5 games for rainy days with children from 18 months old

A long walk in the woods and then a trip to the playground – your plans for the weekend with your little explorer were already set. If only the weather wouldn't spoil everything: it's pouring rain and there's no end in sight. To prevent horror scenarios of an unexercised child and annoyed parents from becoming reality, we've put together 5 games for rainy days that are suitable for toddlers from 18 months old. And the best part: everything you need is probably already at home!

Make and test noise-making toys

In a noisy apartment with sensitive neighbors, this might not be the right activity ;), but aside from that, (homemade) instruments are a great activity on bad weather days. The different sounds will not only provide your baby with lots of fun but also introduce it to rhythms and tones. In this way, it is playfully introduced to music and supported in its overall development. You can, for example, rhythmically accompany your little explorer with spoken verses. This trains its sense of language and supports its linguistic development Children find it very difficult at first to hold an instrument in their hands and to use it not at all or only in a controlled manner. You can also practice the transition between playing and staying still very well.

You can easily make these "noise makers" from household items:

• One Honk from a toilet paper roll and a piece of parchment paper that you stretch over one end of the roll with a rubber

• A Drums from various upside-down bowls and a wooden spoon

• Sound sticks from two wooden cooking spoons

• A Rainmaker from a kitchen paper roll, into which you stick nails all around from the outside. They should be short enough that they do not protrude on the other side. To prevent your child from pulling out the nails and injuring themselves, it is best to wrap the tube with adhesive tape and not leave it unattended during play. Close one end of the roll by folding some paper over it and securing it with adhesive tape. Then fill the tube with rice, lentils, or something similar, and close the other end in the same way. When you then slowly let the filling trickle through the tube, it almost sounds like it’s raining in your apartment.

• Rattles from securely sealable containers, into which you fill rice, lentils, or similar (Tip: Try with your child to see how different fillings sound)

• Castanets from a cardboard strip and two bottle caps: Fold the cardboard in the middle and glue the bottle caps inside each so that they can hit each other.

Get creative with the LILLYDOO box

When you disassemble your LILLYDOO monthly box, the white interior with the dandelions becomes a giant coloring book. Just add a few wax crayons and your little one can unleash their artistic talents. Maybe you can also come up with more ideas on how to reuse our cardboard. Inspiration can be found in our magazine article "". For example, how about a homemade tipi where you can have the most exciting adventures in the living room even in bad weather? Or you can build a wonderful knight's castle or a princess castle together – the video shows you how to do it.

Make your own dough and knead it

Even young children can spend hours with modeling clay: shaping, rolling out, cutting out, or making "spaghetti" with a garlic press… However, store-bought modeling clay often contains unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients. You can also easily make the colorful mass yourself using common household ingredients.

You need this:

• 500 grams of flour

• 175 grams of salt

• 3 tablespoons of citric acid in powder form

• 7 tablespoons of cooking oil (for example, sunflower or rapeseed oil)

• 500 milliliters of boiling water

• Liquid food coloring

Here's how to proceed:

Mix the dry ingredients together and add the cooking oil. Then gradually pour in the boiling water and knead (preferably with an electric mixer so you don't burn your fingers) until a smooth dough forms. Divide this into as many parts as you have food coloring shades. Add the respective color and knead the dough pieces to distribute the color evenly. Your safe, child-friendly play dough is ready (but your child shouldn't eat it due to the high salt content)!

To ensure your child enjoys it for as long as possible, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This way, the play dough stays soft for several months and the oil doesn't go rancid as quickly.

Set up a barefoot course in the apartment

Create your own barefoot adventure trail using objects with different textures. Your imagination knows no limits: from a fluffy bath mat, to a bowl of marbles, to a water basin — your little explorer will have lots of fun exploring the various surfaces with their feet. In addition, walking barefoot strengthens their foot muscles and trains their sensory skills. You can't just go for a walk in the forest. ;)

Organize a treasure hunt in the apartment

Who says treasures are always hidden on deserted pirate islands? Conduct your own little treasure hunt in your home! Maybe you'll have to cross a rushing river of water buckets or find safety from a dangerous house tiger along the way…

You probably know best which type of trophy your child is most likely to be excited about. A sweet treat, a small book, or a little toy are good options, for example. For very young treasure hunters, it’s best not to hide the treasure too deep in the living room jungle, as they will also need your support during the search.

We hope these game ideas have given you some inspiration for the next bad weather day. Make yourself comfortable with your child and get creative together with the items you already have at home. And surely the sun will be shining again soon! :)