| There is nothing worse than a rainy day in the middle | | | | better days, cut out the picture and store it in a |
| of the school holidays, when children are cooped up | | | | re-sealable bag with all the pieces. |
| inside, you have nothing planned, and the inevitable | | | | 5. Have a mammoth junk modelling session with |
| cries of "I'm bored" are not far away! Keep this list | | | | friends: |
| of rainy day activities ready for just such a day. | | | | Invite a few families around and ask them to bring |
| Older children may enjoy choosing from the list | | | | their craft-cupboard junk with them - boxes, |
| themselves. | | | | containers, and other bits and pieces. You provide |
| 1. Sort through the toy cupboard: | | | | glue, sticky-tape, scissors, and encouragement. You |
| It's surprising how much fun this can be! Get | | | | could make houses, or creatures, or boats, or |
| everyone together and aim to clear one shelf or | | | | modern art - or you could all combine together to |
| drawer. You will probably find that old treasures are | | | | make one giant model! |
| rediscovered, odd pieces can be thrown away, and | | | | 6. Make a card house: |
| some things will be ready to be passed down or sold. | | | | If you don't know any good card games or haven't |
| If you are not sure whether to get rid of some of | | | | anyone to play with, try building a card house! Start |
| the toys, try packing them away in a box and hiding | | | | by balancing two cards against each other so that |
| them in a dark corner of the cupboard for a few | | | | they stand up in an inverted V-shape. Take it from |
| months. When they come out again they will either | | | | there! |
| cause a sensation, or not - which will make it easy to | | | | 7. Make an indoor obstacle course: |
| decide on their fate! | | | | Check with an adult that this is OK first! Use easily |
| 2. Record the sounds around you: | | | | movable furniture (kitchen chairs, coffee tables) to |
| Get out the tape recorder and make a project out | | | | mark out a course. Create a tunnel to crawl through |
| of recording everyday sounds. Try water running in | | | | with a blanket draped over low tables, or space |
| the bath, someone ringing the bell and opening the | | | | cushions around the room to use as stepping-stones. |
| door, or flushing the toilet! It certainly makes you | | | | You will have lots more ideas! |
| think about things a little differently than usual. | | | | 8. Practice balancing: |
| Suggest that some friends or neighbours do the | | | | Balancing is fun! Try walking the length of the room |
| same thing and then get together to see if you can | | | | with a book on your head. When you can do that, |
| identify each other's sounds! | | | | try balancing two or three - then add a cuddly toy to |
| 3. Make a story tape: | | | | the very top! |
| Grab that tape recorder and a blank cassette, find a | | | | 9. Create an indoor den: |
| story you enjoy, and make your own story tape! | | | | A few blankets and tablecloths can create the most |
| Each child can read for a while, or can take on the | | | | wonderful indoor den. Drape blankets between sofas |
| part of a particular character. Make the appropriate | | | | and chairs, over stepladders and clothes-dryers, or tie |
| noises too! You will probably have to practice a few | | | | the ends to cupboard knobs and door handles. Once |
| times to get the hang of it, and be prepared for lots | | | | the den is created find some special snacks, coloring |
| and lots of giggles! Tip: a homemade story tape | | | | pages and pencils, a CD player and music, a torch or |
| makes a great present for a child who has to go to | | | | two, and camp out for a while! |
| hospital or is bedridden for a time. | | | | 10. Play with string: |
| 4. Have a jigsaw afternoon: | | | | Older children can create some wonderful inventions |
| Get out all your jigsaws and invite some friends | | | | with a ball of string and their imagination! A toilet roll |
| around with theirs too! Clear plenty of space and | | | | and a sloping length of string make a great message |
| have a marathon jigsaw session. Some libraries have | | | | chute or rocket. Get some action toys involved too: |
| jigsaws you can borrow too, and you can often find | | | | try making them a lift (elevator) out of a box or a |
| jigsaws for sale very cheaply at charity shops (thrift | | | | basket and hoist them up! Adults should supervise |
| stores) and car boot sales (garage sales). Tip: if you | | | | constantly if there are younger kids around. |
| buy your jigsaws second-hand and the box has seen | | | | |