What are the benefits of children playing in the rain and having raindrop fun?
Believe it or not, there are many benefits of letting our children play outside on wet days. I wouldn't recommend them going out in gale force winds, or when there is thunder and lightening - much better on those days to watch the weather from inside the house. But when it's raining - well that's just so much fun as well as being good for them.
Are we all keeping our children from much needed exercise and fun when it is raining and wet outside? Just remember, the rain won’t make your kids melt, get sick, or turn into a raindrop! Most people believe that playing in the rain is an easy, quick way to catch a cold. If your child has a healthy diet, and is generally fit and well, then your child’s immune system is strong enough to protect against any weather woes. If your child likes playing with water, or going swimming, then playing outside in the rain is definitely for him or her. Not only can it be a great source of exercise, but it’s also a great way to de-stress and have some fun!
Be Prepared - IT WILL GET MUCKY
Playing in the rain is never going to be clean play. But children can be cleaned up. You can put their clothes in the wash and them in the bath when they have finished having fun.
They will want to jump in puddles - most of the time they have been told not too - but now you can tell them different. Stand back if you don't want to get wet, because that water is going to go everywhere.
Next will come the mud. There is something very primal about mud. It's sticky and gooey and it just has to be investigated.
Then will come the slipping and sliding and falling. Some children might be a little worried about this, and they will look to you to see if they are in trouble. This is the time to take that photo, It will be a great reminder of just how dirty they can get.
When it's time for going back inside then get them to stop at the door and take off most of their outer clothes and boots. Then get them into the bathroom so they can get cleaned up. Put the clothes in the washing machine and your done.
You have just made some fantastic memories that your children will remember forever.
It's great fun to go to the park when it's raining, just to see other peoples reactions to what you are letting your children do, So people smile but others are most disapproving.
What to wear!
OK, we've all heard that before - there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. You have made the brave decision to let your child play out in the rain. So what do they wear?
Rain hats and rain coats, or anything that is even slightly waterproof will do, You will want to keep their head warm and water off their torso as much as possible. Boots would be great, but any sturdy footwear that you don't mind getting mucky is just as good.
Now for some ideas of what to do on a rainy day.
Raindrop Painting:
What you will need
A rainy day
Heavy white paper or card
Powdered paint or food colouring
Lay a black bag or plastic table cloth on the ground and put the paper carefully on top.
Put little mounds of powdered paint or drops of food colouring on the paper.
Step back and watch as the drops of rain fall on the paint a spread them out.
When your picture is as you want it, take it inside to dry out.
When dry, spay with hairspray to hold the colours fast.
Be a wet weather artist
Grab your paints and some sheets of cardboard and do some painting in the rain.
The paints will act differently and will merge together to create some wonderful affects.
Water small world play.
Take your toys and action figures outside in the rain and create a small world around puddles and wet foliage.
Plant some seeds
Go out in the garden and plant some seed. What better time because you don't have to water them after you plant them.
Oh no! It's the mud monster
Let you children become mud monsters and cover themselves with leaves and twigs.
How to get over that puddle?
Problem solving finding ways over the puddle. Children can collect large stepping stones to get themselves over the puddle.
Raindrop Showers
Let your children take some soap out into the garden and have fun with their shower. Be careful with this one of getting soap in the eyes.
Water Fight
Water balloons do not just have to be for hot sunny days. They can be just as much fun when its raining.
Mud Pies
Water makes wonderful mud and what better time to make mud pies.
Animals that like the rain
Your children can pretend to be animals like frogs and jump around the garden.
What will fill up first?
Get some different size containers and try to guess which one will fill up first. Great for Science and Maths.
Boats
Plan for a rainy day by making boats. Test which boat will float and which will sink. Science
Chalk Drawing
Drawing with chalk if different in the rain. The colours are brighter and easier to use.