Your kids are ready for another weekend, holiday break from school or summer vacation filled with soccer games, riding bikes and swimming in the backyard pool. But when it starts to rain, dreams of outdoor fun vanish. How are you going to keep everyone entertained all day long? Instead of letting your family stare at the TV for hours, try these 36 ideas to keep the fun going.

Indoor Games

This list of indoor games will keep your kids entertained and active without destroying the house.

1. Wii: Investing in a Wii could be one of the best things you do for your family, because it can keep people of all ages entertained for hours. Design your onscreen players to look just like you, and then join in for a game of baseball, bowling, tennis or any other sport you feel like playing. Even though you’ll be watching the TV screen, this interactive game requires players to move around while they bat, serve and more.
2. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: This popular TV show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy is now a DVD game that you can play whenever you want. Test your knowledge to see if you can keep up with what your kids are learning in school.
3. Bowling: Set up a game of bowling in your kitchen or hallway with everyday items you’ve got lying around the house. Plastic cups, cleaning supplies or even boots could be used as pins, and a good bouncy ball is a house-friendly substitute for a real bowling ball. Play for fun or teach your kids how to keep score.
4. Computer games: If you need a few minutes to yourself, set up a computer game for your kids instead of turning on the TV. Check out this list of the best computer games of 2006 to find favorites like Nancy Drew: Danger by Design and Dora the Explorer.
5. Plan an imaginary trip: Have your kids spin a globe with their eyes shut. Wherever their finger lands is the next place you’re going that day. Plan an imaginary trip by researching the country, figuring out what clothes you’ll need and what monuments you’ll visit.
6. Twister: This old-school game is still a kid favorite that will keep everyone squirming and giggling. It’s also a great game to take outdoors when the rain stops.
7. Monopoly: Playing Monopoly no longer means pushing a thimble or a shoe around Broadway. Newer versions like Monopoly Junior, Monopoly Disney Pixar and Monopoly Property Trader put a fun new spin on the traditional game. Games can last several hours, so it’s a great rainy day activity that you can pause and come back to whenever you want.
8. Shrek Edition Operation: Shrek Operation is another traditional game that has gotten a modern makeover. Kids take turns “operating” on Shrek by cleaning out his ear wax, removing slugs from his tummy and performing other yucky procedures.
9. Go to the Head of the Class: Family members of all ages can play this educational game, which quizzes players at Student, Graduate or Scholar levels. Progress through the different classrooms by correctly answering questions on a variety of subjects.
10. Family Feud board game: Introduce your kids to the competitive excitement of Family Feud with this “fast-paced” board game.

Arts, Crafts and Other Activities

Take a break from the competition to unite forces and organize cooking lessons, crafts and other indoor activities.

11. Put on a show: Encourage your kids to turn their favorite story into a play. You can help them write lines, put together costumes and set up a stage in the living room. Make sure you record their performance or take lots of pictures of them all dressed up.
12. Scavenger Hunt: Create an indoor scavenger hunt by writing clues and planting items all over the house. Depending on how many kids there are, players can break up into teams or search on their own. Come up with a scoring system and award the winners with prizes.
13. Baking: Give your kids a cooking lesson by making brownies or silly snacks. Give them all aprons so that they’re free to make a mess.
14. Have an Indoor Picnic: Just because it’s raining outside doesn’t mean you can’t have a picnic inside! Lay out a tablecloth or blanket on the floor, and pack sandwiches, juice boxes and desserts in a basket. Bring cards for after-lunch entertainment.
15. Read: Even if your kids aren’t big readers, encourage them to pick up a magazine like Highlights or read to them out loud. Reading also helps wind everyone down after a whirlwind day.
16. Build a fort: Turn your kitchen or dining room table into a fort by draping blankets, sheets and tablecloths over high-backed chairs. Bring pillows, flashlights and snacks inside for a cozy haven away from the storm.
17. Make your own Stickers: Try out this ridiculously fun and easy craft from FamilyFun.com. Give your kids markers to decorate office and mailing labels, and voila! They’ve made their very own stickers.
18. Have storytime with a Felt Board: Turn an old cardboard box or shoebox into a felt storyboard when you cut up old scraps of felt into funny shapes, characters and scenes.
19. Plan a party: Turn a boring rainy day into a celebration by throwing a spontaneous party. Dress up, make cupcakes, play games, and wrap up toys and treats you already have to make goodie bags. Your kids will revel in the absurdity and unexpected surprise.
20. Tell spooky stories: If it’s storming outside, bring everyone
    together for spooky
    story time. Turn out all the lights and use flashlights or candles to
    create atmosphere. If you have really little ones, you can tell silly stories
    instead to take their minds off the thunder and lightning.

Escaping the Rain Elsewhere

If the weather isn’t too dangerous, get your family out of the house for a special trip to the movies, a favorite restaurant or the library.

21. Movies: Rainy days are perfect for going to the movies. Load up on popcorn, candy and sodas to make the trip extra special. Back at home, quiz each other on your favorite characters and the funniest moments.
22. Restaurant: Surprise your kids by going out to a restaurant in the middle of the day or meeting up with friends for an ice cream treat. Pick a restaurant you don’t usually go to if you want to spice things up.
23. Planetarium: If your city has a planetarium, take your kids for a show. They’ll be so wowed by the constellations and wind and rain simulations that they probably won’t even realize they just received a science lesson.
24. Museum: Even if you live in a small town, your city probably has at least one museum chronicling the local history and artwork. Take your kids to see how people lived in your area long before there were TVs, Playstations and even cars. If you live in a larger city, try to find a kids’ museum or a place that houses fossils, animal exhibits or hands-on equipment.
25. Aquarium: Aquariums are great places to visit on a rainy day because you get to explore creatures who live their entire lives in the water. Check the schedules before you go so that you can find the tours and special presentations that your kids will be most interested in.
26. Library: Take your kids to your local library, and let them pick out new books and movies to read or watch when you get home. Most libraries have children’s storytime for extra entertainment that’s always free.

Fun Websites to Try

Check out these websites for computer games and activities or to get more ideas for rainy day fun.

27. National Geographic for Kids: Beautiful images and interactive games will teach your children about different cultures, animals and environments. National Geographic Kids also has a database of kooky trivia and entertaining activities to try at home.
28. DiscoverySchool.com: The Discovery Channel’s kid-centric website features different “learning adventures” about Cleopatra, sharks, space and more. Kids can also learn about competitions, get ideas for the science fair and work puzzles.
29. BrainPOP: This popular site has information, games and trivia in all the basic subjects: Math, English, Art, Health, Technology, Science and Social Studies. Kids can get homework help, watch movies or learn about famous leaders in each field.
30. Surfing the Net With Kids: This site is an excellent resource for parents wanting to find appropriate, entertaining Internet activities for their kids. Games and websites are reviewed, recommended and rejected so that you know your kids won’t see anything their not supposed to.
31. FamilyFun.com: FamilyFun.com provides lots of great ideas for cooking, crafts, parties, travel and holiday fun.
32. Today’s Parent: If you’re stumped for ideas on how to entertain, educate, feed or discipline your kids, check out Today’s Parent for expert advice on dealing with preschoolers on up to teenagers.
33. Barbie.com: Girls will love this interactive website that is all about Barbie. Users can play games, watch videos, decorate Barbie’s room and more.
34. SI Kids: Sports lovers can find games replays, news and stats on all their favorite sports and players. The website is geared towards kids, so sleazy sports gossip isn’t an issue.
35. PBS Kids!: Kids and parents can learn about favorite TV shows, play games, listen to music, and print coloring pages. Visit the home of Big Bird, Barney, the Bernstein Bears and Arthur to find out what goes on behind the scenes!
36. Top20Kids.com: This one-stop resource lists the top 20 websites for books, movies, games, art, crafts, homework, teenage interests and more.

Who says a thunderstorm ruins your day? When you’re armed with this list of fun indoor games and activities, your kids might have more fun on a rainy day than a sunny one.