Indoor Arts & Crafts: 7 Rainy Day Activities by ActivityBox

Rain, rain go away…

We hear you, mama! Hong Kong has the kiddos (and the rest of us) singing for the rain to stop. Looking for something to keep the clan entertained? We’ve got you covered with these awesome, inventive indoor rainy day (heck, they’re great for sunny days too!) activities from ActivityBox.

Microwave Puffy Paint

Spongy 3D puffy paint? Yes, please! Make your own paint colours and create your artwork on a paper plate. Pop it in the microwave and watch as it magically puffs up!

Supplies:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup water
• Food colouring
• Large paper plates
• Mixing bowl
• Small bowls or cups
• Spoon or whisk
• Small zip lock bags
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Mix together 1 cup flour, 1 tsp salt and 1 cup of water in a mixing bowl. Mix well so that the flour mixture is smooth and clump free.
2. Take out a cup or small bowl for each colour of paint you want to make.
3. Divide your flour mixture between your bowls.
4. Add a different food colouring to each bowl and mix well.
5. Take out your paper plates.
6. Finally, transfer your puffy paint mixture into zip lock bags and make a small cut in the corner of each bag.
7. Gently squeeze out the paint from your bag. Create images or patterns on your plates with the different colour paint.
8. Place the plate in the microwave and microwave on high for about 30 seconds. If paint is not cooked yet pop it back in for 10 seconds.
9. Remove the plate and let the paint cool.
10. What happened to the paint? Did it puff up? What does it feel like?
11. Repeat the steps to make more puffy paint art!

I Spy Bottle

I spy with my little eye… Roll, twist and shake the bottle to discover what’s hidden inside. Can you name the items and colours? Who can find the most items?

Supplies

• Uncooked rice
• Clear plastic bottle
• Small toys, beads, sequins (or any items that will fit through the opening!)

Steps:

1. Remove the labels from a clear plastic bottle, clean it and let dry.
2. Use a funnel to easily pour in some dry rice.
3. Now add a few beads, sequins, toys or anything that will fit through the bottle opening!
4. Pour in another bit of rice.
5. Repeat until the bottle is nearly full.
6. Screw the cap on tightly and shake the bottle around to mix up all the items!
7. Twist and turn the bottle to expose the items inside.
8. Name the items you see or play a game of who can find the most items

African Safari Binoculars

Make a pair of binoculars and go on an African safari! African animals hide far away, so you need your binoculars to see them in the distance. Hang them around your neck so they are always ready to use when you go on an adventure.

Supplies:

• 2 x empty toilet paper rolls
• String
• Scissors
• Decorative paper (or colour your own)
• Clear tape
• Glue stick
• Hole punch

Steps:

1. Roll the toilet paper roll in your decorative paper and cut to fit.
2. Use the glue stick on the back of the paper.
3. Place the tube at one end of the paper with the opening aligned with the edge. Slowly roll the tube so it is covered with the paper.
4. Repeat with the second tube.
5. Attach the two rolls together by wrapping clear tape around them about 1 cm from each end.
6. Cut a piece of string long enough to form a “strap” to hang around your child’s neck.
7. Punch a hole in the outside edge of the tubes about 1 cm from the end.
8. Thread the string through each hole and tie in a knot.
9. Put your binoculars around your neck and go on an African safari!

Ice Block Art

Can you turn a block of ice into art? It’s easy if you know how! Just add a little salt and food colouring and sit back and watch your creation unfold.

Supplies:

• Food colouring
• Salt
• Ice blocks
• Plate

Steps:

1. Check to make sure you have ice blocks! If not, make ice overnight.
2. Take out an ice block and put it on the plate.
3. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top surface of the ice block. The ice will start to crack and small craters will form.
4. Add a drop or two of food colouring on top of the ice block.
5. Sprinkle on more salt to make it melt faster.
6. Add more food colouring if you want.
7. When the ice has melted rinse off the plate.
8. Repeat with other ice blocks using different colour food colouring.

Alien Gloop!

Oh no! Aliens from outer space have splattered their gloop all over the place! Have you ever seen alien gloop? It looks green, wet and slimy. But don’t worry it slides right off your hands. Let’s have some Alien Gloop fun.

Supplies:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• Food colouring
• ¼ water
• Mixing bowl

Steps:

1. Put 1 cup of cornstarch into a mixing bowl.
2. Pour ¼ cup of water into a cup.
3. Add a drop or two of food colouring to the water and stir.
4. Add the water to the cornstarch and mix with your hands.
5. Keep adding water until the gloop feels like a liquid.
6. Now tap on the surface with a spoon. It should feel like hard rubber. If it’s too dry, add water. If it’s too wet, add more cornstarch.
7. Pick up a handful and squeeze it. It will feel solid. Stop squeezing and it will drip through your fingers.
8. Take a blob and roll it between your hands to make a ball. Then stop rolling. The gloop will drip between your fingers! Amazing!

Let’s Make a Treasure Map!

Ahoy Matey! Pretend you are a pirate and need to hide your treasure on a desert island. Make a map so you can find your loot when you return from your voyage!

Supplies:

• A4 Paper
• Crayons
• Pencil
• Black pen
• Paintbrush
• Tea bag or coffee

Steps:

1. Draw an island shape on your paper with pencil.
2. Now draw obstacles you need to cross in your path to your treasure (falling coconuts, a river to cross, a dark cave to go through!)
3. Make dashes to mark the path to your buried treasure!
4. Write “start” to mark where to begin and draw a treasure chest or X to “mark the spot” where you buried your treasure.
5. Go over your pencil lines with black pen.
6. Colour in your map and obstacles with crayons.
7. Make your map look old by “painting” it with cold tea or coffee and then gently crumple it up into a ball. Set aside to dry.
8. When the paper is dry gently unfold it and smooth it out. Tear off pieces around the edges of the page to make it look even older!

Pirate Ship

Yo ho ho! Let’s make a pirate ship you can pretend to sail on the seven seas! Design your sails and raise the masts. Keep your gold and jewels safe until you bury them on your desert island. Use your treasure map so you can find them when you return!

Supplies:

• Egg carton
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Wood chopsticks or skewers
• Paper
• Hole punch
• Crayons
• White glue

Steps:

1. Cut an egg carton in half. Paint the bottom half on both sides.
2. Put a blob of white glue into the 2nd and 4th “divider” hole of the egg carton. Push the chopsticks in gently. These will be the ship masts!
3. Set aside to dry.
4. Pirate ships have 2 sails. Draw 2 sails on the paper, one a bit smaller than the other.
5. Colour both sides of your sails with crayon and then cut them out.
6. Punch a hole in the middle of each sail about 1 cm from the top and bottom.
7. Now it’s time to raise the sails! Slide the chopsticks through the holes in the sails.
8. Bend the paper slightly so it looks like the wind is blowing the sails.

Whether it’s raining or the sun’s blazing away, your kiddos will love doing these fun DIY crafts together with you!