There’s lots of learning and fun to be had in the rain. Here are a few tips and tricks on what you can do on a rainy day!
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Resources Kit
Themed ‘grab and go’ kits are an efficient way of making the most of spontaneous outdoor play. A rainy day kit of loose parts enables children to help themselves to a wide selection of exciting resources. Here is a list of possible items you could include in your rainy day kit; squeezy bottles, sponges, paintbrushes, water wheels, pots and vessels for collecting and pouring, funnels, magnifying glasses, pipes and tubes, a sieve or tea strainer, short lengths of guttering, wooden and metal ladles or spoons and small water cans!
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Umbrella Athletics
A set of umbrellas are a great prop for promoting active play in the rain. Plan a trail that children can follow while holding an umbrella in one or two hands – for example following a rope laid out on the ground, moving up and down steps, running in and out of obstacles, around trees and through puddles. This is a great way to promote gross motor skills in the development of your child.
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Playground painting
The wet ground makes a great canvas for art. Coloured chalks are even more vibrant when used on wet tarmac, and water-based paints, powder paint or food dyes can be used on a large scale to create huge pieces of art. This is a great way to allow children to paint on a much larger scale giving them more freedom to do what they like!
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Animal Actions
Another good way to get children active outdoors on a rainy day is to imitate the movements and sounds of animals that love getting wet. You can think of a number of different animals and what they may do around the garden, For example, a frog might jump in the puddles and a pig might walk through the mud.
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Song (and Dance)
Song and Dance in the rain is a great way to get children outside and moving. Introducing your children to the song and dance to ‘Singing in the rain’ is a great way to encourage children to play outdoors and shows them just how much fun they can have in the rain!
