15 ideas to keep the kids busy when it rains

Rain outside is a classic. But being stuck inside with energetic kids is a real challenge for any dad. Fortunately, there are tons of activities to turn a gray day into unforgettable memories. Whether you're a solo dad, stepdad or just the cool uncle, these ideas will save the day. According to Statistics Canada, families spend an average of 4 days a month indoors because of the weather. We might as well make those days fun and rewarding! Here are 15 tried-and-tested ideas to keep the kids busy when it rains, without losing your mind (or ruining your living room).

Turn your living room into a mysterious island! Prepare clues, hide little treasures (sweets, toys, Pokémon cards) and let the kids set off on their adventure. It's the perfect way to stimulate their imagination and sense of observation. According to a study by the Université de Montréal, treasure hunts improve problem-solving in children aged 5 to 12. Bonus: you can adapt the difficulty according to age.

Why not take advantage of the rain to introduce children to a new language? With Lingopie, they can discover English, Spanish or even Japanese through age-appropriate cartoons and series. Learning through entertainment has been proven: children retain 30% more vocabulary while having fun than with conventional methods.

There's nothing like a good old-fashioned tree house to occupy a rainy afternoon. Use chairs, cushions and sheets to create a secret hideaway. Children love to take refuge there to read, play or snack. According to a Parents Canada survey, 78% of children prefer indoor construction games when it's raining.

Get the kids involved in preparing a homemade snack: muffins, cookies or personalized pizzas. It's an opportunity to teach them how to measure, mix and taste. According to Health Canada, cooking as a family promotes better eating habits and develops fine motor skills in young children.

Pull out a few cards, a coin and teach them some simple magic tricks. Kids love to impress those around them! Magic stimulates memory and self-confidence. According to a British study, 65% of children who practice magic become more fluent in spoken language.

Set up some cushions, make some popcorn and choose a family movie. To take it a step further, have them make their own short film using your phone. According to Netflix Canada, 60% of families organize at least one home movie night a month. Great atmosphere guaranteed!

Bring out the classics: Uno, Monopoly, or discover new age-appropriate board games. Organize a mini-tournament with small prizes at stake. Board games develop logic, patience and team spirit. According to the Canadian Game Association, they reduce stress in 70% of children.

With Mondly, kids discover new languages through interactive games and fun quizzes. It's the perfect way to occupy an afternoon while boosting their brains. Studies show that early learning of a foreign language improves concentration and memory by 40% in children.

Get out the glue, scissors and toilet paper rolls and let their creativity flow! Make puppets, paper airplanes or decorations for their room. Handicrafts develop fine motor skills and patience. According to the Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec, these activities are essential to children's development.

Turn your kitchen into a laboratory! Vinegar + bicarbonate = miniature volcano, or try your hand at magic milk. Scientific experiments awaken curiosity and critical thinking. According to Science pour tous, 85% of children who experiment at home are more interested in science at school.

Make puppets out of socks or paper, then invent a story to perform in front of the whole family. Puppet theater stimulates imagination and oral expression. According to UNESCO, theatrical play improves self-confidence in 72% of children.

It's possible to get moving even when it's raining! Play a playlist and improvise a child-friendly dance or yoga session. These activities reduce stress and improve coordination. According to Yoga Canada, 1 in 3 children are physically active indoors on rainy days.

Sit down with the kids and listen together to age-appropriate audio stories or podcasts. It's perfect for developing active listening and imagination. According to Audible, 55% of Québécois families listen to audio books at least once a week.

Get out your phone, a few funny accessories (glasses, hats, moustaches) and organize a home photo shoot. Kids love to pose and invent characters. According to a study by Canon Canada, 68% of children find that photography stimulates their creativity.

With Lingopie, children watch educational cartoons while learning a new language. It's fun, interactive and the perfect way to occupy a rainy afternoon. Experts claim that audio-visual learning increases memory retention by 50% in children.