Rainy Day Activities

One thing to remember when running a child care program is that schedules have to be changed to accommodate for the weather. On days when weather is bad, it’s important to have rainy day activities available to use instead of outdoor play. Be prepared to allow for a short break outside when weather clears so that children can run around for a few minutes. Try to cut back on outdoor play on windy or chilly days. Remember to allow extra time for children to put on and to take off their coats and accessories. On nice days, such as the first spring, extend outdoor playtime. Plan to take inside activities outdoors. Be spontaneous, and allow for some changes throughout your day.

In order to prepare yourself for these changes in your schedule, have extra physical movement activities available to do on “rainy days” when children are not able to go outside. These extra activities can be kept in a notebook or box so that you can easily “grab” an idea when needed. Each activity should present new challenges. As you engage with the children during these physical play times, talk with them. Explain all of the rules when they apply.

The following activities are described as indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor activities can be used during music and movement time. They can also be used for “rainy day” activities. Most of the indoor activities can also be used outside. Use your judgment and allow for creativity.

Physical Activities To Do Inside or On “Rainy Days”

Almost all of these activities can be done outside as well!

Infants -

• Change baby’s positions often!
• Talk with the baby and tell them what they are doing.
• Allow babies to look at different things everyday. Change the location of blankets and bouncy seats.
• Swinging Colors- Tie pretty beads or stacking rings to a colorful ribbon above changing area.
• Where’s the Light- lay baby on his/her back and shine a flashlight above his/her head. Move it around slowly.
• View from a Blanket- lay baby on a soft blanket- keep out of traffic area, keep area uncluttered, place a few objects in front of the baby to reach for.
• Foot Painting- Put globs of washable paint on baby’s feet or hands. Place on a large sheet of paper.
• Overhead Mobiles- pictures of faces, toys, objects, etc…
• Pat-a-Cake Clapping- clap your hands and help the baby clap their hands while singing.
• Bicycle Push- Lay baby on back. Take baby’s feet in your hand and move their legs up and down as if they were pedaling a bicycle.
• Cradle Gym- Lay baby on back and place gym above baby. Help baby hit with hands and feet.
• Kick Start- Lay baby on back and secure kick-start against a wall. Encourage baby to kick the plate to hear sounds and music.
• Roll Over With Help- Lay baby on back and gently pull their far leg over so that they roll to their tummy.
• Where’s the Rattle- Shake a rattle near baby to allow for reaching and turning.
• Upsy Daisy- Lay baby on lap or floor. Grasp hands and gently pull up to a sitting or standing position.
• Beach Ball Fun- Roll a big beach ball toward baby and encourage him/her to reach for it.
• Copy Cat- Place baby in high chair or bouncy seat and encourage him/her to copy your actions such as banging the tray, clapping your hands, or kicking his/her feet.
• Crawling Races- Get on hands and knees beside baby. Crawl ahead of him/her, then turn and call for baby to follow.
• Toy Toss- Encourage babies to toss a toy and crawl or scoot toward it.
• Toys on a String- Tie a string to baby’s favorite toy and place the toy near baby. Slowly pull the toy to encourage movement.
• Cushion Climb- Place sofa cushions on the floor and allow baby to climb on.
• Obstacle Course- Set up a little course for babies to climb on and play in.
• hula hoop to crawl through
• pillow to crawl over
• beach balls to push away or crawl around
• boxes to crawl in or through
• blocks to pile up
• mobiles to hit
• Pulling Up For Toys- Place toys slightly above baby on a shelf or table and encourage them to pull up to it.
• Hide’N’Seek- Show baby a toy and place it in a box. Help baby find to and get it out.
• Rattle Me- Show baby how to hold a rattle and encourage baby to move his/her arm to shake.
• Mirror, Mirror On The Wall- Place baby in front of or on top of a shatterproof mirror so the baby can see movement.
• Feather Tickle- Tickle baby with a soft feather to encourage large muscle movement.
• Superman- Support baby under his chest and hips or hold over your head supporting their chest. Position baby in the air in the “superman” position. Encourage him to put out his hands and fly.
• Tug-O-War- Gently pull on a baby’s blanket as they hold it.
• Catch Me Noisemaker- Fill an oatmeal container, empty shampoo bottle, or coffee can with beans, money, or rice. Secure lid tightly. Encourage the baby to crawl after a rolling toy.

Toddler

• Dump and Load Cart- Store foods in a grocery bag and have the child load and unload the shopping cart.
• Warm or Cool Water- Place a warm bucket of water on an easy clean up area or in a wading pool. With supervision, allow child to play in the bucket.
• Feet Inside and Out- Place foot prints on the floor and encourage children to walk on the prints.
• Tunnel- Give each child an opportunity to scoot, crawl or walk through a tunnel. You can make a tunnel by placing two chairs back to back with space in between and then covering them with a sheet.
• Open and Close Box- Give each child the opportunity to open and close large boxes or shoeboxes.
• Sock Balls- Roll old socks into balls and encourage children to throw them in a basket.
• Ride on/ Scoot Toys- Give children the opportunity to sit on, scoot, or push toys.
• Red Wagon Rides- With your supervision, allow children to pull other children or dolls in wagons.
• Bears and Boxes- Hide bears in boxes and encourage children to go to the box and find the bear.
• Push Toys- Provide push toys for children to push while sitting or standing.
• Phone Book Tearing- With old phone books, show children how to tear the pages out and crumble them into a ball. They can then use the balls to throw.
• Dump and Load Laundry- Allow children to dump and load dress up clothes in a basket
• Lazy Susan Merry Go Round- Position a stuffed animal on a lazy susan or turn table and encourage children to spin the animal around.
• Suspend Beach Ball- Suspend a beach ball from the ceiling so that walking infants can hit it.
• Walking Practice- Encourage toddlers to practice walking skills by pushing cardboard boxes or laundry baskets around the house.
• Rock Climbing- If you have access to carpeted steps, let a child play on them with close supervision.
• Tightrope Walker- With supervision children can gain balance by walking on a 2x4 board or a landscape timber. You can also tape a line on the floor for them to walk on.
• Playhouse in a Pinch- Use a sheet to cover a cardboard table so children will crawl in and out.
• Mock Trampoline- Allow children to jump on a bed or couch cushions. It’s good for their legs!
• Leap Frog- Place carpet squares or the floor or tape green construction paper to the floor and encourage children to jump from pad to pad.
• Bowling Tin Pins- With two liter bottles and a light ball, allow children turns at rolling the ball toward the pins.
• Bunny Hop- Scatter plastic eggs around and have children hop around to pick them up.
• Pick up the Ball- Roll balls or place them around and have children bend over and pick them up.
• Chase the Toy- Tie a long string to a toy and pull it across the floor. Encourage children to chase it.
• Beach Ball Push- Provide a beach ball for children to push and roll.
• Pull the Train- Tie shoe boxes together using string and encourage children to pull the train.
• Boxes- Provide boxes for children to crawl in and out of.
• Bubble Chase- Blow bubbles for children to chase around the room.
• Obstacle Course- set up this obstacle course for children to complete:
• crib mattress to jump on or roll on
• large box to climb in
• a tunnel to crawl through
• large pillows to crawl over
• hula hoops to step in
• a board to walk across
• Jump Off- Place a low, sturdy item on the floor for children to jump off of.
• Step or Jump Over the Line- Put a long piece of masking tape on the floor or a jump rope and encourage children to jump over it.
• Jump High- Suspend a ball over children’s head and encourage them to jump up and hit it.
• Toe Touches- Encourage children to bend down and touch their toes or sit and reach for their toes.
• Monkey See, Monkey Do- Stand in front of children and have them do as you do. Move your large muscles such as, standing on one foot!
• TipToe Time- Show children how to tip toe around the house.
• Exercise Together- Have an exercise class with you as the instructor or put an exercise video on. Show children how to do moves such as bending, twisting, etc…
• Rolling Fun- Let children lie down and begin to roll.
• Changing Speed and Directions- Play movement games with children in which they have to change their speed or direction. Ex: Walk slowly to the door, walk back fast.
• Basketball- Allow children to throw soft balls in a basket.
• Feet Pick Up- Show children how to remove their shoes ands socks and pick up stuffed animals using only their feet. They can place them in a bowl.
• Red Rover- Place children in a line and stand on the other side of the room. Call “red rover, red rover…Crawl over, twirl over, swim over etc…”.
• Move Like Animals- Show pictures of animals and encourage children to move the way they would.
• Tumble Time- Encourage children to tumble on an open, soft area.
• Big Step/Little Step Walk- Take children on a walk showing them how to walk big and walk little.
• On days when you need a “rainy day” activity, you can easily open a box and allow children some gross motor playtime. Some ideas for activity boxes are:
• Ball Box
• Sand Box
• Water Box
• Trucks and Cars Box
• Bubble Box
• Paint/Art Box

Pre K/School Age

• Scavenger Hunt- Give children a list of things (use pictures) to find around the house.
• Stopwatch Fun- Time children doing activities such as tying shoes, picking up toys, etc…
• Musical Chairs- Line chairs up and have them travel around chairs to music. When music stops, have children race to find a seat.
• Changing Speed and Directions- Play movement games with children in which they have to change their speed or direction. Ex: Walk slowly to the door, walk back fast.
• Boxes- Provide boxes for children to crawl in and out of.
• Move Like Animals- Show pictures of animals and encourage children to move the way they would.
• Quiet Moving Game- Have children tip toe around.
• Walking on a Line- Use masking tape and have children walk on line.
• Put Put Golf- Give children a stick and golf ball. Place a cup on the floor and allow children to put the golf ball into a cup.
• Bean Bag Toss- Cut a hole in a card board box or place a basket in the center of the room. Allow the children to toss bean bags at the target.
• Balancing Acts- Set up a low balance beam using a 2x4 board for the children to walk on.
• Red Rover- Place children in a line and stand on the other side of the room. Call “red rover, red rover…Crawl over, twirl over, swim over etc…”.
• Plastic Hoop Play- Allow children to use hula hoops to run around, hop over, or crawl through.
• Basketball- Allow children to throw soft balls in a basket.
• Bunny Hop- Place carpet squares or some other markers on the ground and encourage children to hop from one to the other.
• Tents- Make tents using sheets and tables. Allow children to crawl in and under them.
• Leapfrog- Have children line up and squat down into balls. Demonstrate how to leap over each other.
• Create an Obstacle Course:
• Tunnels and tents to crawl through
• Masking tape lines to walk on
• Hoops to jump through
• Boxes to step over
• Pillow to roll over
• Duck Duck Goose- Children sit in a circle. Choose one child to walk around and gently touch each child’s head saying “duck”. They choose someone to be “goose” and chase them around the circle to see who can reach the empty space the goose left first.
• Movement Path- With masking tape, create zig zags, hoops, squares, etc… for children to walk on.
• Simon Says- Children do the actions you say such as: “Simon says hop like a frog”, “Simon says squat down”, “Simon says do not clap”
• Freeze- Tell children to move in creative ways until you say “freeze”. They must freeze their position when you say “freeze”.
• Tumble Time- Allow children to tumble in an open area.
• Backward Time- Have a very short time when everyone moves about backwards.
• Standing Broad Jump- Lihe children up and challenge them to jump as far as they can.
• Bowling Tin Pins- With two liter bottles and a light ball, allow children turns at rolling the ball toward the pins.
• Catching Balls- Throw balls of different sizes to children for them to catch. Do This, Then Do That- Play a game where you give a sequence of two movements.
• Exercise Together- Have an exercise class with you as the instructor or put an exercise video on. Show children how to do moves such as bending, twisting, etc…
• Limbo- Encourage children to go under a broomstick or rope. Lower the stick or rope after each child goes under to see how low they can go.
• Twister- Play the game twister with children.
• Ring the Bell- Place a service bell on the floor and have children toss beanbags at the bell to make it ring.
• Feet Pick Up- Show children how to remove their shoes ands socks and pick up stuffed animals using only their feet. They can place them in a bowl.
• Maze- Make a maze using yarn, sheets, boxes, or furniture for the children to go through.
• Hats on Head- Give children several hats to stack on their heads. Encourage them to walk and balance the hats.
• Hot Potato- Place children in a circle. Use a small ball and tell children that it is hot. Turn around and allow the “potato” to be passed. When you say stop, the child with the potato takes your place.
• Jump the Brook- Using two jump ropes or broomsticks; place them on the floor side by side. Gradually increase the distance between them as children jump over.
• Ping Pong Balls and Cans- Children can bounce balls back and forth to one another and catch them in their cans.
• Ring Around the Rosey- Play music and have the children run, skip, walk around freely. When the song stops, the children bend and touch the ground.
• Ball Relay- Have children place a ball between their knees and hop toward a chair and around it, then back.
• Shoe Mix Up- Hide children’s shoes around in various places. Children have to locate their shoes and put them on.
• Row Your Boat- Children sit opposite of one another with their legs stretched out in front of them. They hold hands and rock back and forth to row the boat.
• Parachute Play- In a large area, stretch out a parachute and encourage the group to raise chute up and down and go in and out.

Activities That Focus on the Weather

• During circle time on rainy days, find out what children know about the rain and how rain is helpful.
• Snow Balls- On a snowy or cold day have children toss cotton balls in a bowl.
• Trees in the Wind- With arms stretched out have children pretend to be trees bending in the wind.
• Sing music and read stories about rain.
• Make raindrop pictures using spray bottles with colored water.
• Make a rain gauge with a plastic jar and markers. Put a funnel in the mouth of the jar and place it outside in the rain.
• Challenge children to make a “Things To Do On Rainy Days” book.
• Read The Cat in The Hat.
• Spray water bottle to make rain.
• Provide magazines and scissors. Invite children to look through magazines for pictures of things they can do.
• Rain Play- on rainy days put water and containers in a tub and encourage children to pour water out to make rain.
• Provide shaving cream and let the children make a snowy scene on a tabletop.

Sources

Albrecht, Kay; Miller, Linda G., The Comprehensive Infant Curriculum. Gryphon House , Inc., 2000.

Blose, Dee A.; Smith, Laura L., The Thrifty Nifty Stuff for Little Kids. Proed International Publishing, 1995.

Cassidy, Nancy. The Book of Kid Songs. Klutz, 1986.

Cryer, Debbie; Harms, Thelma; Ray, Adele Richardson, The Active Learning Series. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1996

Docents of Nursery Nature Walks. Trails, Tails, & Tidepools in Pails. Nursery Nature Walks, 1992.

Dodge, Diane T.; Cloker, Laura J., The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood. Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001.

Dodge, Diane T.; Cloker, Laura J., The Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care. Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001.

Feldman, Jean. Transition Time. Gryphon House, Inc., 1995.

Murphy, Sharon. The Mailbox Superbook: Grade 1. The Education Center, Inc., 1998.

Schiller, Pam; Phipps, Pat; The Complete Daily Curriculum For Early Childhood. Gryphon House, Inc., 2002.

Stassevitch, Verna; Stemmler, Patricia; Shotwell, Rita; Ready To Use Activities for Before and AfterSchool Programs. The Center for Applied Research in Education, Inc., 1989.

Technical Assistance for the Provider

Objective: Improving Rainy Day Activities within Family Child Care.

Set:
What types of activities do you do on rainy days?
Do these activities encourage children to use their large muscles?
Do you give children an opportunity to use their large motor skills daily even if the weather does not permit outdoor play?
Do you find that the children seem bored on rainy days?

Materials: Information Packet on Rainy Day Activities

Lesson:

• Read and review information on Rainy Day Activities with your consultant.
• Create a schedule with “rainy day” activities that you can use on bad weather days.
• Gather the materials around the house that are needed for the “rainy day” activities. Design an easy storage solution for your materials.
• Create a space for you to store this schedule with the materials that are needed for the activities.
• If needed, ask questions for more information on rainy day activities.

Closure:

Do you feel prepared for days when weather does not permit children to go outside?
Will you know what to do when children become anxious or stir crazy on rainy days?
Does your schedule allow for physical movement?