Whether you’re at a lake, cabin or on an RV adventure, there’s bound to be a rainy day during your vacation. That doesn’t mean the fun needs to stop! It’s an opportunity to slow down, get creative, and maybe even go singing in the rain! Here’s a list of fun ways to keep kids entertained during rain until the sun comes back out and still make great vacation memories.
Puddle Jumping
As long as it’s warm enough out and you have high-quality rain gear, why not enjoy some good ole’ fashioned puddle jumping and playing in the rain? As the saying goes, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” After all, you get just as wet when you go swimming and puddles can provide endless opportunities for exploration, imagination, and fun. Children also love using puddles as a natural water table to conduct floating and sinking experiments. Let your kids collect natural items like leaves, sticks, rocks, and feathers and conduct experiments to see what will sink and what will float.
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Making a Movie
It seems like everyone has a smartphone. Get together and write a story, assign roles, and take turns filming. It’s easy
and fun for the whole family. It’s also a great way to teach the kids some fun and interesting skills. The movie will probably not win any awards at the Sundance Film Festival, but you’ll make great memories and have a cheesy movie from your family vacation!
Passing the Story
This is a fun, interactive storytelling game. One person starts telling a story, then passes the ball (or whatever you decide to use) at a cliffhanger and the next person takes up telling the story. It can get very entertaining!
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Marshmallow Games
Play tic-tac-toe with marshmallows and chocolate… winner takes all! Marshmallows are sticky, which makes them ideal
for building towers. Give everyone marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti or kebab sticks and see who can create the best, highest, or most elaborate tower. You can also do this with toothpicks and mini marshmallows.
Explore Visitor Centers and Clubhouses
Many state and national parks have visitor centers with activities and hands-on experiences for kids. Visitor centers often give you a chance to learn more about the history, ecosystems, wildlife, and other natural wonders at the park. Some parks even have multiple visitor centers with different themes and activities. Yellowstone National Park, for example, has eight centers to explore! If you are staying in an RV park, look to see if there is a clubhouse or activity center. Many have a schedule of activities, especially during peak seasons.
Check Out Junior Ranger Programs
Almost all national parks and many state parks have Junior Ranger programs with free activity books and things for kids to do to earn ranger badges. Many of the tasks can be completed indoors, making it an excellent rainy-day activity. There are many free Junior Ranger activity books and additional badges to earn! Many booklets are available online or at the park office. If you have internet access, check out the “web ranger” programs you can complete from the comfort of your cabin or RV.