Keep this list of what to do on a rainy day in your pocket for the next drizzly (or snowy) afternoon—it has plenty of inspiration, from relaxing self-care ideas to games to play with the kids. Whoever solves the clues first and finds the treasure—a small toy, an IOU for a movie, maybe a cache of coins (regular or chocolate)—is the winner. Or have your kids play as a team to solve the clues and uncover the treasure together. What You Need
Unlined journalRecipe cards (the more sauce-splattered, the better)Wine or Champagne labelsPhotos from family mealsAdhesivePhoto cornersRulerShimmery alphabet stickers (available at crafts stores)Ribbon
What to Do Make them comfy with plenty of airbeds, pillows, and sleeping bags, then follow through with an indoor picnic to be eaten “under canvas.” (Don’t forget the indoor s’mores!) One-word story: Starting with “Once upon a time,” go around the room and have each person add a single word to the story. Tip: Decide on a genre in advance―fairy tale, ghost story, etc.―and go from there. Improvised poetry: One person says a line of poetry, and the next must say a line that rhymes with it, and so on. Let kids say the first line; it’s up to you to find the rhyme. Yes, and…monster! Invent an imaginary monster, with each person adding a new characteristic to the first person’s monster description. Every new idea has to start with an enthusiastic, “Yes, and…” and build on what has already been described. What You Need
scissorsutility knifemarkersrulerrubber bandsgluetape (transparent, duct, masking, or colored)gift wrap or decorative paperkraft paperballoon, uninflated (1 per popper)paper cup, bottom cut off (1 per popper)mini marshmallows
What to Do Look at a map of the world, if you can actually swing an international vacation, or of the U.S., and let kids pick a location they’d like to visit. Have them research how to get there, where to stay, and what to do. They can create a budget based on plane tickets or house rental costs, make a plan of what sites to hit or local foods to try, and then sell their ideas to the rest of the family. At the very least, everyone will learn a little bit about a new city or country. At best, you may figure out your next family adventure. If you’d rather make your time indoors feel more like a staycation, here are eight ideas to transform your home.
