I suggest having your children write down 10 fun things they'd like to do sometime and putting the slips of paper in a safe place, like a keepsake box or a shoebox in their room.
Then the next time it pours, take out the ideas, put them in a hat and blindly pick one! That adds a sense of excitement to the process and makes it a democratic selection if you have more than one child!
Need some ideas?
Here are a few tried and true fun things most kids will enjoy:
1. A scavenger hunt...we've been doing these since my son, Jake, was 3 and he still loves them 8 years later at age 11. He enjoys making the clues and hiding a surprise for me to find, or vice versa.
2. Cooking together. Try a new recipe like the one for Rice Pudding I've included at the end of this blog. It's easy, healthy and something off the beaten path in the kitchen.
3. Writing poetry...anything from a few lines that rhyme, to a Haiku, to a long-form poem...pick a topic and assign everyone to be creative.
4. Make a menu with a decorative cover for the next holiday...Easter menus are fun to pass out to company if they have construction paper covers and a menu printed inside from your computer. You can make it look just like the restaurants and call it Chez ---. At our house, it's Chez Malpass.
5. Do calisthenics outside or in a playroom and write down the results...how many jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups or hopping in place on one foot you can do. See if you can beat your personal best next time around.
Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head. And here's that Rice Pudding recipe...sure to warm your children's tummy on a yucky day! Enjoy.
RICE PUDDING
- ½ c. white rice
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 2/3 c. water
- 3 ½ c. milk
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 eggs, separated
- 2/3 c. heavy cream
- 3 ½ Tbsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- ½ c. raisins
2. Cook rice in salted water over medium heat until done.
3. Add milk, ½ tsp. nutmeg and ½ tsp. cinnamon. Simmer 15 minutes stirring with wooden spoon.
4. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
5. Stir in egg yolks, cream, sugar, vanilla and raisins.
6. Beat egg whites until fluffy and fold in.
7. Pour mixture into well-buttered shallow baking dish. Spring sugar and ½ tsp. nutmeg on top. Bake 2 hours until lightly browned.
8. Divide pudding into small bowls and serve cold with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Read more Parenting Perspective blogs by visiting the Parenting Channel on 6abc.com.
