What to do with a toddler for a week in very rural france, especially if it rains.

[GColdtimer]

We are going next week with friends (no children). If the weather is nice I am not too worried because there are a couple of lakes nearby and a wolf park . However, if it isn't I am starting to panic about what we will do all week. She is up at 5.30 and that is a long day to fill when you are only surrounded by fields. The nearest shop/town is 10 mins drive away. She normally sees other children every day and I am not sure how she will cope with the isolation. I will take some crayons, playdoh, glue, DVDs and few other toys such a cards and animal dominos but I am worried that will all wear a little bit thin after a few days.

Tips? Please?

take wellies and wet weather stuff so you can still get outside and splash in puddles.

I hate to say this but my worst holiday ever was with dh, one 2 yrs old ds and lots of rain. BUT DS has always preferred company and never playes very well alone. We went out every day anyway in the car to visit things that were inside and also ds went out to play with dh in the rain sometimes. We took waterproofs and wellies (thank goodness we did)

We also took a DVD player with some dvds- an absolute lifesaver for the early mornings.
It probably won't rain though.

We took ds1 to a gite when he was about 14 months old and the weather was pretty bad. The smallholding next to the gite had some animals and he was pretty happy wearing his all-in-one raincoat and wellies and watching them. (Dp and I took turns taking him out so we didn't get too bored ourselves. ) He did get a bit fed up with the toys we brought him so we went to a hypermarche and bought a few books and other toys. I remember it being a pretty good holiday so he must have been fairly satisfied all in all.

So I would definitely advise wet weather clothes, and maybe have a secret bag with extra toys to bring out after a few days if it is wet?

I know it is surrounded by farmland and dd loves animals so that is a good start. Great idea about a secret bag of toys.

Mummy pig - children are so different. We stayed somewhere with animals too (a farm) but ds (just 2 at the time) was intereested in them for about oh 10mins each day. That left about 11 hrs of entertainment to be found. He had masses of toys available as the place we stayed usually catered for small children (we went out of season so none there then) and provided lots of toys. Again these worked for a maximum of 5 mins or so unless we actively played with him.

I know I shouldn't moan but 10+ hrs of 'playing' every day was not my idea of a holiday. DS does however like trips out even if they aren't specifically child related.

Some children just like to be with or play with people either other children or adults and don't like much else. If you have one of these and they are an only child, prepare lots of trips out if you want a break.

tbh
I can't remmeber it all exactly and can't find the thread but it was something to do with ' Why have photos up of people you see every day?'

It is apparently 'cheesy' to have lots of family photos up. I can't for the life of me think why but obviously some people think so.

sorry posted on wrong thread

We took a huge cardboard box once (from a whitegoods shop - fridges etc), which dc painted; then cut holes in for window and door to get playhouse. Lots and lots of play when it rained. Or make den with sheets/blankets. Or put old weatherproof stuff on and give her a bucket and spade; mud is endless fun when you're a toddler...

lol lazycow. DD switches from being really, really needy to being able to amuse herself for ages. She is so changable, sometimes she can be just like your DS, others completely absorbed for ages.

At least there will be 4 adults - that is not a bad adult/child ratio really!

twofalls - Deffo 4 adults to 1 child is great. Either that or 2 adults and several children of varying ages. I have no idea how single parents of one small child get a break on holiday!!

julen - I notice from your post you say dc. That means more than one child.

Frankly as long as they aren't all under 5, I think several children is easier than 1 when on holiday and it rains as they can (after a bit of moaning) usually entertain themselves with the sort of thing you have listed.