How to Make a Storm Fun for the Family

Rain may be long awaited and good for the environment, but when it starts to pour outside, most parents cringe. It guarantees closed doors and sad faces because kids are stuck indoors until nature sets them free. No more baseball or skateboarding at the park; nope, kids are in lock down.
It doesn't have to be a moaning chance to reorganize the kitchen cabinets or a mind-numbing day of chores in an effort to keep the kids busy and out of your hair though. There are plenty of things that can keep your children occupied, amused, and out of the way. If you're really lucky they may even keep them quiet!

1. Break out the Games

No matter how old they get kids love games, especially with their family. As a parent, you don't "have" to play, but I'm sure you remember life from the other side of the board. There will never be anything quite like beating your Mom/Dad at something. And kids are not picky; they'll play any card game known to man, and board games live forever. The pieces may not, but sometimes you just have to get inventive.

There are multiple other games that can be played that don't use anything but a pen and paper-you can use a marker board or something bigger if you'd like, but these are word association and spelling type games. (Those are the parent terms- kids just look at it at who's outsmarting who.) Three games often played are Hangman, 20 questions, and True/False. These games are each rather simple and fun.

In hangman, a child comes up with a word to make the audience guess. He draws the gallows, and below it writes blanks to represent each letter of the word. Then people go in order to guess letters, if they are correct, a blank is filled in. If they are incorrect, a body part is given to the man at the gallows. Whoever guesses the word first gets the point, but let everyone draw in rotation. It's no fun never going to the board.

In 20 questions a child thinks of a word, something in the room, someone, etc. You can categorize it anyway you wish, and the other players have 20 questions to figure out what he/she is hiding. If there are multiple players, give them 20 questions as a whole.

True/False. This is usually fun because it gives you information that you didn't know, and it allows you to share things with your children that they had no idea about. Here, you tell two things, one true and one false. Everyone in the group has to choose which one they think is True and which they think is False. Keep a tally mark of who gets the most right and at the end whoever has the most wins.

2. Get Creative.

Pull out the coloring books, markers, crayons, and all the artsy stuff and set them up at the table where they can color, draw, and design to their hearts content. Don't forget to act surprised and awed when your picture arrives.

3. Play With Food.

When kids are young, they follow you any and everywhere. The kitchen can be an amusing or rather annoying area because work is slowed by their over eager desire to be involved. Today, ask for help. Whether it is simply boiling eggs and making tuna for a great lunch or letting them stick their hands into the gooey joy of cookie dough, they'll have a blast and you'll look like a hero.

4. Dress Up.

Dress up has always been a kids favorite, so if you're in the mood, drag out some old clothes and let them have a blast. It's amazing how a uniform or an age-old nightshirt can make a child's day as they take on roles of characters and strut across the living room. You can also let them play around with old lipsticks, powders, and blushes. Don't let them stab themselves in the eyes with anything; just let them have fun. If you want to join in, you know, to curl their hair or gel a Mohawk, go for it! No one else is there, or will ever see, unless you send a picture to Grandma.

5. If all else fails, watch a movie.

With a movie, you're guaranteed a couple hours of down time, so make some popcorn, spread out some blankets, and even put pjs back on if you're in the mood. Who's going to notice! Now, lay back and plug in an old fav, and if you're lucky movie time will soon become naptime.

Hope this list helps!