Autumn is here with darker nights and more rain. But this season can be lots of fun if you don’t mind the family getting dirty! Just pull on your wellies and your waterproofs, head outdoors and have a go at some fun rainy-day ideas with the children.
One idea is to make your own mud kitchen. Gather some old bowls, spoons, pots and pans to make a mud kitchen in your garden. Children will love getting their hands dirty as they scoop, pour and stir mud! Encourage them to add natural items to their play such as sticks, fallen leaves and petals. It’s a wonderful way to encourage creativity as they imagine all sorts of recipes they can make.
Or you can challenge your family to a raft race with your own handmade boats:
- Collect some twigs roughly the same length.
- Place them in a line and fasten them together with string or long grass.
- Slot an upright stick into the base of your raft – this will be your mast.
- Thread a leaf or two onto the stick to make your sails.
When they’re finished, try your rafts out on the nearest puddle or stream.
Woods have lots of natural shelters – look out for dry patches underneath trees to see which one makes the best umbrella. You can also have a go at making your own shelter. Remember to only use branches and sticks that have fallen to the woodland floor, don’t break them off the trees. Always dismantle your den before you head home too.
Lastly, it wouldn’t be a wet weather adventure without a bit of puddle jumping. This is a great way for kids to burn off excess energy. All you need is a good pair of welly boots, some waterproofs and a few big puddles. Why not have a competition to see who can find the largest puddle, or who can make the biggest splash?
