Fun family activities for any weather
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 16, 2020 3:02 PM EDT
Aaah! Spring! The time when sun-starved families travel to warmer destinations for Spring Break. Spring weather can be unpredictable. Temperatures rise and fall and the sun can disappear behind rain clouds, all in the blink of an eye. If you have young children, it’s often difficult to know what to do when the weekend weather takes an unplanned turn for the worse. But have no fear. Here are some fun activities that will have your family happy and moving around even on a rainy spring day. (And don’t worry, NONE of them involve your kids watching a screen!)
Photo by Aw Creative
Aw Creative on Unsplash
If rain is driving you indoors, grab an old blanket and find a space in your home where there’s room to run (hallways and basements are perfect). Then have kids take turns lying on the blanket as you pull them from the starting line to the finish. If there are older kids in your family, they can pull the younger ones. This game is loads of fun and won’t harm your floors (or your children!)
Photo by Gustavo Fring
Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Set up a mini indoor obstacle course using kid-safe objects — think tunnels made of moving boxes and climbing walls from old stacked pillows. Kids of all ages and sizes will enjoy making the course, changing it around, and trying to navigate it in the fastest time. One way to enhance this family fun is to let the little ones map out the course and obstacles with you!
Photo by bongkarn thanyakij
bongkarn thanyakij from Pexels
If your kids like art projects but are a little bored with drawing and coloring, try something new and definitely appropriate for spring: flower painting. All you need are a few flowers from the garden, some kid-friendly paints, and paper. Use the flowers as paintbrushes: The variety of shapes and sizes will create unusual and interesting designs.
Photo by Kha Ruxury
Kha Ruxury from Pexels
You’ve already had blanket races and an obstacle course. This family fun should be documented with photos. You can also ask your kids to create a photo diary of their day using a digital camera. This creative exercise is a good way to talk about photography, photojournalism, and how they spent their time! You can even make it a contest for the whole family with the winner receiving a prize.
Photo by Caleb Woods
Caleb Woods on Unsplash
This is another great game to play in the basement. Give the “seeker” a flashlight and once the hiders are hidden, shut the lights. The seeker can use the light of the flashlight to find all the kids. This twist on the classic game adds just enough interest to make it feel new and fun. Expect a lot of giggles and excitement.
Photo by cottonbro
cottonbro from Pexels
You probably think most kids won’t enjoy anything resembling school work on a day off. But school is actually a comfortable and familiar routine for most children, and they will jump at the chance to play school when THEY can be the teacher. Have the children in your family take turns teaching everyone else something they know or have learned. Give the “teacher” your full attention — no talking over them or asking questions unless you raise your hand and are called on! This is a fun, educational activity and don’t be surprised if your kids ask to play it again the next time there’s a rainy day.
Photo by Elly Fairytale
Elly Fairytale from Pexels
When winter is over, there’s nothing parents want more than an opportunity to have their kids play outside. But in the spring, the weather outside doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why it’s important to entice your kids with games and activities that are creative, interesting and — above all else — fun.
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News / Recreation
Fun family activities for any weather
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 16, 2020 3:02 PM EDT
Aaah! Spring! The time when sun-starved families travel to warmer destinations for Spring Break. Spring weather can be unpredictable. Temperatures rise and fall and the sun can disappear behind rain clouds, all in the blink of an eye. If you have young children, it’s often difficult to know what to do when the weekend weather takes an unplanned turn for the worse. But have no fear. Here are some fun activities that will have your family happy and moving around even on a rainy spring day. (And don’t worry, NONE of them involve your kids watching a screen!)
Photo by Aw Creative
Blanket races
If rain is driving you indoors, grab an old blanket and find a space in your home where there’s room to run (hallways and basements are perfect). Then have kids take turns lying on the blanket as you pull them from the starting line to the finish. If there are older kids in your family, they can pull the younger ones. This game is loads of fun and won’t harm your floors (or your children!)
Photo by Gustavo Fring
Build an obstacle course
Set up a mini indoor obstacle course using kid-safe objects — think tunnels made of moving boxes and climbing walls from old stacked pillows. Kids of all ages and sizes will enjoy making the course, changing it around, and trying to navigate it in the fastest time. One way to enhance this family fun is to let the little ones map out the course and obstacles with you!
Photo by bongkarn thanyakij
Paint with flowers
If your kids like art projects but are a little bored with drawing and coloring, try something new and definitely appropriate for spring: flower painting. All you need are a few flowers from the garden, some kid-friendly paints, and paper. Use the flowers as paintbrushes: The variety of shapes and sizes will create unusual and interesting designs.
Photo by Kha Ruxury
Create a photo diary
You’ve already had blanket races and an obstacle course. This family fun should be documented with photos. You can also ask your kids to create a photo diary of their day using a digital camera. This creative exercise is a good way to talk about photography, photojournalism, and how they spent their time! You can even make it a contest for the whole family with the winner receiving a prize.
Photo by Caleb Woods
Flashlight hide-and-seek
This is another great game to play in the basement. Give the “seeker” a flashlight and once the hiders are hidden, shut the lights. The seeker can use the light of the flashlight to find all the kids. This twist on the classic game adds just enough interest to make it feel new and fun. Expect a lot of giggles and excitement.
Photo by cottonbro
Play school
You probably think most kids won’t enjoy anything resembling school work on a day off. But school is actually a comfortable and familiar routine for most children, and they will jump at the chance to play school when THEY can be the teacher. Have the children in your family take turns teaching everyone else something they know or have learned. Give the “teacher” your full attention — no talking over them or asking questions unless you raise your hand and are called on! This is a fun, educational activity and don’t be surprised if your kids ask to play it again the next time there’s a rainy day.
Photo by Elly Fairytale
When winter is over, there’s nothing parents want more than an opportunity to have their kids play outside. But in the spring, the weather outside doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why it’s important to entice your kids with games and activities that are creative, interesting and — above all else — fun.
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