Recently we had snow and ice storms in Seattle which caused schools to close for 2-5 days, depending on the schools and districts. Over 100,000 people lost power in the area. I was out of the office for the entire week because all but one client cancelled that week. This nearly drove me out of my mind. Although I didn’t lose power, it was impossible for me to drive without slipping and sliding all over the road so any outings had to be on foot or by public transportation.
I thought about my clients a lot during this time. If I was going crazy in my house, what were they feeling? What were their parents feeling?
So how do we get through these days?
Make jewelry:
- Cut a piece of string the length of a necklace long enough for your child.
- Get out the paint and the pasta, beads, popcorn, or other creative objects which will fit on your string.
- Start stringing the necklace.
Build a fort: Collect chairs, blankets, pillows, stools, and sheets to build an indoor tent. Every kid loves this activity. When you’re finished building, make s’mores and get the flashlights for a night of camping under the ‘stars’.
Make play-doh: There are tons of recipes online. Here’s one http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/
Make origami: There are also a lot of websites that give step by step instructions on how to make everything from a bear to a swan. Just Google “kids origami instructions”. I also use my local library to check out books on origami because it is something that all my kids absolutely love.
Tell a story: One thing I like to do with my kids is what I call a story chain. I start a story and we take turns adding to it. It’s a really great way to develop story telling and sequencing skills. I use a baton, flashlight or a microphone to pass around when it’s our turn. We don’t talk unless we have the microphone. We can also do this by acting out the scenes if you need more physical exertion for your child.
Play a game: Games like Monopoly and Guess Who are fantastic but sometimes, they can get a little boring. Try playing Charades or Telephone. Kids crack up every time!
What are your ideas for snowy/rainy days?