It’s the start of another school holiday and so of course it decides to bucket down with rain! It’s not always easy to come up with fun things to do on these rainy days that don’t require us to spend a small fortune. So here’s my top five suggestions, if you are stuck for something to keep the kiddos occupied but also away from a screen!

~Bake Off

Now I know this may fill some parents with absolute dread. I have to say I often have big regret when I get the Kenwood mixer out BUT if you’ve no trains to catch it is a great way to wile away a few hours. Standard fairy cakes are my go to. The wonderful thing about these is that

1. they are easy to make

2. it adds another activity once they’ve cooled and require decorating

3. Everyone is thrilled when it’s time to lick the spoon

Even better, maybe ditch the cakes and get pizza making and then thats dinner sorted too!

~ Rainy Day Dance Party

Crank up the music and have a dance party in the kitchen or living room. I’m a fan of a daily kitchen disco, come rain or shine but it particularly hits the spot when you’ve been stuck in all day and helps unleash some serotonin. Let the kids show off their best dance moves and have fun grooving to their favourite songs. If your children are anything like mine this will inevitably lead to a few rounds of musical statues or the floor is lava. Get the disco light going and the glo sticks out and have fun!

~ Build a den

Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to build a fort or indoor tent. This morning my husband had a stroke of genius. He went into my son’s bedroom and simply moved his mattress so it was half propped up by the bed frame and the other end held up by a chest of drawers. He chucked a blanket over the top and voila! my son couldn’t contain his excitement and it’s kept him busy for well over an hour! Kids can read books in there, play games, or have a snack inside their cozy hideaway.

~ Indoor Picnic

My two love this and it’s so simple. An indoor picnic in the lounge. For some reason changing the room that they eat in and letting them sit on the floor on a blanket is unbelievably exciting! They get to set it up and cuddly toys and dolls also make great guests. Obviously I jazz up the lunch menu a little, a jam sandwich perhaps, a milkshake or pineapple and cheese on a stick if I’m feeling wild!

~ Embrace the puddles

Just get outside anyway! One half term the kids and I were both going somewhat stir crazy having been cooped up on a particularly rainy day. So I whacked all the waterproofs and wellies on and we headed into the great wet outdoors for some puddle jumping! I didn’t expect it to be as big a success as it was but they both LOVED it! We all came home feeling a lot happier and better of for some good old fresh air.

Disclaimer: I do recommend a change of trousers and socks by the door ready for when you get home. Shortly followed by a round of hot chocolate of course.

Stormy weather doesn’t have to stop the fun! Even if your outdoor plans have been cancelled, you can still find plenty of fun rainy day activities to do at home. Hopefully this has given you one or two new ideas!