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

[catsandkittensandcats]

I know we should be in puddle suits and wellies embracing life at the park but we really, REALLY don’t want to do that.

I have a three and a half year old and an eleven month old. Eleven month old can’t walk but obsessed with pulling herself up to stand and wanting to crawl everywhere.

We have endlessly done soft play to the point where I drove to one 30 minutes away last week because I think we were all fed up of the other ones.

We have also done the role play places a LOT - they are lovely but worried they’re becoming tedious. And the baby can’t really join in although she doesn’t seem to mind crawling around eating any toys she finds.

Swimming is a no because you need two adults for two under fives. We’ve been to the library but neither find it hugely interesting and so it only fills about three quarters of an hour.

Groups are on in the morning but then I’m left with a loooong afternoon - is there anything I’ve missed?

Put the telly on?

That’s largely what I’m trying to avoid!

Move here? ( SW Devon) Apart from a very small shower overnight ( which the garden really needed) it hasn't rained for days, and the sun is out again today!

Otherwise, go and see friends with children and commiserate together while the children play.

Why? There's plenty of good stuff for children on television and early years stuff can be really educational.

Alternatively, just let them play at home. Children do not have to be entertained by their parents all the time!

Any regular local groups you can go to or ones slightly further afield?

Nursery and FT work

Eleven month old can’t walk but obsessed with pulling herself up to stand and wanting to crawl everywhere.

Then let her do that. Eleven month olds don't need constant afternoons at soft play / role play and swimming. Just let them explore the house (supervised of course).

As to the three and a half year old, can't they play by themselves? Build them a little den they can play with their toys in? Again, they don't need constant days at soft play / role play and swimming.

Days at home are no bad thing. Get the older one "helping" with household chores and cooking.

Sadly none of my friends with children are off on my days. Moving to Devon would indeed be very lovely but perhaps not the most practical suggestion.

They don’t necessarily need entertaining all the time @BIWI but for example our group tomorrow finishes at 11, we’ll be home by 1130, bath and bedtime routine isn’t until 630, I think 7 hours of TV and self entertainment is a lot to ask of a baby and preschooler plus the TV they already watched in the morning!

Sensory play at home? Can crush up some Cheerios to make Sand, add some toys into it and let them play. Doesn’t matter if 11 month old eats it either.

can also do messy play with yogurts and food colouring

It sounds blissful the way you describe is @Cazpar but the reality is different: constant having to stop the older one lifting the baby up or taking toys from her, older one ‘helping’ by bringing me things I don’t want or need, as soon as I’ve cleaned one bit moving on to the bit my lovely children have just destroyed! Generally we’re all a bit better out of the house and the day goes faster. Normally at this time of year we’d be enjoying parks and things but the weather is awful - I know it isn’t just me.

I used to do a group in the morning, but some rich tea, icing pens, sprinkles and make up some white icing and let them decorate the biscuits after lunch, then some reading time. 2pm I put Barney on for 40 mins.

TV is fine for small children but what you want is shows that don't change the images too frequently as that ramps up the adrenaline/nervous system response so older shows like Barney or Sesame street, Rosie and Jim etc, you can find them all on youtube are great whereas most modern animation like Paw Patrol have images that move too fast. Curious George is good as it uses a muted palate and generally the background stays still whilst the characters are talking. Old fireman Sam / postman Pat over the newer ones etc.

3.5 yo and 10 month old here - I feel your pain!

Are there any other swimming pools around where you can take them both in? Ours one adult can supervise two under 8s and the pool is shallow enough for my 3yo to reach the floor.

We did bowling recently one afternoon when I was going out of my mind, my 3yo didn’t really enjoy the bowling part but we went in the arcade after and that went down well. It was empty on a weekday, baby was happy in the pram looking around at all the sounds and lights and 3yo was happy with some 2ps for the machine!

Often try to organise meet ups with friends or family the afternoons. We go to garden centres for a run around or pet shops to look at the animals.

Stock up on craft materials for the older one - paper, pens, toilet rolls, pom poms, paintbrushes, googly eyes, felt etc. Set up a table and let the toddler have a craft afternoon.

The younger one, well at that age mine enjoyed stirring uncooked pasta in a bowl (!), simple jigsaw puzzles, singing and clapping to music etc. Fairly easy to entertain at that age I guess.

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

Thanks @CleanSheetsCupOfTea . To be honest as much as I don’t mind having them both swimming is the one thing I’d draw the line at doing solo and I have done city visits and trains and long journeys with them both by myself but I just don’t feel confident that I could manage both in the water safely.

I’m fine with a bit of TV but even if I wanted them to watch it for hours and hours they wouldn’t - the eldest in particular loses interest after a while. It’s nice to spend time out of the house with them. I’m just running out of ideas!

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

It would be to have a birthday party party was six months ago but I guess it was a big hit! Unfortunately I can’t afford one every week - it would be nice though

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.