| y"> | | | | jigsaws second-hand and the box has seen better |
| There is nothing worse than a rainy day in the middle | | | | days, cut out the picture and store it in a re-sealable |
| of the school holidays, when children are cooped up | | | | bag with all the pieces. |
| inside, you have nothing planned, and the inevitable | | | | 5. Have a mammoth junk modelling session with |
| cries of "I'm bored" are not far away! Keep this list of | | | | friends: |
| rainy day activities ready for just such a day. Older | | | | Invite a few families around and ask them to bring their |
| children may enjoy choosing from the list themselves. | | | | craft-cupboard junk with them - boxes, containers, and |
| 1. Sort through the toy cupboard: | | | | other bits and pieces. You provide glue, sticky-tape, |
| It's surprising how much fun this can be! Get everyone | | | | scissors, and encouragement. You could make houses, |
| together and aim to clear one shelf or drawer. You will | | | | or creatures, or boats, or modern art - or you could all |
| probably find that old treasures are rediscovered, odd | | | | combine together to make one giant model! |
| pieces can be thrown away, and some things will be | | | | 6. Make a card house: |
| ready to be passed down or sold. If you are not sure | | | | If you don't know any good card games or haven't |
| whether to get rid of some of the toys, try packing | | | | anyone to play with, try building a card house! Start by |
| them away in a box and hiding them in a dark corner | | | | balancing two cards against each other so that they |
| of the cupboard for a few months. When they come | | | | stand up in an inverted V-shape. Take it from there! |
| out again they will either cause a sensation, or not - | | | | 7. Make an indoor obstacle course: |
| which will make it easy to decide on their fate! | | | | Check with an adult that this is OK first! Use easily |
| 2. Record the sounds around you: | | | | movable furniture (kitchen chairs, coffee tables) to |
| Get out the tape recorder and make a project out of | | | | mark out a course. Create a tunnel to crawl through |
| recording everyday sounds. Try water running in the | | | | with a blanket draped over low tables, or space |
| bath, someone ringing the bell and opening the door, or | | | | cushions around the room to use as stepping-stones. |
| flushing the toilet! It certainly makes you think about | | | | You will have lots more ideas! |
| things a little differently than usual. Suggest that some | | | | 8. Practice balancing: |
| friends or neighbours do the same thing and then get | | | | Balancing is fun! Try walking the length of the room |
| together to see if you can identify each other's | | | | with a book on your head. When you can do that, try |
| sounds! | | | | balancing two or three - then add a cuddly toy to the |
| 3. Make a story tape: | | | | very top! |
| Grab that tape recorder and a blank cassette, find a | | | | 9. Create an indoor den: |
| story you enjoy, and make your own story tape! Each | | | | A few blankets and tablecloths can create the most |
| child can read for a while, or can take on the part of a | | | | wonderful indoor den. Drape blankets between sofas |
| particular character. Make the appropriate noises too! | | | | and chairs, over stepladders and clothes-dryers, or tie |
| You will probably have to practice a few times to get | | | | the ends to cupboard knobs and door handles. Once |
| the hang of it, and be prepared for lots and lots of | | | | the den is created find some special snacks, coloring |
| giggles! Tip: a homemade story tape makes a great | | | | pages and pencils, a CD player and music, a torch or |
| present for a child who has to go to hospital or is | | | | two, and camp out for a while! |
| bedridden for a time. | | | | 10. Play with string: |
| 4. Have a jigsaw afternoon: | | | | Older children can create some wonderful inventions |
| Get out all your jigsaws and invite some friends around | | | | with a ball of string and their imagination! A toilet roll and |
| with theirs too! Clear plenty of space and have a | | | | a sloping length of string make a great message chute |
| marathon jigsaw session. Some libraries have jigsaws | | | | or rocket. Get some action toys involved too: try |
| you can borrow too, and you can often find jigsaws | | | | making them a lift (elevator) out of a box or a basket |
| for sale very cheaply at charity shops (thrift stores) | | | | and hoist them up! Adults should supervise constantly if |
| and car boot sales (garage sales). Tip: if you buy your | | | | there are younger kids around. |