Rainy Day Ideas for Toddlers

Most children get a little cranky when it is rainy outside. They cannot go outside and run around, and let out all the excess energy. My kids included. We live in Tennessee, and get rain quite often. My kids are outdoor children. We spend most of our time outside playing. On rainy days, I have activities that we only do when it rains. This is to help keep the cranky monsters away.

We start out our day with a fun breakfast. I make them whole wheat pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse. I spread some peanut butter on top, and use raisins for the eyes and mouth. They love it. They ask for seconds every time.

We move on to other activites once they are cleaned up. They get to make homemade finger paints, and we bring out a roll of butcher paper. We will have fun spelling out their names, making the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and then just whatever they want to make. It is messy fun, but is easily cleaned up with a little soap and water.

After that activity, it is lunch time. The boys are really happy, since they know that they get to make lunch, with Mommy supervision. It is usually something involving whole wheat tortillas. They are easy to use, and there are endless possibilities. Many times they request hot wraps. I get out the ingrediants, such as shredded cheese, sliced meat, tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, zuchini, squash, and broccoli. They love putting their own ingrediants on the tortilla's. They make silly faces, animals, whatever they want. When they are done ,they get rolled up, and into the oven. While they are baking, we do clean up. They help sweep, and wipe down the counter tops with a vinegar and water solution. Just before we take them out, we make a picnic area in the living room with a blanket, paper plates, napkins, and juice boxes. This is their favorite part of the day. We eat our picnic, then get out a pillow and lay down for a movie. I pick out a movie, usually something by Disney, and we all cuddle up for quiet time. This is one of the few times I am able to get a nap. Rain is the only time my oldest son will take a nap.

After nap, we read some books, play games, like bowling with a plastic set, or puzzles. They have gotten really good at puzzles, and can put them together faster than I can now!