To wonder what to do with my children on these endless rainy afternoons?

I usually take my toddler to a museum, gallery or theatre show. We're in London so we have lots of options a quick tube ride away.

No relatives /dgp's to visit regularly?

I had the opposite problem in Latin America, scorching heat and UV at 17. Yes, seventeen. I used to do indoor picnics, puzzles and board games, all sorts of indoor games depending on the age.

What about bus or train rides locally, mainly for the excitement of the journey?

Do you have other local mums in the same boat? Go “ out on a visit” to their house one afternoon then they visit you on another afternoon say it’s a party to the 3 yr old. Houses are already child proofed and new toys to play with for the visiting kids. Do you have a toy library near you or a charity shop selling children’s toys to switch things up? Most 3 year olds want to help so a wee cloth, mini dust pan and brush or child size sweeping brush keeps them busy. Make snack time a game, hide bits of fruit, cheese or whatever in Tupperware type boxes and let them find them. If you have outside space is there a possibility of arranging shelter so you can still use the space if a bit drizzly?

God I remember these days. I totally understand why hours in the house feel so eternal.
I did a big list of afternoon activities to look at when I had no plans and needed inspiration, some were in the house for when it was properly raining out, I got them off Pinterest and they mostly involved toilet rolls, rice, toy cars etc (nothing at all elaborate) and the others were totally mundane things like going to big Tesco to choose a favourite fruit, or going to the big out of town shopping centre for something I could easily get nearer me like envelopes, just to get us a change of scenery. Once a week we went to the local cafe for tea and cake.
We live near a big city so did all the museums, galleries, trails etc, even in the rain. The bus ride was exciting enough even if we only managed an hour in the destination.

Do you have any museums or public art galleries nearby? In Manchester most of the museums have a space for children, and it's usually very under-5s friendly, with giant objects to touch/crawl all over, some sort of display or activity for toddlers.

Den building - mine used to love building a sofa fort, or throwing blankets over the dining table and then getting all their soft toys to camp under there. They would play for hours once the den was built.

Baking always went down well - cookies that could then be decorated after were good.

A lot of craft - we used to have an easel that had a chalk board on one side, we did a lot of painting, chalk drawing etc.

Mine also spent quite a lot of time helping me with housework, sorting clothes, loading the washing machine etc. They seemed to find it entertaining (wish they still did!)

When my eldest was crawling, he used to love to empty out the pan drawer and the CD cupboard (showing my age!), so I used to make sure there was nothing in there that could hurt him, then let him crack on.

Jigsaws
Puzzles
Mad baking (very messy)

Season ticket to local attractions like farm parks? Most have some indoor sections.

Are there any local mums that you could meet up with at each other houses. There's probably apps to meet people or you could ask your health visitor

Any afternoon groups available?

Maybe go a bit further afield? 30 mins to another soft play isn't that much. In rural areas that's a short distance to get to anything!

I appreciate you have ruled it out but I always found my children were in a lot better form when they got outdoor time. Baby can be put in an appropriate swing and older one can explore the rest of the playground. Then ye could do tree rubbings etc.

By all means in house pop up a travel cot empty in bags of balls and get them to take turns. Hand painting, Duplo, twister a lot of times were hits here.

Where are you that it's raining every day? Here in Bristol it rained overnight last night, and maybe one day last week, there's no rain in the forecast for the next three days.

If it is raining and you want indoor options that involve getting out of the house - any free museums the 3yo can run around in? Pet shops, garden centres? Pre-schoolers are even entertained going around B&Q, looking at the different tools, picking out the paint colour cards, opening and closing the display shower doors and cupboards and such. Or write a basic "shopping list" with pictures of different foods on and put the 3yo in charge of getting ingredients in the supermarket to make some soup or a fruit salad or something.

I'd still vote that some quieter indoor time with making dens and having teddies tea parties or making a car wash station on the kitchen floor or whatever is acceptable afternoon activity if the weather isn't good for being outside. Have an indoor picnic. Set up a treasure hunt around the house with picture clues.

Yeah I feel your pain..its a difficult time. The afternoons just feel sooo long. My kids never really played alone for long despite every possible opportunity..some kids just don't do this well..honestly cbeebies the tv channel is great they potter about and watch a bit and play while it's on..there is some soft play sets you can get ? Also change up the toys a lot..get baskets and sort them all out and take out a different basket a day. Also a play tent/ tunnel and kitchen etc. And baking. Good luck it doesn't last for long really this stage. X

Go out for a walk in the afternoon - you don't have to spend the whole time there
Take them on errands
Build a den at home
Have a kitchen disco

Let the baby play with the plastic tubs cupboard in the kitchen, I always had one cupboard with stuff in that the kids could pull out and play with as they they seem to think it's way more fun then actual toys.

Older one would probably enjoy making blanket forts, you just need some blankets chairs, or behind the sofa some cushions. They can take their teddies and a few books to hide in.

Building bricks even your younger one is young enough for mega blocks and not as messy as messy play which I used to hate having to tidy up. You can also do basic puzzles and board games with a 3 1/2 year old.

I know what you mean about going out but and time going by but it is nice to spend time at home to.

We live in the driest part of the UK but the last 2 years have been the wets years on record. So I think you will have to get used to getting a bit wet sometimes.

Water play in the bath? Pop them both in together for an hour or so instead of just a quick wash at bedtime.

If they play nicely you might get sone time to scroll on your phone while watching them.

Dance party in the lounge.

Baking. Baby can sit in high chair and watch.

local library kids area?

is there a museum you can take them to locally?

even a walk around the block is something, a couple of times a day

a bath is a good way to break up a really rainy day

Ah we did that for DDs Teddy bear, we were having a BBQ anyway but she put her in a party frock, decorated some fairy cakes and sang happy birthday to the Bear.

But what you see as a 'party' and what he sees as a party are two different things. Buy a big roll of cheap lining paper from B&Q so he can draw a banner - you can bubble write 'Happy Birthday' and he can decorate the letters and around it, pack of balloons from Tesco will provide a ton of entertainment, he can make some rice crispy cakes etc. Some birthday game music for musical statues etc keep him busy for a big chunk of time.

Well you keep rejecting most ideas given...

Children can entertain themselves if you let them. It's good for them to learn to entertain themselves young else as they get older they can't cope without constant stimulation provided

Stop worrying so much about the house and get on the floor and play with them. Read to them. Stick down an old sheet and let them get messy in the paint. Make a den and have a picnic in there. Get out your older clothes and let them dress up and make up characters so they aren't bothering the baby, and tell them off when they do pick up baby. Get them a doll and pram so they can copy you walking down the road.

What about local petting zoos? Aquarium? Movies for Juniors so it's expected to be kids?

Do the children not want to play in the mud or do you not want them to?

Maybe let the 3 year old plan the day and see what they choose to do. Could be an interesting experiment.

Daytime baths for playing were also a massive hit in our house. Handy if you've done some baking/cake decorating or to take up some time after lunch