10 Great Low-Prep Indoor Learning Activities to Amuse the Kids
Rainy days can be challenging for parents and caregivers who want to keep their children entertained and engaged. But fear not! With some creativity and simple supplies, you can turn a rainy day into an opportunity for fun and learning.
Here are 11 low-prep indoor learning activities for children that are perfect for a rainy day:
1. Build a fort: Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a cozy fort where your child can read, play, or imagine.
2. Make a sensory bin: Fill a large container with rice, beans, or other sensory materials, and add small toys or objects for your child to discover and explore.
3. Play board and card games: Dust off your favorite games and enjoy friendly competition with your child. Card games like Go Fish to Old Maid and War are a fun way to challenge your child's memory and problem-solving skills.
4. Create an art project: Get out the paints, markers, and paper, and encourage your child to create a masterpiece. If your child enjoys art, provide them with a few supplies and have them create their masterpiece while being read to.
5. Write a story: Have your child make up a story. Or have all the children make up a story together that they can share with you afterward.
6. Play dress-up: Encourage your child to use their imagination and put on a play or act out a story using costumes and props.
7. Do a science experiment: Find simple experiments online using household items and teach your child about scientific concepts while having fun. Fun simple science experiments like oobleck can lead to hours of fun for children and offer excellent learning opportunities.
8. Play with playdough: Make your own with a recipe like this one and let your child explore their creativity.
If you want to make your creations last longer than playdoh, salt dough is another play dough like alternative. Kids can have fun doing their projects, and after they bake, they can paint them to last for years!
9. Cook or bake together: Involve your child in the kitchen and teach them about measuring, following instructions, and healthy eating habits.
Children can learn so many lessons in the kitchen. You can teach fractions and measuring as you read through recipes. Discuss where food comes from. What type of plant did it grow on. Is it a fruit or vegetable?
10. Read books or tell stories: Snuggle up with a good book or make up your own stories to share with your child. This can help build their language skills and imagination.
Still, trying to figure out what to read? Check out our article about our top eleven picture books to read to children. And, of course, we recommend our own wholesome reading books too!
11. Sing songs and play games: Use this time to sing a song or make up your own game. Singing is a great way to have fun and bond with your family. You can sing many fun pieces, such as classic children's songs, nursery rhymes, and popular songs.
Singing is also a great way to express emotions and release stress. It can be a great bonding activity that brings everyone together.
There are so many ways to include learning moments into every day that taking a rainy day now and then to have fun is ok. Kids will learn even when they may not realize they are. Also, as a parent, it's good to have a moment to let loose once in a while with your kids.
What do you do when you are cooped up in the house with the kids? Do you have a fun learning idea you would like to share? I would love to hear more about it!
