A little while back, I took up PDX Parent‘s #GetOutside Challenge: to spend at least an hour outdoors with the kids, rain or shine. I wrote about the seven days of puddle-stomping, worm-examining, trampoline-jumping here.
We’ve had a beautiful, warm, sunny week, but today the weather is back to Oregon’s usual rainy self. I learned on the #GetOutside Challenge that a little rain is no reason to stay indoors.
In fact, there are benefits to heading outside on a rainy day:
- There’s no one else at the playground/park/hiking trail!
- Kids love rain gear. Peeper gets so excited to wear her firefighter rain jacket!
- It shows kids the importance of being active, even if it’s crummy outside.
- It gets stir-crazy kids out of the house.
- It gets stir-crazy parents out of the house.
So while I am missing the sun today, the rainy forecast won’t keep me from getting outside with the kids this weekend. We’ll just pack a dry set of clothes, pull on our boots and stomp every darn puddle we can!
Kids absolutely love their rain gear! X1 got rain boots and a rain jacket this year and he relishes the rain so he can wear it! I honestly need to get better about getting outside. I tend to stay with my computer all.day.long.
I could be better, too. At least the weather is improving so we won’t have to worry about it as much until Fall!
So fun to hear that Peeper doesn’t mind going out in the rain because of cool rain gear. I feel like if adult rain gear could be fun like kid rain gear maybe I’d be more positive about rain too!
Agreed! Have you seen those kids rain boots that look like little frogs? I would totally wear those .
That is an awesome challenge. I’ve heard of Nature School that’s taught entirely outdoors and I know a lot of kids love being outside (more than I do anyway…) so getting them outside to play sounds like a great goal! I’m sure they’re learning lots in different settings, too!
I’ve heard of that too! I love the idea of it. Although I, personally, get *so cold* if I’m damp for too long. That’s why out rainy adventures tend to be shortish!
I think it would be hard to raise kids in Portland who didn’t get outside in the rain — they would never go outside! 🙂 I think my kids are used to being out and about no matter the weather, and it’s helped with so many things: sports, traveling, etc. I love the picture of Peeper looking at her reflection in the puddle!
So true! You can’t just wait around for the sun in Portland. You may be waiting a verrrrrrry long time!!!
I also don’t mind being out in the rain because you’re right, rain = less people. My dog on the other hand? HATES THE RAIN! LOL
Hahaha, that is so funny! Our dog used to be the same way. We blamed it on the fact he’s a rescue dog from Central California, where it pretty much never rains! Thankfully he’s acclimated to Oregon and doesn’t mind… as much. 😉