kids bathtub paints – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Summer officially started 17 days ago and 15 of them have been rainy ones here in NW Ohio. Our grass has never looked greener and our garden is flourishing however the kiddos are a tad disappointed at the lack of pool days. I am not sure when all this rain is going to let up. I decided that I need to do something. My first thought was build an Ark but that seemed too tedious a task. My second was to collate fun rainy day activities to do with kiddos. Here’s hoping my focus is on the right thought, lol!

1. Make a Fort- grab a few sheets, blankets, and chairs and make a fort.

2. Basketball Indoors- can’t play outdoors then bring the game in. Grab the basketball hoop, ball, clear out any breakables, and game on!

3. Host a Movie Play date- call up some friends, put together a concession stand, and enjoy a matinée!

4. Dance Party- have your kiddos dress up as princesses, superhero, etc. put on some music, and get your groove on! An impromptu hokey-pokey and the chicken dance is guaranteed to add to the fun!

5. Make edible peanut butter play dough

6. Indoor Water play- put down some towels, grab a few tubs, fill with water (only as much as you are comfortable with mopping up), add fun water toys. Don’t have fun water toys? Use kitchen measuring cups, funnel, turkey baster, rubber spatulas, etc.

7. Tactile Tubs- put down a tarp or shower curtain, grab some tubs, fill tubs with dry rice and/or oats, and hide treasures for kiddos to find.

9. Play in the rain-let the kiddos jump in puddles, and play outside in the rain…it will be a memory they will treasure. Do make certain there is no lightning before letting kiddos go outside.

10.Make bathtub paint–

11. Host an Ice Cream Social indoors- invite over friends, you supply the ice cream and ask each guest to bring a topping to share.

12. Stimulate those brains-whether your kiddos prefer computer programs like Reading Eggs, iPad Apps, think-it-through tiles, or the classic workbook style, take some time to combat the summer brain drain!

13. Story time- let you children each pick their favorite books for you to read to them and then ask them to retell the story…what they remember and interpret will fascinate you and might even be somewhat amusing.

14. Play with your food-cut veggies, grab dry and cooked noodles, place paint on plates and allow kiddos to stamp veggies and let their imaginations wander!

15. Bake together– have kiddos help you make lunch, dinner, or a meal for a friend/family member.

16. TP fun-give each child a roll of toilet paper and guide them as they make their very own custom costume….I foresee some beautiful bridal gowns and handsome super heros (or at least the capes, lol!)

Have a favorite rainy day activity? Have fond memories of an indoor activity you enjoyed as a child? Please share

I have come to realize that every minute of every day has the potential for a learning opportunity. When in the car the kiddos enjoy spelling and sounding out words on signs and our toddler enjoys yelling out the colors on traffic signs/lights and alerting me of any trucks or busses. Though this can be a little annoying at times I do find joy in the cheers coming from the back seat when they realize they have successfully identified, spelt, or sounded out a word. A trip to the grocery store is another opportunity to learn. The children like to help pick out the produce which means they locate, identify, and help count the requested amount, and of course, our toddler once again identifies the colors. She is obsessed! Cooking with mommy, doing laundry, playing games, doing yard work, etc. are all great opportunities for learning experiences, so why not the bathtub?

The other day we made fun paint for the bathtub!

Recipe for Bathtub Finger Paint:

Ingredients:

1 cup Soap, I prefer the body wash the children normal use since they will be bathing in it.
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
5-6 drops food coloring, varies, depending on the saturation of color you are going for
1 Jar, I prefer to have one with a lid so we can use it for the entire week

(Yields one color or one jar of paint)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in the jar. Put lid on jar tightly and shake over sink (just in case).

Repeat for as many colors as you would like or do as we did and simply make the primary colors then have the kiddos mix the secondary on their own.

The kiddos had so much fun with the paint! Our first Grader taught our toddler how to mix the primary colors together in order to make the secondary and she thought it was magic, haha! I then took it a step further and taught our daughters about complementary colors.

We then did a few math equations, had some fun with spelling, and I enjoyed seeing the amazing masterpieces the kiddos created.

It was so much fun! It is amazing how much fun learning can be when you don’t make it a chore but rather integrate it into daily activities in life, use various mediums, and have a positive disposition.

Have you ever used paints during your kiddos bath time? Did your kiddos enjoy them? Do you have fun games you play with your kiddos in the car? What about the grocery store? Where is a favorite place, besides school, that you children learn a lot?