I did this a lot as a child, we grew up in Louisiana and it rained all the time. My sister and I would play on the side of the street in the rain gutter with our toy boats and make little harbors and dams with rocks and sticks. It was wonderful! Really a storybook-like childhood experience. I would encourage every parent to get over the ” but the might catch a cold!” fear and let their kids enjoy this ( when it is reasonably warm, and not lightning), its truly fantastic. I would also encourage the parents to try it once in a while, it is just as fun and refreshing when you are an adult =).