What to do with those rainy day blues

Summer is fading and the cooler weather is soon to be upon us. Before we know it, we will be prisoners of our own castles! Our noses will be pressed against the glass, leaving tiny fog circles on the window pane as we look out wondering where the warm breezes went as children bounce off the couch and swing from the ceiling fans. God help us all ;0)
There is hope, with a little patience and creativity, we can take inside time and use it to our advantage. Some activities may leave your kitchen looking like Rainbow Brite just sprinkled her happy dust all over, but kids seem to love the ideas, and their entertainment is what keeps us sane. So, with that thought grab a cup of joe and read on.
Snuggle time
Kids love movies. Turn your living room into a mini- movie theater, pop some popcorn and enjoy a classic, or a current in the now kids movie. If it’s one you have seen 20 times already, try adding narrative comments in parts you know well. Modify your voice for variety.
Homemade play dough
Little hands love to squish things wither its mud through their fingers, or the family hamster something is going to be found squish worthy. Play dough is always a good one keeping little hands busy. You can recruit the help of the tiny terrors to help with this easy recipe:
3 cups flour
11/2 cup salt
6 tsp cream of tarter
3 tablespoons veggie oil
3 cups water
Dissolve salt in boiling water and add remaining ingredients. Boil until soft ball forms and pulls away from edges of the pan. Add a couple drops of food color to the play dough, you can also go to a craft store and buy scented oils to put in the dough. The oils are potent, so a drop or two goes a long way.
Finger-paint
For the budding little artist, having a fun way to express themselves makes the world go around. Finger-painting will keep them busy for hours, and is fun to make as well.
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 ½ cups cold water
2 cups boiling water
Food coloring
Mix 2 cups flour, the salt and cold water together, stirring until smooth. Add mix to boiling water. Boil until smooth and thick. Add drops of food color until you reach the desired shade. You can use Penne noodles or macaroni for jewelry if you use your batch of paint to paint the pasta different colors. Make sure your new jewelry is dried before you wear it or the kids my look like they just climbed out of a scene from Nightmare on Elm Street.
Bath Crayons
Clean up can be colorful and fun if you want to take the time to make up some colored bath crayons. You’ll want to make these a couple of days before you plan to use them to let them harden
1 cup grated soap (Ivory or Dove works great)
3 tablespoons water
Food coloring
Scented oils (optional)
Enlist the help of older kids to grate up bars of soap. Mix the grate soap with warm water and add food coloring and scented oils. Continue to mix the soap until it begins to harden and then shape. You can use ice cube trays, Dixie cups or empty film canisters as molds; you can get candy molds from your craft supply store, and press the soap into the molds.
Colder weather doesn’t have to be dull and boring, and with the right tools you can inspire a whole lot of fun creativity without breaking the bank. Your kitchen may have to endure some abuse, but at least for the time being your ceiling fan and furniture may get a break.