What to do in Bristol when it's pouring with rain???

[HenriettaHippo]

Help! It's pouring with rain, and inspiration has deserted me. We've been in all morning, and the DSs desperate to get out (no to mention me...!!). Aged 3 and 9 months.

Any ideas???? TIA.

Jump at Cribbs?

Bristol Museum - I know yours are a bit young but my 4 yr old loves the animal section. And it's free.

Nto sure about the 9 months one, but I take my DS (2.4) to the SS Great Britain. Failing that there's one of those play areas behind The Mall with ball pits, tunnels etc. You can sit with the younger ones with their younger area and let the older run riot (and wear him out).
My DS is in nursery today and tomorrow, but having checked the weather for the rest of the week, am wondering what on earth I can do on Weds and Thurs...

fabulous

Oooh, Jump. that's the one I was on about.

Check out www.IdeasForTheKids.com Go to the search page, type in Bristol and then click on the indoor/outdoor filter. You'll find over 40 places listed - should be something there for you. And once you've found one place you like, click on the nearby tab to see what else is in the area. Good luck!

@Bristol is fabulous but very expensive as far as I remember. But maybe not for such little ones.

Thanks, lots of ideas. Went to the museum on Sat when it was raining - DS1 loves it! Jump's a good one - but not sure if lots of school children will come after 3... Mayhem in Filton's quite good too. We were going to go to the zoo til the rain came on in. Bummer.

Thanks for that website esc, looks really useful. I wish the Titchiker's guide had a section for "ideas for wet days"!!

DD was 3 when we took her last and she loved it. She really liked the rainforest although found plenty to do in the science section (which was my fav)

you're right about the expense though

Anyone been to the Hengrove Play park? Found it on the website esc suggested, and it looks fantastic? Although for a dry day..

HH, we went there two weekends ago when it was stiflingly hot. Yes, there's lots to play with there but DH and I were astounded at the behaviour of the adults. I'm not being a snob, but I don't want my DS playing near the old dude and the woman he's with, both pi**ed out of their heads and he's trying to grope her tits and cop a feel. Yes, most of the people there were fine, but we were feelign very cautious.
I know I know, I sound so presumptious about the area it's situated, and believe me, we live in Knowle, so this kinda thing doesn't bother us, but it was a bit too much...

Facilities do look brilliant, hence the reason we went in the first place. Maybe on another day it'd be a better place.

cheechy - . I wouldn't want that either. How horrible. It's a shame as it sounds great on the website.

Have you tried Blaise Castle playground - there's lots there too, and a bit nicer?! Big sandpit for toddlers, slides, swings etc. and a big separate area for older children with huge slides and climbing equipment.

I love Hengrove Playpark.
The only downside is that there is no shade when it is really really hot.

Never come across the situation cheechymonkey describes.

Not brilliant for the older ones (7/8 upwards I think) until they are old enough to use the skatepark.

I would really really recommend it - especially during the day when the older ones are at school.

May take ds tomorrow (if not raining).

oh and do go there reasonably regularly and the other parents have been lovely (the ones I've come across).

Cannot recommend it highly enough.

Thanks Armadillo, maybe it's somewhere best to save for a weekday when it's quiet. Bit like Jump, where I only go in the mornings during the week for fear of losing a child when it's busy!

Yup, maybe picked a bad day...

Hengrove park is fab. The only advise i can give is to take spare clothes/trunks/towels. They have a lovely sand/water theme area. Which is brilliant during warmer weather. My DS's love it. They do tend to come away soaked with sand caked in though.

Bristol Zoo, and it doesn't matter how wet it is, there is always an animal house you can creep into. Become an annual member, and then it feels as if you're getting something fantastic for free...also, you don't worry if you only spend an hour there.