Rainy days

When you have young children at home, a rainy day is guaranteed to bring on complaints of boredom due to being cooped up inside all day. So before you go crazy, the following are some rainy day activities you can try with your little ones.

1. Puzzles

Building puzzles is a sure way to keep kids busy for long periods. The older they are, the greater the number of pieces the puzzle can contain, keeping them occupied for longer periods. Building puzzles also helps improve spacial awareness and problem solving skills, hand eye coordination, and even contributes to the development of their self esteem. It's even more fun if you get down on the floor and build with them, and its a perfect opportunity for bonding and quality time.

2.  Craft

Kids love craft activities. It's fun, it encourages creativity, and best of all it's something you can do together. 

Rain Cloud Paper Craft

I found this (and tons of other rainy day craft!) on Pinterest posted by Easy Peasy and Fun. This is ideal for little kids. It involves minimal set up...all you'll need to do beforehand is cut out the raindrops. Your little one should be able to assemble with little assistance.

What you'll need:

• cotton balls
• paper plate
• blue paper
• white construction paper
• yellow paint
• paint brush
• glue
• clear tape
• scissors
• yarn (preferably white or blue)

Step 1 

Cut a cloud shape out of the white construction paper, and raindrops out of the blue paper. You can cut as many raindrops as you wish. Cut a few strings of yarn.

Step 2

Glue the yarn to the back of the yard with the clear tape. (see picture below). Leave enough space between them to accommodate the raindrops without them touching each other. Stick the drops to the yarn with the clear tape (a glue gun can also be used).

Step 3
Paint the plate yellow. Then cut squares out going around the edges of the plate to for the rays of the sun, then stick the cloud to the plate. 
Note: You should cut off some of the rays to make it easier to stick the cloud to the plate.

Step 4
Stick the cotton balls to the cloud so your cloud will be fluffy. And you're finished!