Rainy Day Fun: Tips to Keep Kids Busy

Not all museums center on art. History museums, science museums, children's museums, and those focused on other cultures all offer you something wonderful.

History museums are less likely to be great entertainment for the very young since they have not yet developed a sense of the past; however, older kids will have great fun seeing how people just like them lived 200, 100, even 30 years ago. It's best to spark their imaginations by relating museum displays to real life people. "Many years ago, children your age had to do their homework by candlelight. They didn't have electricity to light lamps, they used oil." Keep it simple and those gentle lessons will be learned because it's just too much fun imagining the way things used to be. When you get home, organize some activities that relate to a specific time period. How about a 1960s day where you make a tie-dye and listen to the Beatles?

Cultural centers are also an excellent entertainment possibility. For example, if you have a Chinese Cultural center nearby, immerse yourself in that culture for the day: eat Chinese food, go to the center, and find some Chinese music to enjoy. All ages will have fun with this idea. Learn how to say "hello," "I love you," "thank you," and "good-bye" in a different language. Learn an age-appropriate game from another culture. The possibilities are endless.

Almost all children can enjoy science and natural science museums. Little ones will be fascinated with many displays, which tend to show how things are put together, how they work. Cause and effect are fairly consistent lessons in many science museums, and they are the lessons young children just love to learn. Are your kids dino-nuts? Want to learn about the weather? Perhaps they are fascinated with cars, planes, and trains. Many science-oriented museums have discovery rooms where kids get hands-on experience.