It's raining outside and you are stuck inside with one or more children....What do you do?  Well, pull out your balance board and try one of these activities!  Sometimes all you need to do is get something started, and the kids will invent further ways to extend the activity.  Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling.

1.  Fashion Show-If you have costumes, great! If not, just grab a bunch of scarves, hats, and shoes and let the show begin.  Use the balance board as the runway.  See if the kids can do a spin while they're on the balance board runway.  You could even pull out the camera and have a photo shoot.  You can either be the narrator of the fashion show or have one of the children be the narrator. 

2. Build a fort-The balance board can be used as a door to a fort.  Or perhaps a wall separating the main fort from a secret hide-away room.  If you have yoga mats, they can be used as roofing or the floor of the fort.  Be creative.

3. Shadow puppets-Set up the balance board with a sheet over it.  Then, get a flashlight or lamp and face it toward the sheet covered balance board.  See if the kids can create different animals or objects using their hands and feet. 

4. Earthquake Building- Use blocks, Legos, or boxes and cans to build a structure on the balance board.  Then, rock the balance board like an earthquake would rock the earth.  See which structure lasts the longest on the balance board and survives the earthquake.  Then, build again!

5. Drawing or Painting board-The balance board can be used as a great easel for paper to draw or paint a picture.  It can also be a desk.  Prop it up against the wall and use tape to hang the paper.  Or create a desk by laying the board down between two chairs.  Plop a pillow down for a cozy chair and create a masterpiece.

6. Ramp for Balls-The balance board makes a great ramp for balls to roll down.  If you don't have any balls, cans can work instead.  Angle the ramp at different heights and use a measuring tape to see how far the balls roll depending on the angle.  Or, which ball rolls the farthest?  Use painters blue tape to mark off where the balls end up.  Toy cars or trucks can also be used.

7. Dance Party-Play some upbeat music and have a dance party.  Each person can take turns on the balance board to show off their best dance moves.  If you have any disco balls, lava lamps, flashlights, or Christmas lights-bring them out for added excitement.

8. Yoga-For a calm way to get some of that energy out, try yoga on the balance board.  Not only will it make you feel great and work out those muscles, but it's fun.  Try different poses to tell a little story.  For example: "One day there was a lion who got tied up in a net (lion pose).  An elephant came by and tried to help him, but couldn't help (elephant pose).  Then, an eagle came by and tried to help (eagle pose)"....keep adding animals to the story who try to help the lion.  Finally, a mouse comes by and is able to chew through the netting and release the lion.

9. Obstacle Course-Create a mini obstacle course in the house. Kids can crawl over chairs, under tables, frog jump over pillows,  and hop on one foot.   The balance board is great for sliding on (either on your belly or back).  Use a timer to add to the thrill.

10. Miniature bowling-Set up the balance board as the bowling lane.  Get a small ball such as a marble or ping pong ball to be the bowling ball.  At the end of the lane, have some "bowling pins."  Little figurines or even stacked up pennies will work as bowling pins.  Let the games begin!

There are so many things to do with a balance board on rainy days or any day.  It seems so easy to just sit and watch a movie or play video games, but we want our children to think creatively.  Perhaps after setting up an activity or two, they'll come up with something even more creative.  Kids tend to do that. They constantly blow our minds with their imagination.  Let's not let them lose that gift.