To be almost catatonic with boredom after just one day of the half term?

[extremepie]

Got virtually no money this week as waiting for tax credits to come through.

Looks like we're in for a week of rain and I'm sooooo bored already!

Can't face the idea of sitting in the house for a week watching TV, don't drive so I'm limited where I can get to for free.

Help me!!

[pinkthechaffinch]

Geocaching? if your kids are over about 8 its a cheap, accessible and fun hobby.

[extremepie]

Both kids under 8 and one has ASD :( What is it anyways, never heard of it!

[Daisymasie]

Count yourself lucky. There's no half term here in Ireland because..... the secondary schools close next Fri for three months and the primary schools at the end of June for 8-9 weeks. Aasaagh!

[extremepie]

Eek! That must be expensive on childcare Daisy!

[TheEmpress]

Ignore the rain. Get outdoors and get on with your life.

[Daisymasie]

Tis torture extremepie. At this time of year, I always wish I'd trained as a teacher (but not at any other time as I realise they have a very difficult job).

[extremepie]

And do what? Go to the park and watch the kids play while I stand in the rain? Go to the beach and get soaked then have to travel back dripping wet on the train? That'll be a fun trip :/

[TheOnlyPink]

Was hoping this thread would be full of great advice. Like Daisy, I'm in Ireland and summer holidays are fast approaching. 8 weeks. 8 whole weeks.

[hotdog74]

Check on line for your local area and there will probably be some free activities on. Look especially at things like the library or any free museums there might be to keep out of the rain.
Pack up a picnic - get on a bus - eat picnic - get bus back on a day when rain isn't too bad.
swimming isn't usually that expensive if you have a council run pool near you?

[Frorg]

I always think if we get out for part of the day then just being at home the rest of the time is easier.

When we are just at home I try to do stuff together for some of it rather than just coexisting. For eg watching a film all together with popcorn rather than just slumping in front of telly iyswim (I've nicked this off my constantly cheerful fb friends!). Also playing a board or card game or playing on the wii together.

I also have a list of things I want to get done in the house this week so I can get on with those while the dc are doing their own thing.

And I've downloaded lots of kindle books so I can make the most of being off work and just relax a bit.

[WhiteWriting]

Pull yourself together woman, you are making memories for your kids and money will never be the overriding factor when they look back...get planning and unleash your/their creativity!

[extremepie]

Unfortunately I can't take DC's swimming or to any soft play type places as I can't manage both boys on my own so anywhere like that is out!

Wouldn't be so bad if I had some money and/or transport :(

[TheEmpress]

We do the same activities in the wet as in the dry. As long as you have waterproof clothing (skin stays dry) and are warm, children don't notice the rain (unless you have conditioned them to do so).

Standing watching is always boring. Get stuck in with them. It's much more fun.

[extremepie]

But how white, hoooowwww!! I need help, I have no imagination :(

[extremepie]

There's only so much fun you can have standing in the rain pushing ds2 on the swings over and over and over.. or watching him so on the slide over and over

What if you don't have waterproofs?

[DinoSnores]

"Go to the park and watch the kids play while I stand in the rain?"

Yes! they'll have great fun and then come back and have hot chocolate and cheese on toast for lunch. One of my best memories as a child!

Depending on where you are, museums might have children's activities on.

We sometimes go to the local garden centre just to look at the fish.

Go to the library.

Play games.

Cut up magazines and make a collage.

[NorbertDentressangle]

Museums, libraries, art galleries - check for child-friendly free events.

Baking at home

Walks in woodland (partially sheltered from the rain by the trees)

Check cinema listings - they often have cheap morning sessions

[CoffeeTea103]

Some really good ideas here.

[ICanSeeTheSun]

The rain don't stop me.

I love the park in the winter, it's always empty and the DC have run of the park.

I struggle in the sunny weather as every one seems to be out, those are the days where I stay at home.

[TheEmpress]

Indoors:

Cook/ bake
Paint

Outdoors:

We just take bikes out, go to the park or walk/ splash in puddles etc.Even just an hour outdoors can make you feel better. If you can't go out for the day, go out for an hour every couple of hours.

What about doing something like this?

www.opalexplorenature.org/surveys

[MarianneM]

Oh, I'm SO with you OP!

If only it was just boredom, I've been so tired that my overenergetic girls are either driving me up the wall or reducing me to hysterical giggles!

Who invented the half-term holiday?! I'm actually turning over the idea of boarding-school for them :)

Thank God my mother is coming over tomorrow for the rest of the hols...!

[capsium]

What do your boys like?

Make a list of things they are happy doing for ages and let them do them.

As far as yourself, get some books from the charity shop/ watch stuff online, sort clothes out - whatever you like doing in the house.

Take a walk out daily, to get fresh air / shopping in etc.

Great holiday, they will love it. Job done.

[TheEmpress]

Museums are free, art galleries, even a trip to the library. Swimming?

Have towels ready for getting back, maybe even hot water bottles. It's fun stripping of wet clothes and getting cosy again.

Look on free cycle for waterproofs. Sorry I can't be more help. I see waterproofs as essential as shoes.

[Innocentbystander01]

I gave the dc an old roll of wallpaper and they've spent the day drawing on the back of it. I thought they would be bored after an hour.
Can you stretch to a couple of pound for some loom bands? My girls got them over the weekend and again quiet and entertained children.
Get a free trial of amazon tv or netflix if you haven't got them they have loads of kids films.

[JonSnowKnowsNothing]

Agreed, OP. I have no money whatsoever and out of absolute boredom today I went into school to do some planning. On a beautiful, hot, sunny Bank Holiday.

Also, due to skintness, I'm unable to buy the strimmer my garden so desperately needs, until Friday. My ridiculously house proud neighbours are getting quite PA about my lawn and I cannot fucking do anything about it until I get paid. So now sitting at home feeling very uncomfortable and very bored.
Sorry to rant!