Just because it’s raining outside doesn’t mean that you have to renege on your usual screen time rules in order to keep the kids occupied. Embrace the opportunity to have fun indoors together by trying out one or two of these fun ideas.
Active activities
Even indoors, you can still present lots of ideas to burn off some energy.
Play musical statues
Pick your favourite music and make some shapes together. When the music stops, the kids have to freeze in their position - even one-legged or mid-twirl. To make the game more challenging, ask the kids to freeze in specific animal poses.
Create an indoor obstacle course
If children are light enough and furniture robust enough, creating an obstacle course around a room is great fun. Challenge them not to set foot on the floor ‘shark infested sea’.
Stair sliding
“My kids are allowed to sledge down the stairs on special stuck indoors occasions. We use a super slidey tray and a couple of those little bottom shaped sledges. Top tip: put a mattress or pile of cushions at the end of the stair run to break falls and don’t do if you’re aged over 10 - it hurts your back!” Pat
Get building
A rainy day is the perfect excuse to pull out the Lego and get stuck in together building an ambitious structure (that you promise not to tidy away).
Make a den
The possibilities are endless: a table covered in sheets: a sofa pushed away from the wall with a blanket over the gap; a pop-up tent indoors.
Use that cardboard box
It’s well worth hoarding big cardboard boxes for just such a rainy day. The possibilities are infinite - space ship, car, den, bus and so on. It really is extraordinary how one box can give children hours of imaginative fun.
Tidy-up time
“My children used to love a book called Tidy Up Trevor, in which a bored turtle is instructed to tidy up his play cupboard by his parents who are bored of his complaints he has nothing to do. He unearths all the toys he thought were lost and loses himself in rediscovering all his favourite games. Having a ‘clear-out’ really does work for reigniting excitement for forgotten toys and books - just be prepared for little clearing.” Mary
Get baking
Baking cupcakes or biscuits is super-easy and kids love the weighing, sifting and mixing - and eating. Ring the changes with coloured icing and different toppings.
Do what you loved best as a child
“There’s a lot to be said for playing to your strengths so you and your child can both enjoy time together. I feel uncomfortable playing imaginative games but I love making and crafting with my daughter. Happiness for me is brushing up glitter.” Tania
“I love introducing my children to films I loved as a child and all snuggling up together. Home Alone and The Secret Garden are even better as an adult seeing them anew through your children’s eyes.” Felicity
Calm activities
When you give your time and attention generously to your children, they’ll happily peel away from screens to play games together.
Brainstorm and draw an invention. Little Inventors is a wonderful website which encourages children aged five to 12 to come up with invention ideas – from the helpful and practical, to the wacky and bonkers. Some of the ideas are even turned into reality. The Discovery Museum in Newcastle has an exhibition running until 9 September showcasing 16 newly-made real inventions, designed by children across the North of England and brought to life by local artists and designers.
Read something fun. Even older children can enjoy being read to, especially if it’s a story they haven’t heard before. Younger children will enjoy reading a comic with you as they can follow the pictures as you read the story. Freddo and the Missing Hop comic from Cadbury even has an accompanying audiobook to download on iTunes.
Try a simple craft project. Cutting, sticking, drawing and creating help to keep little fingers busy and are a wonderful way to spend time together, as you can chat as you work. Look online for craft project inspiration, or try these simple craft activity ideas from Cadbury.
Why not play...?
Pen and paper games like Noughts & Crosses, Battleships and Hangman.
Activity sheets
Board games like Pandemic or table top games like Bananagram. Here are 16 of the best games for different ages.
Card games. Go fish! Snap and Happy Families are much loved by younger children, while whist is a great one for older kids.
Memory games. You can either present your children with a tray of objects, then hide it and ask them to remember each of the items, or play ‘I went on a picnic and in my basket I packed..’ with each person listing each object and adding another.
Whatever you decide to do, think of a rainy day as an opportunity to have fun together.
The fun shouldn’t have to stop just because it’s raining. Make the most of a rainy day by organising some indoor adventure games, just like the family we featured in our Find The Freddo video. Once your games are over, surprise the kids with a special treat like Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddos. Choc-full of fun, delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddos are made with fresh milk from British and Irish farms, for the perfect frog-shaped treat!