To ask how on earth

[MiaMarshmallows]

Am I meant to entertain my grandchildren throughout this week? I have them for long days, the weather isn't meant to be good and we are on a budget. Any ideas welcomed

What age are they? Could you bring them to the cinema?

8 and 9.
I guess that is a possibility. Just so expensive, maybe have to look and see if they have any deals.

Ask their parents for a little bit of cash to do a few activities with maybe? If you're not very well off and you're providing free childcare then they shouldn't mind. I wouldn't! Baking, painting, themed days? Board games? Crafts?

Do the cinema experience at home - close the curtains, stick on a film they love, make them a bucket of popcorn etc.

Go swimming

Get them to build some sort of den (indoors or outdoors)

Do you have friends who have grandkids of a similar age? invite them over for an afternoon

Messy arts and crafts - preferably outdoors

Take a picnic to the park (weather permitting)

Baking

Box of a chalk for them to decorate the garden path/patio

Bring them to the library?

Treasure hunt with an exciting (but cheap) prize at the end.

I had a look last week at a smaller chain cinema in our local area and you can get kids club tickets for £2.50 each and that was for a new release!

8&9

building indoor dens (pegs, airer, sheets)
Baking
Painting
Playing out in the rain
Card games
Monopoly
Cooking/making lunch (pizza/pasta)
Making popcorn
Learning to play chess/mahjong
Reading a book together (chapter each(Harry Potter?)
Bring some of their toys/stuff (Lego etc)
Making a house/pirate ship/cave/camp for their favourite doll/toy/teddy

With a bit of cash
Trampoline park
Soft play for older kids
Swimming

Try to have fun!!

X posted with a lot of posters!!

Midweek morning cinemas are usually much cheaper.

They can still go on a bike ride/walk in drizzle as long as they're dressed for the wet or have something to change into.

Collect up some of your recycling and set them crafting challenges.

Baking or have them help make a shepherds pie/lasagna/casserole they can either take home for dinner or leave with you so your evening meals sorted 😁

Telly or a film, if they have tablets/handheld games consoles get them to bring those.

Do a lot of of cooking. Make pizza dough and do lots of toppings. Let them wash up as kids seem to love that. Have a drawn out amble to the park. Have a play doh competition. Watch a film.

Tell them about how when you were young you used to make up plays and spend all day practising and then put on a performance for your granny in the evening

Agree with PPs with activity suggestions. It will take some energy and a bit of planning, but you can have a great time without spending money.

Build a den and watch a film in it
Sow some quick growing seeds or get them to safely do some dead heading in the garden
Make pizzas
Make a book (folded and stapled paper)
Do a nail salon/facial experience at home
Teach them how to knit/sew/bake
Treasure hunt with some cheapish sweets
Make an obstacle course
Feed the ducks, fun even in the rain

If they have a nice temperament, just relax and enjoy their company!

Depends where you are.
We are near London and used to go to museums which were free. I think they are still free but you need to book. Or go to the park for a few hours. (Take a flask of coffee for yourself and snacks and drink for children)
Or I bought paints and a roll of lining paper from B&Q. Or used the paper to fold and cut patterns or did origami. (Book from the library or YouTube videos)
Candle or soap making kit. Or making pizzas or cake or icing cup cakes.

Swimming or trampolining.

All depends what they are into

My kids of the same age love going out in our local dene in wet weather, we stick our wellies and waterproofs on and walk up and down the streams, adventuring!

And have some cheap multi-packs of supermarket ice-lollies on standby for bribery purposes.

Where abouts are you? Do you drive? Perhaps mumsnetter cannsuggests days out indoors that are free.

I used to love curling up with my granny and hearing stories about my mum when she was a girl. Or looking through the family photo albums from before I was born.

My grandchildren of a similar age love 'bob-a-job'. Keep the proceeds and a trip to Tiger/Wilco/Poundland to spend their earnings. They've learned how to clean my car, cut the hedge with shears and use a flymo. Indoors, sweeping, mopping, polishing and cleaning silver. I'm training them up to help me out in my old age.

Don't know where you live, but mine usually travel by car so public transport is a novelty. Free in London. Top of a double-decker or front seats on the DLR. Lots of free places to go. The journey is as popular as the destination. Even a different park is fun. I take a ball or frisbee, coats, snacks and drinks in my shopping trolley.

Cook their own lunch. Roast a small chicken. They can help with the prep. Make ice cream sundaes for pudding. Jelly in a flat dish so it sets more quickly and frizzle it with a fork.

Then granny puts her feet up and they're usually ready to entertain themselves with some quiet time, too.

Bob-a-job is genius. A mutually beneficial scheme!