Dirty! When it rains, make a mud pie. I have three boys and I always say, ‘if they ain’t dirty, they ain’t having fun.’ Letting your child get dirty and play in the mud is quintessential to rainy season play. There are many options; make mud pies, paint with mud, make muddy footprints, etc. And, of course, don’t forget the best part about rainy days… jumping in the muddy mud, or riding through them on a scooter or bike!
STEM it up. As you walk, look around for things to make into a boat. Sticks, leaves, pinecones are all good choices. If you want to do a little planning, you can also have some other materials, such as recycled plastic containers, tinfoil, foam, or wood. Once the boats are built, you can run the water run-off on the street. You can also add a little engineering by playing “Will it float?” game. Another fun game is collecting rainwater in different types of containers.
Make rain art! Making rain art is very simple but really cool. All you need is a paper towel and some markers. Have your little drawing done with markers on the paper towel inside. Then you can take them outside, let them get wet, and watch the art transform before your eyes.
For more opportunities and ideas, check out our short list of outdoor playspaces, exercise classes to do with baby in tow, and outdoor preschools around the Portland area.
Outdoor Fun:
Guided walks on Tryon Creek
Gabriel Park
Macleay Park
Marshall Park Playground
Irvington Elementary School playground
George Rogers Playground and River Access
Hike It Baby
Fit4Mom
Outdoor preschools:
Ballyntyne Learning Farm
Multnomah Playschool
Lavender Farm Preschool
PDX Outdoor Forest Preschool
Willow Creek Forest School
Krystle Gard is a Certified Postpartum Doula, rocking it as a mother of three boys on Portland’s West side. When she’s not supporting other parents through the transition of raising their families, you can find her teaching, trying out new and healthy creations in the kitchen, or going out with her husband and kids.
