Rainy Day Drama's!

Rainy days.. gotta love them! And that I do - but the kids don't! We're coming into winter here in New Zealand and it's getting colder. With a little effort I try to keep the kids as active as possible so that we don't need the heater on constantly throughout the day! haha Here's a couple of things that cost next to nothing that I try and entertain the kids with on a rainy day:

1. CREATING: I try to keep a stash of felt pens or crayons handy (always grab them from the $2 shop!) along with some nice big colouring in books (nothing too detailed - I keep it simple as my kids are only 2 & 3). I lay out quite a wide spread of newspaper and put their little table on it as they are bound to drop pens on the floor! They love to colour and draw pictures and we put them on the fridge to show everyone - the kids are always proud of their work!

2. HIDE & SEEK: This is a great game that my kids just can't get enough of. My daughter (3 1/2 yrs) is a lot better at it than her brother (2 1/2 yrs)!! She will go and hide or take her turn to count... but her brother won't hide - if he does, it's only for a minute and then he comes running out! haha It's funny though... but generally, he goes with the person that counts!

3. HUTS: A great idea that the kids love is building huts! Getting out sheets and using chairs, tables, benches etc to make little 'houses'. Sometimes I will even serve them up a snack in their little home - they love that!

4. MOVIE: Although I try to limit tv time, as I don't like to use it as a babysitter - at nap time, because they have been stuck inside all day, I let them watch a movie instead of having a nap. Usually this is just after lunch - and half the time they fall asleep anyway. But it's a bit of time out for me.

5. PUZZLES: My kids have this big floor puzzle of the alphabet - they love spending time with their Dad doing that - great learning for them too!

Well, it's a little late, so I might add to this tomorrow when I think of some more!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving"