10 Things To Do When It Rains

The summer holidays are almost here and I've dutifully added a few events to my calendar. It took me a while to realise I hadn't planned anything specific for rainy days.

Rainy day activities (or any activity for that matter) just don't come naturally to me. If I'm stuck in for the day, then I will play with the children, but the majority of the day will be spent tidying up after them, cooking and making snacks/drinks for them, changing nappies, wiping faces, watching TV and flitting back and forth Facebook to share my bored-at-home misery with other people, or to try and convince somebody to come and visit us.

Six weeks is a long time to be doing that most of the time - I will not have it this year! So after some careful thought, here is a list of things to do when the skies open, or I'm otherwise prevented from leaving my humble abode.

1. Print off some colouring sheets - The CBeebies Website may be useful for this, or Google if you want a specific character.
2. Make a playpen - You don't need anything fancy for this - just some sheets and cleverly positioned furniture will do.
3. Make some facepaint - Here is a recipe!
4. Let the kids "clean" your bathroom - What harm can they possibly do with a limited supply of water and a few cloths?
5. Let them cook with you - Homemade pizza is a nice, easy one if you buy a base. Check out CBeebies, Netmums or Google some recipes with kids (that's to cook with, NOT containing!) or if all else fails - pop along to your local supermarket and get some box sets for muffins or cookies etc!
6. Read to them - Or have them read to you, age depending. Don't be afraid to get stuck in, giving each character it's own special voice or showing off a few of your moves while you read. Your kids will enjoy it more!
7. Put the music on - Remembering to be respectful to neighbours, of course! My daughter loves to listen to music of all different genres. Have a dancing competition (remembering the kids always win), pretend to be a rock star, play air guitar - or just have a cuddle and listen to some soothing music, ideally just before bedtime.
8. Make something arty - Were you just about to throw that newspaper and those cardboard boxes in the recycling bin? Stop, before it's too late! Why not let the kids loose on them instead?
9. Cwtch up in front of the TV - Stick a film or their favourite TV channel on and actually watch it with them instead of using the box as a babysitter. Believe it or not, TV is not the devil incarnate, you can enjoy it guilt-free!
10. Just go out, regardless of the weather! - Seriously, stop reading this - go get your wellies and mac, put them on and jump in some puddles - we live in Britain after all, where a puddle is (usually) only a stones throw away!