Top 10: Things to do when it rains

With summer on its way out and fall on its way in, the likelihood of more rainy days is increasing.

So what to do with the children when it is too wet to play outside?

Hundreds of things can be done inside while the “old man is snoring,” but imagination is the key. Look at The Examiner’s Top 10 activities. Some might be of interest, while others might spark the imagination, coming up with creative activities of your own.

10 Bake cookies or other goodies.

Baking is a fun activity to do with your child. Choose a simple recipe, let them help by adding ingredients or stirring and then enjoy the finished product together!

9 Indoor obstacle course.

The supplies are simple – obstacles such as furniture and pillows, string, paper, tape and other household objects (directions at familyfun.go.com). Plot the course, placing obstacles to crawl under or over, stepping over a series of papers or slithering through a tunnel made of couch cushions. To make the course more challenging, add other elements such as holding an empty toilet paper tube or wearing a hat while maneuvering through one of the obstacles.

8 Tour a museum or gallery.

The Kansas City area has a variety of museums, galleries and other historic sites. Pick one and spend the day learning about a new subject.

7 Build a fort.

Everyone has built a fort out of kitchen chairs, boxes and blankets. Grab a flashlight and let your imagination take off.

6 Create a scrapbook together.

Scrapbooking is currently a popular hobby, so why not make one as a family? Be creative with pictures, a photo album, glue, stickers and construction paper. Then create a theme such as a holiday, school or the family’s summer vacation. 

5 Make a bird feeder.

Materials needed – plastic milk jug, scissors, birdseed and yarn (full directions at www.weather.com/activities). Why not make something that can be enjoyed throughout the year? Just hang the completed bird feeder outside a window and watch your winged friends change with the seasons.

4 Go to Kaleidoscope.

At Crown Center in Kansas City, Kaleidoscope is sponsored by Hallmark Cards. Ron Worley, media coordinator for Kaleidoscope, said the Family Art Sessions are designed for children of all ages and are free and open to the public. The art sessions, which are most afternoons Monday-Friday and Saturdays, last 40 minutes and allow children to use scraps and products leftover from the manufacturing process at Hallmark. Areas such as the outer space room, the country house, and of course, the puzzle machine, all offer children the opportunity to have the freedom to use their imaginations.

3 Put on a talent show.

Everyone has talents. From playing the kazoo to dancing and even making animals out of balloons, the options are almost endless. Why not showcase these talents with a talent show? A sheet can be strung across the room to serve as a curtain and seats can be set up for spectators. This is an activity the while family can get involved with.

2 Build a bowling alley in the living room.

Only a few things are needed – modeling clay, disposable plastic cups, duct tape and a small ball. (The full instructions can be found at familyfun.go.com). The pins are made from the clay, duct tape and cups and the small ball is the bowling ball. Right in your own living room can be hours of fun with a slightly smaller and less heavy version of a real bowling ball. 

1 Play in the rain.

Why not? Jump in puddles, play tag with some friends or just spin around until you fall down. Be careful though, rain means everything will be slick. It is possible to have fun in the rain, but don’t get hurt doing it!