Rainy day adventures
When it rains it doesn’t mean we stay inside, it means we get creative….
If you live in Washington, you live in the season of rain. Some months are harder than others. For me, Spring is tough. You get the important Spring showers but you are desperate for blue sky and sun after a long winter. Knowing myself and knowing that the weather has a big impact on my sense of sanity; I have learned that I have to get outside the house… and not just sit in the rain. Maybe that is because my toddler can only handle so much rain and indoor play before we are climbing walls and throwing toys. So, here are some of our favorite ways to beat the rainy season:
Go to the Aquarium - The wonder of an entire world that goes unseen can really draw kids in. In our family, even a small aquarium can bring in hours of entertainment — especially, if you catch any shows or spend time at the touch tanks.
Go bowling - I never realized how fun bowling was for kids until we went as a family the first time. There is just something about lifting a heavy ball and pushing it down a ramp (tip- ask for bumpers and a ramp for little ones). But, the real tip is…. book the lane, add people, and then sit back and have a date night while your kid bowls the entire time — it’s a win-win.
Find an indoor playground or trampoline park. These are growing in popularity. It’s a great way to burn some energy. There are usually lots of kids to play with and lots of fun. SIDE NOTE: when busy, these can be very overstimulating for kids and they are basically a Petri dish…. make sure you wash hands and take your vitamins…. (yes, it is still worth the struggle)
Go to the pool! If you kid is a fish, like ours, you could spend hours here. Pro tip- bring some water; it can get pretty toasty and humid in the pool area.
Take a ferry ride - when you are a kid, there is just something different about public transportation. We love a bus or a boat ride. Ferry rides are awesome because you can pack a lunch, coloring books, or games to play for some special out of the house time.
Find a local kids museum — I mean, it’s in the name… these places are built of KIDS! You might find yourself coming back time and time again…. consider a membership, they are usually worth the price. Plus look for any fun events they are doing during your visit.
Hit up the Science Center! I might be partial, since I am a HUGE science nerd, but the exploration that happens here is amazing. There are always fun activities for little kids to adults. Recently we visited the San Diego Fleet Science Museum and never wanted to leave. It was a blast… just trust me, you’ll love it and maybe even learn/experience something new.
Build a fort, grab some special snacks, and watch a new movie… I know this isn’t out of the house but, you will need to go buy some special snacks so I think that counts. I mean, when was the last time you built a fort? Do you remember the special moments of playing in one with close friends? Just think about how special that moment with your child will be, stepping into their world of wonder, letting them be creative. But one rule: NO PHONES ALLOWED. Trust me, it’s more special without them.
Go to grandma’s house…. BONUS: swing by the store and bring the supplies to make a special treat…. baking cookies, making cake pops, build your own pizza…. all these are more magical with grandma. Plus, its a treat that not everyone gets to experience… and the memories truly last a lifetime.
Call up another mom, grab some food and drinks, then sit in the chaos together. There is nothing like spending time with quality people who love on your kids like their own. If you don’t have this, you NEED to find this. Our dearest friends have become our family and I always know that they will stand with us through thick and thin.
Ride bikes and skateboards in the garage — this has become a favorite activity in our house. Dad does something in the garage while Isla rides around singing and yelling, “look at me, Dad!”
Invest in a rain suit and boots… although if your kids are like mine, they only like the puddles that are taller than their boots. There is just something about the water splashing out the top when they run in and out of the puddles that gives you perspective. Maybe the rain isn’t as bad as I think…. Maybe, just maybe,… the rain gives us life. And maybe, as I live in San Diego off and on, I have come to cherish that smell of rain on the asphalt, it brings me home, it brings me memories of a home that has brought so much light into my life.
