Seeing the weather forecast for rain can really make you want to stay inside, but getting out in the fresh air is a great way for the kids to release some energy in the morning, so you can have that cosy afternoon with a cup of tea afterwards!
Make sure you’re all wrapped up in appropriate clothing for each activity, and prepare some towels by the front door (or in the car if necessary) ready for your return! You may also need to plan time to have baths or showers if it’s a particularly muddy day.
1. Wildlife Walk
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If you are lucky enough to live near a park or woodland there are plenty of animals and insects to keep your eyes peeled for! Snails, slugs, and worms all come out in the rain, so you’ll be sure to see them! On your walk you can sing the “Worm at the Bottom of the Garden” nursery rhyme to prepare for all the insects you’ll see.
Before your walk, find some facts to tell the kids about these bugs insects so they can see how essential they are. Here are some fun ones to start with:
- Worms help to mix the layers of the soil by making tunnels underground.
- Slugs, snails and worms are all eaten by birds, frogs, and some snakes.
- Slugs have 3000 teeth and 4 noses!
- Worms eat old fruit and veg, dead leaves and plants
- Garden snails travel at 0.03 MPH
2. Outdoor Art
If you have outdoor chalk or powder paint, get your little artists ready to create a masterpiece! Decorate your pavement and see how the colours mix in the rain. If this isn’t an option for you, draw fun patterns with markers on paper and put them outside to see what happens when it rains!
You can also do an easy faux tie dye style project with an old white t-shirt. Indoors, decorate the fabric with multicoloured felt tip pens. Don’t be too precious about the design, because we want the colours to run! Spots and squares are ideal! When the rain starts, hang your t-shirt outside and watch the colours run!
3. Puddle Splashing
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Wrap up warm and in waterproof clothing, or clothes you don’t mind getting mucky! Go on a walk to find the biggest and best puddle and go wild! It’s best to find somewhere in walking distance, as you don’t want to be soggy in the car or on the bus.
4. Water Fights
If there’s nowhere suitable nearby for a puddle splashing walk, but you do have a garden, get your water toys ready! This is perfect for a warm but wet day in the summer time, so you can wear old shorts and T-shirts instead of wrapping up.
If you have bath toys for younger kids, they could be perfect to play with outside in a puddle, or a washing up bowl or bucket! Older kids may prefer a water fight with water pistols or water balloons – so make sure you have those in advance!
5. Track the Rainfall
If your kids are particularly interested in Science or Maths, or if they’re learning numbers and measuring at school, tracking the rainfall is a perfect idea!
You can make your own measuring device with a washed jam jar. Either mark the measurements on with a permanent marker, or attach an old plastic ruler to the jar with tape. Then track the rain throughout the day, week, or month!
Once you’ve set the jar outside, you could wrap up in your waterproofs and wellington boots, go for a refreshing rainy walk, and see how much rain has been collected when you get back home!
What are your favourite rainy day outdoor activities? Let us know in the comments!