What on earth do you do with a 10yo and nearly 2 yo on, yet another rainy day?

[cruisemum1]

Nowt much that they can do together. Have exhausted playdough, drawing, tv etc. Cannot keep going out to indoor activity areas as v expensive. we have wandered round the shops yesterday (ended up costing me a fortune in lunch and bits). What do you do????!
ds bored and crotchety and dd bored and restless. Me? Fed up!

[lisabartandmaggie]

Not many ideas I'm afraid, but you have my sympathies. We have age gaps too which makes suitable activities more of a challenge.

I'm thinking --- swimming? Thought is awful, but once you get in there its fun.

[Lazycow]

tbh when ds was theis age (18 months +) I bought him some really good quality rainproofs (trousers and all) and wellies and would take him to the park and let him play in the puddles and rain etc and come down the slides. I have memories of me sitting in the park with an unbrella and ds sitting in a really deep puddle in his rainproofs playing in the muddy water very happily and this was in WINTER so was actually quite cold too. Not much fun for me but anything was better than ds whingeing in our small falt all day.

I didn't have another baby though. I think if I did I'd keep the 10 month old in the buggy (under cover) until they want to get out. Then I'd let them out to get a bit dirty/wet (as long as suitably dressed). Then I'd go home and put them both in a nice bath to clean up/warm up. That would take up. Did mean I got wet too but I invested in some good quality rainproofs for me as well.

[Lazycow]

Yes - Swimming is a good one too.

How about visiting friends with bigger houses and other children for them to play with. I did quite a lot of this but then I was shameless about inviting myself over to see people sometimes.

[cruisemum1]

lazy cow - the other one is 10 YEARSs old not 10months!

[bumbling]

Am rubbish at links. But there were some great ideas here

[Lazycow]

Ah sorry - I mis-read that. Much more difficult in that case. Sorry I can see that taking a 10 year old to 'play in the rain' isn't really going to cut it even if the nearly 2 year old would be fine.

It must be very difficult with that age gap.

Can you invite a friend over for your 10 year old and maybe they could go and play at their frend's house to reciprocate.

It is pretty difficult to entertain that age as really they generally want to be with their friends. Where do you live, does your son like museums and do you have any nearby? They are often free.

The nearly 2 year old might be a bit bored but some museums have things that a toddler might like too.

Sorry not much help I'm afraid. The swimmig is probably still quite a good idea though. If you take a friend of your son's too then your son might be even happier than if he is swimming on his own and you can play with your toddler.

[keevamum]

Am in a similar position with an 8 year old DD and a 2 year old DD. Agree with swimming, cinema occasionally but 2 year old attention span isn't great. Softplay is I guess a bit boring for a 10 year old. What about bike rides. I have also invested in full on waterproofs to try to enjoy our lovely summers! Got a bike seat for DD2 and obviously DD1 has her own bike. It's quite a good activity if you are kitted out to cycle through puddles in the rain! Cooking and playdough are good I agree. I have also got rollerskates for DD1 and as soon as she has mastered them will buy DD2 the junior ones from argos but that's only for nice days. I did see in Woolworts some board games which DD1 may just about tolerate playing with her little sister e.g. catching bubbles and elefun. Have you tried anything else? We are going to embrace the weather and go camping for a couple of days but it will be the first time so will have to see how that pans out. Good luck.

[cruisemum1]

LAZYCOW thanks for suggestions. the 10 yo is a dd btw . We tried to call some friends this morning but everyone is away - flipping summer holidays! I will check out the museum thing though as that may work. Esp since it is set to rain for a few more days yet. We are off to coast tomorrow visiting my Mum so at least we can look forward to that!
Bumbling - will check link out. WEll done

[bumbling]

Goodo, can't believe I made it work! Felt much better about tv watching when I saw someone suggesting you could make it into a cinema theme day. Curtains, popcorn etc etc. Well it worked for me. HOpe your day went ok in the end.

[Tinker]

I've got an 8 year gap as well. Sympathies, I find it very difficult.

[cruisemum1]

tinker - it is a blessing and a curse in equal measure