Parenting Club

9 - 18 Months: Rainy Day Play

It may be bucketing down outside but there’s no end to the (not always dry) fun to be had indoors

Play silly games
Squish some playdough
Chalk up a masterpiece
Sing songs
Make a splash
Blow bubbles
Tell tales
Tidy up time

Between nine months and two years, your baby starts walking and talking — and turning into a little ball of energy. Which is great when the weather’s good and you can zoom around outside, but does rather fill your heart with horror when it starts to rain. No need to panic, though: we’ve loads of ideas to keep your toddler tornado busy without leaving the house.

Play silly games

Burn off some energy with a spot of all-action play — the noisier and sillier the better. Crawl in and out of the table legs. Try peekaboo and (simple) hide and seek. Get the saucepans and wooden spoons out of the kitchen cupboards and make an impromptu percussion band.

Squish some playdough

Stretchy, squishy playdough is brilliant for encouraging dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination. Toddlers can have fun with pressing out shapes out of it with cutters; younger babies will love rolling it, squeezing it, bashing it flat and making marks on it with a plastic fork.

Chalk up a masterpiece

Even a nine-month-old should be able to wrap his fist around a stick of chalk. Buy some large pieces of black paper: he’ll love using sweeping arm movements to make big, chalky squiggles.

Sing songs

Experts agree that singing is one of the best ways to help your child learn to talk: songs mimic the rhythm of speech and reinforce learning through repetition. Get him stomping around the room to The Grand Old Duke of York.

Make a splash

Put a bowl of water on the table or floor (you’d be wise to lay down some old towels first!). Drop in a few plastic boats, little cups, jugs and rubber ducks and let your child float, pour and splash away. (Remember, never leave your child unattended near water.)

Blow bubbles

There’s just something about bubbles that fascinates all kids. Blow them at first for him, so he can stare and poke and pop, but then encourage him to copy you and have a go — although you’ll probably still have to hold the wand.

Tell tales

By his first birthday, your child will probably have enough concentration to sit and listen to a simple story. Choose books with bright pictures and encourage him to point or make sounds by asking questions, such as, ‘Where’s the dog?’

Tidy-up time

Getting your child to help sort his toys into the right boxes teaches vital reasoning and decision-making skills. And makes life easier for you into the bargain!

AND WHEN THE SUN SHINES...

  • Head for the park with a big, bouncy ball.
  • Get down the pit – the sandpit, that is!
  • Feed the ducks or go squirrel-spotting.
  • Put on your wellies and splash in puddles.
  • Zoom down the slides in the playground.
  • Get out the hose and water the garden together.
  • Hop over or walk along a skipping rope on the ground.
  • Take teddy for a walk in a child-size buggy.
  • Go on a nature trail, collecting sticks and conkers.