What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary?
There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun.
Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child. Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It’s safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors.
Here is a great play dough recipe I have used many times with my own kids. 4 cups flour 1 cup salt 4 cups water 4 tablespoons oil 1/2 cup cream of tartar food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice) Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.
Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic placemats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream.
Another great favorite is collages. You just need construction paper, some magazines, elmer’s glue and safety scissors. Have the children cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang proudly on your fridge. Make a dreary day into a fun and exciting day with your child.
TK Healey
Sphere: Related Content
Like most families, we are on a monthly budget and we live paycheck to paycheck. There are times we simply can’t budget in a trip to the movies or the skating rink. The prices for activities have gone through the roof and when you have a 6 person family it is that much more expensive!
We have gotten more creative in the last months to find things to do as a family while also keeping the budget inline. Here are a few ideas that we use here as cheap family fun:
Rent games online : you can now rent games and have them sent to your door for one flat fee per month. There are many that are family friendly so you can play together or you can allow your children to rent what they wish. I definitely like the flat fee, it’s a huge savings.
Play Board Games : Playing board games is a good old favorite with tons of options. If you go to Wal-Mart you can find tons of games available from new ones to oldies that we grew up with.
Baking : For fun the kids and I sometimes bake a cake, cupcakes or brownies! It’s a ton of fun ? we use food coloring to make the frosting different colors and also an assortment of different toppings.
Rent Movies Online : Similar to renting games online you can now rent movies for a flat free and have them sent to your door. Going to the movies can be quite expensive these days. Renting them online and having family time is much less expensive and much more meaningful.
About the Author
Jay Coleby is a writer that specializes in informational articles on various topics. His most recent projects include articles on cell phone batteries, rent games and
noni juice. Jim can be contacted if you need an article written on a specific topic.
Sphere: Related Content
