www.mykidstime.com The Wild Atlantic Way is aptly named for those of us living on the West Coast of Ireland. We do get more than our fair share of rain and thinking up ways to amuse the kids on rainy days, without spending a fortune, can be challenging. With 10 kids between us on the Mykidstime team, we want to share some of our fun things to do with kids on rainy days.
Head outdoors. Get on the rain gear, wellies and umbrellas and brave the elements for a bracing walk with jumping in puddles, racing leaves in streams formed by the rain and hot drinks all round on your return obligatory. For warmer days, consider hopping into Galway bay for a quick dip, you are going to get wet anyway! Head to the beach already dressed for your dip and cover car seats with towels for the return journey.
Alternatively head to the library where the kids can read, colour and pick books for the week ahead. Check the library website too for details of story times. Or you could visit the Galway City Museum to learn more about our city and view touring arts and crafts exhibitions. Check their event calendar before you go, as they sometimes run free craft workshops and have talks and music during the school holidays.
If heading out isn’t an option, cover the kitchen table and get out the arts and crafts supplies for an afternoon of creative fun. Messes can be cleaned up and you’ll be left with unique works of art to enjoy. How about creating a gallery for all those works of art? Dedicate a wall in the playroom or their bedroom to hang their masterpieces.
Get cooking, I know more mess, but the children will really enjoy mixing, bashing, rolling and baking everything from cookies to smoothies. You never know you may even get dinner out of their efforts.
Host your very own puppet show. Puppets can be anything from a favourite to socks with goggly eyes added! Make it even more special by helping the kids write their own script.
Have a treasure hunt. Hide objects around the house for them to find. This is also an ingenious way to get them to tidy up. If you hide the objects in messy areas, they have to clean to find them.
Kids love to dress up. Whether you have a basket full of dress up costumes or you let them loose on your wardrobe, this will pass a few hours. Set a theme and organise a runway for them to model their creations.
Invite some of their friends over and set up a home cinema. Make tickets, have popcorn, close the curtains on that rain and escape into the story. Alternatively have an indoor disco, choose your DJ and while away a few hours dancing and having fun.
Organise your photos. You will enjoy looking back over older snaps and putting them into photo books, either online to be printed out or if your organised, into albums.
Visit www.mykidstime.com for fun recipes, art and crafts projects and more rainy day ideas.
