Written by Madison Zepp
Kids are hard to entertain normally, but when you’re trapped inside due to unforeseen rain, it suddenly makes it trickier to find fun ways to pass the time. If you’re looking for ideas of how to entertain your grandchildren on a rainy day, this list is perfect for you.
Play a Game:
Games offer the perfect way to entertain children of all ages. Any child, from preschoolers to those in middle school can appreciate the fun that comes out of playing a game. For younger grandchildren, games such as Simon Says, charades, dress-up, or even a scavenger hunt are enjoyable because they don’t have small pieces or reading that the children must navigate. For slightly older children, you could play a board game, cards, or even complete a puzzle together.
Movie-day:
A perfect activity while it is dark and stormy outside is to watch a movie together. Bundle up under blankets and prepare some popcorn or even a hot drink to get relaxed. You can select a movie by going through your collection of DVDs, or you could find one already playing or on a streaming service. You could even introduce them to your childhood favorite movies.
At- Home Science Experiment:
Children love to explore the world around them. A perfect way to encourage children’s creativity and thinking skills is to perform a science experiment. There are a significant number of experiments you can complete at home with materials you already have. Online, you can find recipes for salt dough, playdough or slime that you can make yourself. You can show them the classic science experiment of a volcano made with baking soda and vinegar. There are many options, and you can find even more ideas online that cater to the specific interests of your grandchildren.
Chores:
Although you may not be able to trick older grandchildren, young kids love to be helpful around the home, even if it is simply small tasks. Give them a broom and tell them to sweep everything into a pile. Allow them to clean easy-to-reach windows with a rag of soapy water or vinegar. You can even give them a duster and tell them to get those hard-to-reach lower areas of your home. They can occupy themselves for hours with this!
Spa-Day:
An at-home spa day is the perfect treat for you and your granddaughter. You can do each other’s makeup, apply face or hair masks (which you can make with things in your kitchen!), or even paint each other’s nails. This is the perfect bonding opportunity and a chance for you to both pamper yourselves.
Craft:
Crafts are perfect for children of all ages! Not only are they the perfect keepsake of your memories together, but they also encourage creativity and motor skills. If you’re looking for ideas of crafts, they are endless. One idea is coloring. Using templates off the internet, coloring books, and even pictures you draw yourself, coloring is a simple and easy craft that can take up a lot of your time. You can even do this while watching a movie, listening to music, or recounting stories of the past. Another great craft idea is to create jewelry with things you already have at home. Things like string, pasta, beads, and other miscellaneous items can be used to create functional jewelry. If you have a craft of your own that you are invested in, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce your grandchildren to it. If you enjoy anything such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, or scrapbooking, this is the perfect time to teach your older grandchildren these skills.
Cooking/Baking:
Another classic indoor pastime is to cook or bake. Children of almost all ages can be useful in the kitchen. Go online to find some new recipes or dig into your cookbooks for some family classics. This is a perfect way to pass down your family’s recipes and techniques to the next generation. Younger kids can do things like measuring, stirring, and decorating with minimal to no help needed. Excellent memories are always made in the kitchen, especially when you’re spending time with your loved ones.