I have a week off, nothing to do and it's going to rain all week. Ideas

[ditavonteesed]

I decided to pretend I'm going on a wet caravan holiday and I'm a bored three year old that needs constant entertainment.
I'm going in to town today to buy supplies.
My list so far
Books
Colouring book and pens
Embroidery (I have a subscription kit that should come Monday I think).
New pjs

Has anyone got any other idea of things I can do to pass the time in an enjoyable way, I'm very stressed at the moment due to teens and don't want to spend the week getting more and more stressed.
I was originally planning lots of garden meet ups with friends and lots of outdoor time but it doesn't look like that is going to be an option.

Gardening painting ? It wo t rain solidly

Definitely planning some gardening in between rain, I have a massive pot that needs a new plant so a trip to the garden centre may be in order.

Well you can come and scrub the cruddy joins on my 15 kitchen cabinets with a toothbrush if you like!

Lots of blankets, sheets, few chairs etc and set up a sprawling tent somewhere, sit in tent whilst 3yo brings toy cups of tea, puts you to bed etc.

Or row of chairs, soft toys and play buses, you can be passenger on bus.. although there is a good chance that your 3yo will have no idea what a bus is. Face masks for soft toys optional.

Whilst you are doing these thing, “ Serial Killers” podcast on the discrete EarPods.

Would be lovely, but no actual 3 year old (that's me I get bored so easily), only stroppy teens.

In fact if anyone wants to lend me a three year old that would work.

I feel for you OP. I'm stressed by teens also, and I know how rare and precious a bit of time to yourself can be.

The weather has been so nice recently- so it feels extra harsh that next week looks wet.

I work outside walking dogs every day and I find it very therapeutic in all weathers. I would suggest you try to get outside even if it rains. At this time of year there is so much beauty about, and walking in the rain can honestly be enjoyable/ especially if you can snuggle up afterwards.

Also, bear in mind that our weather forecasts are really tricky and generally change as the week goes by- so it's likely that you will get some patches of nicer weather.

You could look for some places to meet a friend that have overhead cover and heaters.

Would you enjoy online yoga, Netflix, a massage?

Online yoga might be a good idea, I've hurt my back so could probably do with it.

Whoops, reread your post. Still try both ideas with your teens, mine would assume I’d gone nuts and avoid me for the week.
In fact Im off to do the tent thing now, just to see the look on their faces! (Beats cleaning the kitchen)
Also “Serial Killers” podcast is very good, recommend it! It’s on Spotify.

Sign up to some online life drawing classes/painting tutorials. Usually the art school hosting have a list of upcoming ones so you can browse and choose your subject or see if something appeals to you. All levels are welcome with most of them. About a tenner normally!

I also second walks in the rain, at this time of year everything is so fragrant!

Jigsaws! Very absorbing and de-stressing.
Plan and cook some more complicated meals than you’d normally have time for?
Yoga With Adriene on YouTube is v good.

Hope you enjoy your time off

Put your wellies on and go jump in puddles

Or go on a virtual museum trip, lots online

Sign up to do a MOOC on Coursera, EdX or similar for something you’ve always wanted to learn That should take up a good few hours.

when I took a week off recently, I just read books and ate chocolate (it was Easter) . It was lovely.

(I did have a few kids to look after, but mostly left them to their own devices).

The previous week I took off, I decorated the bathrooms.

@Temp023 - I thought that was an inspired post, with or without toddlers! I now want to make a playbus out of cushions while listening to a serial killer podcast. Can safely say I've never done that before!

Get a good raincoat and go for long walks or meet people even in the rain?

Gentle yoga followed by Epsom salts hot bath (maybe with a face mask and glass of wine in the afternoon).

A book you've wanted to read, or a new trashy mag to dive into.

Get the teens to do a "Come dine with me" week each being responsible for dinner 1 night.

Do you enjoy swimming? You could try to book a swim and that would probably be good for your back. I would also go clothes shopping. This is a weird one, but could you and a friend go to a park in your cars. Get a coffee and chat on your cars with the windows open?

I would leave teens to their own devices, booking a very long hair salon appt.....bring magazines, the longer the treatments the better. Preferably all day.

I love the ideas for a 3 year old ! My granddaughter has just arrived so we're going to play buses !

Op, some good suggestions here. Definitely try to get out. And I would cook something I've never cooked before.

I would do lots of baking and eating! And download a few funny podcasts and head out into the rain, with wellies and a decent coat on you’ll be warm and dry regardless.
I’d catch up on TV series I’ve missed, clear out and organise a couple of cupboards for that productive feeling, take a load of stuff to the charity shop and treat myself to a new book if one took my eye.
I’d do a really good clean of the main living room and light a few candles, put my slippers on and get cosy.
I’d phone my parents for a chat, and any friends I haven’t spoken to properly for a while, or send out a few texts asking after people etc.
Hope you enjoy your week whatever it brings.

So books, colouring books are a great idea. What about a paint by numbers?

As well as new pyjamas, have a full pamper bath before putting them on - handmade bath bombs from a local company, face mask, hair mask. A nice moisturizer, wear a foot mask while watching a film or reading a new book. New slippers or fluffy socks. Do your own gel nails, that can take some time.

Try some online workouts - gentle ones like yoga with Adrienne, mindfulness meditations. I'd treat the week like a mini spa :-)

You could go get your hair done or have a massage one day.

Do you crochet? If not already your thing, buy a few colours of double knitting wool and and a 4 mm hook. Use Attic24 or Bella coco online to have a go. By the end of the week you could have made something as a souvenir of your rainy holiday.

I second the virtual museum trips and many have things targeted at young children. If your three year old can manage using a (computer) mouse, then moving around the rooms could interest them.

@newnortherner111, op doesn't have a 3 year old.....but she is thinking of getting one

Spa days supplies.....face mask,hair mask,foot mask,bottle fizz,a posh bath oil or shower gel ...mini manicure/ nail polish set if you have finger nails ( mine are bitten 😥) fluffy socks

Baking stuff ?

Loving this thread. The fantasy of a week off without teenager in the house is wonderful. I'm lucky in that I do finish work at 4, but I struggle with stress wrt the teenager being here so relaxing is hard.