen in your house! Make some props, dress for the occasion, add music, and make a fun treat. Your home will transform into a tropical beach, Disneyworld, Paris, etc., in no time!
While being stuck inside during the summer is not ideal, you can make the most of it. Your kids will have a blast and make some great memories. What you thought might be a dreary rainy day can turn out to be a super fun day!
Don’t forget to download your FREE Printable Here!
Natalie Pritula is an upcoming junior at Oakland University studying political science and public relations. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, go on bike rides, and bake sweet treats!