It's Raining, It's Pouring...

It looks like another rainy day is on the horizon. Savvy parents are armed with dozens of activities to keep their kids entertained when the weather is uncooperative, but how about us adults? Instead of tackling the bills or cleaning up the basement, why not have a little fun on the next rainy day?

Most adults have forgotten the benefits gained by play. We know kids learn new skills, improve their social relationships and ward off stress through play, so do adults! Incorporate some play into your non-work time, the household chores can wait!

Think about what you loved to do on a rainy day when you were a kid and have some fun recreating those good times now that you're all grown up!

 

Ten Things for "Grown-ups" To Do When It's Raining

1.       Play cards, a board game or do a puzzle - but instead of sitting at the kitchen table, build a fort in the living room from tables, sofa cushions and blankets and play underneath it, maybe even tell a few ghost stories!

2.       Dig out the old tunes from your high school days and put on a karaoke performance! There is even an app for that! http://www.karaokeanywhere.net/ In fact there are many you can download onto your Apple or Android device. My personal favorite is a rockin' rendition of Meat Loaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Light...

3.       Feeling more intellectual? Down load the text of Hamlet and read it aloud...with feeling! http://www.william-shakespeare.info/script-text-hamlet.htm  Or choose a new book or an old favorite and take turns reading aloud....Feeling romantic? How about some poetry...Perhaps some John Donne or Keats.

4.       Head to the kitchen and whip up a batch of your favorite childhood cookies! Snickerdoodles, sugar cookies and butter cookies all have just a few ingredients that you probably have in the pantry and fridge.

5.       Who says arts and crafts are just for kids. Learn how to fold origami, make your own modeling clay or turn an old plastic bottle into a bird feeder, all on YouTube with "stuff" you likely have at home.

6.       Dance, Dance, Dance! Learn to samba, waltz or foxtrot in the privacy of your living room with expert teachers coming to you courtesy of YouTube!

7.       Have a crossword puzzle race. Boatload Puzzles has over 40,000 to choose from http://www.boatloadpuzzles.com/playcrossword. Who can finish with the highest score!

8.       Dream a little dream...log onto your favorite travel site and plan the vacation of a lifetime!

9.       Have an Internet scavenger hunt. Come up with a list of things to find and a budget. Then see if you can find them at bargain prices and "buy" them within your budget! Authentic tickets to Woodstock? A mint condition 2-Dollar bill? Let your imagination be your guide!

10.   If all else fails, put on the rain boots, the slicker, get out the umbrella and take a long walk in the rain..get wet, splash in some puddles then come back inside for a nice warm glass of mulled wine and toasty slippers.

There may be no sunshine, but this rainy day is sure to put a smile on your face!