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With storms covering most of the country this week I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of our favorite rainy day activities. I know I love a good movie on a rainy day, but with days of rain in the forecast that’s not in the budget every day (even if you go to free or cheap movies!). Below you’ll find some fun and frugal rainy day activities that will keep everyone occupied.
Summer Family Fun: Frugal & Fun Activities for Rainy Days
Curl Up and Read
If you haven’t made your way to your local library this summer a rainy day is the perfect day to make a visit. You can sign up for your library’s free summer reading program and check out dozens of books. Spending a few hours reading in the library is also a great way to pass a rainy day whether your kids are bookworms or just learning to read. If you already have books on hand declare it’s “Book Day,” and help everyone create a cozy spot for reading.
Tip: Be sure to bring a big canvas bag for all the books your kids (and you!) will want to bring home!
Museum Free Days
Check out the museums in your local town or city and see if they offer discounts or free times on certain days of the week. You’re bound to have a rain day that matches up to that day at least once this summer. You’ll get to check out some new places without spending much (if anything) and it will give everyone something to look forward to on a rainy afternoon.
Tip: Be sure to check out nearby cities and towns, too. It may be worth the 2 hour drive to dicsover a new place to visit.
Membership Matters
Use your memberships to their fullest on rain days. If you aren’t already a member of nearby museums consider purchasing a membership for the summer months. You may find it pays for itself pretty quickly! For instance, the natural history museum is the perfect place to visit on a rainy day. Kids can spend hours learning about dinosaurs or other creatures while you get out of the house.
Tip: Look for reciprocal memberships so you can stretch your membership dollars even further!
Host a Playdate
Let’s face it your kids aren’t the only ones who are bummed the pool is closed. So why not invite a few friends over to play? You can have a themed playdate or just keep it simple. While hosting a gaggle of kids may seem like it would be tough many times kids end up happily playing for hours with friends even if they may not do so with their siblings. 
Tip: Themed playdates give the kids something to keep them busy and don’t have to be complicated. A rainbow theme could include rainbow loom crafts, making rainbow cookies with edible food markers and sugar cookies, and maybe even a little rainbow storytime reading with Wizard of Oz.
Get Crafty With It
While not everyone is a fan of the mess of glitter or sticky glue on their kitchen table there are lots of craft ideas that are simple, cheap or free, and will keep the kids occupied for hours. Try painting with water on construction paper; making beds for dolls or even a playhouse out of cardboard, paper, and fabric (use old clothes that don’t fit), and allowing the kids to decorate it any way they choose; or even simply letting them draw roads and houses onto a giant piece of wood or cardboard.
Tip: Look for items around the house the kids can use to craft. Make a pile of stuff the kids can use and let them go at it. If you don’t want a mess in the house set them up in the basement, their room or even the garage for easier cleanup.
What do you do on rainy days?
Kelly
My kids love curling up with books, and making forts, not to mention combining both!
Good list - we might add “build a blanket fort”