Mom Talk: Rainy Day Activities

Q: Can you share ideas about what to do with kids when it’s raining?

A: Rainy days can have your kids and your partner going stir crazy in no time. We're so used to moderate weather that we forget how to enjoy ourselves when wet weather arrives. Patch has a few ideas of ways to spend your rainy days that will keep your kids from driving you crazy during this rainy stretch:

• Board games should not be underestimated as a fun activity for rainy days. They can even work well during a power outage, as we discovered recently during a sleepover. Choose something age appropriate for all the members of your clan, or form teams that are balanced so that non-readers can be involved, too. Board games offer time for family bonding and are often educational.
• Take a short walk during a lighter period of rain and talk about all the ways the rain is an integral part of our ecosystem. If you have rain boots, drag them out, and you'll enjoy walking through puddles as rain drips on your skin, awakening you to the wonder that is winter.
• Head to the Capitola library if you're short on good books to get you through the evening. Kids love reading time, whether they are old enough to pick up a book on their own or need you to read it to them. Let them pick out their books at the library. A book they pick out is a book they will be more likely to read.

Part of enjoying getting out in the rain is sporting the proper gear. You can gear up at one of these area outfitters:

• at 1440 41st Ave.
• at 1600 41st Ave.