Rainy Day Activities

So what do you do to entertain your grandchildren when you are babysitting and it is pouring down rain outside? Well, the first thing I do is to look around the house and see what is at hand to be creative with. Of course, if you are not very creative, I must admit I am not, at least when it comes to arts and craft type projects, just resort to the old classics.

Most young children can be entertained easily with cartoon videos or reading them a book. Afterwards, you might engage them in helping you prepare a healthy snack. Once snack time is over, I like to try painting, coloring or drawing with my young granddaughter. She seems to thoroughly enjoy it and so do I. I have heard many parents and grandparents say "I am so busy entertaining the kids, I don't have time to get my cleaning done." The simple solution to this dilemma is to let the kids help you.

Young children do not see cleaning as a chore, they actually think it is fun! So if the kids want to help you clean, then by all means, let them. It gives them a sense responsibility and they feel important. It can be fun for you and the kids. You can make a sort of game of it. Children are intrigued by watching you do the dishes and like to engage in playing in the soap suds! The point is that children can become immersed in just about any activity that a parent or grandparent is busy doing.

Children also enjoy helping you to cook or bake, especially when you are making goodies like cookies or cake. Of course, you have to take care that they don't touch any hot burners or sharp utensils but you can let them help you. One of a child's favorite activities in the kitchen is licking the spoon or bowls that still contains the remnants of a sweet batter mixture. Once the chores have been done and you're ready to settle into your easy chair, you might want to sit down and play a board game with the children or watch a Disney movie.

You can also sing songs and make up your own silly little games. I've found that children love to dance, and that is a great way to entertain most young children. Not only is dancing an entertaining activity, it is also good exercise for both you and the child, and when your energetic little ones get tired of dancing, they should sleep well. After all of your cleaning, cooking and extracurricular activities are finished for the day, the little ones should be ready for a bath, story, and bed: but there are those children who could wear out an entire army and still have energy left over. My granddaughter reminds me of the energizer bunny. In this case, you might have to put forth a little more effort with the overly active child, but if you provide them with a full day, they should go to sleep and have pleasant dreams.