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Who says that rainy days have to be boring? By exploring the fun activities below, your child will be anything but bored! This up-to-date list of educational online activities will nurture your child’s curiosity, creativity, and sense of fun without feeling “educational” or b-o-r-i-n-g.
Get Moving!
Rainy day or not, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents need a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise every day to maintain good physical health. So clear the floor and enjoy one of these exercise videos. For serious strength and cardio for the whole family, you can’t go wrong with Jumping JAX Gym. For younger children, a couple kid-tested faves are Shake Break and Animal Exercises. To round out your child’s physical health needs, here’s a compilation of the seven best yoga videos for kids, too.
Make Music!
Studies abound on all the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument. Making music can actually rewire the brain. It has a huge impact on language, memory, reading ability and attention span. Preschool Prodigies is full of interactive preschool learning videos that get kids singing, hand-signing and playing their first instrument. When it comes to purchasing the right instrument for your child, experts suggest that you consider your child’s body type and personality. For example, if your child is the smallest in his class, you may not want to encourage that he play the bassoon. And then there’s personality type. Some instruments such as the flute, saxophone and trumpet are perfect for extroverts. These tend to be lead instruments, the ones that play the melodic part, and they’re known for being the perfect fit for kids who tend to be outgoing.
One of the most versatile instruments is the clarinet. If your child learns how to play it, he will have the opportunity of joining many different kinds of bands or ensembles in his lifetime. Most of all, you’ll want to consider whatever instrument your child is interested in. Know that giving him the gift of learning to play an instrument is a skill he’ll have for the rest of his life.
Have Fun With Science
Kids love science experiments. There’s something about science activities and rainy days that are a perfect match, too. With activities such as making a glass of lava and Rainbow Magic Milk, you can teach your budding scientist about liquid density with common items you have at home. You don’t need a fancy lab or any special equipment to create the experiments either.
Get Out Their Sketchpads
Public Television’s favorite artist and Emmy Award winner Mark Kistler has taught millions of children how to draw. If you haven’t watched one of his videos yet, you’re in for a treat. His positive messages on self-image, goal setting, environmental awareness and the power of reading have inspired millions of children to discover their awesome individual potential. Plus, your child will be able to draw just about anything in no time!
Of course you don’t want to underestimate the fun of old-school pastimes either, such as baking together, building a fort with blankets and pillows, playing board games, watching a movie, or just chilling for a change. And it’s not like you have to stay indoors. You could pack up your crew and head for the nearest bowling alley, museum, or library.
Whatever you decide to do, you may find that some of your best memories are made on these cozy rainy days.
Jenny Wise | jenny@specialhomeeducator.com
