When I was a child, rainy days could really dampen playtime for my friends and I because we aren’t allowed to go outside. Playing indoors is boring. But since kids today enjoy a lot of gadgets at home, they probably won’t notice anything different.

However, it’s not a good idea to let children be playing with video games all the time. Sometimes you have to also initiate other activities. On rainy days, it can be challenging but here are some ideas to make playing indoors fun, and without the use of any portable technology.

1. Baking

Parents don’t usually allow kids to be in the kitchen because they may hurt themselves. But with an adult’s help, you can spend the day baking cookie doughs or going for the more ambitious like baking pasta or fish meals. Kids enjoy measuring and doing something with their hands, such as kneading. And I’m sure they will love it more if they see the fruits of their labor — and realize that it tastes really good.

2. Arts and Crafts

Don’t do the usual coloring, cutting and pasting as children do these a lot in school and may now feel like a chore, instead of a fun thing to do. Be creative. This is playtime, so have fun with your ideas. I’m thinking shaving creams mixed with tubed watercolors can be fun. They don’t have to create masterpieces. The idea is to have something that will keep them busy and entertained.

3. Have A Game Of Cards

This one always works with my kids and their game of choice is Go Fish! We make it interesting by placing bets. And we use pebbles for our bets. The more pebbles earned at the end of the game, and the winner gets a prize from Mom or Dad.

For a lot of parents who own an iPad, the device is really not something for their own use only. Kids as young as three or four already know how to use this gadget, and may even know this works better than the adults. But some of the games installed for this gadget aren’t fit for a young mind. Fortunately, there are a few kiddie applications parents can install for their budding computer geeks.

Here are just two examples —

Elmo Loves ABC’s iPad App

This application is developed for Sesame Street and features Elmo, a favorite of many kids. The game helps kids learn alphabet easily with videos, sing-along and coloring pages. The children can also trace letters as part of the game and some surprises are surely going to give kids a worthy time playing and learning.

The application cost about $4.99

· Over 80 classic Sesame Street videos
· New Sesame Street videos
· 78 Sesame Street coloring pages
· 5 different ways to play hide and seek
· A game mode where children can practice finding the letters they’ve learned

Griffin Crayola Trace and Draw Case for iPad 2

This application is perfect for those who already have the iPad 2 and a child wanting to test its power and capacity. I actually love this one myself as it allows children of any age to be creative. There are over 35 templates including one that encourages children to learn to write their name. The only drawback is that the application can be a bit expensive at $49.95. Still it’s packed with so many features.

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Jibbitz is set to unveil a new product at the 2010 American International Toy Fair with the GeoPalz Activity Tracker. This is the first decorative activity tracker and online game that allows users to earn points through physical activity.

With a simple message of “Walk to Win,” activity is converted to points that can be accumulated and redeemed at the GeoPalz.com Web site for free activity-based products, sports equipment, games and educational-based toys. GeoPalz are produced in limited quantities and retail for $19.99 each.

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