I'm not complaining about the weather here, I'll take this over the long Minnesota winter we just left behind, but I'm uncertain about what to do with my almost three year old on rainy days. I took him to The Jungle and will again I guess, but I wasn't that big of a fan. I didn't think it was that clean and the toddler area wasn't entertaining enough and the bigger kid area was a little too much for my son. We live near Westgate and in a pinch we will wander over there, but short of Barnes and Noble and a bunch of overpriced little rides there isn't much to do there either. The libraries open a little late to be a morning activity and I'm not really keen on driving to a different mall further away.
Are there open gyms for toddlers in churches during the week? Other inexpensive or free indoor activities? I dread the thought of an entire week in the house with Thomas and Calliou...
Thanks for the responses. I loved the cutout alien idea. Given the amount of time the weather is inhospitable in MN, I'm used to figuring out how to entertain indoors. I hope I gave no one the idea I would just plop him in front of the TV all day. Still, he just has a ridiculous amount of energy and I'm used to a state which really caters to indoor activities out of necessity. It's funny, I've always wanted to buy the cute raingear for kids (and adults) but have never been able to justify it in the Midwest. Guess I'm getting rain boots with rubber duckies on them! Thanks again.
i love the suggestions so far. we play and play and play. i don't get anything done around the house but my kids are so so happy, 2 and 3 yr old. i understand wanting to get out of the house though. we recently tried the bounce houses at oakridge mall. both LOVED it. welcome to san jose!
Couple of things you can try, mostly of them, at home --
1. Make a band -- use pots and pans -- need to be able to stand the noise.
2. Large box from an appliance store -- can be made into anything -- help your child cut out doors and windows -- call the store in the morning or night before and see if they have any you may have.
3. make an alien -- need large paper/ tape together some opened up brown paper bags -- have your child lie on the large paper and trace his shape, then he can color/paint it any way he/she wants and it is his alien.
4. Play dough -- I basically save this for rainy days, so my kids look forward to it.
5. Put on the rain gear (if it isn't too cold) and go to the park to jump in puddles. It always helped me keep my kids out of the puddles on the way to church and school, because I gave them time to jump in the puddles. Then we would come home and take a bubble bath and play with bath toys. I can easily burn a couple hours in a long day.
6. McDonald's playland
7. bowling w/ bumpers but 3 might still be young for this
8. Finger painting -- I loved this as a kid, my daughter liked it, my son -- not so much. But it is worth a try.
9. Fort building with sofa cushions and sheets -- I have a four post bed, and I'll tie a rope and hang curtains, then we'll have picnic inside, then learn to use the washing machine! This usually leads to matching socks, which little kids can actually find fun -- go figure.
10. Read a book, recently, we did Harold and the Purple Crayon, and then let your child draw pictures and tell you the story, my 5 year old just did this -- this might be too old.
11, Bake cookies/ biscuits -- anything that can be rolled and cut -- they love that part, even if you have to throw some of it away, and just eat the one you actually make. They still have fun.
Well that is all the idea I can come up with right now. I have to take my 11 year old to school -- I wish she was 3 and I could spend the day doing these things with her. It goes too fast.
Have fun!
If it's warm enough and there's no thunder and lightning, get out the rain coats and rain boots and go splash in puddles. My son adored this when he was 3!
Get your rainboots and your umbrella out and go jump in some puddles! Make some cookies. Do a craft. Put your swim suits on and take a shower outside. Be crazy!
Talk about rain and what makes it happen. Get some books about rainy days.
Make a rainy day soup from scratch - let your little one help.
The list of possibilities is endless!
LBC
Rainy days are the perfect time to make a bed sheet fort. :)
Hello, welcome in West San Jose! We also live near the West Gate Mall and here are some of our favorite indoor activities some of which you have already mentioned - story time at both the West Valley and the Saratoga Library, Westgate Mall and running around, I don't like the Jungle either but if you don't mind the drive once check out the Palo Alto Junior Museum (it's free) or the San Jose Children's Museum (you might want to consider a membership, it is really fabulous!) Oh, and when the weather clears up, don't forgot to check out Happy Hollow!! Perfect to get started there at that age. Our favorite spot when my kids were younger and it is completely renovated.
Have you thought about joining a Las Madres Group in your area? You will meet parents with kids of the same age and in this weather might have the possibility for private play dates at home.
One last thing: please check out the Southwest YMCA:
http://www.ymcasv.org/southwest
It is close, it is wonderful, it is full of great people. They offer free childcare twice a day, and whether you work out or sit in the lobby to read a book, is up to you. The group exercise schedule is awesome, for example, and you would meet so many terrific people while your child is entertained in the wonderful KidsCorner. We love it!! Check it out and get a free tour today :-) You would get a trial pass for a few days to check it out for no cost.
I agree with the others - get out in the rain and let him explore some nature :-) The kids don't mind the rain and it is really a phenomenon these days.
Have fun!
We put on our rain gear and go play outside.
This is not the normal weather pattern for San Jose. Get out a Bay Area guide and go places with them. There are nearby beaches, cute little towns everywhere. Call Welcome Wagon and see what they can tell you about San Jose.
Children's Discovery Museum in Downtown San Jose is affordable, indoors, and can fill up an entire day for several days in a row. Get an annual family pass. It makes for a great place to go in the heat of the summer too, especially if you're house doesn't have AC!.
When it's raining and it has been (daily), I take my toddler to Walgreen's to walk around, the grocery store (he walks or pushes the cart), Rite Aid , Longs Drugs etc. They tire him out and I get to pick up a few drugstore items. We always end up in the toy aisle so he can look at toys. I don't even have to buy anything. Sometimes I will buy him a 79cent Matchbox car or a $1 toy. I don't feel that's too much to spend. Oh and play dates at the house so they can run their little buts off chasing a ball or something. Our mall no longer has little kiddie play areas but if I let him walk next to me he gets tired for nap time. :)
