Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Halifax, NS

A rainy day does not mean you and the children have to stay inside. There are many opportunities to play outside even on wet, cooler days. Seize the day, learn more about nature, experience the outdoors when it rains, get wet and dirty. It is a whole new world out there when it rains. The earth changes colour, it smells different, looks different and feels different. Try to share that with your kids.

Some facts about nature in rain to share with your curious preschooler. Bees cannot fly in the rain, neither can most flying insects. Earthworms come to the surface once the dirt is saturated. Birds do not like to fly when it is raining, they like to find shelter instead. Rain provides a an excellent opportunity to explore science and the natural world with your children.

What kind of activities can you do with your children out in the rain? Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Take a wet, rainy walk - Make sure to take a few umbrellas, they are always fun!
• Jump in the puddles - Make a splash with your rubber boots!
• Let pots fill up with rain water and float things in it.
• Take some animals, dinosaurs and other toys out to get wet along with you. The animals can gather at the watering hole, discuss the importance of water for the survival of animals. Let the animals go swimming!
• Make roads in the mud with your diggers for your cars.
• Do some digging. Find a safe spot to dig some holes.
• Make a mud stew, add leaves, twigs and other bits of nature for flavour.
• Leaves and twigs float, yet rocks sink. What else can you find that floats and sinks?
• Measure it and pour it. Have a plastic container to catch the rainfall, then measure how much you had. You can compare it to a weather website. You can pour the rain water, in different containers, add mud see what happens.

Remember to come in before your children catch a chill. Being wet they will get cold faster. Once inside take a nice warm bubble bath, or change into clean, dry clothes, snuggle up and read some rainy day stories. Make sure to have a cup of tea for yourself too and take away the chills.