Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Virginia Beach, VA

Here in Hampton Roads, we're blessed with beautiful weather.  In the Summer it gets hot, but generally not TOO hot.  In the Winter it's cold, but not TOO cold.  But we still get our fair share of rain.  Whether it's monsooning or drizzling, there's nothing worse than kids going stir crazy, so here are some fun rainy day things to do with your children in the Virginia Beach area:

• Explore the Children's Museum

The Children's Museum in Portsmouth, Virginia is a rainy day gem. I can't drag my children out of the bubble room, where you can make full body length bubbles, or the Lancaster Antique Toy and Train collection, sporting hundreds of model trains.  But the psychedelic "recollection" room, turning your movements into a swirl of color and light on a movie screen, is my personal favorite.

• See a movie at the Cinema Cafe

The latest animated or kid friendly movie, a snack, popcorn, tables, and a matinee.  What could be better?

• Visit the library

There are 35 libraries in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk alone.  There's bound to be one near you.  My favorites are the Central Library in Virginia Beach, which even boasts a coffee shop,  and the Central Library in Chesapeake.  At both you'll find a large children's section, story time (there's even a story time in Spanish), and plenty of reading space for your little ones.

• Hit the mall

You don't have to spend money to enjoy the mall. It's a great way to get some exercise and people watch.  Even if that's not enough for you, there are some great indoor playgrounds at some of our area malls. At McArthur Center in downtown Norfolk, you'll find a spacious play area near the food court sporting a large yellow plate of hot dog, an overturned soda drink tunnel complete with melted ice cubes, and a small green pickle slide.  All of the food court obstacles are squishy and kid climbable. Of course, don't forget the carousel at Lynnhaven Mall.  There are two levels of whirling lights, horses and benches to entertain your children.

• Bounce, bounce, bounce

The Jumpin' Monkey in Virginia Beach, Jumpin' Jellybeans in Norfolk, and Kangaroo Jac's in Chesapeake will keep your kids hopping.  Each venue boasts acres of inflatable bouncy houses, slides, obstacle courses, and just plain squishy fun.  I'm always tempted to join my kids in their bounces at least once or twice and they never nap better than after a morning of bouncing.