Kalei Munsell 
With all the beauties and bonuses of Autumn, there are also a few downfalls. For those of you with kids who do nothing but sit in front of the TV and/or computer on rainy fall days, you know what I mean! Although it may be tempting to let them spend their time on gadgets (and less work for you), it’s unhealthy! All you need are a few good ideas that motivate you to get your crazy tots up and moving on these cold, emotion-draining days.
Of course the classic board game is an easy way to have family time, so throw in a twist and include prizes! Winner gets to pick a piece of candy or choose a sticker each game. This is an easy motivator for younger kids, and a great way to spend time with the kids! They’ll love the competition and the reward! Playing on the floor is another fun way to shake things up, it’s a little more casual than gathering around the table.
Doodling is a great way to pass time for the younger kids! Get them a cute desk or desk/organizer for their room, it’ll motivate them to get their creativity flowing. Suggest making a card for an upcoming holiday/birthday, or have a drawing competition! This is a great way to keep the kids away from electronics while still having fun, and a bonus — the desk doubles as a good work and study area for school work!
Have a scavenger hunt in your house! Hiding a set of colored pencils around the house, or looking for a list of described objects will get them involved and competitive. They’ll love to help you find the missing or named objects, and it’s also a great family bonding activity!
For an educational game that they’ll be begging to play, try creating an edible bridge. We found the idea here (family education), and love that it gives them the chance to learn basic engineering with candy and toothpicks.
Family movie night is a cute way to get the “going out” feeling at home. Be a little rebellious and allow popcorn on the carpet just this one time, and the kids will feel like they’re in the theater! Rent a new movie they’ve been dying to see and you’ll all be occupied for the next couple hours!
Who says building blanket forts is just for kids? Jump in on the fun and create the biggest fort your kids can imagine! They’ll have a blast building (and destroying) it with you, and it’ll give you a fun hide-out to read in, flashlights and all!
Whip out the pots, pans, and gloves, and bake away! Kids like making baked goods with you, and they especially love eating them afterwards! This delicious treat benefits the whole family and it’s a fun, interactive alternative to playing video games. Just blast some of their favorite songs while you work your magic in the kitchen!
What’s your favorite way to spend a rainy day indoors?