Toddler Umbrella Training: Fun Ways to Show Your Tot How to Stay Dry

Oh no, rain again, that means extra clothes and a cold soggy toddler. Can't keep a hood or rain hat on your toddler? Tired of having a soggy kiddo? Here are some fun ways to teach them to use an umbrella; it will save you from a lot of aggravation later.

I have twins so carrying two toddlers, an umbrella, my purse and car keys was out of the question. They can walk, just when it's raining sometimes they don't want to get squishy, and other times you can't keep them dry. So this week I bought them little umbrellas.

Make sure when you buy the umbrella it has balls, or protective covers around the ends to prevent an eye injury. I also stayed away from the automatic opening models; I know what my two little monsters would do with that in the car. I can almost see it now, umbrellas exploding open unexpectedly in the backseat while I'm switching lanes on the highway. I stuck with the manual open ones, it just seamed safer to me. I also got brightly colored ones to make them more visible when we are walking, being that the twins are only about 3 feet tall, they are hard to see from larger vehicles.

Baby shower boot camp: This is really funny for tubby time; you may want your camcorder. During a bath you can open and give your munchkin an umbrella, and without saying anything, turn on the shower. I usually get a happy shriek and an "Oh no, it's raining". But it is a quick way for them to learn cause and effect.

Hose or a sprinkler and an umbrella in the yard: Once again pretty self explanatory, and a fun way to cool off on a hot day. This is a good way to get the family playing in the yard together, switch it up and let your child have the hose, use your umbrella as a shield.

Rainy day: This is what the training is for anyway. When you don't have anywhere to go, and it is a gentle summer rain, let them try it. It takes a little for them to figure out you have to hold it over your head all the time to keep from getting wet. I actually did this tonight with the kiddos and my hubby; it was a lot of fun. The kids also got to use fine motor skills, learn about cause and effect, and coordination (walking, holding an umbrella, and keeping it vertical). I also got to see first hand how important those end guards are. Two toddlers with umbrellas is a "you'll poke your eye out" story waiting to happen.

Like any new skill it takes practice, if they don't get to try, then they won't learn how to do it. It saves so much time when you don't have to change your kid(s) a ton times because it's raining out. So go ahead get a little wet, and try to teach them how to stay dry. Sing some rainy day songs, and have a little fun in inclement weather. {Do not go outside in a thunder or lightning storm}.