Nowđ„Hereâs whatâs happening this weekend in OC!
Imaginology Apr 13-14 @oc_fair
This event is one of the best of its kind with a focus on STEAM education. For one weekend only participate in activities, watch demonstrations and let the kids immerse themselves in the wonderful world of STEAM
Race On The Base, Sat, Apr 13 @raceonthebase
The ever-popular UWS Race on the Base Reverse Sprint Triathlon and 5K Walk/Run is here!
GardenFest Sat, Apr 13
San Clementeâs Biggest, Best Plant Sale and Garden/Household Goods Flea Market. Waterwise Plants, California Native Plants, Succulents, Cactus, Perennials, Annuals, Herbs, as well as an assortment of other types of plants. 8am-2pm at the San Clemente Community Center.
Sake Festival, Sun, Apr 14 @gokumius
More than 40 craft sakes available for tasting and izakaya style appetizer buffets at Gokumi Ramen & Yakitori with 2 time frames available. 1-3pm or 5-8pm. Tickets are $50/ Each. Must be 21+ to attend.
Paws In The Park, Sat, Apr 13
There will be plenty to bark about at this event featuring pet-related vendors, rescue groups, DJ and games, crafts, activities and more. 10am-12:30pm On The Town Green In Ladera Ranch.
Springtime in Paris Boutique, Sat, Apr 13
Immerse yourself in the allure of Parisian charm as you peruse hand-sculpted treasures crafted by our talented local artisans and crafters. Featuring over 50+ vendors, our boutique offers an array of quirky and irresistible gifts. 8am-4pm at the Norman P Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo
Are you thinking about making a move? If so, now may be the perfect time to start the process. Thatâs because experts say the best week to list your house is just around the corner.
A recent Realtor.com study looked at housing market trends over the past several years (with the exception of 2020, since it was an unusual year), and found the best week to put your house on the market this year is April 14-20:
âEvery year, one week stands out from the rest as that perfect stretch of time when itâs great to be a home seller. This year, the week of April 14â20 is the best time to sellâthat is, if sellers want to see lots of interest in their homes, sell quickly, and pocket some extra cash, according to Realtor.comÂź data.â
Hereâs why this matters for you. While the spring market is a great time to sell no matter the week, this may be the peak sweet spot. And if youâve been putting your plans on the back burner and waiting for the right time to act, this could be the nudge you need to make your move happen. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com explains:
âThe third week of April brings the best combination of housing market factors for sellers. The best week offers higher buyer demand, lower competition [from other sellers], and fewer price reductions than the typical week of the year.â
But, if you want to get in on the action, youâll need to move quickly and lean on the pros. Your local real estate agent is the perfect go-to when it comes to figuring out a plan to prep your house and get it on the market.
Theyâll be able to offer advice to balance your target listing date with what you need to do from a repair and renovation standpoint. And they can walk you through exactly how to prioritize your list so you know what to tackle first.
For example, if your house is already in good shape, youâll be able to really focus in on the smaller things that are easy to do and make a big impact. As an article from Investopedia says:
âYou wonât have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.â
Here are some specific examples from that article:
Â
Just remember, even if youâre not ready to list within the next couple of weeks, thatâs okay. The window of opportunity doesnât close when this week ends. Spring is the peak homebuying season and itâs still a sellerâs market, so youâll be in the driverâs seat all season long.
Bottom Line
Ready to get the ball rolling? Connect with a real estate agent to schedule a time to go over your next steps.
Buying a home this spring? Youâre probably navigating todayâs affordability challenges and dealing with the limited number of homes for sale. But, what if there was a solution that could help with both?
If youâre having a hard time finding a home you love, and mortgage rates are putting pressure on your budget, it may be time to look at newly built homes. Hereâs why.
New Home Construction Is an Inventory Bright Spot
When looking for a home, you can choose between existing homes (those that are already built and previously owned) and newly constructed ones. While the number of existing homes for sale has increased this year, there are still fewer available than there were in more typical years in the housing market, like back in 2018 or 2019.
So, if youâre looking to expand your pool of options even more, turning to newly built homes can help. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:
âThe shortage of existing homes For Sale has opened up the possibility of new-home construction to more buyers who may not have once considered it.â
And the good news is, there are more newly built homes to pick from right now. The graphs below use data from the Census to show how new home construction is ramping up in two key areas (see most recent spike in green):
Starts, or homes where builders just broke ground, have seen a big increase lately. And completions, homes that builders just finished, are also up significantly. So, if you want a new, move-in ready home or you want to get in early and customize your build along the way, you have more options right now.
Builders Are Offering Incentives To Help with Affordability
And to sweeten the pot, builders are offering things like mortgage rate buy-downs and other perks for homebuyers right now. This can help offset todayâs affordability challenges while also getting you into your dream home. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains why you may find builders have more wiggle room to offer more for you than the typical homeowner:
âBuilders arenât rate locked-in. They would love to sell you the home because theyâre not living in it. It costs money not to sell the home. And many of the public home builders have said in their earnings calls that they are not going to be pulling back on incentives, especially the mortgage rate buydown, so that will help the new-home market continue to perform well in the spring home-buying season.â
An article from HousingWire also says this about what builders are offering right now:
 â. . . the use of sales incentives still shows some momentum as 60% of respondents reported using them, up from 58% in February. â
Just remember, buying from a builder is different from buying from a home seller, so itâs important to partner with a local real estate agent. Builder contracts can be complex. A trusted agent will be your advocate throughout the process.
Theyâll be your go-to resource for advice on construction quality and builder reputation, reviewing and negotiating contracts to get you the best deal, helping you decide on which customizations and upgrades are most worthwhile, and a whole lot more.
Bottom Line
If youâre struggling to find a home to buy, or with todayâs affordability challenges, connect with CA Real Estate Group to see if newly built homes could be the solution youâre looking for.
Try these silly easy April Foolsâ pranks for the family! This post is full of April Foolsâ ideas that bring on the laughs!Â
Do you like playing harmless and silly April Foolsâ Day pranks on your family?
I personally think itâs fun to become a little bit of a prankster once in a while to lighten the mood and make my kids laugh. Here are a few funny and easy April Foolsâ pranks for the family. These clever ideas sure to bring some giggles â even year-round when they least expect it! Ha Ha!
Try these easy April Foolsâ pranks for the family:
1. âIce Creamâ Sundaes that are savory, not sweet.
This is one of the best April Foolsâ pranks for the family! Use an ice cream scooper to serve up these âice creamâ sundaes that are actually made from mashed potatoes and gravy. Donât they look so realistic?
Collin actually played this prank on her daughter, Piper, a few years back. Check out this April Fools FAIL video as things didnât go as planned.Â
2. Bug on a Lampshade is sure to create some jump scares!
Tape a plastic bug (find plastic spiders at your local dollar store or on Amazon.com!) on the inside of a lampshade and then ask a family member to turn on the light. Yikes!
3. This Donut Box Trick is full of veggies no one expected.
This April Foolsâ prank for the family is bound to get everyone!  Grab a donut box and fill it with fresh veggies for a funny fake-out!
4. This Oreo cookie trick will result in disappointment.
Itâs a classic prank! Replace Oreo cookie filling with toothpaste! Use a butter knife to scrape off the Oreo filling and place a little white toothpaste in the middle of one side. When you put it back together, it looks exactly like a real Oreo cookie!
You could even leave some of the outer edges of the original cream filling so that from the outside, the cookie wonât look tampered with at all!
Hip Tip:Â Worried about eating toothpaste? Instead of making prank Oreos, make prank toothpaste instead. Take an old toothpaste tube and fill it up with peanut butter. When your loved one goes to brush their teeth, theyâll get a tasty surprise!
5. Thatâs not orange juice!
Do you know that orange powdered cheese packet that comes with packaged Mac and Cheese? Pour it into a pitcher, mix it with water, and it looks exactly like orange juice!Â
6. Give out some Cracker Jack carrots.Â
For a fun lunch box prank, replace a snack box like Cracker Jacks with fresh baby carrots. This trick also works well with a small bag of chips. Just remember to seal the package back up with a little double-sided tape for a more realistic effect!
7. âSpaghetti and Meatballsâ cupcakes are the perfect April Foolsâ dessert.
While itâs technically an April Foolâs prank, this easy cupcake recipe actually makes for a yummy treat amidst the joke. Plus, they look so realistic!
Hip Tip:Â Have some extra chocolate? Use it to make chocolate-covered rocks or cotton balls. Your fam will think itâs candy! Just make sure the prank recipient doesnât actually eat them!!
9. Put fake eyes on the inanimate objects in your home.
Take a page from Hip2Saveâs Liz. She gifted her nephews a pack of silly craft eyeballs. For April Foolsâ Day, the boys stuck these googly eyes on inanimate objects all over their house. The family kept finding them for weeks, so this is one April Foolsâ prank that can keeps the laughs coming!
10. Put some confetti in a vent!
You can either buy confetti or cut up some paper, stick it in someoneâs car vents, and wait for them to be covered when they turn the air on! A few of our readers did this funny prank, and the results were hilarious.
11. Place plastic wrap over your toilet bowl.
Hip2Saveâs Angie has a mom with a sense of humor! One of her easy April Foolsâ pranks for the family included placing plastic wrap over the toilet bowl. When someone has to go, hopefully they notice the clear barrier first! This prank might get a little messy  but itâs a tried a true April Foolsâ Day idea!
12. Add a special âsyrupâ to their coffee.
Angieâs daughter once pranked her on April Foolsâ Day by putting soy sauce in the coffee. Angie didnât even realize until she was in the car and sipping on her travel mug!  This idea is one of the easy April Foolsâ Day pranks for family. Itâs truly a cinch to pull off and very affordable!
13. Serve up a salty breakfast.
Start the day with a prank! For April Foolsâ breakfast, serve up a grapefruit thatâs covered in white pepper instead of sugar! Hopefully the victim doesnât feel too salty about it afterwards!
14. Perform a manicure on a heavy sleeper.
This April Foolsâ Prank was suggested by a Hip reader who tried it on her husband and we think it is too funny! If you have a very heavy sleeper in your family, surprise them on April 1st by giving them a manicure while they are sleeping. The weirder the paint job, the better!
15. Pretend you âpeedâ on the floor.
This is another reader favorite prank! Grab a bag or can of peas and place it on the bathroom floor. Shock your family when you tell them that you had an accident in the bathroom. Theyâre in for a laugh when they find out what you meant by âpeed.â
âLast year my best friend took a bag of peas from the freezer, brought it to the bathroom, set the bag on the floor, and told her parents that she had peed on the floor. her dadâs reaction was so hilarious!!!!â
16. Fake a shopping spree.
This hilarious idea came from Hip reader Tracey and we LOVE it! Save your empty Amazon packages throughout the year and âdeliverâ them to your doorstep for an unsuspecting family member to find!
âLast year I pranked my DH by saving up Amazon & Target boxes and putting them outside the front door; I even filled them with some books so they would have some weight. He was like, âumm, what did you order?!â The worried look on his face was too funny. Amazon doesnât use too many boxes these days, but itâd be easy to save up some of their shipping envelopes if you open them carefully.â
17. Star Wars fans wonât be able to get enough of this âblue milkâ!
Readerâs Digest brought up the perfect prank to get the kiddos into the April Foolâs spirit â blue milk! Simply add a few drops of blue food color to your milk carton, and you can serve up a glass of blue milk!
18. Serve up a bowl of cereal that requires a little extra work to enjoy.
Have kiddos that enjoy cereal? Good Housekeeping recommends creating some April foolâs prep a night in advance by pouring cereal and milk and adding a spoon then freezing it overnight. Your kiddos will be stumped trying to dig into this frozen bowl of cereal.Â
19. Keep the lights off.
KidsActivities.com recommends using colored tape for little ones and clear tape for older kiddos, leaving them confused about the lack of light.Â
About the writer:
Lina has a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.
This report specifically benefits our Single Women Home Buyers to provide insight into the demographics, financial profiles, home buying motivations & lending experiences of women who purchase homes on their own.
We’d be happy to walk through this report with you.
Letâs connect and plan your next steps and find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
While it may be easy to track down smells coming from your garbage can or garbage disposal, other smells require a keener nose.
In order to help you find all of the bad smells in your home, here are some common smells and where you can find the source:
Rotten Eggs
The smell of sulfur or rotten eggs is never a good sign. You either have some old eggs sitting around from a couple Easters ago, or you have a serious gas leak or electrical problem.
The two most common sources for rotten egg smell in the home are electrical components (inside of outlets for example) or a natural gas leak.
Natural gas manufacturers are required to add a chemical, called mercaptan, to their gas in order to make it easier to detect a leak. Without this additive, you wouldnât be able to see, smell, or taste natural gas (much like carbon monoxide).
If you smell rotten eggs in the home, call the gas company to make sure you donât have a gas leak.
If there is no gas leak in the home, you may have a problem with your electrical system. If you smell the rotten egg smell near an outlet, thatâs probably where it is coming from. When the plastic components behind your outlet plate burn, it can smell like rotten eggs. This smell indicates that there is a dangerous arcing situation happening within the interior of your outlet that could cause a home fire.
We recommend turning off power at the circuit breaker to cut off electricity to the room with the smelling outlet.
One other possible cause of a rotten egg smell in your home is when you run the hot water. You may experience a rotten egg smell when the hot water is running due to an old anode rod.
Anode rods in hot water heaters should be replaced every 5 years or so. Replacing your anode rod will reduce corrosion in your water heater and may even be able to double its lifespan.
Call your local plumber to find out which kind of anode you should replace your old one with.
Sewage Smell
If you smell raw sewage in your home, you may have a dried out P-trap. The P-trap is the little curved section of piping that helps create a seal from the sewer gas that lurks behind it. The only problem is that the curved âPâ section needs to be filled with water in order to create the necessary blockage.
If you havenât used one or more of your sinks in a while the water that normally creates a seal in the âPâ section has evaporated and dried out.
In order to prevent sewer gases from rising up through your pipes and into your home, itâs important to run water in all of your drains periodically. If you have a sink in your garage or another part of the home that rarely gets use, make sure you run the water in those sinks at least once a month to refresh the water in the P-trap.
If running water in your sinks doesnât solve the problems, you may have a more serious plumbing problem. Speak with a professional plumber to discuss your options.
Fish Smell
Something smells fishy⊠and itâs not fish. Well, likely not. If you smell fish with no fish in sight, you could have an overheating electrical component somewhere.
Sometimes, burning plastic, wiring, and other electrical components smell like rotten eggs or sulfur to some people. Other people notice a distinctive fishy smell. Whether you get a whiff of fish or rotten eggs, itâs important to investigate the situation. You may have a dangerous arcing situation behind one of your outlets or switches that can cause a house fire.
Again, if you can locate the electrical source of the smell and It seems to be coming from one of your outlets or switches, turn off power at the breaker box and call an electrician right away!
Stale Air
If you frequently pick up a stale smell in your home, it may be because of air leaks around the home. Recessed lights that are often connected to the attic are notoriously leaky. If you notice the stale air smell around any of your recessed lights, you will have to go into the attic to seal the air leak.
Read our Attic Insulation Guide for tips on sealing your recessed lights, flue, and other common leaky areas in your attic.
If you detect any of these odors in your home, make sure it isnât a serious electrical or natural gas problem. Sulfur, ârotten eggâ smells are a big warning sign. For help dealing with odors in your home, contact experts in plumbing, heating, cooling and/or electrical.
CA Real Estate Group works with trusted experts in all fields. Contact one of our agents for a referral anytime!
Daily beginning March 11, 2024: Mon-Fri at 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, & 2:30pm | Sat & Sun every 30 minutes between 9:30am and 2:30pm
Tanaka Farms is famous for their delicious, sweet, and juicy strawberries! Take a wagon ride around the farm. Learn about the farming methods and history of the farm from your friendly tour guide. You will see how fruits and vegetables grow! Make one stop to pick a seasonal vegetable*, and then the last stop on this tour is in the strawberry patch where you can pick and eat strawberries! Everyone will take home a one-pound basket of strawberries! After the tour, visit the Barnyard Educational Exhibit where you can meet and interact with their barnyard friends.
Debt-to-income ratio shows how your debt stacks up against your income. Lenders use DTI to assess your ability to repay a loan.
Nerdy takeaways
Debt-to-income ratio represents the percentage of your monthly income that goes to debt payments.
Lenders use DTI â along with credit history and other factors â to evaluate if a borrower can repay a loan.
Lenders have different DTI requirements. Personal loan companies may allow higher DTIs than mortgage lenders.
Debt-to-income ratio divides your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income, giving you a percentage. Hereâs what to know about DTI and how to calculate it.
How to calculate your debt-to-income ratio
To manually calculate DTI, divide your total monthly debt payments by your monthly income before taxes and deductions are taken out. Multiply that number by 100 to get your DTI expressed as a percentage.
Hereâs an example: A borrower with rent of $1,200, a car payment of $400, a minimum credit card payment of $200, and a gross monthly income of $6,000 has a debt-to-income ratio of 30%. In this example, $1,800 is the sum of all debt payments. When you divide $1,800 by $6,000 and then multiply that answer by 100, you get 30.
To get the most accurate DTI ratio, make sure to include all your debt payments and income sources.
Debt payments can include:
Rent or mortgage payments.
Auto loan payments.
Student loan payments.
Minimum credit card payments.
Personal loan payments.
Other debt payments, such as the minimum payment on a home equity line of credit.
Child support, alimony, or other court-ordered payments.
Donât include other monthly expenses, such as:
Groceries.
Gas.
Utility payments.
Phone bills.
Health insurance.
Auto insurance.
Child care payments.
Recreational spending.
Include all sources of income, such as:
Salary from full-time work.
Part-time wages.
Freelance income.
Bonuses.
Child support or alimony received.
Social security benefits.
Rental property income.
How lenders view your DTI ratio
Lenders look at debt-to-income ratios because research shows borrowers with high DTIs have more trouble making consistent payments.
Each lender sets its own DTI requirement, but not all creditors publish them. Generally, a personal loan can have a higher allowable maximum DTI than a mortgage.
You may find personal loan companies willing to lend money to consumers with debt-to-income ratios of 50% or more, and some exclude mortgage debt from the DTI calculation. Thatâs because one of the most common uses of personal loans is to consolidate credit card debt, which can help you pay off debt faster and lower your DTI.
Does your DTI affect your credit score?
Your debt-to-income ratio does not affect your credit scores; credit-reporting agencies may know your income, but they don’t include it in their calculations.
Credit utilization, or the amount of credit youâre using compared with your credit limits, does affect your credit scores. Credit reporting agencies know your available credit limits, both on individual loan accounts and in total. Most experts advise keeping the balances on your cards no higher than 30% of your credit limit, and lower is better.
How to understand DTI ratio
DTI can help you determine how to handle your debt and whether you have too much debt.
Hereâs a general breakdown:
DTI is less than 36%: Your debt is likely manageable, relative to your income. You shouldnât have trouble accessing new lines of credit.
DTI is 36% to 42%: This level of debt could cause lenders concern, and you may have trouble borrowing money. Consider paying down what you owe. You can probably take a do-it-yourself approach; two common methods are debt avalanche and debt snowball.
DTI is 43% to 50%: Paying off this level of debt may be difficult, and some creditors may decline applications for more credit. If you have primarily credit card debt, consider a credit card consolidation loan. You may also want to look into a debt management plan from a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Such agencies typically offer free consultations and will help you understand all of your debt relief options.
DTI is over 50%: Paying down this level of debt will be difficult, and your borrowing options will be limited. Weigh different debt relief options, including bankruptcy, which may be the fastest and least damaging option.
Ways to lower your DTI ratio
Reduce your debt-to-income ratio to improve your chances of qualifying for future credit.
Increase your income. Make more money by selling items online or starting a side gig, even for a short period, like babysitting or dog walking.
Reduce your debt. Paying down your credit card balance can reduce your minimum monthly payments. Your DTI will also go down if you pay off installment loans, like student loans or a car loan.
Refinance or consolidate debt. Refinancing or consolidating debt at a lower interest rate could lower your monthly payments and therefore reduce your DTI. Negotiating a longer repayment term could also lower your monthly debt payments, though you may wind up paying more interest over time.
Avoid taking on additional debt. Try not to add to your credit card balance or take out additional loans if you want to lower your DTI.
Weâve all been there: Looking forward to Saturday all week long, only for it to arrive accompanied by torrents of rain. While a rainstorm can foil certain plans, it certainly doesnât need to ruin your hopes of having a fun-filled weekend. There are plenty of ways for kids and families to enjoy each otherâs company on a rainy dayâboth safe from the raindrops and amidst them.
Here, youâll find 50 rainy day activities that will keep your kids entertained and happy.
Wavebreakmedia / Getty Images
Indoor Activities for Families
When the rain is coming down in sheets, settle in and try one of these activities.
Have storytime. You canât go wrong with a good old-fashioned storytime. If your kids are old enough, they can take turns reading.
Sort through old toys. Your playroom will be much more organized at the end, plus you may discover some old toys that you can put in storage or donate.
Go to the library. When you want to get everyone out of the house for free, the local library canât be beaten. “We have books, audiobooks, DVDs, and fun kits and backpacks to check out,” says Marty Mason, a youth services librarian at Chelmsford Public Library in Chelmsford, MA. “Plus a full programming schedule for kids.”
Bake cookies. Tie on your aprons and let little ones help with mixing, rolling out dough, and decorating.
Make pizza. While cookies are nice and easy for younger children, more advanced baking or cooking projects can be fun for elementary or middle school-aged kids, suggests Mason. Pizza is a fun one, as it’s easy to roll out the dough, spread on the sauce, and layer on the toppings.
Play a board game. The classics are great, but there are also tons of newer board games great for kids. Some of our favorites include Blank Slate, UNO Attack!, and Clue Junior.
Try mindfulness exercises. âHave kids reflect on how their week is going,â suggests Christopher Lacroix, MEd, a history teacher at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in Haverhill, MA. âThis can be very beneficial for kids to help promote time management skills and set a daily schedule.â
Create a treasure hunt. If your kids are too small to figure out scavenger hunt-style clues, simply give them a list of household items that they have to track down and collect.
Visit a museum. Childrenâs museums with interactive and engaging activities are a great way to pass the time on a rainy day. Before you buy tickets, check to see if you can get a discount through your local library.
See a movieâat home. Pop some popcorn, pull out the blankets and settle in to watch a new movie or an old favorite.
Play Globle. âThis is an online geography-based guessing game that allows kids to practice and
grow their geographic knowledge on a global scale,â says Lacroix. âThe object is to figure out which country is the mystery country by guessing the names of other countries that are close to it. You can play it once a day or use the practice mode function to play as many times as you want. My grade nine students absolutely love it.â
Have a living room dance party. “This is a great way to get the wiggles out,” says Mason. Everyone in your family can take turns putting on their favorite songs.
Have an indoor picnic. You don’t have to be outside to eat on the ground. Pack a picnic basket with your children, spread out a blanket in the living room, and enjoy the meal you prepared.
Solve some riddles. âRiddles are a great way to pass the time and get kids to think outside of the box,â says Lacroix. His favorite ones force kids to call on their math skills.
Play school. As a fun twist, let your kid be the teacher and you be the student.
Jose Luiz Pelaez Inc / Getty Images
Indoor Activities for Siblings
If all of your kids are stuck inside, these activities will make for great bonding and even more fun.
Choreograph a dance. They can also learn the choreography of a popular dance online, then record it with a phone or perform it for the family.
Build a fort. “Building a blanket fort is great imaginative play,” says Mason. Couch cushions, pillows, and chairs are also encouraged.
Put on a play. Acting out a favorite picture book will make for engaging theater. Or, depending on how old your oldest is, they can come up with a story of their own, suggests Mason. Costumes are a must for the final performance.
Transform cardboard boxes. We all have that giant stack of recycling in our garagesâchallenge your kids to use the cardboard (and/or other materials like plastic bottles and egg cartons) to build new things to play with.
Play with playdough. Playdough can provide endless fun for kids from preschool age all the way to middle school, Mason says. Plus, it’s a cinch to clean up.
Make puppets and put on a show. Stuffed animals, socks, and cut-out shapes on popsicle sticks can all become puppets, while the back of a couch or a table covered with a cloth makes for a fine stage.
Build a masking tape city. Use masking tape to create roads and buildings on the floor (this works particularly well in carpeted rooms, as the tape will come off very easily), then grab some toy cars and go to town.
Write a poem or a song. Older siblings can help smaller ones think of words that rhyme with one another.
Stephen Welstead / Getty Images
Solo Indoor Activities for Kids
For times when the adults have other things to do and there’s only one child at home, these activities will keep your child engaged.
Write postcards or letters. For children who can write, give them the tools to write letters or postcards to their friends, siblings, or relatives.
Make greeting cards. Part arts-and-crafts and part writing exercise, kids can cut out words and pictures from magazines to paste on the front of their cards before writing inside. Or they can break out the crayons to make a hand-drawn card.
Line up dominos. The more dominos you have, the longer your child can spend creating designs with them and then watching them fall.
Read a book. The perfect indoor activity. Audiobooks are also great for downtime, notes Mason, if kids prefer to listen.
Put together a puzzle. Breaking out a brand-new puzzle on a rainy day can keep kids of all ages occupied for hours, says Mason.
Draw. Kids can have fun with crayons and colored pencils no matter their age. Depending on their skill level, you can print out coloring pages or pictures that they can trace or replicateâor you can just spread out the paper and see what they create.
Play video games. With adult permission and limits, educational video games and apps are an engaging way to pass the time, says Mason.
Expand a picture. A fun twist on drawing, you can have your child cut out a picture from a magazine, print out an image, or use a photo you have lying around. They will paste that photo in the center of a large sheet of paper or piece of poster board and then expand the picture around it, getting creative with the setting and anyone else in the image.
Build with Legos. Following a kit is fun, but challenging your child to build something new using all the pieces they have will help spark their creativity.
Practice an instrument. From the xylophone to the drums to the recorder to the trumpet, no child is too small to make some music, Mason says.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
Outdoor Activities for Families
A little rain never hurt anybody. As long as there isnât any thunder or lightning in your area and youâre avoiding swimming pools and running water like creeks, which can rise quickly in the rain, throw on a raincoat and boots and try some of these fun outdoor activities.
Go for a walk. Thereâs just something about splashing through puddles that hits differently from a walk on a sunny day, says Mason.
Build a shelter. Head into the yard with a tarp and some rope and see if you can build a dry shelter.
Try to make a fire. This will take a while and requires the proper skills and tools, but finally seeing those flames lick upward will be incredibly satisfying.
Play with a water table. Water itself can be endlessly entertaining, especially for young children. Set up a table outside with cups, bowls, bottles, and funnelsâthen let them enjoy themselves.
Race âboats.â If your driveway or street slopes down, have your kids grab leaves, sticks, flowers, or pinecones and race them down the running water. This option is best for families who don’t live on busy roads, but no matter what, be sure to keep an eye out for cars.
Measure the rainfall. Set out containers of different sizes and see how long it takes for the rain to fill up each.
Have a water fight. Water balloons are fun, squirt guns are too. Everyone is wet already, after all.
Build dams in puddles. Use rocks, sticks, or your hands to flood holes and impressions in the yard or driveway, then try floating things in them.
Set up a slip and slide. If you donât have an official slip and slide, a tarp works greatâand you wonât even need the hose! Try adding some dish soap, baby soap or body wash to make things extra slippery.
Draw with chalk. Chalk will still draw great in the rain, but the colors will appear slightly different.
Play with sand or mud. They become natural molding materials when wet.
Shower in the rain. Little ones will get a kick out of this one! Bring shampoo and soap outside and lather up in the rain.
Create a water band. This one works especially well if it’s raining hard. Bring out buckets, cups, covers, and other containers made of plastic or tin and see what sounds they make as the water hits themâor grab some shovels and spoons and make music of your own.
Hunt for rain-loving critters. Frogs, toads, worms, snails, and slugs all come out in the rain. See how many you can findâwithout hurting them, of course.
Dance with umbrellas. There’s something about twirling with an umbrella that makes the activity that much more fun.
Cloud peep. Check out the clouds around your house and your neighborhood and see if you can tell the difference between those that are dumping rain and those that will bring dry skies.
Go rainbow hunting. As the storm is letting up, pull on your boots and head out around the neighborhood to see if you can spot a rainbow.
By Alyssa Sybertz
Alyssa has been writing about health and wellness since 2013. Her work has appeared in print in publications like FIRST for Women, Woman’s World, and Closer Weekly and online at places like TheHealthy.com, Allrecipes.com, and OnePeloton.com. She is the author of The OMAD Diet and has served as editor-in-chief for two magazines about intermittent fasting.
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