List of Rainy Day Ideas for toddlers!

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

DS is INCREDIBLY active and the past few rainy days I have totally run out of ideas what to do with him at home. He is almost 15 months, so his understanding is very different to nearly-two or 2-plus. He is only barely starting to show signs of imaginative play and has hated all attempts at crafts/sensory play and mainly spends his days climbing and running around. Can't wait til we can watch a movie together or build a fort!!!

Please help me come up with a list of things to do throughout the autumn and winter months as I can see the winter sprawling out in front of me and never ending Ideas for every toddler though, not just specifically hyper ones! :)

So far I have:
Go out puddle jumping
Treasure basket walk - collect feathers, rocks, sticks etc (nicer if not raining though!)
Soft play (our local one is £5 for a 1 year old though!!! )
Library (if DS not in hyperactive mood)
Play doh (not tried with my DS)
Middle of the day bath with bath crayons etc
Cloud dough
Painting
Have some boring time (important I think!)

... Over to you!

He goes to Creche 4 mornings a week too so that will help!

[golfmonkey]

Good thread!

1. Go on a playdate/have friends round - passes the day quicker!
   
2. Get puddle suit and wellies and stick them outside/go for a walk - hot chocolate to warm them up
   
3. Make your own indoor soft play - get a pop up tunnel, sofa cushions, bathroom step etc and make an assault course
   
4. Go to the supermarket (if desperate!)
   
5. 'Chopping' veg with plastic cutlery while you prepare tea!
   
6. Get a travel cot up and stick some toys in - pretend it's a special fun space rather than a makeshift cage
   
7. Check phone clock every few minutes praying that bedtime comes round soon

[jennifer86]

Yes I can see this thread coming in useful over the next few months! I will add a few...

1. Garden centre to see pets (they have rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, small birds and even a parrot at the one near us). Also have nice Christmas displays in autumn/winter.
   
2. Anywhere with a children's play area/ball pit (a few local pubs have them, so maybe meet friends with toddlers for lunch?)
   
3. Swimming (sounds good but we haven't actually been for about 6 months so it might turn out to be more of a faff than I remember!)
   

I'll keep thinking and will be back for more ideas!

[jennifer86]

Btw, what's cloud dough?

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Oh yay, replies!!

cloud dough - I haven't tried it but it's in the back of my mind! In fact, find the 'DIY' playlist on that YouTube channel and they have loads of good ideas too :)

Great ideas, I'd never thought of an indoor assault course!! DS would love that and we have a pop up tunnel.

Garden centre good idea too!

They're all good!

I'm racking my brain for more...

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Make a minibeast hotel!! Maybe one for older preschoolers.

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Bumping for the nighttime crowd!

[Scotinoz]

Drawing with chunky crayons/pencils (admittedly my almost 16mth old likes to eat them more than draw)

Soft play

Museums (quite a few of the museums around my way are free, and they always find something that interests them even if it's just climbing stairs. Some museums do a preschool activity in the morning).

Park/walk (just to get outside)

Play dough

Lego/duplo

Putting things in bags/boxes (this keeps mine occupied for a weird amount of time - even better is the bag has a zip)

A latch board (some friends swear by them but I've always though it looks bonkers)

Washing dollies/cars

Foam (whizz up dishwashing liquid with some cornflour and glycerin and you get stuff foam)