The first step to beating the rainy day blues is to create a rainy day idea box. You can use an empty box of tissues, shoe box or a gift box. Cover the box with wrapping paper, or have your kids create a scene that they'd like to display on the box.

Whenever you come across an idea that would make a great rainy day activity, put it in this box for "a rainy day." You can either share the filling of the box with your kids, getting their ideas for rainy days, or you can collect them yourself, to make the contents of the box a surprise. Now, when you hear small voices whine "But, it’s raining and there’s nothing to do," you'll have an answer!

Filling the Idea Box:

Here are a few ideas with imagination to get you started. You can turn almost any outdoor adventure into some indoor excitement with a little creativity:

• Go on an African Safari – Help your kids build a fort and provide them with drinks, snacks and a book on African wildlife. You can also provide binoculars or other "safari" gear. Explain that they are going on an African Safari and let their imaginations do the rest!
• Indoor "Swim" Party – Make an imaginary body of water in your living room by taking those leftover streamers from the last birthday party and throwing them into a blown up kiddie pool. Provide some big towels for "drying off" and let the fun begin!
• Camping Indoors – Set up a real tent or create a tent out of blankets, cushions or furniture. You can even create a "campfire" with some orange and yellow crepe paper.
• Become an Indoor Cave Dweller – Use old bed sheets to make a private cave. Then using washable markers, let your kids decorate the walls of the cave.
• Castaway Treasure Hunt – Help to create a fort that can be used as an island shelter and "bury" some treasure for the castaways to find. Provide them with a treasure map and hide some clues around the house to help them with their hunt.