Over the radio the other day, I heard that PUB has just released a flash flood alert. That made me think of what we, as parents, can do when we are stuck indoors with our kids. For such cases, it is best that we have already some ideas to keep them occupied before we hear things like:

“I’m bored!!!”
“Daaaaaaad!”
“There’s nothing to do!”
“Muuuuuum!!!”

So here is something you can prepare beforehand so that you do not have to crack your brains to think of things to do with your kids on rainy days. My kids love craft work so this is what I would prepare.

Creating a Grab Box
Planning for rainy day craft activities doesn’t have to be complicated or even expensive. You have a few options to create a crafty storage area.

To create a craft box, you can simple use a cardboard box with a lid and write ‘Craft Box’ on the top and filled it with goodies which your children will like. If you prefer something more fancy, you can add some feathers, rocks, buttons and even painted pictures on it. It all depends on what amount of effort and time you want to put into it. After all, it’s not the box but what’s inside that counts.

Personally, I like to use plastic tackle boxes as they are great for holding small stuff like googley eyes, rhinestones, buttons or pieces of glass. The larger compartment can hold a glue gun and large pieces of felt and any other crafty items. You can also purchase any size plastic tub to use for a craft box—in fact some empty tubs are made for just such a purpose. They come with drawers and trays with lots of compartments to store your items.

Fill’er Up With Goodies
There are some essentials you’ll want for your rainy day craft box. Of course those items will include glue, glue sticks, paper, scissors, crayons, markers and even perhaps some water-based paints.

Children can do the most creative things with the most innocuous items and you can help them make things on the cheap. Recycled materials are great to have (however don’t keep too much of such stuff around your home or else your wife will get very upset). Having fun doesn’t have to be expensive!

NOTE: If you have young children, make sure that you keep the small craft items out of reach so they do not pose any choking hazard.

What I like to do is pick up things which are about to be thrown away. For example, I like to strip away leather pieces, buckles and zips when my wife throws away her unwanted bags and other barang-barang. Even old socks, the ones that your children have outgrown or the ones where your toes are poking out of can be used… for example making a sock puppet (of course, make sure they are washed beforehand).

Children love buttons, small pieces of colored glass and fancy paper. You can easily pick them up from Art shops in Bras Brasah or Spotlight.

With such a grab box at home, you can be sure that your kids and you will have lots of fun coming up with exciting craft projects.