Start with a literary scavenger hunt by sending the kids to search for poems, fairy tales, or short stories that refer to rain. Then have everyone find a hat and a pair of sunglasses. Make hot cocoa, tea, or coffee, and serve it in nice teacups. Prepare a stage for the performance by utilizing the fireplace landing or laying down a rug in an area that everyone will be able to view.
Once the kids are dressed in costumes and have their chosen literature, dim the lights and light candles. Play soft, instrumental music in the background. Explain that you are the host of an old fashioned Beatnik coffee house and they are there to perform. Applause should be in the form of snaps, not claps, and the repetition of the word “cool.” You can begin by example, reading a favorite poem or reciting a funny rhyme about rain. Then let each child stand and read his chosen literature. If they cannot read, let them beat a rhythm on a plastic dish with a wooden spoon or play a tune on a kazoo. This is a fun and educational way to Beatnik the rainy day blues!
Cloud-Breaking Newscast
Start by having the kids watch a local newscast and determine which segment was their favorite. Then explain that your family is going to create an evening newscast, and it will take some fun preparation. Let each child cover his favorite segment. For sports, the newscaster should create a script that tells the stats and upcoming games for family members. They could highlight a player and tell what they think that athlete’s future holds. The entertainment anchor can give reviews of favorite movies, or the television schedule for the evening. One child may want to cover weather. They can go online to get a forecast, and then draw a weather map on construction paper to use as a visual aide. Maybe you want to host the cooking segment or do a book review.
Everyone will need to develop a short script to practice, find a costume, and provide visual aides. A parent or older child can double as the producer by scheduling the performances and making sure everything runs smoothly during the dress rehearsals. When Mom or Dad gets home from work, you’ll have a captive audience to watch your cloud-breaking newscast.