by Brita Johnson

Though it’s hard to imagine during Oregon’s rainier seasons, there are times during the summer when you’ve had enough of outdoor adventures - or your outdoor adventure options are limited by having a new baby and/or a global pandemic.

For the days that require some quieter adventures on the home front, here are some of our families’ favorite indoor not (very) messy activities:

Water tray

Set your little one up with a large bowl or tub in the sink, on the counter, or on the porch, fill with water, and off they go:

• 5 great DIY alternatives to a traditional water table

• Add tools like funnels, a small sieve, non-breakable containers from the kitchen for pouring practice

• Droppers and test tubes can provide endless fun for little scientists

• Throw in people and animal figurines that can go for a swim - these can be themed for different explorations of habitats and alphabet/number learning

• A “learning tower” can provide a safe way for little ones to stand up to work at the table or counter - and eventually they can use it to help you make dinner!

Coffee filter painting

Watching color spread through the fibers of a coffee filter is fascinating - and it’s a good launching place for talking about color mixing effects and the capillary action that plants use to draw water and nutrients up from the soil. Some supplies you might want to incorporate:

• Coffee filters or color diffusing paper cut into various shapes

• Liquid watercolor - or kids’ watercolor paint works just fine as well

• Droppers for transferring water/color

• Small spray bottles for experimenting with how color spreads

• Smock or apron!

• Colorful coffee filter, or color diffusing paper, projects make sweet, seasonally-themed decorations or gifts for far away family members

Bean bin

• Find the basics for how to make your own bean bin here - making the bean bin is half the fun!

• Ideal for use on a covered outside area

• Or, place on a splash mat for easy clean-up of escaped beans

• Scoops, containers, egg cartons or ice cube trays, toilet paper or paper towel tubes, animals/figurines that can be themed for different explorations - check out more ideas here.

Dyed rice bin

• Making the dyed rice may take time, but it’s great fun for kids

• Liquid watercolors (suggested above) can be used to dye rice - or food coloring plus vinegar

• Ideal for use on a covered outside area

• Add in tools like these for fun and additional learning: scoops; small containers; egg cartons or ice cube trays; toilet paper or paper towel tubes; animals/figurines that can be themed for different explorations