Need to get out of the house? Rainy day excursion ideas for kids

1. The daily programs at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. The downtown Raleigh museum has a daily storytime and regular meet the animal programs where kids can get up close and personal with real animals. Click here for details. There are almost hourly showings in its 3D theater. And its Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit also is fun for kids (but not recommended for kids under 5. Disclosure: Go Ask Mom is a sponsor.). 

2. Historic Oak View County Park in Wake County has a fun little education center complete with a mini kitchen, farmers' market and farm for young children to play with. You can run between the rain drops and check out the goats on display in the barn. The park also offers educational backpacks with a variety of activities for kids. We went last week and spent a couple of hours with one of the backpacks, dressing up like people during the Antebellum era and playing old fashioned games. It's all free. Ask for the back packs and other activities at the desk.

3. Marbles Kids Museum's IMAX theater is now showing "Animalopolis," a fun, 31-minute movie for all ages. It's scheduled for 1 p.m., all week. According to Marbles' website, "Animalopolis takes a lighthearted and imaginary look at a variety of animals including cheetahs that race like a Ferrari, bears that run their own fishing school, an operatic lion, scary crabs that hold a town hostage and even attempt to cuddle with children, and much more."

4. Speaking of movies, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill is closed, as usual, on Mondays. But it will reopen with daily shows on Tuesday (and it's still going to be rainy!). 

5. In Durham, the Museum of Life and Science's daily release of blue butterflies begins today and runs through July. That's where we're headed today. The museum also just made some big changes to its Aerospace gallery.

5. It might be raining, but you can still go swimming at the area's indoor pools. Check our public pools database for locations.

6. Check our summer fun guide for links to many more ideas for indoor excursions, including indoor playgrounds, free and cheap summer movies and much more.

7. Go outside! We will definitely be doing some puddle jumping this week.