Camping in Normandy next week - looks as if it's going to p*** down all week... what on earth will we do?

[Jackaroo]

I'm very new to camping - once with my family in my uncle's paddock, just did a big trek this year with a group (but no DS), and we're going to Le Brevedent camping site in Normandy on Monday. The weather looks as if it's just going to pour all week.
Suddenly I'm remembering why I think it was a terrible idea. There will be 4 adults and 2 children - 2 boys aged 21months and 2.5 years...
All ideas gratefully received............
Cheers
Les Miserables

Take plenty of things to do that won't take up too much room in the car. Cards, drawing stuff, playdough, books (for adults and kids), music, board games (there are lots of travel versions), books on cd for the kids. You might even want to think of getting a portable DVD player but tbh we took ours back after one trip away as we hardley used it even in bad weather.

Obviously loads of alcohol helps

Mm, I was thinking wine and medised would help, but I just then remembered a guides weekend of rain, and felt even more hopeless.. how do you keep the DVD powered though - bestfriend felt an electric point was too much like cheating ggrrrrr! DS loves DVDs so that would definitely help.
thanks dusty...
anyone else?

You can plug the DVD into the ciggis lighter in the car and watch that way. You can also get a special device [don't know what its called lol) that you plug into the ciggie lighter and it converts 12 volt car power to a power capable of charging the battery of a portable dvd. I think they cost about £40 from Argos.

Cheers m'dear...
Anyone else? Bumpity bump?

DVD a god send - we took ours to France 1 year thinking it was going to help in the bad weather and we actually used it to keep the kids inside out of the hot midday sun!! So you never know!!

Also can you take a small tent as well, could be used as a play area for the children and keep the toys out of the main tents?

Find out about local indoor play areas...

Good luck!

Look online for local indoor swimming pool, bowling alley....

There's a zoo at Lisieux www.cerza.com/ - I know it's outdoors but you can't change the weather

normandywithkids.com doesn't exactly do what it says on the tin, but if your french is good, it links through to the normandy tourism site listing lots of attractions, museums, cider farms etc. Hope it's drier than you expect (....the weather that is, not the cider)

Also on the outskirts of Caen there's a childrens theme park i.e. seems pretty tame and in typical french fashion it has a weird name www.festyland.com

Book into a hotel

sorry for hijack
treacletart - do you still want the breastpump? you need to give me your address!
sorry...bye...sorry...bye

LOL Cammelia, that's no exactly helpful is it? although you do have a point a fortnight all inclusive in the maldives would sort the problem
Sorry Jackaroo, I'll keep looking.

"NOT exactly" must remember to preview

go to the pound shop and buy loads of new toys, will keep them happy each day of your hols!!!

There is an aquarium at St Malo which is really good.
At Caen there is the world war two museum or something, at least it keep you all dry!
Get on the web and have a look around and see what there is to do.

Thank you so much all - you've saved my sanity!! I also found out that they have a chalet (with washer/dryer :-) that would be free next week, if we really needed to bail..

Camillia - I would go for the hotel too !