Summer time is just around the corner. School will be ending soon and summer vacation for our children is fast approaching. When the weather is bright and warm, outside play is never an issue. There are parks filled with sand boxes, swings, climbing apparatus, benches, bike paths and plenty of other children to play with. However, when the weather is grey, and the low hanging clouds deliver rain, we cannot help but to ask ourselves: What are we going to do with the children inside today? There are many solutions to this but I have a few simple solutions that will keep the children entertained while keeping within a monthly entertainment budget.

Many resources divide up types of activities into age groups with age appropriate activities. That’s all fine, except when you have a family with children whose ages span over many years. In some circumstances, the children range in age from toddler to teenager. How can you keep them all busy, happy and learning during these “indoor” days? Good question!

Play dough is one of the best investments you can possibly make as it is attractive to the young toddler and young adults alike. You can either purchase the product in stores, or you can make your own. Play dough ranges from the traditional combination of flour, salt and water to variations that incorporate oatmeal or peanut butter and are edible for the younger set. Adding cookie cutters, spoons, paper plates, candles, paper cupcake liners, rolling pins and other gizmos will enhance their creativity for hours of play time.

Salt dough provides another great tactile experience. It can be mixed and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks; however, let it warm up to room temperature before using. Just like all soft dough, it can be rolled, squished, formed and squeezed into many different shapes, animals, and objects. Salt dough projects can be baked at a very low oven temperature for several hours until dried thoroughly. Once cooled, they can then be painted with acrylic paint and decorated with an assortment of embelishments like gems, feathers, beads, and fabric.

Physical games like hide and seek can be played during the day, or better yet, at night with flash lights or glow sticks. During the day, areas of the house can be made dark by closing the drapes or making tents out of blankets for hideouts. After a few games of hide and seek, the tents can then be used as play areas for imaginary play or as a setting for a picnic lunch.

There are many types of games that can be played in teams. These games can include I Spy, Simon Says, charades, musical chairs, freeze dance, follow the leader and various board games.

Arts and crafts are another enjoyable way to spend time indoors. Make a theme for the project, such as animal masks, body outlines for self-portraits, holiday ideas, special events or special interests. Some staple items that you should always have on hand for indoor days include crayons, pencil crayons, water based markers, finger paints, construction paper, painting paper, glue, scissors, embellishments, coloring books, beads, string and a good age appropriate movie (and popping corn to go with the movie).

If everyone feels cooped up, going to a “playground” within a restaurant will provide the needed change of scenery. There are some restaurant chains that provide indoor climbing structures for their patrons to use. In some cities, there are facilities that provide a complete environment for indoor play that include climbing structures and plastic ball pits. A light lunch and a few hours of play time can pass the rainy day very quickly.

No matter which activity you choose, you and your children will be creating wonderful memories together.