Summer is my favorite season! Where I live in the midwest, summer days are hot, but not too humid, and summer nights are wonderfully warm. It’s my favorite kind of weather and it provides so many options for outdoor activities!
But when it rains, I feel caught off guard because my summer plan with the kids is to spend our days outdoors. I like to have a plan when we wake up to a stormy day and going outside is not an option.
On those days, I set up 3-4 stations that are open-ended invitations to play.
I keep supplies on hand for such a time as this, and when I wake up to rain, I set the activities in various areas of our kitchen and I keep a timer accessible. Calling it a “station” makes the activity feel more legitimate, and the kids feel like we are playing school.
For whatever reason, this increases their enthusiasm to participate!
Depending on our daughters’ attention spans, I’ll set the timer for somewhere between 5-15 minutes and when it goes off, each daughter moves onto the next station. Sometimes I play music and I get some work done alongside them in the kitchen.
These are 10 options for invitation stations I regularly set up in less than 10 minutes. They work for kids of various ages:
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Play Dough – This is so good for children’s hands to get a workout and it develops muscles necessary for future writing skills. You can always make your own play dough at home if you do not keep fresh supplies on hand.
Glitter Gel Pens – For some reason, this is the art supply that gets the most use in our home! Our girls always reach for these and their focus is incredible. They can use coloring books or freely draw on blank paper.
Brain Flakes or Legos – Our girls gravitate toward brain flakes. We have not gotten into the specific lego kits, but those also work great if you have them! We just use the lego starter kit to make various creations.
Scissors – Did you know using scissors is considered a preschooler’s multivitamin? This is one of the best activities your child can do developmentally to prepare for the fine motor skills required later in school. I simply draw lines or shapes on a blank piece of paper and the child at this station practices their scissor skills. For the older girls, I include decorative edge craft scissors and paper and glue for them to make a collage. DISCLAIMER: Supervise this activity and only allow your child to use scissors independently when you know they are ready to do so.
Stickers – We have many options at the sticker station! Here are a few of our favorites: reusable sticker pad, puffy reusable stickers, and sticker pad sets.
Puzzles – I love how patience is required for puzzles and children can develop longer attention spans as they focus on something they love to do.
Pom poms – We bought these at a craft store and they have gotten so much use over the years! We use these handy scoopers to transfer pom poms from one bucket to another, sort them by color into muffin tins, or come up with other creative games to play!
Books or audiobooks – Children can flip through picture books, read if they are able, or I will be at this station to sit down and read to them while we snuggle. Another option is to put on an audiobook while we do stations, or play the Bible through the Dwell App. BONUS for readers: receive 20% off an annual or lifetime subscription to the Dwell App when you sign up through this link.
Dot art – I love that these are washable and I find the kids enjoy these most on large easel sized paper. Our children started using these when they were only one-year old and they continue to enjoy them today.
Pipe cleaners – There are many ways to use pipe cleaners, but our preferred way is to string Fruit Loops on them and then close the pipe cleaner in the shape of a circle to create *partially* edible bracelets.
I hope this helps you enjoy your rainy days with littles!
And if you need encouragement because the day ahead looks big, just remember:
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15 ESV.)
Your work as a parent has eternal impact. Your positive attitude shines as God’s light in the world. You get to shine as a light for your children, even on dark and rainy days.
For more play ideas, I recommend listening to Finding Your Purpose as a Mom, Making Family Memories, Ways to Enjoy Summer with Your Family, and Thriving with Kids at Home. For book and audiobook recommendations for kids, check out Promoting a Family Culture of Reading and Inspiring Your Kids to Read.
Please share some ideas that I’m missing! What do you like to do on rainy days?
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Have a great day!
Laura
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