Need to keep your kids’ brains active during rainy weather? Sometimes, screen time is a good thing!

Kids have such a hard time on rainy days when they’re trapped inside. The good news is that there are options to help them stay active and use their minds while surfing the web. You can help your child stretch her brain and learn new things when the rain starts to fall by guiding her to fun, educational sites. There are more out there than you may know about.
 
Here are some great ways to help your kids learn online:
 

1. Online games -- Most kids love to play games online. But there’s a difference between games that are only fun and games that are fun and educational. Games can improve their math, reading and logical skills while making them think it’s just for fun.
   
   
2. Incorporate pets -- Dog-themed lesson plans help your little one enjoy the lessons so much more. When they see an animal they like, they’re more likely to pay attention and learn from it. Plus, it encourages your kids to be more empathetic to animals and take more responsibility for the pets in their lives.
   
   
3. Get them moving -- YouTube has a plethora of kids’ dance and exercise videos that will get them out of their seats and grooving. Jump in and join if you want a workout, too! Movement is important for kids because of the obvious health reasons, but also because it sets them up for a healthy lifestyle later in life. Bonus: After a few songs, they’ll be good and tired, and (hopefully) ready for a nap.
   
   
4. Learn to draw -- Another great feature on YouTube is free drawing tutorials. Nurture their artistic side and get that right brain working. There are step-by-step drawing tutorials in which they can learn to draw their favorite animated movie characters, which is sure to tickle your wee ones. Try it with your kids, and you can learn a thing or two, too. When you’re finished, host an art show for the rest of the family or your kids’ friends.
   
   
5. Get scientific -- Learning about science is so much fun for kids because the world is still new to them. Every fun activity and experiment is exciting to see. Try some games and lessons to get them used to the world around them.
   
   
6. Learn to code -- Coding might seem like an advanced skill, but kids are learning it at younger and younger ages. Go to a free coding website, and your young kids can learn the basics even before they get to school. Coding is a skill that helps kids learn in all other subjects, and helps them with attention to detail and logic.
   
   
7. Get musical -- YouTube also is a good place to find music lessons, too. Older kids can learn how to play an instrument by watching the right videos. For example, WeHaveKids recommends the clarinet for children who are hobby-oriented; it’s a relatively inexpensive instrument to purchase (prices start around $350), and there are thousands of online music lessons focused on it. For toddlers and preschool-age kids, you can watch basic rhythm and movement videos that will get them ready to learn about music.
   
   

Keeping your kids’ brains active during dreary days will help you all survive cabin fever. It expands their minds, and gets them ready for when school starts back up. The more active they are at educational games, the less likely they are to get into the less wholesome side of the internet. 

Courtesy - Jenny Wise.