Maybe the rest of the world is experiencing spring, but here on April 16th, we still have snow!
I realize I live in a cold climate, but this is getting ridiculous. I feel bad that Little Miss is stuck in the house all.the.time. because it is raining, snowing, super windy, or just blah. She doesn’t seem to mind it that much, but the girl deserves some fresh air! In the meantime, we have some ways to make the days go by a bit easier:
Gross Motor Toys Indoors
As you can see, we have a toddler size trampoline, a riding horse, and two toy cars to ride around in. Whenever Little Miss seems to be getting a bit antsy, we head downstairs so she can work off some of that energy.
Rainy Day Bin
Our rainy day (or snowy, cold, windy, whatever) includes play doh with items to play with like a small rolling pin, mini tart shaper (to form crust in a mini muffin pan), butter applicator for corn on the cob, large funnel and other plastic items. There’s also paint, shoe laces with the top of old spice bottles, puzzles we made out of old cardboard boxes, and an old sour cream container with a hole in it to put dried beans through. I typically only bring out one thing at a time, and even then the fun lasts up to an hour!
Movies
Yep, as much as I hate excessive screen time, movies really work wonders on boring, dreary days. Little Miss has a rule that she can watch one thing in the morning, and one thing after she wakes up from a nap. Most times she doesn’t sit and watch the whole thing, but the mama guilt in me is looking for shorter things, instead of full length movies, so she doesn’t spend so much time in front of the TV.
Let the Older Kids Play, Too
Little Miss loves playing with her sister, Care Bear, and who wouldn’t? They play tag through the house, tickle each other, and just all around laugh a lot. Sure, I could be more strict with Care Bear’s school time, but one of the benefits of homeschooling is a deeper relationship with their siblings. With the huge age gap between the two, I want to let them enjoy each other whenever possible. Really, their time to play together is limited when you think that Care Bear may be moving out in the next 5-10 years. It goes by quick, so let them play a little.
Indoor Gymnasium
Open gym time is perfect for getting out of the house, playing, and not having to deal with rainy weather. It’s good for mama to get out of the house, too! Sometimes I get too wrapped up in keeping homeschool chugging along, and keeping the house relatively picked up that I forget I need to get out, too! Who knows? Friends can be made for mama at the gym, too.
Play in the Rain
If it isn’t dangerous outside, or excessively cold, what does it matter if the kids get a little wet? And who doesn’t like mud? Life isn’t meant to be just clean and orderly… let there be a bit of unbridled fun. The kids will love it, and appreciate mom letting them get messy once in a while!
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