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Topic: Rain (09/07/04)
TITLE: What To Do When You Have the Grandchildren and It Rains By Brenda Blakely 09/08/04 |
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Stories are always a good diversion. But little ones will only sit still so long. Stories about when you were young can entertain older grandchildren. Popcorn served during the storytelling adds to the fun. Sometimes it’s a real adventure to have them tell you a story; you never know what you might learn.
This activity can take up a large part of any day A few under-10-year olds with a good director or one or two grandparents and a little one can “act out the story”.
First you must select the story, it can even be a made-up-on-the-spot story. After you determine what is needed then props have to be gathered. Then comes the drama. The play can be rehearsed and given later before a live audience.
Cooking can accomplish two things, a rainy day activity and preparation of a meal and/or making something special. I know one grandma that always keeps fruit juice in the freezer to make jelly on rainy days when the grands are with her.
Grandpa might even get into the act and help do a hobby project. A forward-looking grandpa I know always keeps an already cut birdhouse, ready for assembly. A card table, hammer, nails and some paint can provide creative housing for the birds in the yard or to create gifts for someone special.
Homemade greeting card kits (paper and crayons, markers etc.) can be kept on hand for a rainy day activity. This activity gives opportunity to develop creativity, develops sensitivity to creating something to bless someone else and teaches the fine art of writing. The handwritten letter has gone the way of dinosaurs. It is a good thing to revive.
Of course do not forget playing dolls, house, trucks and cars and card and/or board games for the appropriate age. An open floor space with a soft rug makes a comfy place to play. Rugs with a town or playground or other landscape, which you can store folded up in the games closet, can be used to play upon or to provide a backdrop to an adventure.
A temporary “special place” dwelling made with a tablecloth or bedspread over a table can provide a hideout for cowboys, a home to be made homey, a schoolhouse or a church to carry on activities and make believe ventures. The special place can also be a “campout” spot to spend the night.
This activity may or may not depend quite as much on grandma or grandpa’s participation. Many times with a little encouragement of the imagination, this activity will take off on it’s own to carry your grandchild to places faraway.
If it should come, seize the moment when the rain is falling softly; grab a poncho and take a “grand” adventure. Go outside hand in hand, two generations just walking in the rain. Feel the fresh soft wet upon your face and splash in the puddles and then come back inside for a cup of hot cocoa.
So be prepared. Stack up some rainy day activities; equip one closet with supplies and make your grandchildren’s visit a delight, even when it rains.
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