The forecast for our area this week is mainly rain,but this will not stop our au pairs from having fun with their kids.<\/p>\n
Here are some fun ideas to try out and make the best out of a rainy day:<\/p>\n
Listen to Music and Dance Day<\/strong><\/span> Tea Party Day<\/strong><\/span> Art Day<\/strong><\/span> Make a necklace today<\/strong><\/span>\u2013 use a licorice \u201cshoelace\u201d (the really long thin ones) and cereal Have a pretend day at the beach<\/strong><\/span> Stamping<\/strong><\/span>
\nDon’t let the rain or snow stop you from being active. Put on a lively tape and dance
\naround the house today. Show the children some traditional dance moves from your
\ncountry!<\/p>\n
\nMix up some warm cocoa or milk and invite the dolls or stuffed animals for a tea party<\/p>\n
\nMake today an art day – try drawing, painting, creating with glue or clay.<\/p>\n
\nfor young children and then they can eat the whole thing. For something less sticky, use
\nstring instead of the licorice.
\n
\nPuzzle Day<\/strong><\/span>
\nDo a puzzle or make one of your own. Find a fun picture in a magazine and glue it to
\nlightweight cardboard. Cut into shapes.
\n
\nMake a Pie<\/strong><\/span>
\nPies are popular every day and are easy to make if you buy a prepared crust in the freezer
\nor dairy section of the grocery store. Try this easy recipe;
\nChocolate Pie
\nPurchase pre-made pie shell and Jell-O instant chocolate pudding. Prepare pie shell per
\ndirections. Let cool. Prepare pudding, pour into pie shell, let set for an hour and voila!
\nDessert is served!
\n
\nPet Rocks<\/strong><\/span>
\nMake an imaginative pet using a smooth stone. Draw a face with marker or paint.
\nDecorate with feathers, sequins, yarn, buttons, or whatever else you can find.<\/p>\n
\nPut on swimsuits and relax on beach towels. Pretend you can hear the ocean!<\/p>\n
\nRubber stamps and stamp pads are fun, but for a change try sponge and some kitchen
\nutensils or cut shapes into a potato, apple, or orange. You could even let the child dip his
\nor her hand into some water-based paint to make great pictures.
\n
\nIndoor Gardening<\/strong><\/span>
\nChildren love to watch things grow! Take a root vegetable (potato, carrot, turnip or
\nbeet) and cut off the top 1-2 centimeters. Hollow out the inside. Tie a string around the
\nvegetable and fill it with water. Hang it in a window and watch what happens! Don’t
\nforget to add water as needed.
\n
\nMake your own snowstorm<\/strong><\/span>
\nFind a clear glass jar, any size, with a tight fitting lid and no label. Cut a piece of
\naluminum foil into teeny, tiny pieces. The easiest way is to first cut strips then cut across
\nthe strips into little pieces. The smaller the pieces, the more it will look like real snow. It
\ntakes a lot of flakes (and patience) to make a good snowfall.
\nDon’t stop until you have enough to at least completely cover the bottom of the jar. Cut a
\nsmall evergreen branch for your tree. Fill the jar with water, add the tree and one drop of
\ndishwashing liquid and put the lid on. Turn the jar over, give it a shake and put it down
\nright side up. Watch the snow fall!
\n
\nTreasure Hunt!<\/strong><\/span>
\nPretend you are all on a desert island looking for treasure. Make a map or place clues
\naround the house leading the children through the hunt. This can be done with pictures
\nfor non-readers – draw a picture of the television, then at the television place a picture of
\nthe stove. At the stove place a picture of a bed, and so on to the end. The “treasure” can
\nbe a treat to eat, or a new game to play. Read books about pirates to add to the fun.
\n
\nBuild a playhouse today<\/strong><\/span>
\nFind a box from a large appliance and turn it into a playhouse to use indoors. Cut
\nwindows and a door. Furnish it and decorate it as you wish.<\/p>\n