Rainy Day Learning Ideas

Our homeschool days are full of activity. If you were standing outside of our house, you would see folks coming and going. I schedule our school days so the children aren’t sitting endlessly at the table in front of books. Instead, I want them to learn to appreciate nature up close. We are known to school outside under our big pine trees while the little ones swing, or in the backyard beside our lake as the geese go about their own day. It’s beautiful and calming. There is lots of room for wiggling and running for my smaller children.

Even when the sun doesn’t come out, we don’t allow the rain to chase away the beauty and excitement of homeschooling. There are many special opportunities to learn even when the weather calls for rain or when it’s just too cold to be outside. The following are learning ideas for little ones when you need to stay indoors.

Homeschool in a Tent

A simple sheet thrown over a table with a blanket and pillows on the floor make a fun place to work on school assignments on dreary days.

Become a Weather Watcher

Track the weather, learn about clouds, weather maps, or make a rain gauge. This is also a perfect time to start a nature journal.

Share a Special Book

Is there a book you’ve wanted to read with your children, but time has not allowed? Those days of inclement weather provide a perfect opportunity to snuggle up with a good book!

Create an Art Project

A fun project for little ones is making rain prints. Older children might enjoy learning about a new artist, or trying a new drawing technique of their own.

Practice Cooking Skills

You Tube and Food Network are a full cooking class by themselves! Whether you want to learn simple culinary skills, or master something more complicated, you are bound to find a video.

Explore Classical Music

Listen to a new piece of music, or enjoy a family favorite. Study a new composer and learn more about his life and inspiration.

Visit an Area Museum Or Library

Many cities have a variety of museums. Rainy days make a perfect time to walk the halls of local attractions or further develop library skills.

Watch a Documentary or a Movie Based on History

Several television services available are full of learning resources. Netflix and YouTube offer many documentaries and historical movies. You can search your favorite website for these services and create a playlist to use especially on these days when plans change and you are forced to stay indoors.

Rainy days don’t have to be dreary and depressing. They can be full of rich learning experiences, especially when homeschooling allows for such flexibility.

How about your family? Do you have a favorite way to spend days when you have to stay in all day?