Rainy lockdown weekend with 5 year old

[TheYearOfSmallThings]

Does anyone have any inspiration? I've used up all mine. It's raining, and it's going to rain all weekend. Outdoors is also muddy and grey.
We've already carried out experiments and made a dinosaur movie. I'm seriously considering going to the supermarket just to be out of the house. We were supposed to be meeting friends for a walk (yes, I know it's not allowed) but it's rained off.
I. AM. SO. BORED.
My DS does not like puddle jumping, snuggling, watching movies, hot chocolate or being grateful that we haven't died of Covid.
Now we have to do wrestling and I have to be Randy Orton.

No ideas but plenty of sympathy. My 5yo DD is currently riding her scooter around the house shrieking. We’ve done baking, Lego, Sylvanians, drawing, TV... She doesn’t want to do anything except laugh like a maniac and knock things over. It is pouring with rain - normally we’d just put on coats and go out but it really is chucking it down. Sigh.

Playdough, board games, hunt the thimble (or whatever small object you have to hand), "treasure hunt" give him a list of random objects to find (do it against the clock if he enjoys competition), Draw with Rob on YouTube, teach him to play card games, make a board game (draw it on paper and let him choose the theme & what goes on it).

We are just watching a film. Will have a walk after and they have been playing and watching TV this morning. Tomorrow we will be playing a game with donuts where you hang them from a string and have a competition to see who can eat the most before it falls off the string.

Can you not go out for a walk in the rain? I have been dragging DS out for a walk in all weathers as there is nothing much else to do. He moans and complains about it, but we always feel better for it afterwards.

Make rice Krispie cakes? or a mug cake?

Write his letter to Santa

Build a den in the lounge or the floor of his room and let him sleep in it tonight.

Put a plastic food bag inside a small empty box (a cube tissue box is ideal as it has a hole in it big enough for a hand), take it in turns to put things inside and guess what they are. Start with things like dry pasta and toy cars, then move up to soggy or squishy things like raisins, a cube of jelly or whatever.

About to brave the rain with my youngest to stop her destroying the lighthouse the eldest is making from junk modelling for homework. (Why, why do they set junk modelling homework?! Do they hate us?!)

Rainy walks. We can do this.

Baking? Writing a Christmas list? Setting each other mini challenges, eg, balance a chocolate button on your nose for 20 seconds.

Kim's game (where you memorize objects on a tray & have to spot what's missing).

I thought you could meet a friend for a walk?

I’d still do that

But we’ve had a big delivery which left us with big boxes. Seems to be working as house for dc

Mine will kill an hour in the bath with lots of bubbles and toys. I don’t think anyone would judge you an extended iPad session... People always suggest baking but that only lasts about 15 minutes here.

Some good ideas - I like the sound of that donut game! Maybe I'll use the promise of donuts to lure him on a long walk to get donuts, then play that after, then let him choose one of these other suggestions.

We got through the first lockdown by being outdoors all the time. It won't work this time, but yes - I always feel better after a walk, even in the rain.

*I thought you could meet a friend for a walk?

I’d still do that*

So would I tbh, although we definitely shouldn't (it would be two households, not two individuals) but they don't like rain anyway.

I've got a 6 yr old, today we have been to feed the ducks with welly's and raincoats on, had a dance party in the living room, watched telly, sorted through 2 boxes of toys and taken stuff to the donation bins at sainsburys.

I feel knackered. Would have loved a movie snuggle day 😆

Make fork biscuits.

Decorate fork biscuits

Eat fork biscuits

Takes a good 1.5 hours.

I've got 6 yr old. So far he's played on the iPad, then dragged out for a dog walk in the rain. Now watching rugby with his Dad, then we'll probably play board games, he might watch a film

I feel for you having to play wrestling, I hate any type of role play

Takes a good 1.5 hours

The problem with baking is DS's interest wanes after 5 minutes, and he regards the rest of the process as me doing boring stuff instead of playing with him. As I'm tidying up he will be breathing down my neck announcing that he has waited patiently and now I have to be Randy Orton again. Baking doesn't engage him or buy me time sadly.

I just got back from the beach with my 3 DC. Took a flask of hot chocolate & pack of biscuits. Also spare clothes as ds8 always gets wet. We went out at 12, stayed on the beach for about 30 minutes until it poured so hard we abandoned it.

Changed ds8 into a onesie (that was tricky in my small car!) & then sat in the car with our hot chocolate for about 10-15 minutes before coming home & getting everyone showered & changed & all the wet stuff dealt with.

Was it worth it for 30 mins on the beach? Yes definately! All 3 are quietly playing while I drink tea with a warm ginger cat on my lap & browse MN - happy days!

Managed to convince her to watch the new Jingle Jangle movie on Netflix later by promising popcorn and nachos.

When mine were younger I'd put them in the bath with some toys or just cups & a bath bomb if you've got one. Kept them happy for ages making potions etc.

That & playdoh were my go to distractions if it was too bad to go out.

Hasn't he got toys to play with?

Honestly i would just pop some films on in background or whatever and tell him he needs to play with his toys for a few hours.

I don't get why kids need entertaining 24/7.

I'm currently painting, so my dd has to entertain herself, she's playing qith puzzles, kitchen, watching tv etc, she's 3

Read your last post, he's 5 years old, why does he think you have to play with him all the time?

Solidarity to you. Single parent with a 6yr old who was sent home from school to isolate due to a positive case in her bubble, and I also have a 4yr old & 2yr old, so we are stuck in our 2bed flat all weekend.

How is it only 3pm?! I've ran out of things to do, and they're alternating between playing games on devices and trashing my house. I'll start a "daytime bath with lots of bubbles" soon which might kill an hour if I'm lucky

He's sociable and an only child who doesn't like to play quietly with puzzles (I wish he did). He will amuse himself for half an hour or so on his own, but then he looks for some company. I'm the same!

It's fine when we're out doing stuff...not so good in a lockdown.

WWE was only bearable for me because I fancied Randy Orton
I used to wrestle too, and my wresting name was Mumma Nibbla, and my finisher was kissing them really quickly!
I would just go with the wrestling theme tbh. I kind of miss it now

Today we've done:

Drawing a picture to post to Grandma
Splashy walk in the rain
Picnic in the kitchen for lunch (I said we'd have one this weekend so just put the picnic rug on the kitchen floor as it's peeing it down outside.)
Watched Homeward Bound
Now run out of inspiration so have gone for a drive in the car just to get out! Currently parked up as they've fallen asleep