Did you know it’s “Take a Child Outside Week”? www.takeachildoutside.org
It’s also rain season. In honour of this, we’ve put together a list of our favorite games to play in the rain.
Rain Painting with Chalk
Sidewalk chalk has to be one of the best ways to have fun! It’s cheap (every dollar store has it), non-toxic, creative and can be done just about anywhere. Now add some rain and your chalk art will become a form of painting. Watch how the colours mix with the rain and swirl together.
Puddle Splashing
Every kid loves to splash in the puddles! So, why not make it a game? Gear ‘em up and let them get wet! See who can spray the most water. For added fun, make it a race. Decide on a finish line and race to the end. But you can only step in the puddles!
Explore
We’re so often packing the kids, rushing from them here to there. How often do we really notice our environment and allow our children to explore? On a rainy day, take them outside and see what you can discover. How do the rain drops fall off the leaves of a tree? What critters can you see that you don’t see on sunny days? How does the air smell?
I’m Singing in the Rain!
Music is the universal language and most kids will happily join in if you start singing with them. How many rain songs can you think of? Here’s a list to get you started:
Rain Rain Go Away
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More
The Rainbow Connection
Paint Yourselves
Get some washable bathtub crayons or body paint and draw on yourselves. Then, get out in the rain and let it wash you off.
Rain Camping
Why not use the rain as an excuse for a backyard adventure? Set up the tent and stay dry inside. Listen to the sounds of the rain drops falling on the tent fly. Tell stories. Cuddle up in warm sleeping bags and drink hot chocolate together.
Rain on green grass
and rain on the tree.
Rain on the rooftop,
But no rain on me.