Rainy day activities

If you’re feeling the symptoms of cabin fever setting in, try these reader-approved rainy day activities to keep your kids busy.

“My four-year-old loves to set up a tent in the basement and pretend that we’re camping. I make snacks and treats and, of course, hot chocolate with marshmallows. We sit inside the tent, read books and play games. It really turns a rainy day into an adventure.”
— Iwona Frost, Oakville, Ont.

“We break out those overlooked craft and science kits that the kids got for Christmas.”
— Jennifer Cox-McCaughey, Barrie, Ont.

“We cover the table with brown paper so the kids have a huge canvas to colour, play games and use playdough. If they make a mess, we just crumple the paper up and throw it away.”
— Chantelle Rantucci, Leduc, Alta.

“We aim for a mix of energy-burning games like hide-and-seek and balloon pong, and quiet activities like baking or drawing. There’s usually a lot of dress-up and active imagination play, too.”
— Jenn Richardson, Peterborough, Ont. 

“I bought a magnetic fishing set from the dollar store; we fill up the bathtub and fish!”
— Andrea Linthorne Mugford, Makinsons, Nfld.

“We pull out the umbrellas, raincoats and rubber boots, and go splash in the puddles. If there is thunder and lightning, we’ll watch the show and try to catch the strikes on my camera.”
— Karla Montgrand, Turnor Lake, Sask.

“It’s a free-for-all! We descend upon the playroom and every single toy makes it out of the bins. We make forts and tunnels, and pull out the crayons and painting supplies.”
— Jen Ozga, Ottawa

“Ikea and Ontario Early Years Centres are big saviours.”
— Amber Whatley Rohal, Burlington, Ont.

“We take my sons’ toy cars and put them through the “car wash.” We fill a big plastic bin with soapy water and use a sponge to clean them. It keeps the kids entertained for a long time, and their toys get a wash.”
— Candice Botelho, Toronto, Ont.

“We’ve put a little basketball net in the basement so our toddler can shoot hoops indoors.”
— Rachel Bentley, Cambridge, Ont.

“The same thing we do every other day. We live in Vancouver; if we stayed in when it rained, we’d never get out!”
— Lisa Rhonin, Vancouver