We have had what seems like endless rain recently…the amount of rain that makes you dream of warmer shores! I have to say I am glad to see the back of January!!
We encourage our girls to initiate their own play (a bit about this here), giving them an independence and sense of choice without the structure or instruction which fills the majority of their time between school, homework and their wee jobs to do around the house.
But with all these rainy afternoons we added a few wee extra activities as well, to add a bit of variety to our days!
**Books…anytime, any weather, such a good way to spend a few minutes or more.
**Paint…this filled a few hours and our girls could do it day after day. Such an easy way to while away an afternoon!
**Baking…not my first go-to activity but I’m always glad I’ve done it and everyone loves tucking into the benefits of our labour!
**Smoothies…this is a short one but the girls love the novelty of using the blender. We’ve got into a habit of doing this as a post school boost.
**Sewing…now that Abi and Annabelle are getting more confident using their machines they are pulling them out for little ideas that they want to have a go at. I love the concentration and focus and their wee faces as they show me what they’ve made.
**The den…we put in a few books, teddys and whatever they can grab. Close the curtains and turn on the twinkly lights in the bed and that’s it – they’re gone into some imaginary land of make believe!
**Rough and Tumble…Johnny is so good at this, maybe a perfect daddy role. Chasing, tickling, pillow fights, obstacle courses, anything goes. It burns up energy and makes everyone smile and lets face it, too many rainy days and we need a few of those!
So, a few ways we’ve spent our rainy afternoons…have you any other ideas you have used?!