The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Rain, rain go away…

by 14 Comments

It's been raining a lot here over the past week which has been nice on one hand as it cooled everything down but on the other hand i have had 2 toddlers stuck inside! All this ‘inside together time' is now getting a touch less fun!

Tara hands me her shoes  every morning and goes and stands at the front door….a very pointed message indeed! We have done some splashing in puddles and mud but with the heavy downpours we have been having it gets a little too much (ok….for mummy it does anyway….the chooks and toddler twosome don't mind all that much if i am to be honest!)

I find you need to keep toddlers extra busy when cooped up inside the house to head off those tantrums and fights….and also make them tired enough for bedtime!So we have been doing all our usual block building and toy fun as well as some inside craft fun that doesn't make too much mess (you can never expect no mess with toddlers…we all know that!) These are some of the activities we have been doing inside….perhaps you are experiencing similar weather and looking for some ideas….these are very basic, my girls are only 18 months with short attention spans but there has been much fun (and only a few small meltdowns….mummy needed a cup of tea and some time out i'm afraid!)

We made a band with op shop saucepans and lids and raided mummy's drawers for spoons…
The lids made great cymbals…..and the spoons made very loud sounds on the saucepans and lids…and table….and tv stand…and wooden floor…..hmmm you get the picture i'm sure!
We also found a few of our shaker bottles…the toddler twosome have loved these since they were about 4 months old…different fillings make for different sounds…..different sized baskets from the op shop have also been lots of fun for filling with toddler ‘treasures'!
We also have a few filled with water and sparkly things that float around and make lovely patterns when we shake them…..they used to love these during tummy time on the mat when younger and for rolling when learning to crawl…now they are even more fun apparently!
 Unfortunately they were moving around so quickly and i was having too much fun joining in the noise making that i don't have many photos with them actually playing!!
We also did some crepe paper painting which is simply some wet crepe paper scrunched into a ball and tied inside an old mesh bag. The girls then stamped and swished away to their hearts content, no paint required! The dye in the crepe paper makes the ‘painting'….obviously darker colours do work better, i could only find red in the craft drawers so that is what we went with! It is a really easy and relatively mess free activity for inside play. You don't need the mesh bag but i love the pattern it makes and it is easier for little hands to hold. Older children can easily do without mesh if you want an even easier activity prep wise!
Lots of fun with pens and crayons too….finally we are beginning to draw with them rather than just eat with them!
We also revisited these favourites……No mess painting, sticky window collage and of course microwave playdough fun! .
I've just realised why i have been so tired this week! The sun is beginning to peek out through the clouds so perhaps it shall be time for a run outside this afternoon….do you have favourite rainy day activities? I love to curl up with a good book, do some baking or sewing…but unfortunately….or fortunately i guess…..i get to play instead!
Thanks for stopping by….have fun!
Jode x

Comments

  2. Tammi says

    Jode we have been having the same problem of being cooped up inside but for us it’s a dreadful heat wave that is keeping us from steeping foot outdoors. Each day we long for 6pm to hit as its cool enough to head out for a bit.
    I love the idea of crepe paper painting…must try that with our little one 🙂
    Hoping you guys see some much needed sunshine real soon.
    Xx

    Reply

    • Jode says

      Hi Tammi…was the same for us a week ago and then the rain and cool blew in ….very odd weather! now the sun is back out it is so humid….guess we are never entirely happy, lol!

      Reply

  5. Mooberry Farmwife says

    Yes, entertaining little ones can be a challenge on those can’t-go-outside days! We have wind and snow, so we are spending our days indoors, too.

    You always have wonderful, fun ideas to keep your little ones busy, Jode!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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