Saturday 7 July 2012

Rainy Day Activities



British Summer Time Strikes Again
Britain is in the middle of a deluge, with flash floods and general... Soggy-ness... The washing is piling up as I can't get it dry (no tumble drier here I am afraid) and it feels like OJ is bouncing off the walls.

So it was time to get creative and find ways to pass the rainy days.


Baby Sensory Ring (suitable for approximately 6 months +)

I swear that my cubs have access to some lovely educational toys... but somehow, something that mummy has whipped up seems to be much more appealing!


After observing our baby Zman (8 months) desperately trying to get at daddy's shoelaces, I decided that I would make a baby sensory ring with lots of ribbons and laces to explore.
I bought a Frisbee ring for about 50 pence, and some colourful tape. I wound it around the Frisbee and it makes lovely crinkly noises which Zman loves.
I attached various ribbons and laces to the ring and, hey presto! A basic sensory ring.
This can be added to with large buttons and all sorts. As long as the materials are safely attached and are safe for baby to mouth.

The sensory ring is excellent in promoting:
  • Hand-eye co-ordination
  • Developing the muscles in the eyes
  • Exploration
  • Fine motor skills

The sensory ring can also be...
a hat!
(According to OJ who wanted in on the action!)


The Ducky Game (suitable for approximately 2 1/2  years +)

This game is so much fun and can be adapted in so many ways but we used:
  • Ball pit
  • 12 brightly coloured, rubber ducks
  • Number stickers
  • A bucket and net
Stick the numbers on the bottom of the ducks and put them in the ball pit. See if child(ren) can scoop them out with a net. Put the collected ducks into the bucket. Encourage child(ren) to look at, and recognise the numbers.


OJ decided there was a much easier way to get the ducks... OJ thinks:To get the ducks, you must first think like a duck and be accepted into their habitat...


Adaptions:
  • Older children 4 years + - Use more more ducks and add (+) and (-) signs. Largest number wins!
  • Use letters and try to catch the ducks with the letters of their name and or other words (perhaps ones they are learning to spell?)
  • Use a small paddling pool, and if using outside in that thing called sunshine (send some this way!), you could have them in water!
  • For a miniature Ducky Game use a large cardboard box and sieve!

The Ducky Game encourages a wide range of sill and development depending on what you you do:
  • Hand-eye co-ordination
  • Colour, number, letter recognition
  • Problem solving
  • Early maths
  • Large motor skills
  • Concentration
  • A group of children will learn basic social skills  such as turn taking and working together etc

Finger painting (Suitable for 1 year +... Depending on individual development)


A budding Picasso?


This is so easy... and so MESSY! YAAAAAAAY!

Put down a tarpaulin to catch (most of) the mess, get the biggest piece of paper you can get your hands on, set out the finger paints (I used a paper plate so I could just dispose of it, oh yeah, thinking outside of the box!) and let your kiddie get creative!

To save OJ's clothes, I stripped him down to his nappy so he could get right in there on the floor and be one with his art!

For a bonus self-esteem boost, proudly put up the picture for all to see (like I had to tell you that!)

Finger painting promotes:
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Creativity
  • Exploration
  • Colour recognition
  • Concentration
  • Emotional development - a sense of achievement
  • Can be relaxing and an opportunity to encourage speech/language/conversation skills

If anyone out there has some more rainy ideas, me and OJ would only be happy to check them out! 





2 comments:

  1. My boys love finger painting, great ideas! New follower from blogaholic I look forward to your future posts!

    http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/

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  2. Finger painting is fantastic fun! :-)

    I'm following Frugal in WV now too, it really is a lovely blog which I feel will also be very helpful.

    Thank you for taking the time to check it out here - nice to meet you!

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