Game Plan for a Rainy Day

“Tut, tut. It looks like rain.” -Winnie the Pooh

I can see the clouds looming on the horizon as the forecast calls for rain, again. Oh, no! What is a parent to do? I don’t know about you but not having a rainy day plan can spell disaster for my energetic girls. So, I’ve come up with a list of five places to go and things to do to keep the kids from climbing the walls and keep yourself from losing your mind on a rainy day:

1. Petaluma Wildlife and Natural Science Museum 

I had no idea that the Petaluma Wildlife Museum existed until I attended a four-year-old’s birthday party there last weekend.  This place was one of the coolest places I have visited with the kids yet. Located on Fair Street, just after the high school, is the Petaluma Wildlife and Natural Science Museum. 

Initially built in 1940 out of a school bus garage, the Petaluma Wildlife Museum is now a 9,000 square foot home to over 50 species of fish, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Visitors can explore the large mineral, fossil and forestry displays as well as the hundreds of taxidermied and live animals. Weekend hours are Saturdays from 11-3pm (except holidays). General Admission is $5 (children 5 and under are free).

2. 

For children ages four and older check out Expedition Island located on Southpoint Boulevard on the Westside (just up the street from the DMV). Here children can rock climb on the 20 foot rock wall, ride the zip line, swing across the safari rope swing, and cross the planks of the high adventure wobble bridge. 

Each “Explorer” is given explicit instructions about safe climbing and fitted by the knowledgeable staff in the appropriate climbing gear before getting sent out on their way. There is also free WiFi to parents (a.k.a. Observers) as well as a tree-hut play area for littler monkeys.

Expedition Island is open for drop-in play Mondays-Thursdays 1-7pm, Fridays 1-9pm, Saturdays 9-9pm, and Sundays 9 am-7 pm. Cost is $20/person for 1-2 participants, $17/person for 3 or more.

3. Pump It Up 
Located just north of Petaluma, in Cotati, is Pump It Up, the inflatable party zone. Pump it Up offers several different inflatable fun houses, a giant inflatable slide, as well as air hockey, and a few new inflatable ball games.

They offer a Pop-In Playtime at $7 per child for the Pre-K ones, Mondays through Fridays from 10-11:30 AM,  as well as Family Jump Time from 5:00-6:00 PM Monday through Thursdays for kids ages 2-13, also $7 per child.

4. 

Redwood Empire Gymnastics, located off Payran Street in Petaluma, is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Northern California occupying 18,000 square feet of space. Students and people of all ages have the ability to explore and experience artistic gymnastics in all of its forms while being exposed to opportunities to develop physical fitness, risk taking skills and self-awareness.

The goal at REG is to teach perserverance through learning new skills and tricks while having fun. Drop-in hours are Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 9:00 am, Wednesdays at 11:30, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:45 am. Cost is $12 per child. Discounted rates for drop-in classes of $7 apply for card carrying members of the Petaluma Mothers’ Club on Wednesday 11:30 am, Thursdays 11:45 am, and Fridays at 11:45 am only.

5. The Library

What's better than curling up with a good book when it rains? Take the little ones to the library and instill a love of reading in them. There is story time for pre-schoolers, toddlers and even babies as well as other programs happening weekly.

If money is tight and there isn’t a desire to strap the kids in the car to take them someplace, consider these ideas to keep yourselves busy: 

• Become the camp director and create a day camp for the kids. Include breaks for yourself, snack time, lunch time, and rest time. Create a theme: bug camp, dinosaur camp, princess camp, etc.
• Make playdough
• Build a fort
• Have a dance party
• Play dress-up
• Color
• Write a story together
• Read
• Puzzles
• Organize the toys, decide which ones should go to new homes
• Cook/bake together
• Play hide and seek
• Put on your rain gear and go puddle stomping
• Make something out of old clothes or an old pair of jeans
• Play indoor sports with a soft ball or balloon
• Make a video
• Play Hide And Go Seek
• Create a Scavenger hunt
• Have kids leave the room, move something, and see if they can guess what is different
• Board Games

The trick for me has been to have a good plan. Meanwhile, here’s looking forward to spring!